Ipswich Town vs Blackburn Rovers Preview

[arana peligrosa]

Read a comprehensive enough match report from a rival site and for sure it's a hard blow to take, but for the pessimists who remain, and intransigent 'McCarthy must vacate' factions who remain existent we've come within grabbing distance of maximum points once again after the late show at Nottingham before, and that's eight or nine without defeat by my math. Seems a season or two back we lost out a few times late in the game due to the inability to hold on to a lead and it seems that pattern may be in slow duplication.

The match official today appears to have made a few questionable decisions that went in the oppositions favor but those that were there will have seen all that occured. All said, it's two points lost (as with before), the opposition will take far more from the result, but we've got something that neither Keane or Jewell could instill, a belief that you can (regularly) go out and get a result and give any team a challenge.

So, disappointed and the opposition got away with a point they seemed hardly deserving, but as often now, some degree of positives to take. We're in a position at this stage most will have taken before start of season.

[Bluemike]

I forgot to mention in my report the Didsy chance when clean through and the stone wall pen at the end.

[Andym]

Very disappointed with the result, but at times I thought we played some of the best football we have played all season. Really enjoyed the game, 3 regulars missing and although I felt a few players aren't really good enough, we were entertaining and after an even first half we took control in the second half. The substitutions weakened the side, but I think they were because of tiredness. Williams was superb, and Bru was excellent - losing them was unfortunate but I guess a lack of match fitness necessitated change.

We keep on about conceding late goals and goals from set pieces, but yesterday's was a bit different. Firstly, we didn't sit back and try to defend, and if anything we were caught trying to increase the lead. If we have to conceded I prefer that to sitting back for 20 minutes only to concede in the last minute. Also, if we concede from a corner or a crossed free kick or a defensive mix up at a set piece, it's right to criticise and point the finger. But yesterday, both goals were from excellent and unstoppable free kicks, no error anywhere except of course in conceding the free kick in the first place.

I've said before that for me performance is more important than results. On that basis, I really enjoyed the game. However, I did feel frustrated because, for the first time in ages, I sensed we have a team capable of reaching the playoffs, and we can't afford to drop points.

Feeling unusually optimistic. A good, solid performance.

[Bluemike]

Absolutely spot on Andy, we dropped points because we DIDT sit back and try to hold a lead, had we done so we would have won the game without question. People often get annoyed when we do sit back but if you do it properly and at the right time it is the thing to do, yesterday was a case in point, no way on gods earth were they going to score from open play, it never looke like happening and wouldnt have happened, but the fans always want us bombing forward to score more and that it was can happen.

All in all I am more than happy with the way things are going and we have a team very capable of challenging for top six minimum and top two possibly. We also have strenght in depth as Kevin Bru showed yesterday, MOTM without a doubt.

[herforder]

Agree, far preferable to remain positive in the final stages of matches and continue to play, rather than invite pressure by dropping too deep. However, we need to take more care of the ball when in possession; yesterday's free kick was the result of us (Hunt/Tabb) giving the ball away too easily, and two passes later Berra adjudged to have committed the foul. Outstanding free kick, goal - two points lost.

However, more than pleased with the direction of travel, and optimistic that - with the squad we now have, and the spirit within it - we can continue to improve as the season progresses. Lots, therefore, to be cheerful about.