 | News
Comment | Leeds United 4-0 Ipswich Town - Match Report
at 17:07:30
KM spot on as usual. A few shocking decisions plus our own inability to defend predictable situations was the difference first half. Second half Leeds gave us a lesson in game management, while we seemed caught between twisting or sticking. We have improved SO much in 2023, much due to KM's giving his players the awareness and confidence to assess and adjust on the pitch - but our game management has a lot of scope for improvement still.
The 2nd half of the season will be harder. Clubs are filled with data analysts now and we are being sussed out. The gap behind Davis (our own Alexander Arnold) is being exploited, some of our building patterns look familiar to opposition presses and Chaplin's incredible ability to find space near the penalty spot is being strangled.
I'm glad we have leadership that is not going to over-react to one (al-be-it somewhat) humiliating defeat. We will stick to the principles that have made 2023 one of the best in the club's proud history, making small improvements, constantly learning and will continue to punch above our weight. Where that takes us, we will see, but KM will keep us on a trajectory of progress so long as he is at this club. |
| News
Comment | Schumacher Fuming Over "Huge Turning Point"
at 14:00:51
I think many of the comments on here lack generosity towards Schumacher. If I supported Plymouth, I would believe it was a foul / red card. (I did at the time.) Schumacher has set his (inferior) team up brilliantly - arguably has even got the better of McKenna tactically, which no other manager has done IMO. We relied upon an outstanding goalkeeping display - else we would surely have lost. We had made all our substitutes as well by the time Bundu was forced off. That was unlucky for them - just as it would have been had one of our subs been injured late in the game.
We are SO lucky to have McKenna. I hope we hold on to him for years, but if we lost him tomorrow I don't think we could do better than get Schumacher as a replacement. |
| News
Comment | Wycombe Confirm Vincent-Young Signing
at 08:26:31
A quality player, good enough for the Championship IMHO but not quite good enough for the standards we now require. The fact that it is the right thing to release him is an indicator of how much we have progressed under McKenna / Ashton. I expect Wycombe to be very strong in the season to come. |
| Blog
Comment | A Look at Potential Transfer Targets: Defenders
at 23:01:31
Brilliant series! Thank you so much!
Some feasible suggestions here. Centre Back may be a position where McKenna is more inclined to deviate from his normal desired profile of youth. He brought in Keogh precisely because of his experience and quoted research that showed promoted teams almost always included a very senior CB in their squad. Sonny Bradley would fix this description perfectly. I'd be equally happy with Mads Anderson who, as Portman Terrorist suggests is too good for League One. Both real leaders in voice and example. |
| News
Comment | Town Closing in On Ahadme Signing
at 10:40:04
If the injuries to Chaplin and Aluko are bad I suspect the 2nd signing may have to be someone who can fit in as another 10 or fill in as a solo striker or be part of a front pair. Sam Smith at Cambridge has improved rapidly in the last 2 years, still young (24 I think) scoring freely now and seems to have a "poacher" intuition which we have lacked for some time. He carries the ball well, playing largely from the right and would add real options for us while still improving. |
| News
Comment | Town Closing in On Ahadme Signing
at 10:33:24
Awesome - I've been willing for this on this forum since the Burton game. He is perfect for the sole striker role. If he can add goalscoring to his excellent all round game it would be a bonus but his link up play and potential are enough to invest in! Chuffed! |
| News
Comment | Blues Eyeing Young Blade Osula
at 20:13:19
Blues1 - I marked up your post because I agree with pretty much all. We don't need a 20 goal striker (but wouldn't say no). McKenna and his team will know this lad 100 times better than me from happening to have seen him from the stands 4 or 5 times last season.
I do think to play McKenna's system to its potential, our squad would benefit from somebody to back up Ladapo in that front role. |
| News
Comment | Blues Eyeing Young Blade Osula
at 15:56:37
To those that say we don't need another striker — that we will get goals enough from elsewhere in the team. I disagree and I'm pretty sure McKenna does. It seems he always planned to get another player who can play the solo forward role — and score. John Jules stepped up at Shrewsbury and did an excellent job but I don't think its his best position. I rate Jackson; his pace, his work rate but he is not a natural in the role McKenna has created. An injury, suspension or further loss in confidence for Ladapo and we are very short.
To those that say go back to Bonne. It would be a huge backward step for McKenna. He seemed keener to keep Pigott. Again, great work rate and commitment, but a serious level below automatic promotion standard for this position in terms of runs, hold up and linking play.
On Osula. I've seen him several times at the end of last season when Blades had numerous forwards injured. (My father-in-law has 2 season tickets at Bramall Lane and when Utd are not in the Premiership I am the family member most willing to accompany him.) He was bright and not without talent but physically and mentally didn't look ready for the Championship. A lot can change quickly at his age, but he is way off their first team as things stand and (from what I've seen) should therefore be way off ours. He would be an emergency reserve.
To my mind a better solution would be Ahadme (21) from Burton who looked perfect for our system. Tall, quick, physical and very good feet and energy. He gave Wolfy a really difficult time. Whether he holds a 15 goal a season threat is unproven but he is starting to score now and could turn into a very good player.
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| News
Comment | Hirst Set to Join Blackburn on Loan
at 21:41:32
I'm not too disappointed. Hirst has proved nothing and I suspect their is more value in League One. Smith (Cambridge) and Ahadme (Burton) would really suit our system. Ahadme a perfect no.9 and Smith able to play in a 2 or as one of two 10's. |
| Blog
Comment | Lambert's Cat
at 07:03:08
Having said the above I don't necessarily follow your conclusion re Evans. Yes, the passion is missing. But so to the interference. Your analysis of the data and play for the Sunderland game is so logical and well thought out. That's why I'm surprised your analysis of Evans and the reason for our struggle is so lacking in logic and instead built on emotion. How would a more passionate owner translate to changes in the statistics that you expose so brilliantly? I sense you mean more with your criticism that Evans should just invest more money? (Of course we all wish he would but the alternative of Evans leaving will result in much less money in the club as no-one else is wanting to buy and "give" free money to us.) I think the problem IS the singer - but that is not Evans. |
| Blog
Comment | Lambert's Cat
at 06:55:24
Fantastic post and your analysis of the Sunderland match is awesome! Have you read Moneyball? |
| News
Comment | Ex-Blues Boss Hurst Sacked By Scunthorpe
at 12:47:07
Hurst at Ipswich 0.71 pts per game
Hurst at Scunthorpe 1.21 pts per game
Hurst managerial career 1.69 pts per game
Lambert at Ipswich (in championship) 0.65 pts per game
Lambert at Ipswich(total) 1.65 pts per game
Lambert managerial career 1.36 pts per game |
| News
Comment | Mills: The Best Player We've Ever Had
at 08:45:13
Well said Mick Mills. Those who never saw him week in week out may try and assess his career by numbers - which in no way reflect his performances. Those of us that saw him play regularly understand just how extraordinary this man was. I hope now that the club ensure Kevin's wife is looked after and I know Portman Road will honour him appropriately tomorrow. |
| News
Comment | Jackson Set to Complete Move on Thursday
at 19:54:57
This is how I think Hurst will line up his first choice team from the current squad (fully fit players only)
Bart
Donasian - Nsiala - Chambers - Knudsen
Chalobah - Skuse
Edwards - Nolan - Edun
Jackson
I think he sees Jackson and Harrison competing for the one place.
I'm sure he wants more cover at CB where, as I said elesewhere, the two named CB's are both weak on their left and lack great pace. If Windass came he could take Edun's wide role.
Personally I'd love to see at least one of our 3 academy youngsters (Dozzell, Nydam, Downes) included every game. I'd prefer to be giving game time to these lads than to loanees but I'm very happy with what Hurst has done and have faith in his decisions. |
| News
Comment | Double Signing From Shrews Confirmed
at 11:45:36
Excellent news! Not sure Nsiala will be first choice if we get Tilt - he looks a very solid CB with excellent positioning, good in the air and willing to throw his body infront of the ball. However he isn't pacey and is very right footed and I doubt he would be the perfect partner for Chambers. A brilliant back up for sure. Nolan will walk into the team. Agree with Timspencero above that he is unlike anyone we have at the club and maybe have had. He times runs to the box like John Wark, dribbles like Thijssen, sees passes like Dozzell and tackles like Holland. Well, maybe not in these legends' league yet but he has a bit of everything. Both know Hurst's system and for once adding new places will speed up the teams understanding of how they are instructed to play. Very excited! |
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