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Joe Praise for Defending
Joe Praise for Defending
Saturday, 24th Sep 2005 23:07

Boss Joe Royle had praise for his side's defensive attributes after their 2-0 win against Leeds at Elland Road. The Town manager was also impressed with two-goal frontman Sam Parkin.

Royle said: "To be honest, I fancied my chances here. I came here with Oldham many, many times and I can't remember losing too often, so it's always been a lucky ground for me.

"We rode our luck today and during half-time I went as ballistic as I've seen myself go.

"We were getting nothing up front and nothing from our front men, apart from the combination for the goal, which was quite outstanding.

"But credit to the lads because we defended superbly. We dug in there, we got blocks in and we scored two very, very good goals.

"I am pleased for Sam. He's had a little bit of personal criticism from our fans but that's four goals in nine starts now.

"He showed that if you give him a sight of goal then he can score goals. Both goals were excellent."

Parkin was pleased to net his third and fourth goals for Town but felt the central defenders deserved most of the plaudits: "Of course I'm delighted to get on the scoresheet, that's what my job is.

"The first one was a great ball in from Deano and I could hardly miss, and the second was an instinctive finish.

"That's four for the season now and all away from home so it would be nice to get on the scoresheet in front of our home fans, but the most important thing is that we won the game.

"The defence have to take great credit for the win, really. Jason De Vos and Richard Naylor were magnificent at the back for us and Lewis Price made two great saves as well.

"Every successful side needs to be tight at the back and our defence seems to be getting better each week."

Parkin is yet to score in a blue shirt, all four of his goals coming away from home and in the orange away kit.

Leeds manager Kevin Blackwell thought his side deserved more from the game: "You can be critical about the finishing, but it just wouldn't seem to drop.

"And then when it did, the goalkeeper made a great save or the bar and the post were in the way. But we've played well and put Ipswich under a lot of pressure.

"Despite all the effort and endeavour, the lads have got nothing to show for it. It's a cruel game.

"There's no doubt the team played well and on another day we would have won that game comfortably. We did everything but win the game."


Photo: Action Images



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