Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
Joe: Penalty Blatant
Joe: Penalty Blatant
Saturday, 16th Oct 2004 19:18

Town boss Joe Royle was unimpressed with Burnley's timewasting and negative tactics after the Blues drew 1-1 with the Clarets at Portman Road. Royle was also unhappy at referee Brian Curson's failure to award an obvious first half penalty when Frank Sinclair handled a cross.

Royle said: "We staged a terrific finish but took a long time to wind up. We tried to win but twice we were caught short at the back, with our young goalkeeper making fine saves.

"Burnley can play in any way they want, it is not my business. I thought there were eight minutes wasted, let alone five.

"It wasn't always pretty but we kept going and could've won it in the end. I am pleased with the effort the lads showed, although we have often played better and shown more guile.

"Sides are going to come to try to stop us playing and Burnley came here not to lose and nearly won it. It was a great strike by Matt Richards for the equaliser."

Royle said that Canadian international Jason De Vos wouldn't have been involved had there been more options available to him: "All things being equal I would not have played him if we had a stronger squad. The physio worked with him for 24 hours to get the swelling down."

The Town manager had no doubt regarding the first half penalty claim: "It was blatant. The ball struck Sinclair on the arm."

Royle has revealed that Kelvin Davis will not play against Leicester on Tuesday, the keeper missing out against the Clarets due to his back problem: "He needs a game before he returns to first team duty and we must get him going in training early this week.

Burnley boss Steve Cotterill says his side should have had the game won before Town's late surge: "It was like the Alamo between the 91st and 95th minutes but we should've won it before that.

"We need to be more ruthless. The game could've been over but we missed chances like we tend to do week in and week out. These misses come back to haunt us."

Cotterill denied that his side constantly sought to waste time: "We tried to take the sting out of the game. Ipswich are a good side but we had not deliberately gone out to waste time.

"Micah Hyde had one of his best games for us. If I'd been asked before the start I'd have settled for a 1-1 draw, but when it happens so late it's like a kick in the teeth. We needed a second goal. That would've been superb."


Photo: Action Images



Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.


You need to login in order to post your comments

Ipswich Town Polls

About Us Contact Us Terms & Conditions Privacy Cookies Advertising
© TWTD 1995-2024