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groovyASH added 17:15 - Aug 6
God, to think we blew £600k on Grant Ward!....

Great start to the season; sure there will be concerns over conceding two soft goals, and the by contrast 2015-16 style first half. But the second half showed what we can do with a bit of natural quality width, to score 4 goals at home is a welcome change and hopefully a standard setter of intent to how we will go about business at Portman Road this season.

Mick doesn't need millions, but back him with a bit of money and he can pull off a quality deal. For all the multi-millions spent in Championship close season, this weekend belongs to Grant Ward.
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muccletonjoe added 19:52 - Aug 6
Second half i thought some of our attacking play was the best i have seen from town in a long while. If mick can tighten up a leaky defence then we may be in for a good season
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Seasider added 21:46 - Aug 6
Sorry Joe,think I have marked you down in error
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DanLyles added 16:47 - Aug 7
Lining up with a striker and central midfielder on the wings backfired as we struggled to find any real rhythm going forward in the first half. I usually quite like Bru spraying the ball around but both him and Bishop were denied any space by a hardworking Barnsley team. When they did get the ball they had little movement or options around them. This could have been partly resolved by playing a 433 with that particular personnel or by introducing an important facet of the modern game: more adventurous ball playing full backs.

The struggling Bishop and Bru were sacrificed at half time for the new signings and we set up in what appeared to be a 433. McCarthy at least had the initiative to change things early and the clinical finishing of Ward separated the two teams. His goals inspired the crowd and his team mates. We stepped up a gear and started playing with confidence. With the safety net of Skuse behind them, the pace and adventure of Ward and the cultured left foot of Grant provided a platform for Murphy and Didz to play their natural games up front. Sears toiled but without reward and will hope to partner Murphy or Didz in a conventional front two at some point this season.

While Wards sensational hat trick and Grants promising debut should give us optimism for the season ahead it should not paper over the cracks. We were poor in the first half and lucky not to go in behind at the break. Bialkowskis outstanding save was just as important as some of Wards strikes. We conceded two very poor and avoidable goals. Webster will need an adjustment period after stepping up two divisions. Chambers was ok at rb but may struggle against better sides. Knudsen looked a little shakey defensively and was inconsistent going forward. Emmanuel and Kenlock should fancy their chances of usurping them this season.

Where do we go from here in terms of team selection and tactics? Surely the new signings have to start at Brentford. Bishop should be given another chance through the middle, flanked by the new boys with Skuse as insurance again. Sears may find himself as an impact sub as Murphy and Didz continue to improve their fitness and partnership.
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6 AugSunderland A1 - 213
9 AugBristol R CCR1H2 - 00
12 AugStoke City H2 - 05
19 AugQPR A0 - 13
26 AugLeeds H3 - 46
29 AugReading CCR2A2 - 22

2 SepCardiff City H3 - 28
16 SepSheff Wed A0 - 16
19 SepSouthampton A0 - 16
23 SepBlackburn H4 - 35
26 SepWolves CCR3H3 - 23
30 SepHuddersfield A1 - 13

3 OctHull City H3 - 06
7 OctPreston H4 - 24
25 OctBristol City A0 - 13
28 OctPlymouth H3 - 26

1 NovFulham CCR4H1 - 32
4 NovBirmingham A2 - 27
7 NovRotherham A2 - 22
11 NovSwansea H3 - 24
25 NovWBA A2 - 09
29 NovMillwall H3 - 13

2 DecCoventry City H2 - 16
9 DecMiddlesbrough A0 - 25
12 DecWatford A1 - 28
16 DecNorwich H2 - 28
23 DecLeeds A4 - 06
26 DecLeicester H1 - 16
29 DecQPR H0 - 09

1 JanStoke City A0 - 01
6 JanWimbledon FACR3A1 - 36
13 JanSunderland H2 - 113
22 JanLeicester A1 - 17
27 JanMaidstone FACR4H1 - 213

3 FebPreston A3 - 27
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14 FebMillwall A0 - 45
17 FebSwansea A1 - 21
20 FebRotherham H4 - 310
24 FebBirmingham H3 - 13

2 MarPlymouth A0 - 25
5 MarBristol City H3 - 212
9 MarCardiff City A2 - 14
16 MarSheff Wed H6 - 010
29 MarBlackburn A0
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