x

Joe: We Switched Off - Ipswich Town News

Town manager Joe Royle felt his side switched off after going into a 2-0 lead at Watford and allowed the Hornets to claim what was an undeserved point. Watford boss Ray Lewington conceded that his team had been fortunate to gain a draw.

Royle said: "We had dominated the game and had the better chances but we got undone by two set-pieces.

"All we had to do was to mark the player at the corner but he gets up and scores an unchallenged header.

"Neal Ardley can deliver good crosses but this was not one of his better ones and we really should have defended that. If we had kept them out I think it would have been game over but the goal lifted them."

The Town boss felt that it would be wrong to blame Lewis Price for failing to hold on to Ardley's freekick, given the extremely wet conditions but he wasn't pleased at the failure of his players to react ahead of the home side: "They just got to the ball first in the ensuing scramble."

"But we came back strongly and we were still looking for the winner at the end. It was us who were doing the pressing in the last few minutes."

Royle also thought the Blues ought to have had a penalty when Watford defender Sean Dyche appeared to foul Darren Bent in the first half: "I think the referee was the only person in the ground who thought the trip on Darren Bent was not a penalty,"

Hornets' boss Lewington had praise for his young players: "We were without our outstanding player this season, Bryn Gunnarsson, and then lost our senior defender Neil Cox after 22 minutes.

"There were a lot of young players out there but they gave everything. Their heads did not go down even when Ipswich took a two-goal lead.

"I think Ipswich along with West Ham are the best footballing sides in this division. When they were two goals up, had we not rolled our sleeves up, they could have passed the ball around us and picked us off.

"Instead we fought back and gained another point and I think we can look at each other on Monday morning and at the fans knowing we have given everything."

The Watford boss singled out keeper Richard Lee for particular praise: "Richard has been absolutely faultless since he came in at the beginning of the season and he kept us in it."

What to read next:

Morsy: The Best Spell of My Career and Life
Departing Town captain Sam Morsy has issued a message to fans, teammates, manager Kieran McKenna and his staff following confirmation of his move to Kuwait SC, while the squad and ex-players have paid their own tributes to the Egyptian international.
Town Confirm Morsy Exit For Kuwait SC
Town skipper Sam Morsy’s move to Kuwait SC has been confirmed.
Town Announce Matchday Ticket Prices
Town have confirmed their matchday ticket prices for the Championship season ahead.
Luongo Close to Joining Millwall
Former Blues midfielder Massimo Luongo is closing in on joining Millwall following his trial with the Lions.
Eze Nets Twice as U19s Draw Opener at Czech Tournament
Striker Nelson Eze scored twice as an U19 Town side drew 2-2 with hosts Banik Ostrava in their opening match at the Zlaty Kahan tournament in Czechia yesterday.
Young: Working With McKenna Again Was a Massive Pull
New Blues signing Ashley Young says manager Kieran McKenna played a big part in his decision to join Town having left Everton at the end of last season.
Town Confirm Young Signing
Town have confirmed the signing of veteran former England international Ashley Young on a one-year deal.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Released Forward Roberts Joins Stevenage
Released Blues U21s forward Matty Roberts has joined League One Stevenage following a trial.
Young Close to Completing Town Move
Veteran former England international Ashley Young is close to completing a move to the Blues on a one-year deal.