x

Joe Pleased With Point - Ipswich Town News

Town boss Joe Royle was pleased with the point gained at West Ham but bemoaned some of his side's defending. The Blues are now in fourth position in the Championship.

Royle said: "At times we defend like happy amateurs. The team must learn that all 11 players need to defend, not just the back four and I said at half-time that we needed to start defending properly.

"I would have taken a point before the game so we have to be satisfied with what we got.

"Our display was a lot better in the second half, we pressed the play more and once we drew level, I thought we would go on to win it.

"The penalty miss by Sheringham was crucial. It would have been hard to get back from two down at half-time but we have always got a goal in us."

Royle singled out striker Pablo Couñago for praise: "Pablo did well, his best display for us this season and there is more to come from him.

"We must defend better though and that means as a team. We were poor in that department in the first-half and our back four had too many players running at them."

His opposite number Alan Pardew felt his side ought to have won all three points: "That was perhaps a game we could have won and we will be kicking ourselves tonight and tomorrow about it.

"In the first half we got the goal and then we had a purple patch where we could have scored a second or even a third.

"And when Ipswich had their purple patch in the second half, they scored and I think that is why the game ended as it did."

Pardew refused the lay the blame for his team dropping points at the feet of Teddy Sheringham for missing a penalty: "We cannot let the penalty miss cloud the issue and say that it was the only reason we failed to win.

"It is a natural reaction for players' heads to drop in that situation, but you must give credit to the way Ipswich played in the second half.

"They are a good side and they showed their quality by playing some good stuff, and we struggled to cope with their narrow midfield."

What to read next:

Ipswich Town 2-1 Charlton Athletic - Match Report
Jack Clarke and Ali Al-Hamadi were on target as the Blues beat Charlton Athletic 2-1 in their penultimate friendly of the summer at Colchester United’s JobServe Community Stadium. Town were on top throughout with all the goals coming in the second half, while Ashley Young made his first appearance for the club as a sub alongside Omari Hutchinson, back after his England U21s heroics over the summer.
Ipswich Town 0-0 Charlton Athletic - Half-Time
Town’s friendly against Charlton Athletic at Colchester United’s JobServe Community Stadium remains 0-0 at the break with the Blues having had first-half chances to go in front.
Wrexham Make £7m Approach For Broadhead
Newly promoted Wrexham are reported to have made a £7 million approach for Blues forward Nathan Broadhead.
Young and Hutchinson on Bench Against Charlton
Ashley Young and Omari Hutchinson are on the bench for the Blues for this evening’s friendly against Charlton at Colchester United’s JobServe Community Stadium (KO 7.30pm).
Six More Games Including Norwich Derby on Sky
Six more Town games have been picked for live Sky Sports coverage, including the derby at home to Norwich City, which has moved to Sunday 5th October with a midday kick-off.
Vote TWTD! - Football Content Awards Nominations Open
Nominations are open for the Football Content Awards 2025, giving you the chance to pay tribute to TWTD and other Town media you enjoy.
Youngster Mazionis Set For Cheltenham Loan
U21s central defender Jacob Mazionis is set to join League Two Cheltenham Town on loan.
U21s Face Skuse's Bury Town
Town’s U21s face Cole Skuse’s Bury Town at Ram Meadow this evening (KO 7.30pm).
Town Face Charlton at Colchester
Town continue their pre-season friendly programme when they host fellow Championship side Charlton Athletic at Colchester United’s JobServe Community Stadium this evening (KO 7.30pm).
U18s Host West Brom in First U18 Premier League Fixture
Town’s U18s will start their first ever U18 Premier League South campaign with a home game against West Bromwich Albion at Playford Road on Saturday 16th August (KO 11am).