x

Davis: We're Disappointed With the Performance, We Know We Can Play Miles Better - Ipswich Town News

Ipswich Town defender Leif Davis admitted the players were “disappointed” by their performance against Rotherham United, despite Omari Hutchinson scoring a stoppage-time winner to claim a 4-3 victory, which moved the Blues up to third in the Sky Bet Championship.

It looked like the Millers had snatched a point in additional time in the second half when substitute Cafu audaciously dinked a penalty into the back of the net to level the score at 3-3 four minutes into injury time.

But Ipswich never do things the easy way and only a minute later, Hutchinson smashed home to send Portman Road into raptures.

The win moves the Blues level on points with second-placed Leeds United, after Southampton’s 2-1 defeat at home to Hull City, and Kieran McKenna’s side are only outside the automatic promotion places on goal difference.

"It was a tough 90 minutes. It just goes to show the quality we do have with Omari’s goal,” said Davis.

"We lacked a lot of composure in the game. We are disappointed in the performance and know we can play miles better. The level wasn’t good enough tonight.

"The main thing is the three points on the board and we’ve got to keep going and learn from what happened tonight.”

Kayden Jackson gave away the penalty that led to Rotherham’s equaliser, and when asked if he thought it was the right decision, the left-back said: "I couldn’t see it properly, but Jacko [Jackson] claims it wasn’t.

"Their player stood on his foot. The gaffer’s seen it back, apparently it was a bad decision but I can’t say anything, I didn’t see it.”

The 24-year-old highlighted that Town did well to back into the game, from falling a goal behind so early on, but stressed that there were things that their performance lacked.

"We did well to get back into the game when teams score against us [early], they obviously just sit back and try and do everything they can to stop us because they know the quality that we’ve got,” he said.

"Then Wes [Burns] showed his quality and got the two goals and the assist. That early goal did kill the momentum in the game a bit, but we fought hard to get back in front in the first half.

"And then in the second half, that’s what I mean by the composure we lacked, with clearances, defending and being switched on. That’s what we lost in the second half.

"Not every game’s going to be perfect. Everyone makes mistakes and we’re all not perfect.

"The main thing is we fought hard. Obviously it went to the final whistle and the last few minutes of the game, but we still got the three points.”

Davis was asked if he felt fatigue played a part in the performance, after playing three games in the last seven days.

The left-back said: "Not really. We’re all fit lads. We check the running stats after every game and we always run the most in the league out of all the teams. We’re a fit bunch of boys and everyone recovers really well.

"I don’t think it was tiredness, it’s just one of those games where it’s a different opponent and you knew it was going to be a difficult game, how they play, set pieces they’re big at.

"I think on set plays we actually defended really well and we have done in the past few games that we needed to do against tough teams.”

Town have shown their ability to come back on numerous occasions this season and Davis says that experience served them well after Rotherham had scored their penalty.

"One hundred per cent,” he said. "You see out there how mentally strong the boys are, we never give up and we’ve just got to keep fighting to the final whistle, keep pushing and do what we need to do.”

What to read next:

McKenna: New Coach Stanislas Comes Highly Recommended
Town manager Kieran McKenna has spoken about the additions of new first-team coach Junior Stanislas and set-piece analyst Michele Aragona.
McKenna: Young Will Bring Experience, Competitiveness and Edge
Blues boss Kieran McKenna says new signing Ashley Young can give the club different things in different areas, among them his experience, competitiveness and his edge.
Hirst: I Thought We Played Really Well, But Aberdeen Gave Us a Massive Challenge
Town striker George Hirst was pleased to add to his pre-season goals tally during the Blues’ 3-1 victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
McKenna: Philogene Very Good Tonight, His Off the Ball Work Was Outstanding
Town manager Kieran McKenna was delighted with Jaden Philogene’s performance in the Blues’ 3-1 victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
McKenna: We Got What We Wanted From the Game
Town boss Kieran McKenna said he got what he wanted from the 3-1 friendly win at Aberdeen and believes his side is in general on the right track.
McKenna: Nothing in the Air Regarding Omari's Situation
Town boss Kieran McKenna says there’s “nothing in the air” regarding Omari Hutchinson’s future with the forward having remained behind in Suffolk to train while the Blues were in Aberdeen for this evening’s 3-1 friendly victory.
Aberdeen 1-3 Ipswich Town - Match Report
Jaden Philogene scored twice and George Hirst once as Town beat Aberdeen 3-1 in their friendly at Pittodrie. Philogene stroked home from close range after good work from Sammie Szmodics and Hirst on 28, then Hirst added a second with a predatory rebound 10 minutes later, before Philogene netted the third just before the hour with Aberdeen pulling one back in the 79th minute remaining and the Blues having replaced their entire starting XI.
Aberdeen 0-2 Ipswich Town - Half-Time
Goals from Jaden Philogene and George Hirst have given the Blues a 2-0 half-time lead in this evening’s friendly against Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
Strong Blues Team Starts at Aberdeen
Town have named a strong line-up for this evening’s friendly against Aberdeen at Pittodrie (KO 7.30pm, live on TownTV).
Luongo Completes Millwall Move
Millwall have confirmed the signing of former Blues midfielder Massimo Luongo on a one-year deal.