x

Berra: We Deserved More Than a Point at Wolves - Ipswich Town News

Centre-half Christophe Berra believes the Blues deserved more than a point from Tuesday’s trip to Wolves, which ended 0-0, and feels the performance made up for Saturday’s dismal 2-0 loss at Brentford.

"It was a good away performance, it’s a tough place to come,” the one-time Wolves defender said.

"They’ve got new owners, they’ve got new players, they had a really good performance at the weekend and I think we’ve kept them at bay.

"I know Bart pulled off a good save from the penalty, but apart from that I don’t think they really created too much and we definitely put them under pressure and we had a couple of chances ourselves.”

The 31-year-old says it was important for the Blues to get a result at Molineux, despite the season only being a few matches old.

"It’s only three games in, it seems a lot of pressure, but I suppose that’s football for you,” he continued. "No matter what club you’re at if you don’t start well [there’s pressure], we’ve won one and got beaten 2-0 at Brentford.

"The last three times we’ve played there we’ve always conceded two goals - we won 4-2, drew 2-2 and got beat 2-0.

"Obviously on Saturday we conceded two goals, one from a corner kick and one from a second phase from a corner, so that was disappointing.

"And after that we didn’t play the best but at Wolves we made up for it, we played well and we actually tried to play football as well when we had the ball and put them on the back foot and created some chances, and it was maybe that final ball [that was lacking].

"But the hardest thing in football is putting the ball in the back of the net, so we’ll keep on working away.

The Scotland international wasn’t too far away from his first of the season with a first-half header.

"In the last two games, even against Brentford, I’ve had couple of chances,” Berra continued. "Hopefully if I keep getting into the positions and keep on getting my head on the end of things they’ll eventually go in.

"It wasn’t a clean, clean header, I didn’t see it all the way but you’ve got to be in there and hopefully they’ll go in eventually.

"That chance, I think it was a wide freekick and it was probably best to just to dink it up or just play it in front of the defence because usually if you put it above them it’s a ‘fight ball’, but he [Teddy Bishop] made a really good delivery and I managed to get my head on it.

"Hopefully the boys will put in good deliveries because we’ve got people who can score goals.”

Manager Mick McCarthy’s stated aim of playing a more passing-based game was more in evidence during Tuesday’s game than in previous games and Berra says he’s happy to adjust to that style.

"In the past it’s been the way we play, that’s not saying I can’t play football. I go away with Scotland and we pass the ball,” he added. "It’s different tactics, different teams, different ways of people playing.

"I think it depends what kind of team you’re in and what kind of football your team plays. I think we are trying to get back to not allowing teams to come at us and sit back, to come to our place and pop the ball about.

"We need to get in their faces and make them make mistakes, get in about them and do what we’ve done in the past two or three years.

"And when we do win the ball in their half, try and play from there and create chances. As you saw, Wolves had plenty of the ball but they didn’t really go anywhere with it.

"It’s kind of a strange one because when you’re at home and you try and pass the ball across the back and the fans start to boo, but then if you go long it’s like, ‘Argh!’, so it’s difficult to please everyone.

"You can’t please everyone, football’s all about opinions, but we want to win games first and foremost. And, yes, we want to win games playing well and in the end we’ll be judged on winning games no matter how many passes we make.”

What to read next:

McKenna: A Tough Game, an Increase in Challenge
Manager Kieran McKenna felt today’s 3-0 victory away against French Ligue 1 side Auxerre was a tough game and an increase in challenge in the final fixture of pre-season and has been pleased with the way preparations for the campaign ahead have gone over the last few weeks.
McKenna: Townsend and Philogene Injuries Don't Look Great
Blues boss Kieran McKenna says the injuries suffered by Conor Townsend and Jaden Philogene don’t look great, while Leif Davis missed out due to a knock and Harry Clarke could be facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines, but keeper Aro Muric is making good progress.
Palmer: It's Been a Really Successful Pre-Season
Town goalkeeper Alex Palmer has reflected on a successful pre-season campaign following the Blues’ 3-0 friendly victory over AJ Auxerre at the Stade Abbé-Deschamps.
McKenna Tight-Lipped on Hackney and Cajuste
Town boss Kieran McKenna remained tight-lipped when quizzed on the Blues’ approach for last season’s loanee Jens Cajuste and also Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney’s decision to remain with the Teessiders.
McKenna: We'll See How Broadhead Situation Pans Out
Manager Kieran McKenna says the Blues will “see how the situation plays out” regarding Wrexham’s interest in forward Nathan Broadhead.
McKenna: Hutchinson Not Mentally in Right Place For France Trip
Town boss Kieran McKenna says Brentford target Omari Hutchinson “didn’t feel mentally in the right place” to travel with the squad for this evening’s friendly against Auxerre in France.
AJ Auxerre 0-3 Ipswich Town - Match Report
Goals from George Hirst, Jacob Greaves and Ali Al-Hamadi saw Town to a 3-0 victory over French Ligue 1 side Auxerre in their final pre-season friendly at the Stade de l’Abbé-Deschamps. Hirst put the Blues in front on 38 and Greaves added the second with a header from a free-kick in first-half injury time, before Al-Hamadi added the third with five minutes remaining of the match.
AJ Auxerre 0-2 Ipswich Town - Half-Time
Goals from George Hirst and Jacob Greaves have given Town a 2-0 half-time lead against French Ligue 1 side Auxerre in their final pre-season friendly at the Stade de l’Abbé-Deschamps.
Hutchinson and Davis Miss Out at Auxerre
Omari Hutchinson and Leif Davis are absent from the Blues squad facing AJ Auxerre in their final pre-season friendly this evening (KO 6pm local time, 5pm BST).
Hackney Turns Down Town Move
Blues target Hayden Hackney is reported to have turned down the chance to join Town from Middlesbrough.