Blues assistant manager Martyn Pert was pleased Town maintained their usual high standards as they beat Arsenal’s U21s 2-0 at Portman Road in the Papa Johns Trophy in front of a very different atmosphere to the one away against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

Dom Ball netted the opening goal in the third minute, his first for the club, and Freddie Ladapo added the second five minutes from time as a strong Blues side comfortably defeated the Arsenal youngsters.

“Enjoyed the game, a different type of game, obviously because you don’t get the same amount of crowd as we had at Hillsborough at the weekend, but I thought the intensity was very good from both teams,” Pert said.

“I thought they have a different type of approach than we normally face every week, they build up from the back, they’ve really good technical players in every position and it was an interesting game.

“Obviously the first goal helped us, it coming so early, and they had spells where they were in possession and we had to be organised without [the ball] and work hard to stop them playing through, and they provided a threat pretty much all of the evening, especially with the pace they’ve got in behind.

“It was a good game but I thought, in fairness, we dominated the majority of it and we showed good play again and the lads that have been working so hard but haven’t played as many minutes as they would like have come in and shown that they’re part of the group and understand the way we want to play, and overall I’m pretty happy.”

He added: “I think we’re trying to create that high standard in training and in any game that we go out and play in.

“The last time we played in the tournament, we tried to keep the same and the same messages were reiterated today - keep the standards high, keep working at what we’re trying to do and trying to achieve here and don’t drop off at any opportunity.”

Ladapo had had a frustrating night up until his late goal but Pert was pleased with the former Rotherham man’s performance.

“He’s got a good flick on the first goal, he had a chance from a header in the first half, again from a great delivery from Leif, where he’s got in front of his man and perhaps didn’t connect as well as he would have liked,” he said.

“But he’s kept going, good movement in behind consistently throughout the game and then he’s got in behind that last time and a nice slot into the goal, left foot, opened himself up, good finish. Nice, pleased for him.”

Pert felt Ball took his early opportunity confidently: “He did, didn’t he? The early goal helps and it was a great delivery from Leif [Davis]. I thought Leif’s corners were terrific, the outswingers from that side in the first half.

“Freddie got the nick and it was good movement [from Ball] to peel round the back and lock in the back area and he’s scored with a good finish, a good connection with it and I thought he was really good throughout the game, Dom.

“He showed what a valuable player he is for the squad and for the group and for us to achieve something this year.”

Ball also assisted Ladapo’s goal, while Pert was also pleased with the former QPR man’s central midfield partner.

“It was a good pass,” he added regarding the through ball for the second goal. “And I thought Cam Humphreys was good as well throughout the game.”

Late on young striker Gerrard Buabo was given his debut from the bench: “Really pleased for him, he’s got a smile on his face down there in the dressing room, as you can imagine. He’s as happy as anything. It was nice for him to get on the pitch.

“He’s been with us on different occasions since after pre-season. He’s come up at various times and has shown a good attitude and he deserved his moment today to make his debut.”

Photo: TWTD

Umros added 07:02 - Sep 21 Different atmosphere - year we don't Chuck stuff on the pitch a behave like idiots! One wonders what Hillsborough was like last night with the non acceptance of losing at home to Burton Albion. Still waiting to see what futile punishment is fished out for Saturdays antics !
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Dissboyitfc added 07:06 - Sep 21 whilst a pointless trophy in many ways, winning is a good habit. For too many seasons now, more than i can remember this is a game we would have lost and or not bothered with, so well done to all concerned!
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ArnieM added 08:34 - Sep 21 I thought both teams were a credit to their club. A very good young Arsenal side.
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ringwoodblue added 09:00 - Sep 21 It's nice to see and hear from Pert. Although McKenna gets most of the credit, we shouldn't forget about Pert's contribution to our improvement and development as a squad.
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midastouch added 10:38 - Sep 21 Good point ringwoodblue, I totally forgot about Pert being in the building until reading this article! I expect he's having a lot more influence behind the scenes than he is probably getting credit for as most of the credit has gone towards K McK, Ashton and the new owners etc. I think getting the stat analysis guy from Man Utd was a good catch for us too. I was saying for years on here we needed to get with the times and start copying the likes of Brentford (which sadly was never going to happen under Evans). It seems my prayers are finally being answered! :-)

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Ipswichbusiness added 11:42 - Sep 21 I hadn't heard of Gerrard Buabo before. Does anyone know anything about him?
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carlo88 added 13:29 - Sep 21 Another thing I really like about this managerial duo is there's no "Bally", or "Chappers" or "Burnsey". Players seem to be treated like grown ups and given their proper names.
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Ebantiass added 16:51 - Sep 21 I really enjoyed the game it was a very good game with two honest footballing teams.
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