x

Joe Happy With Draw - Ipswich Town News

Boss Joe Royle was more than happy with a point from the home game with Wolves given Town's current injury situation. Royle had sympathy for Glenn Hoddle after the Blues were awarded a contentious penalty.

The Town manager said: "I am ecstatic with a point in view of all our current problems. I'd have gladly taken a point before the start. That's not lack of ambition, that's reality.

"We had bad luck falling behind after a wicked deflection but I can understand Glenn Hoddle being upset about the penalty decision.

"I cannot fault the spirit of my players who battled to the very end. For us to compete against teams like Wolves is going to be hard for us at the moment. We are in a transitional period and suffering injuries at the same time.

"I thought Gavin Williams was outstanding for us in midfield and our two central defenders stayed firm.

"For all Wolves' superiority in the latter stages our goalkeeper was not overworked, so we must be doing something right.

"Our failure to score goals in open play is the big problem. We need a far greater threat up front but may have to wait until the January transfer window opens to be able to do anything about it."

Hoddle was less pleased with his side and their failure to take chances, Ki-Hyeon Seol particularly guilty late on when missing from a few feet: "I have told the players they are going to underachieve if they cannot put a killer head on. It is unacceptable.

"Maybe I should change the way we train and make them run, run and run again until the penny drops. We are shooting ourselves in the foot.

"When you miss from that close it is unacceptable at this level. I just don't know if the players realise it. We play some lovely football and dominate teams away from home, but we lack quality when finishing. It's as simple as that."

The former England boss was keen to avoid saying too much about the penalty: "The ball was going out for a corner. I'm not going too far down that road. It will cost me money if I say what I really want to say."

What to read next:

[Podcast] Life's a Pitch TV - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Life's a Pitch TV team is now available.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Ayinde Receives First Irish U21s Call
Blues youngster Leon Ayinde has been named in the Republic of Ireland U21s squad for the first time ahead of their European Championship qualifier against Slovakia at Turner’s Cross, Cork on Friday 10th October.
Town Quintet in Ireland Squad
Town quintet Dara O’Shea, Sammie Szmodics, Kasey McAteer, Jack Taylor and Chieo Ogbene have been named in the Republic of Ireland squad for their World Cup qualifiers this month.
Manning: A Good Time to Go Into Derby
Norwich boss Liam Manning insists that now is a good time for his side to go into the East Anglian derby, despite the Canaries being on a run of four games without a win.
[Podcast] The Naked Football Show - Listen Again
This week's Naked Football Show is now available online.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Gray Man of the Match as New Zealand U20s Beat Egypt
Town keeper Henry Gray was named Man of the Match as New Zealand beat Egypt 2-1 in their second group game at the U20 World Cup in Chile overnight.
Bristol City 1-1 Ipswich Town - Highlights
Highlights of the 1-1 draw with Bristol City at Ashton Gate.
Struber: The Players Executed the Game Plan Really Well
Bristol City head coach Gerhard Struber was pleased with the way his team carried out his game plan during their 1-1 draw with the Blues at Ashton Gate and had no complaints regarding Town’s penalty.