Paul Taylor scored two penalties as Town’s U21s drew 2-2 with Millwall at Playford Road. The Blues were denied what would have been only their second victory of the season when Lions striker Jermaine Easter, who also scored his side’s first goal, netted the game’s third spotkick in injury time

Taylor and Scott Loach were amongst a number of first-teamers who didn’t make this week’s amongst a number of first-teamers who didn’t make the Portugal trip — skipper Carlos Edwards and striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake also remained behind - for a variety of organisational reasons, such as not having up to date passports. The training camp was arranged only a few days before the squad left on Sunday.

The Town side also included a trialist, Stoke City left-back Sam Westley, who was celebrating his 20th birthday today. Former Birmingham youngster Westley, the son of former Town youth coach Terry, also played in last week’s 3-0 behind-closed-doors friendly defeat to Colchester, which was played at Kesgrave High School. Regular left-back David October missed out through injury.

In windy conditions, it was the visitors — whose line-up included Richard Chaplow and Justin Hoyte in addition to Easter - who threatened most in the early stages, Loach making an impressive save down to his right from Jack Powell’s early freekick. Jordan Adekunle struck Town’s first effort of the game 10 minutes later but hit the sidenetting.

There was little other penalty area action until the final five minutes of the half with the wind making things difficult for both teams.

On 40 Taylor crossed deep from the right but Mark Timlin was unable to get in a strike. At the other end, Fred Onyedinma shot into the sidenetting from a tight angle on the right.

The visitors ought to have been in front just before the break, having got in behind the Town defence on two occasions. First Loach did well to recover from slipping to block from John Marquis on the edge of the area, then the same player stabbed wide when both he and Easter were through with only the Blues keeper to beat.

Millwall, with the wind now behind them, dominated the early stages of the second half, Tom Bender heading wide from a corner.

Loach again did well to push Easter’s shot onto the post in the 56th minute with the former Wales international having escaped on the left of the area, then the Town keeper made another impressive stop on 61, this time from Marquis’s header from a corner on the right.

Despite the Lions having been on top, Town took the lead a minute later via the first of the game’s three penalties, half-time sub Amir Berkane having been sent flying by Bender’s rather agricultural challenge just inside thebox. Taylor beat keeper Denzell Gerrer from the spot with the Blues’ first shot on target of the game.

The lead lasted until the 71st minute when Easter added the final touch from a few yards out after sub Charlie Penny had diverted a corner on the right through a crowd of players towards goal.

Matt Clarke headed wide for the Blues soon afterwards with Town looking more threatening than they had earlier in the half.

With a minute of scheduled time remaining Taylor put the Blues back in front with his second penalty of the afternoon, the striker having won the spotkick himself when he tricked his way past Niall McManus on the right. The former Peterborough man hit the ball to Gerrar’s right and into the net.

Mark Kennedy’s men looked to have sealed their second victory of the season but three minutes into stoppage time schoolboy defender George Fowler tripped Easter inside the box. The former Crystal Palace striker beat Loach from the spot to claim a point.

It would have been harsh on the visitors if they hadn’t taken anything from the game having dominated for long spells and having created more than enough chances to win it. Aside from the penalties, the Blues had few opportunities against a more experienced Millwall side.

Town’s two senior players were probably the standout performers, Loach making a number of impressive saves and handling capably throughout in what were trying conditions for keepers, while Taylor was lively and persistent throughout and took his two penalties confidently.

Amongst those watching the game were on-loan striker Jack Marriott, former Blue Geraint Williams, now the coach of the Wales U21s, U19s and U17s, Paul Goddard, who works for agents Stellar Management, Colchester United staff Richard Hall and Brian Owen, and ex-Blues keeper Shane Supple, who regularly brings young Irish keepers over to the Town academy.

U21s: Loach, Hammond, Westley (Leddy 79), Clarke, Fowler, Sowunmi, Doherty (Bekane 46), Lawrence, Adekunle (Galvin 70), Taylor, Timlin. Unused: McDermid, Ford.

Photo: Action Images

TractorCam added 16:13 - Feb 4 Give Taylor a go in the first team!
6

brazilblue added 16:20 - Feb 4 Perfect opportunity to to start a confident Paul Taylor against a Barnsley side disjointed by red cards, a a point of the bottom of the championship and shot of confidence.
10

Sindre94 added 16:21 - Feb 4 I cant see him starting against Barnsley, sadly enough.
0

Sindre94 added 16:28 - Feb 4 Hope he does though, in my opinion a much better option than Nouble
8

runningout added 16:31 - Feb 4 What.. I scored just the one 'but unstoppable' penalty on sunday. Where's my headline.. Our U21's are still under performing regulary
-1

brazilblue added 16:44 - Feb 4 Every big team has a luxury player used as a catalyst to not only spark otherwise unseen forward passes or runs but to act as a constant attacking outlet. (Arsenal-Ozil, Bayern - Ribery, Robben Liverpool - Coutinho, BRISTOL - EMMANUEL- THOMAS. I am aware that it does not fit into micks "hard working belligerent" ethos but i'm sure Given the empowerment to act as one of the kind of players Taylor can contribute so much more to this team than Frank Nouble.

8

blueherts added 17:23 - Feb 4 Anyone would think Taylor is a world beater ? yes , he is better than Nouble , but thats like saying Martin was better than Le Pen . Taylor was inherited by MM , the sort of 'character' he would never have signed . 7th place ,best position in years - Would rather he play Lee than Nouble ! personally
-1

Roola added 17:26 - Feb 4 Completely agree with you BrazilBlue, I know Mick likes a solid back line and midfield but we need some creativity and drive at the defence and that can be lacking at the moment. Look at our results, when we play attackingly minded players like Hunt and Taylor we push teams back and actually score goals! I thought Taylor played really well vs QPR and think he deserves more first team game time.

2

mow_the_lawn added 17:30 - Feb 4 Nice little confidence boost for Taylor and Loach who would have no out been disappointed to not be with the rest of the first team squad in Portugal. Definitely agree with Taylor in for Nouble on Saturday (and every Saturday!)
3

jas0999 added 17:32 - Feb 4 I don't think anyone can argue that Taylor is a better footballer than Nouble. However, Mick clearly doesn't rate him. Why? Who knows, but surely has to do something with attitude or effort in training. Mick has done a excellent job for us, so think we have to trust his judgement.
1

blueboy1981 added 17:39 - Feb 4 ....... surprised ? - not at all - whatever else the guy has behaviour / attitude wise - he has FLAIR. Something our team woefully lacks - until something happens more by accident than design, as has happened in a couple of games this season.
9

Ipswich_Loyal added 17:56 - Feb 4 I think it's more Taylor's off the pitch antics which is affecting his chances of making more starts in the first team. No one can doubt his ability at this level though. I'd love to see him get a start on saturday against Barnsley.
5

blueboy1981 added 17:57 - Feb 4 ..... and if you think the atmosphere is that good currently at Portman Road - shame you missed the earlier days and nights. We need that again - and should ALL strive for it.
4

Walk_the_Wark added 18:12 - Feb 4 Couldn't agree more blue boy and co. But as the poster says 'We are seventh, better than last year blah blah blah'. It's sad, but I fear that as long as MCcarthy is here and we are 'grinding out results' we will not regularly see flair players /good football
4

DanLyles added 19:01 - Feb 4 I still dream of seeing Taylor, McGoldrick and Hunt as a three running at teams, scoring and creating chances behind SEB.
2

dannyrr added 19:10 - Feb 4 Taylor deserves to be getting first team action. He was an annoying irritation against QPR and he brings a bit of flair to the team. He isn't scared to run at the opposing team and normally causes them problems. I too don't understand why he is keeping the bench warm whilst Nouble is regularly getting game time. Frank rarely supplies the supporters with any glimmer of hope that he can provide an extra dimension to the team. Substitutions made by managers are meant to change the direction of the match but bringing Nouble on does not add to the effort. He challenges for balls in the air and probably connects 1 out of 20. I would like to see Taylor come on when we are in the lead and run at the opposition and push for that extra goal and stop the 20 minute dread of an equaliser before the final whistle.

3

theobald1985 added 19:17 - Feb 4 i dont trust micks judgement he has brought long ball football to my beloved club-its awful to watch he is loaning out good young players like hewitt nad bringing in old players on loan like richardson-he starts nouble ahead of taylor he swapped JET for anderson. what he does do is grinds out nasty results which will get you somewhere in this division but takes you nowhere in the long run. its not really his fault-this is what he was brought up on and the football he believes in but some of the things he says-like effort being the main requirment and if you can play thats a bonus? whats that all about some fans are happy with a win at all costs attitude and it was fine to keep us up but at the end of the season if we dont go up we should say ta for all youve done but we need a new direction-saturday was awful hoof hoof hoof-we are not barcalona but there is no harm in trying to play the right way-look at swanseas example

1

theobald1985 added 19:17 - Feb 4 i dont trust micks judgement he has brought long ball football to my beloved club-its awful to watch he is loaning out good young players like hewitt nad bringing in old players on loan like richardson-he starts nouble ahead of taylor he swapped JET for anderson. what he does do is grinds out nasty results which will get you somewhere in this division but takes you nowhere in the long run. its not really his fault-this is what he was brought up on and the football he believes in but some of the things he says-like effort being the main requirment and if you can play thats a bonus? whats that all about some fans are happy with a win at all costs attitude and it was fine to keep us up but at the end of the season if we dont go up we should say ta for all youve done but we need a new direction-saturday was awful hoof hoof hoof-we are not barcalona but there is no harm in trying to play the right way-look at swanseas example

1

michaeldownunder added 19:38 - Feb 4 Mick, in his post match interview said one of the reasons Frank played was because we needed his hight in the team when defending corners freekicks etc. I agree that Taylor is a better attacking player but in Micks teams and most others you have to be able to defend at set pcs as that's where a lot of goals are scored.
-1

bluemikey100 added 21:36 - Feb 4 hewitt nasty player sent of for gills lol
-2

Berts_chin added 21:36 - Feb 4 I don't see Nouble doing a lot of defending, seems a liability all over the pitch
2

Garv added 21:57 - Feb 4 Taylor should have been in the team for weeks. Almost every time he has played this season he has made a positive impact and demonstrates creative qualities that no one else in our squad does...no one.
2

carsey added 22:02 - Feb 4 Phil - since the Taylor issue is exercising everybody at the moment coupled with the question what the hell is the point of Nouble when Tabb can jump higher and wins more headers surely you must have some inside knowledge you can share. I believe it has got to the point now where McCarthy is well aware of the feelings of the fans and is just being arsey and not being seen to cave into pressure. Keane once said fans didn't understand the game and should keep quiet but I for one can't believe all 15000 regulars at Portman Road are wrong. We all see it every match. Nouble is a donkey, yes he might run around a lot but what else does he bring. Taylor should be in the team and the game should be played on the ground using his and McGoldricks pace to get at the opposition. PLEASE next time you interview MM or anyone else at Portman Road ask him the direct question - why not Taylor.

0

Hiltzkooler added 22:08 - Feb 4 Trust micks judgement?.... Yes I suppose one has to as a town fan...a bit like a drowning man has to trust a bit of flotsam....unless there is something very specific that is not known about Taylor then one is left to conclude that mick is doing his best demonstration of his stubborn Yorkshireman's traits......"flair?...bah, that's a fangled continental thing!!"
2

ChestnutSe added 22:23 - Feb 4 First time I have ever agreed with Jas about anything
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls