Blog written by DanLyles
Published: 14th July 2010 14:33
Having spent the last five weeks watching England’s grossly overpaid and overrated prima donnas on television, it was refreshing to watch live football again as Ipswich took on two clubs at the grassroots of English football: Newmarket and Histon.
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Both fixtures saw Roy Keane play his first eleven in the first half and the reserves in the second. Utilising a 4-3-3 formation, Ipswich looked fluid in possession against the Jockeys, as you might expect against a team countless leagues below them.
Leadbitter sat in front of the back four giving Garvan and Norris licence to roam forward in support of Walters and Martin, who flanked the lethargic Priskin. The midfield had a nice balance to it, while Lee Martin showed the kind of energy and pace cutting in from the left that we all expected from him last season.
Being so close to the pitch and with only about 5% of the usual crowd (and noise) you could hear how vocal Brian Murphy is in goal as he barked orders at his back four. Shane O’Connor and Jaime Peters offered an attacking threat as they bombed down the flanks and the latter starting both games is perhaps indicative of who Keane envisages filling the right back berth next season?
Ipswich kept possession nicely and denied the industrious Jockeys a decent chance in the first half. Many of the Newmarket players possessed decent first touches and control but lacked the nous to keep possession for long spells or the vision and precision to create anything of note.
The reserves came on for the second half, with only Martin remaining. Luciano Civelli made his long awaited return on the hour mark and showed some excellent touches. Having a direct, left footed and forward thinking player with an assured first touch will only benefit our attacking play this season. He played his way into the box several times after exchanging one-twos with numerous players.
The second half though belonged to Pablo Couñago, who scored a hat-trick in the space of ten minutes. The Spaniard demonstrated his elegant first touch and kept his time on the ball to a minimum. Although you have to take into account the standard of opposition, Pablo is a far more effective player when he keeps it simple, laying off the ball first time and shooting with conviction.
Town’s nine goals against Newmarket were unlikely to be repeated against Histon, who play only three leagues below the Blues. Town’s line up was largely unchanged, with the exception of Connor Wickham coming in for Lee Martin, with Priskin moving over to the left of a three pronged attack.
It is so easy to forget that Wickham has only just turned 17 when you watch him lead the line. The Under-17 European Champion functioned as an effective target man in the centre of Ipswich’s three man attack. The Histon defenders couldn’t outmuscle him and seemed to back off as he coolly finished twice in the first half.
Keane has said not to read too much into his deployment of the 4-3-3 formation but with Priskin again looking far from a 20-goal-a-season striker then it looks the best option. Obviously if someone like Chopra or Hooper were to sign then we could revert back to 4-4-2 with Stead and Couñago as back up.
Unfortunately, Couñago went back to his old ways against Histon, over-complicating matters and got caught dwelling on the ball. However, Civelli again looked bright when he came on down the left flank.
Maybe the Argentine will add some much needed creativity down the flanks where we looked all too predictable last season. Watching Wayne Routledge play for Newcastle in April reminded me of the extra dimension that a nippy dribbler can add to a teams attacking play. I couldn’t help but recall the verve with which Ipswich played when the team sheet included a certain Spurs loanee.
Maybe another Spurs loanee might be the answer? Andros Townsend has been linked and glowing references from his time on loan in League One suggest that the 19 year-old could step up a league. If not then let’s hope that either Carlos Edwards or Lee Martin lives up to their billings prior to wearing a Town shirt.
Chopra and Townsend (loan) would be nice please Mr Keane.