| Try Luongo at Crystal Palace? 00:44 - Mar 6 with 4372 views | TractorFrog |
With a lot of talk of how Ipswich are struggling at the moment and it might be worth trying something different, I would like to suggest that it could be worth trying Massimo Luongo from the start again in the Premier League.
The chant from the Ipswich fans is 'he's here, he's there, he's every f**king where', and this is basically why I think he is worth a go. When Luongo plays, you can never forget he is on the pitch because he is constantly hassling people on the ball and covering a lot of ground, and this was very evident at Nottingham Forest, albeit with a few mistakes in there as well, but he has hardly played this season.
McKenna likes to bring on Jack Taylor whenever we are chasing a game, I think in the hope that he will recreate those two thunderbolts against Wolves and Swansea last year, but when he isn't doing something amazing like that, he can often be a bit anonymous in games. Jens Cajuste looks an extremely talented player with the way he can turn his man and then fly down the pitch, often beating another player or two in the process. You would think he would be a huge asset from an attacking perspective, but the first goal against Chelsea is the only one I can think of where that skill was particularly crucial to the goal. So I think it is worth trying something different.
Kalvin Phillips is quite a similar player to Luongo in that he is always hassling the ball and covering a lot of ground, but the stats would suggest we don't get many points when Phillips starts, maybe because it feels like he often gives away fouls when tracking back around the penalty area in a way that Luongo didn't last year. Probably because of the higher standard of opposition, but 37/46 games in a championship side that finished second is enough to be worth checking.
Luongo has only started two Premier League games this season, both losses, but they were against Liverpool and Man City and were much better overall performances than the reverse fixtures.
Defensively is where I think Luongo would be most useful to this team. Last season I often listened to games on TownTV and it felt like a regular occurrence that Glenn Wheeler's voice would get more high-pitched as the opposition were attacking, then would relax and say 'brilliant challenge from Luongo'. That's been missing a bit this season without him.
Related to this, one problem for the team this season compared to last is that Leif Davis has been considerably less effective. Last season, he would bomb down the wing and provide all sorts of assists, but rarely seemed to be caught out at the other end as a result. This season, he continues to bomb down the wing but is providing less attacking threat from it, and then quite often is caught out of position and the opposition can score on the counter.
The relative lack of attacking threat is partly down to stronger opposition giving Davis less time and space on the ball, and partly because the rest of the team use him less, with the likes of Burgess, Woolfenden, Chaplin, Broadhead and Hirst more likely to pass to Davis than their replacements. But I think getting caught out defensively could be related to the fact that last season, when Davis went forward, Luongo would drop into the left-back position and give him more attacking freedom, in a way that Cajuste doesn't. Some of the goals this season where Davis was blamed for not sticking with his man, most recently the Brennan Johnson goals for Spurs, could perhaps have been prevented if Luongo had been there as an extra option defensively to mark him.
I think this could be a way of sorting out the defensive problem at left-back, rather than playing Townsend who doesn't provide the same attacking threat as Davis. Having Luongo play a similar role to last season could also make Davis a bit more effective in attack as he would have more freedom and would leave the team less open when he went forward, which could have a greater hand in scoring more goals than what would be lost by not having Cajuste's runs. I would also play Burgess and Broadhead if possible to restore some familiarity to the left-hand-side that was so crucial to our success last season. It might not work, but after five defeats in six, I think it would be worth a try.
So my team for Palace would be:
Palmer
O'Shea Woolfenden Burgess
Johnson Morsy Luongo Davis
Philogene Broadhead
Hirst
This is assuming Hutchinson and Tuanzebe are not available, otherwise they would replace Philogene and Woolfenden.
I feel I should also justify starting Hirst instead of Delap. I think Liam Delap, while he is clearly our most talented player, is effective in a bit of a one-man-band way, in that when he gets the ball he can single-handedly take it down the pitch and have a very good shot, fashioning a chance from nothing, but he doesn't pass the ball much. George Hirst links with the other attackers better, and is more of a player for the Ipswich system. I think that sort of striker is the way to go at the start of the game, and then Delap is who you want at the end when it all gets a bit more desperate, but I would generally want to bring him on a bit earlier than has been the norm for substitutes this season, although it depends on the circumstances of the game. Again, it might not work but after five defeats in six, it is worth a try.
I also think that it's been a theme this season that having more players from the promotion squad tends to lead to a bit more passion and desire in the team, which can sometimes count for more than the extra talent of the new signings. |  |
| They'd all laugh at me if they knew what I was trying to do. To create a new strain of super-wine in half-an-hour with a fraction of nature's resources and a FOOL for an assistant. 'Bernard Black, he's mad,' they'd say, 'he's insane, he's dangerous.' Well I'll show them! I'll show them all! | | Poll: | Who should start in CM with Cajuste? |
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| Try Luongo at Crystal Palace? on 06:07 - Mar 6 with 3520 views | Blue_Heath |
I love Mass, but 2 games in a six days is a big ask. |  | | |
| Try Luongo at Crystal Palace? on 06:42 - Mar 6 with 3474 views | smithy69 |
He’s here, he’s there, he’s everything effing where ……..
(Just at a slower pace than most) I love him but no chance | | | |
| Try Luongo at Crystal Palace? on 06:45 - Mar 6 with 3459 views | Wallingford_Boy |
I assume you didn’t watch the forest game then?
2 yards off the pace. |  |
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| Try Luongo at Crystal Palace? on 07:31 - Mar 6 with 3335 views | cressi |
| Try Luongo at Crystal Palace? on 06:45 - Mar 6 by Wallingford_Boy |
I assume you didn’t watch the forest game then?
2 yards off the pace. |
So would u be 2 yards off the pace if you never play. Apart from Morsy our central midfield will need a complete overhaul come summer. | | | |
| Try Luongo at Crystal Palace? on 07:37 - Mar 6 with 3308 views | The_Flashing_Smile |
No. He's just too slow now. Time has caught up with him... but also we're in the Prem now which is very different to last year. There's no point being great at hassling if you can't get near the opposition.
Morsy's heading that way too... so both of them in a Prem game would just get completely over run. |  |
| Trust the process. Trust Phil. |
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| Try Luongo at Crystal Palace? on 07:42 - Mar 6 with 3287 views | mr_bean |
| Try Luongo at Crystal Palace? on 07:31 - Mar 6 by cressi |
So would u be 2 yards off the pace if you never play. Apart from Morsy our central midfield will need a complete overhaul come summer. |
I suspect we'll be back in for Downes. | | | |
| Try Luongo at Crystal Palace? on 07:54 - Mar 6 with 3216 views | MattinLondon |
| Try Luongo at Crystal Palace? on 07:42 - Mar 6 by mr_bean |
I suspect we'll be back in for Downes. |
If possible, I think we should be aiming for better than Downes. |  | | |
| Try Luongo at Crystal Palace? on 08:13 - Mar 6 with 3131 views | WeirdFishes |
Not for me, love him but he was poor vs Forest and didn’t look at this level, which is fine. We have no time for sentimental. |  |
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| Try Luongo at Crystal Palace? on 09:08 - Mar 6 with 2989 views | TractorFrog |
I was very low down behind the goal at Forest so couldn't see nearly as well as on TV, but although it seemed like Luongo made a few mistakes from lack of match fitness (misplaced passes, committing fouls), I didn't notice him being off the pace. Also, in the first half at least, although Forest had a lot of attacks, I don't recall any misses where it felt like they should have scored and the attacker messed up. Each time, it seemed like the defence were positioned well to stop there being a real chance (I can't comment on the start of the second half because I have no idea what was going on down the other end), and when Luongo went off we were 1-0 up. So to me, it didn't seem like we were overrun in midfield despite playing Morsy and Luongo against the third-best team in the Premier League. Morsy in particular I thought played really well against Forest. | |
| They'd all laugh at me if they knew what I was trying to do. To create a new strain of super-wine in half-an-hour with a fraction of nature's resources and a FOOL for an assistant. 'Bernard Black, he's mad,' they'd say, 'he's insane, he's dangerous.' Well I'll show them! I'll show them all! | | Poll: | Who should start in CM with Cajuste? |
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| Try Luongo at Crystal Palace? on 09:12 - Mar 6 with 2962 views | Radlett_blue |
| Try Luongo at Crystal Palace? on 06:42 - Mar 6 by smithy69 |
He’s here, he’s there, he’s everything effing where ……..
(Just at a slower pace than most) I love him but no chance |
Luongo is one of our players who has really struggled to step up to the PL. Aged 32 & spend most of his career in the Championship or League 1 so not really surprising. His role also requires a huge amount of energy. I thought he struggled against Forest & no way should he be starting PL games right now. |  |
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| Try Luongo at Crystal Palace? on 09:13 - Mar 6 with 2956 views | The_Flashing_Smile |
| Try Luongo at Crystal Palace? on 09:08 - Mar 6 by TractorFrog |
I was very low down behind the goal at Forest so couldn't see nearly as well as on TV, but although it seemed like Luongo made a few mistakes from lack of match fitness (misplaced passes, committing fouls), I didn't notice him being off the pace. Also, in the first half at least, although Forest had a lot of attacks, I don't recall any misses where it felt like they should have scored and the attacker messed up. Each time, it seemed like the defence were positioned well to stop there being a real chance (I can't comment on the start of the second half because I have no idea what was going on down the other end), and when Luongo went off we were 1-0 up. So to me, it didn't seem like we were overrun in midfield despite playing Morsy and Luongo against the third-best team in the Premier League. Morsy in particular I thought played really well against Forest. |
That wasn't their first choice team for most of it. | |
| Trust the process. Trust Phil. |
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| Try Luongo at Crystal Palace? on 09:25 - Mar 6 with 2902 views | JakeITFC |
Lovely footballer, top bloke and arguably the catalyst for everything good that has happened since he signed but I’m afraid he’s a yard off it at this level now. Cajuste just gives us more than he can. |  | | |
| Try Luongo at Crystal Palace? on 09:28 - Mar 6 with 2879 views | textbackup |
You watch him vs Forest, yeah? |  |
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| Try Luongo at Crystal Palace? on 09:32 - Mar 6 with 2862 views | Radlett_blue |
| Try Luongo at Crystal Palace? on 07:54 - Mar 6 by MattinLondon |
If possible, I think we should be aiming for better than Downes. |
Assuming us & Saints are relegated, why would Downes move from one Championship club to another? | |
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| Try Luongo at Crystal Palace? on 09:46 - Mar 6 with 2792 views | SuffolkPunchFC |
| Try Luongo at Crystal Palace? on 09:32 - Mar 6 by Radlett_blue |
Assuming us & Saints are relegated, why would Downes move from one Championship club to another? |
a) he's unhappy at Southampton and b) if there is no Premier League club interested in him. | | | |
| Try Luongo at Crystal Palace? on 09:52 - Mar 6 with 2756 views | textbackup |
| Try Luongo at Crystal Palace? on 09:25 - Mar 6 by JakeITFC |
Lovely footballer, top bloke and arguably the catalyst for everything good that has happened since he signed but I’m afraid he’s a yard off it at this level now. Cajuste just gives us more than he can. |
Cajuste is doing the dropping the shoulder and exploiting the space ahead of him in the PL like Morsy did for us in L1 and the Champ.
Be a real shame to not have him here next season, as he’s a great footballer | |
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| Try Luongo at Crystal Palace? on 09:59 - Mar 6 with 2702 views | gsoly |
I do think he plays the LCM role better than anyone else in the club from a positional point of view. And you're right about Leif, they have an excellent understanding.
Sadly though, as a lot of commenters have said, I just don't think he has the engine or athleticism for it anymore. I certainly wouldn't mind seeing him as the first sub over Taylor, however. |  | | |
| Try Luongo at Crystal Palace? on 10:45 - Mar 6 with 2541 views | TrumptonBlue |
| Try Luongo at Crystal Palace? on 09:25 - Mar 6 by JakeITFC |
Lovely footballer, top bloke and arguably the catalyst for everything good that has happened since he signed but I’m afraid he’s a yard off it at this level now. Cajuste just gives us more than he can. |
On the plus side, he was 2 yards off it in Wallingford's post at 6.45, so he should be up to speed by lunchtime. |  | | |
| Try Luongo at Crystal Palace? on 10:48 - Mar 6 with 2510 views | Radlett_blue |
| Try Luongo at Crystal Palace? on 09:52 - Mar 6 by textbackup |
Cajuste is doing the dropping the shoulder and exploiting the space ahead of him in the PL like Morsy did for us in L1 and the Champ.
Be a real shame to not have him here next season, as he’s a great footballer |
I doubt we will want to or be able to afford Cajuste if we are relegated & I doubt he'll fancy the Championship. [Post edited 6 Mar 10:49]
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| Try Luongo at Crystal Palace? on 10:56 - Mar 6 with 2445 views | JakeITFC |
| Try Luongo at Crystal Palace? on 10:45 - Mar 6 by TrumptonBlue |
On the plus side, he was 2 yards off it in Wallingford's post at 6.45, so he should be up to speed by lunchtime. |
Unfortunately by Saturday 3pm he'll be 10 yards ahead of it and therefore no use to anyone. | | | |
| Try Luongo at Crystal Palace? on 12:41 - Mar 6 with 2100 views | SaffronWaldenBlues |
| Try Luongo at Crystal Palace? on 07:54 - Mar 6 by MattinLondon |
If possible, I think we should be aiming for better than Downes. |
Who's better than Downes that we can afford/actually will come to play for us?
If he had never been here, he would have been a player many would be begging for us to sign, but because he was here and had a fallout with Lambert and then Cook (shocker there given they were both cr p managers) and wanted to leave to join a club not heading rapidly towards League Two, some have cast him as a villain and are massively under-rating him as a result.
Morsy and Mass will be older, Phillips and Cujuste won't be here, Humphreys will need games in the Championship to develop next season. We can do a lot worse than Flynn Downes, who not only now has European/Premier League experience but has managed to be promoted from the Championship, too. I'd say that's exactly the type of player a promotion-chasing side should be in for. |  |
| An East Anglian Town overtaken by Londoners |
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| Try Luongo at Crystal Palace? on 15:14 - Mar 6 with 1815 views | Radlett_blue |
| Try Luongo at Crystal Palace? on 12:41 - Mar 6 by SaffronWaldenBlues |
Who's better than Downes that we can afford/actually will come to play for us?
If he had never been here, he would have been a player many would be begging for us to sign, but because he was here and had a fallout with Lambert and then Cook (shocker there given they were both cr p managers) and wanted to leave to join a club not heading rapidly towards League Two, some have cast him as a villain and are massively under-rating him as a result.
Morsy and Mass will be older, Phillips and Cujuste won't be here, Humphreys will need games in the Championship to develop next season. We can do a lot worse than Flynn Downes, who not only now has European/Premier League experience but has managed to be promoted from the Championship, too. I'd say that's exactly the type of player a promotion-chasing side should be in for. |
I'd like us to sign Downes. I think he's probably what we need in a defensive midfield player. But we are biased given his history with the Town academy (although a West Ham fan as a boy) & McKenna won't have any of that bias. | |
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| Try Luongo at Crystal Palace? on 15:32 - Mar 6 with 1771 views | HighgateBlue |
| Try Luongo at Crystal Palace? on 07:42 - Mar 6 by mr_bean |
I suspect we'll be back in for Downes. |
What's his contract position? I'm wondering whether we'd be able to afford him, and whether we could prise him away from Saints if they are unwilling. |  | | |
| Try Luongo at Crystal Palace? on 15:49 - Mar 6 with 1735 views | NthQldITFC |
| Try Luongo at Crystal Palace? on 12:41 - Mar 6 by SaffronWaldenBlues |
Who's better than Downes that we can afford/actually will come to play for us?
If he had never been here, he would have been a player many would be begging for us to sign, but because he was here and had a fallout with Lambert and then Cook (shocker there given they were both cr p managers) and wanted to leave to join a club not heading rapidly towards League Two, some have cast him as a villain and are massively under-rating him as a result.
Morsy and Mass will be older, Phillips and Cujuste won't be here, Humphreys will need games in the Championship to develop next season. We can do a lot worse than Flynn Downes, who not only now has European/Premier League experience but has managed to be promoted from the Championship, too. I'd say that's exactly the type of player a promotion-chasing side should be in for. |
I'm hoping our overseas scouting department is ready to step up to the mark and bring us an earlier version of Cajuste to develop whichever level we're at next season.
I hope and assume we have invested in our overseas scouting department? |  |
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| Try Luongo at Crystal Palace? on 16:13 - Mar 6 with 1683 views | ITFC_84 |
| Try Luongo at Crystal Palace? on 06:45 - Mar 6 by Wallingford_Boy |
I assume you didn’t watch the forest game then?
2 yards off the pace. |
Totally agree. He’s WAY off the standard required for the premier league.
Love the guy, but we need to move on this, & ultimately next season. | | | |
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