Ipswich lined up in a 4-4-2 formation with Wright in goal, Clapham, Venus, Thetis and Wilnis across the back, Friars, Tanner, Scowcroft and Stockwell in midfield and Naylor and Johnson up front. Maybe the 'Scowcroft in midfield' plan was experimental or maybe it was forced by the loss of Dyer, Holland and Magilton to Newcastle and injuries respectively.
Ipswich had most of the pressure in the first half against a decent St Albans side. St Albans are used to playing decent sides pre-season and still have Luton, West Ham, Tottenham and Arsenal to come so were in no way nervous about playing us.
From the off Friars looked lively (presumably after a first team place now that Petta and Smith have departed) and Venus and Thetis composed at the back. Johnson played like he did at the end of the season and badly needs a goal. He hit the bar and just looks frustrated all the time. He's a striker and his main task is to score goals so when it doesn't happen for you is must get very annoying.
We took the lead when Naylor was brought down just outside the box and Friars curled in the resultant free kick from 20 yds. An alternative to Venus? Maybe, but with them both being left footed it doesn't provide much variation.
Tanner looked fit and raring to go, Stockwell ran about like a teenager and Naylor put himself about. I told a St Albans fan I work with to look out for Clapham and Wilnis as two of our best players, but I thought that they both had poor games in comparison with last season.
Things changed for the second half. Mike Salmon came on and fumbled an easy ball before making a fine save, let's hope Wright stays fit! Naylor got us a second and then Burley brought on players like Holster, Mowbray, Brown, Niven, Inglis and Midgely. Niven got us a third with a low drive that their keeper let go underneath him. Nobody did anything brilliant but for a first game back it was a steady performance. What we really need is for Johnson to get that scoring habit back again.
Wanstead