 | Your
Report | Mansfield Town v Cheltenham Town Your Report added at 09:20:59
A nippy Tuesday evening brought me to Huddersfield, and the night was crisp. Dragging along a City fan, the journey was spent musing the play offs, City's chances for the title, Veseli's development and young Henshall - who, incidentally, I laughed off when he asked if he would be on the bench tonight.
When the squads came out, I was a little disappointed that it wasn't a Hyam-Woody or Skuse-Woody partnership in the middle, yet glad to revert to conventional wingers in Hunt and Anderson. With Williams being a nusiance in the oft mentioned 'hole', I sensed Towun could grab something at the John Smith stadium - a ground which is sunk into the ground.
With one eye on the games around the grounds, we kicked off - the Tractor Boys' followers ever optimistic and the first 5 minutes were generally spent fetching the ball from a long ball as the Blues penned Huddersfield into their own half. Then the magic happened, as Anderson, cut in, hit one and the way it was struck you just knew it was in. An absolute peach. 1-0
Naturally, Ipswich were on top, and looked to press this advantage, Williams having a few snap shots on target, Hunt and Anderson providing the much missed width on the flanks with a solid base of Skuse and Hyam. The second goal came, and it was coming, and the ex-Mackem slotted it into the net, making it two.
As the half drew to a close, 'Uddersfield began their first real flurry of attacks. A goal here, I worried, would change the complexion of the game - as the cliché goes. But our stalwarts Smith and Berra held out, with Smith showing lovely footwork to beat the Huddersfield winger to clear. Delicious.
The introduction of Sean Scannell was one which worried me - his pace and direct running threatened Ipswich, but a few sure blocks kept the two goal cushion in tact. A few changes, the bearded Wordsworth for Hunt and Mings for Cresswell looked to sure up the left side - Wordsworth with his slick passing, missing an opportunity to cross or shoot midway through the second half, but otherwise faultless. Mings looked solid, his passion shown by racing back to win the ball after giving it to Scannell. The Ipswich fans, still in full voice, cheered our newly crowned electric hero Joniesta off, singing his praises long after he'd taken his seat in the dugout - an indication of his value and how well he's been appreciated. With Richardson his replacement, Town moved to a 5-4-1 - looking to see out the game with no nervy moments. A few time wasting moments, a flash of a chance for the tireless, ever running hardworker that is Murphy, Ipswich saw the game out in a win which matched that which Chelsea achieved at Stamford Bridge. The boys were back, the belief rekindled and the iconic fist pump by our Captain, Luke Chambers rubberstamped the win. |
| Your
Report | Southend United v Stevenage Your Report added at 11:06:50
Late in the second half, Sylan Ebanks-Blake attempted a bicycle kick after a corner in a crowded penalty area. I think that just about summed up the Ipswich performance that breezy afternoon.
Making the trek across to Lancashire, I attended the third Ipswich game of the season, buoyed by recent dreams, excitement and festering hopes of a play off position. Having been patted down on arrival, my pre-match was spent watching the boys warm up whilst wondering how on earth someone smuggled a chicken into the ground. Highlights of past Town games were shown, as I found myself reminiscing at the days of Holland (scoring a delicious volley) and Mowbray (what was he doing up there?!)
If the above musings were an indication of the quality of the game, then it was spot on. After a few early passages of play which could have lead to a few openings, it was shown that the odd formation that Mick had deployed was not working - especially with the beast that is Franck Nouble on the left wing. After giving the ball away to the pacy Cairney, Town were lucky to not concede during Blackburn's first chance of the game.
The middle passage of play created chances few and far between, a few headers, a couple of crosses that Cresswell should have put in, not Nouble followed up by some wayward Cole Skuse passes, half-time came as a blessing, with Berra doing well to keep the pantomime villain Rhodes quiet. Blackburn looked threatening when they attacked, with Murphy running around a lot up top, feeding off scraps. Naturally, the ever-electric Jonathan Williams was the most exciting player, with Town fans creating a hum of excitement whenever he picked up the ball.
Post half-time, Town started slowly, and were almost immediately punished by none other than Jordan Rhodes - the stadium announcer gleefully reminding everyone that his 50th League Goal for Blackburn had just been clocked; naturally against familiar opposition. The Blackburn fans came to life, with the section to the Town fan's right suddenly reminded that they were in fact watching a game of football. My highlight? Having what seemed like 7-10 year olds cackling and flipping the bird at me. Classic Blackburn?
Town somehow still didn't come to life, as the game grew into another lull - our borrowed Joniesta making a gut busting run from our half to theirs, his own shot gasping wide. A corner which should not have been resulted in a goal from Gestede; a few Town fans left.
Murphy remained isolated, Hyam the hardest worker in the middle of the park, with Wordsworth seemingly not being able to have the freedom I'm sure he craved. Chambers reminded me that he is, in fact, still a CB by trade, with his crosses and a shot he had woeful.
The introduction of Ebanks-Blake injected some energy, with a few more shots.. but nothing doing. Hunt's urgency was much needed, raising the question as to why he wasn't introduced earlier.
The performance, as summed up by our boss in more expletive terms
"We were rubbish, they were rubbish but they scored two and we didn't"
Heading to Huddersfield on Tuesday night, hoping for a better performance. But for me, the play-off dream is down to a pilot light. I'd like to see Hewitt, Veseli, Henshall all given a run out before the end of the season. Are we ready for the Premier League? No chance. Do we have a chance to compete again next year? Absolutely. Let's hold onto Mick and keep developing our youngsters. |
| Your
Report | Sheffield Wednesday v Reading Your Report added at 16:38:09
Was my first away game, and as previous have mentioned, was cheap as chips. Bargain get up on the train, and a treat to get in for just £10.
The game itself was, in a word, very Ipswich Town. Good amount of industry, some bright sparks but ultimately we were facing a team which could see a game off, where we couldn't.
First half, Town were unlucky to go in behind. Apart from the goal, and a few half chances created by a very tricky McManaman, Ipswich did well to quell a Wigan team which on paper looked better. Anderson was the player of the half for me, with Berra also impressing me. Chambers vs Beausejour could have resulted in more than a yellow, but the ref was unsighted. Cresswell put in a good shift as per, and Skuse looked assured on the ball. For me, Hyam and Murphy were a bit suspect - the former did well, but may be suffering from a lack of confidence due to recent pressure.
I would have bought on Tabb or Taylor at half-time or just after for Hyam, giving Tunni the space to move inside, allowing him to get forward down the middle. When Taylor came on he was a bright spark, and I can see the poor man's Ribery comparison. Murphy had a few wayward touches, and though I do like him, it just wasn't his game. Nouble looked strong when he came on, and Wordsworth didn't really get a chance to make a big impact, but his movement seemed intelligent.
Barnett for them was a solid centre back, and bringing Boyce on to try and put a lid on Taylor's bright start after coming on spelled it out. Carson was on form, pulling off a few awesome saves, particularly when the ball was in the mixer and Wigan were defending for their lives.
All in all, it wasn't a game that should have been 2-0.. but it also wasn't a game where Ipswich deserved to win (though a case could be argued)
For the next game, I'd start Skuse and Tunnicliffe in the middle, with Anderson and maybe Tabb or Taylor on the wing. Taylor could fill the hole behind Didzy, but he could also play up top. Either way, I think Murph and Hyam, as well as Gerken, should be rested for the game at B&HA. Gerken just didn't impress me and I was always nervous when he got on the ball.
Promoted teams out of the way, and there's definitely improvement from the last game I saw a year or so ago. The only way is up, and in Mick & TC we trust! COYB, good performance and even a few Wigan fans in the pub after said we were unlucky to lose. |
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