x

Royle Disappointed - Ipswich Town News

Town boss Joe Royle was unhappy with his side after they lost 3-2 to Stoke having been ahead twice.

Royle said: "I'd have been disappointed with a point and we've come away with nothing.

"It's totally our own fault. Defending poorly on the same corner twice and on the same person, although the keeper was fouled in the first one.

"We didn't keep the ball, were non-existent in midfield and individually poor defensively.

"We should have been out of sight by half time. We had two great chances, allied to the goal we scored.

"Our keeper has not had a lot to do but picked three out of the net."

Royle was pleased with Ian Westlake's second goal but less impressed that his players conceded possession all too regularly: "The second goal was terrific but we didn't go on to dominate. We didn't keep the ball so we could go on and play.

"For a side that's supposed to be a passing side we don't keep the ball enough."

The Town boss was particularly displeased with the third goal which saw a mix-up between Richard Naylor and Kelvin Davis but felt the keeper was fouled on Stoke's first goal: "The third was just a straight freekick and we've just not dealt with it.

"I'm not going into referees' performances because that's making excuses. He's [Kelvin Davis] been blocked once before - good luck if they get away with it."

Stoke boss Tony Pulis was unsurprisingly cock-a-hoop at a win which took his side top of the table: "How many points have we got? Another 33 and we'll be safe!

"We get 23,000 people here, they'll go away happy - we're pleased and I'm delighted for the town.

"But it's a good spirit here, what we lack in quality we make up for in commitment.

"I thought it was a cracking game. Ipswich and Joe came for three points, it was an open game unlike some teams who come here to defend.

"It was end to end and the keeper's made some good saves."

Pulis had particular praise for the much maligned Ade Akinbiyi: "He caused them problems all night, he never stops or lets people rest and we've got to wait until the 86th minute for him to pop up.

"But it's him charging around that makes people make mistakes and I'm just very pleased he scored the goal."

What to read next:

Robins: I Think They've Been Fantastic
Coventry City boss Mark Robins was full of praise for Town following his side’s 2-1 home defeat to the Blues, which took Kieran McKenna’s men to within a point of promotion to the Premier League.
Coventry City 1-2 Ipswich Town - Gallery
Photos from last night's win against Coventry at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
Morsy: We Showed Resilience
Town captain Sam Morsy highlighted the squad’s resilience after the Blues moved to within one point of promotion to the Premier League with a crucial 2-1 victory over Coventry City.
Coventry City 1-2 Ipswich Town - Highlights
Highlights of last night’s 2-1 victory over Coventry City at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
McKenna: Burns Injury Cramp, Clarke Knee Problem
Town boss Kieran McKenna has confirmed that Wes Burns and Leif Davis, who were both seen limping during this evening's 2-1 victory at Coventry City, have no big issues while Harry Clarke was unavailable for selection due to a knee problem.
McKenna: Up and Down Game, We Know Saturday Will Be Hard-Fought
Town boss Kieran McKenna felt the Blues’ 2-1 win at Coventry, which put his side a point from the Premier League, was an up and down affair with the Blues getting caught up in the game state and the outcome.
Coventry City 1-2 Ipswich Town - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Coventry City 1-2 Ipswich Town - Match Report
Town are one point away from a return to the Premier League after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Coventry City at the Coventry Building Society Arena. Kieffer Moore’s eighth minute goal gave the Blues a 1-0 half-time advantage, but the Sky Blues, who were in charge for long spells, levelled through Haji Wright on 64, however, Cameron Burgess restored the lead with his second goal of the season five minutes later and Town saw out 11 minutes of added-on time to secure three vital points and put them a single point away from back-to-back promotions.
Coventry City 0-1 Ipswich Town - Half-Time
Kieffer Moore’s eighth minute goal has given the Blues a 1-0 half-time lead over Coventry City at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
Three Changes For Town at Coventry as Davis Starts
Town boss Kieran McKenna makes three changes for this evening’s crunch final away game of the season against Coventry City at the Coventry Building Society Arena but Leif Davis is fit enough to start at left-back.