x

We Deserved It - Joe - Ipswich Town News

Town manager Joe Royle said he thought that even Norwich fans would feel his side would deserved their 2-0 victory over the Canaries at Carrow Road.

Royle said: "I don't think even the most die-hard Norwich fan would disagree that we deserved to win today.

"The only worry I had was that we might be punished for not putting our chances away. We missed three good opportunities in the first half and when we had a good appeal for a penalty turned down I was beginning to think it was going to be one of those days.

"But the boys kept at it and in the end they got their just reward.

"This is an excellent win for us and I feel really pleased for the supporters as well as the players. It hasn't been the best of times for them recently - we've had a couple of poor results at home and there's the administration business - but this is a great boost for them. You could see how much it meant at the final whistle.

"The win also keeps us in the hunt for the play-offs although we're not getting too excited about that yet. We've just got to carry on winning and see where it takes us."

The Town manager was thoroughly impressed with the league debut of 16-year-old wonderkid Dean Bowditch: "The boy did extremely well for us. He's still young enough to play for our U17s but he came on and has done extremely well.

"In normal circumstances we wouldn't have brought him in so soon. The experience will have done him good but he'll be back learning his trade in the youth team soon."

Norwich manager Nigel Worthington said the better side won despite his players' best efforts: "I've got no complaints about the commitment and work rate of the players - that was first-class - but Ipswich did keep the ball better than us and I thought that was the decisive factor in the end.

"This is a blow, there's no doubt about that, but we'll still keep battling and we've got another home game against Reading to look forward to on Wednesday.”

Norwich midfielder Mark Rivers, a regular scorer against Town in his Crewe days, felt his side never got going: "All the lads are devastated in the changing room. It's always hard when you lose such a big game, especially a derby. We just didn't perform like we know we can."

What to read next:

O'Neil: Humble, Honest, Hard-Working Performance
Blues manager Gary O’Neil felt his side’s 3-1 Carabao Cup victory over League One Leicester City was the result of a “humble, honest, hard-working performance”.
O'Neil Unable to Confirm Palacios Deal Done
Town boss Gary O’Neil said he was unable to confirm that the Blues and Bayer Leverkusen have come to a verbal agreement for Argentina international Exequiel Palacios, as per German reports, following the 3-1 Carabao Cup victory over Leicester City.
Ipswich Town 3-1 Leicester City - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Ipswich Town 3-1 Leicester City - Match Report
Marcelino Nunez netted twice, the second from inside the centre circle, after Sindre Walle Egeli had opened the scoring as Town beat League One Leicester City 3-1 to progress to round three of the Carabao Cup. Walle Egeli gave the Blues the lead on 62, Olabade Aluko equalised five minutes later but Nunez restored the advantage in the 71st minute and as the game moved into injury time sealed the victory in spectacular style.
Town Close to Palacios Deal
Town are reported to be close to an agreement with Bayer Leverkusen for Argentina international Exequiel Palacios.
Ipswich Town 0-0 Leicester City - Half-Time
Town’s Carabao Cup tie at home to League One Leicester City remains 0-0 at half-time.
Ipswich Town v Leicester City - Chatroom Open
Join us in the chatroom to discuss the game as it unfolds with hundreds of other Town fans.
Town Linked With Burnley Striker Flemming
Town are reported to be among the clubs keen on Burnley striker Zian Flemming.
Nine Changes as Blues Host Leicester in Carabao Cup
Town boss Gary O’Neil makes nine changes for this evening’s Carabao Cup second-round tie at home to Leicester City.
U18s Lose Premier League Cup Opener
Town’s U18s were beaten 1-0 by Stoke City in their opening U18 Premier League Cup group game at Playford Road this morning.