My first match of the season - poor first half, naiive defending more improved in the second half. Fraser looks quality. Overall a deserved win, and a good feeling among Town fans.

2

Preston dominated, especially in the first half and had far more chances. Both goals were out of absolutely nothing, especially the 2nd. Two clinical finishes and that is what is needed at this level - that extra bit of quality. Town dug in after going 2-1 ahead, but Preston looked to have a couple of good chances to level (they were at the opposite end) but couldn't quite manage it.

Great win, Come on you Blues!

2

Well after a fair hike from the station to Deepdale, we settled in on the steeply banked stand with around 1000 other blues. The loss of Bart was a blow, and with Maitland Niles on the bench it felt like it would be a bit of a challenging afternoon.

Its best to sum it up as a whole with some observations, we struggled to play the ball on the ground and create throughout the game, Gerken made some good saves, but still looked ill at ease, as did the defence with him too. Chambers led from the front again, and seemed to be much further forward, again his defending and his leadership shone through. Berra looked out of sorts and was beaten to headers countless times by the much shorter Joe Garner (except when he was on the floor, which he was for a large percentage of the match). Smith had one of his better games, but his distribution is still quite predictable. Knudsen continues to impress, and made one phenomenal second half block after Gerken had made a spectacular looking save. Skuse was once again excellent, some vital interceptions and in the second half he was the man with time to get the ball down and pick a pass. Douglas is industrious, but I think the future will see him a key squad player rather than a first choice. Fraser impresses, he has moments of brilliance but could do with improving his corner delivery, his goal was sheer class and worth the admission money on its own. Sears is our golden boy, no goals today but he has a footballing brain and it was his ball in that saw Pitman header us into the lead. Pitman looks and out and out goalscorer, quite why he was the midfield man and not Didz. McGoidrick made very little impact today, but we did persist in pumping long balls up ton him - which with the best will in the world he is unlikely to win many of. Maitland Niles came on for Didz and really is a player, more chasing, a superb run halted by a trip and actually looking a class above the average champtionship player. All in all a hard fought victory and one where we did not play as we can but got three wonderful points.

4

Gerken- Not a lot to do, however pulled off a couple of good saves but overall not a bad game.

Chambers- Chambo was by far our best defender, pulled off some vital blocks.

Smith- Smith had a soild game, however I do wish that he would learn to pass the ball on the floor more often.

Berra- Berra was having a nightmare defensively, he wasn't being his normal self in the air, also had a stupid challenge in their half for the goal. Berra was also getting beaten to a lot of headers by Joe Garner.

Knudsen- Knudsen looks like a brilliant find again, these left backs are becoming a habit and long may it continue. Knudsen made some important blocks and stopped what was going to be a goal.

Fraser- Fraser took his goal very well, he made a few bursting runs down the wing but it wasn't really his kind of game, however he needs to improve his corner taking.

Douglas- Douglas is too similar to Skuse. I personally think we miss Bishop or Bru as there is no creativity in the centre of the park. However Douglas was not bad by any stretch.

Skuse- Skuse was our best player along with Chambers. Skuse was very solid again and sat in front of the back four and picked up the ball and played it out but also made some good tackles.

Sears- Freddie was outstanding again, he played very well and created some good chances and put in a brilliant cross for Pitman's goal.

Pitman- Pitman looks a very cool customer in front of goal and took his goal brilliantly. The football they played in the build up to both goals was outstanding and it was nice to see Pitman being involved in both goals.

McGoldrick- Mick set up with the stupid idea of trying to use Didz as a target man. Every Ipswich fan knows that McGoldrick's a player who doesn't win headers and has never been able too. I personally don't think McGoldrick deserved to be taken off, he needed to be swap with Pitman and be played where Pitman was in Midfield.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles- Enjoy watching him while he is here cause this lad is going straight to the top, you can see it in the way he plays, he's a premiership footballer playing at championship level and I will be very surprised if he is not in Arsenal's team when he goes back at the end of the season. He plays like a lad that is a lot older than 17. He looks like he's got masses of experience with the way he plays.

3

Gerken - Good game, couple of good blocks.

Berra - constantly beaten in the air. Not one of his best performances.

Smith - ok on the whole, but poor distribution.

Chambers - sound performance, solid.

Knudsen - more than just good with thrown-ins. Has a good brain, cool under pressure and looks to get forward. Just needs to make the tackle a little earlier.

Fraser - great goal, worked hard.

Skuse - good performance, but he and Douglas are too similar.

Douglas - Great second half. Won everything in the midfield battle.

Pitman - should have swapped with Didz. Won every header/flick on when he did.

Didz - he is not a target man, so why play him there?

Sears - my man of the match.

Niles - should gave started. We were totally overrun in the first half.

2