 [Blog] That Was The Week That WasWritten by Nuggets on Saturday, 4th Dec 2010 19:00 This week has been odd. On Sunday it was anger after an embarrassing performance in the local derby to euphoria after the midweek victory in the quarter-finals of the League Cup. Now, at the zenith of this tumultuous week, this was the day that dragged Ipswich fans back to Earth. The fifth consecutive league defeat to Swansea City heaps the pressure back on Roy Keane and underlined our flaws to the watching public. Regarding the Swansea result, what struck me first was the attendance, which has been gradually declining. Granted the game was on Sky and the weather conditions were not brilliant (along with the pitiful Swansea turnout), but I think it offers conclusive proof that a majority of Town fans have lost patience with the incumbent manager. Nobody can blame Keane for the injuries and suspensions that have blighted the team, but we can blame him for the lack of quality replacements considering over £10 million have been pumped into the squad under his regime. Secondly, the defending was poor again. Who coaches the defence these days? Not forgetting that Roy Keane’s selections were once again a disappointment. Despite his impressive performance against West Brom, Jaime Peters was left out in the cold once again. The exclusion of Damien Delaney was also surprising, especially considering Tommy Smith’s inexperience, highlighted in a poor performance against Swansea. I also thought Shane O’Connor would have been a shoo-in considering Darren O’Dea’s poor form. The defence craved for a leader like McAuley, or somebody with experience like Delaney. Credit to Keane for actually starting Andros Townsend, but that move should have been made weeks ago considering the winger’s influence and creative quality, epitomised by his goal today. The attacking performance was average, Tamas Priskin was OK but his substitution, as well as Townsend’s was a bad decision in my opinion because both players looked the most threatening. I don’t think we played badly, the performance could have been better. But I did not expect much following Swansea’s good form in relation to our poor run of results, and had Andy D’Urso awarded the blatant penalty following the challenge on Carlos Edwards, the game could have changed. Yet our form has been worryingly bad and I am running out of good facets about Keane’s managerial reign over the past year and a half. Last season we were mediocre under his negative tactics and this has carried on to this season despite some encouraging summer additions. The fact is Keane cannot get a squad that bursts with potential playing good football. He needs to go if we lose against Preston. Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.
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