Sheffield Wed. vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

[phily bon bon]

Happy birthday dad and delightful three points as well,what a great day.

I admit I never saw this coming, so credit to the players as they were up for it today. A win at a good Wednesday side is not to be sniffed at.

[ipswichtownNo1]

Well just goes to show what town can do if mick decides to go for the win. Well done.

[Shed on tour]

At last a Town player making use of the space available in front of him and running at the defence and then having the composure to finish.
A joy to watch, well done Lawrence.

[hallamblue]

I think Hooper was offside Mike. Agree with you.

[arana peligrosa]

Took in the game report from a rival page, seems it were more or less a deserved victory. While pleased with this score, but why wait until now to perform to a satisfactory standard and provide supporters with a level of expectation ? The last few weeks have been sub-standard and all of the sudden the team provides a result of some merit ?

That's not a castigation of any one individual, but today the team played far better than any time before this season if accounts are accurate, and just angry in a sense that we've waited until today to really provide something for the fans while being subject to a continuation of sh*t displays and management before it.

Don't get me wrong, obviously today was a good score and a relief perhaps above all else that the team can perform when it suits them and McCarthy got his tactics correct for once and played with a system that worked.

Bottom line, took victory from a fixture that few could have envisaged. Just take issue that the team couldn't achieve something like today from previous games this season. Can't make judgments on one game alone, but can only hope today provides the catalyst to go into subsequent games and show that we can be capable and effective.

[Mach_Polish_Blue]

Well where to start from? After we had sold Murphy people have been saying that we have more creativity and options in midfield so due to that the style has had to change. Easier said than done. It will take a time to adjust to that and it showed today. First half in particular we were passing a lot across the pitch without real ideas how to create chances. However it's far better than pointless hoofing towards lone striker which had been the case in many matches.
Lawrence's goal is a kind of the goal which completely negates Micks 'philosophy'. Do we often see any of our players making long runs that round off with the shot? It's been mainly about 'hoofing' during Micks tenure so the goal like that makes a nice change. To be honest though it was our first and last meaningful attempt in the first half. Still though I'd say we were slightly better as Sheffield Wed didn't make much more in terms of chances. Apart from their goal (simple follow up from Hooper and slack defending) only two half chances (headers over the bar). We were nigh on perfectly organised as a team and arguably stronger Sheffield Wed were far less than impressive.
Having fully fit McGoldrick and Lawrence certainly makes a difference in a way we play or try to play.

Second half was worse from Sheffield Wed and better from us. Bialkowski saved Hooper's low shot two minutes into the second half and surprisingly it was their last real opportunity. We struggled (or were too shy) to create something in the first 20-25 minutes after the restart but then again we tried to play the different way to what we knew beforehand.
There was a substitution for Sheffield Wed in 57 minute. Forestieri came on and I thought :'oh it's gonna be a long last half an hour'. What followed though was a really poor performance from their quickest and arguably most dangerous striker as he made no impact whatsoever. Mick on the other hand made a 'shocking' decision. Shocking in a positive way. Instead of sitting back and trying to keep Forestieri quiet he took an ineffective Bishop off and sent Williams on. If it had been a month or two months ago it would have been a defensive substitution. Dear Mick you aren't a genius ! This is how it should be from you ! Just go for it and don't sit back !

Williams' introduction made us more threatening and last 15 minutes it was only us who would try to snatch a winning goal. Wasted chance one on one from Sears, Williams having been so close and only last-gasp block from the central back prevented Sheffield Wed conceding a goal. Really good block. But we got what we deserved for our endeavour, for refusing to sit back. Chambers' header from Ward's free-kick sent Town fans wild. Adults celebrating like kids ! Lovely what moments like that do for us.
Nothing dangerous followed from Sheffield Wed players and we got our reward in the shape of three unexpected points.

Dare I wonder if Mick starts to listen to the people? That was totally against what we had been used to. The kind of the game in which he could have easily carried on with his typical defensive, dull approach. Just play two defensive midfielders, sit deep in the hope we get 0-0 or score a random goal. Strong opponent who played at their home, who had spent money for new players. That was 'obvious' Mick would carry on with the same old crap. Why all of sudden nice change from him today? We know how stubborn he is so what has prompted him to go for a win?
I've been a Mick Outer due to his stubborness/playing favourite players/sticking to the same gameplans but carry on like today and I will have no cheek to question what he does.

The sale of Murphy and failure to replace him has turned out to be a crucial thing for the way we play. Several games have been a proof that we badly struggle without him. If we carry on like we did today it's gonna be a while till we've fully transformed into a team that keeps opponent on the back foot. Yes, really positive change today but we still need more ideas about creating chances. More attacking minded players help though. McGoldrick... he does make a hell of difference. I don't even want to think about his next (perhaps inevitable) injury. He is so crucial to us when fully fit.

Lawrence. Really impressed with him since he's joined us not only today. Enjoys tugging and passing the ball.

Ward spent vast majority of the game where he ought to be. On the wing and it paid off as he was a nuisance for their full-back at times.

Bishop unfortunately has had yet another ordinary game. Disappointing given all that hype about him and how badly we missed him last season.

Perhaps Sheffield Wed didn't perform how they were expected to but this isn't our problem. We restricted them to very little, we had a go at them in the last 15 minutes, we played with different way. What else do we want? Not much I guess. Much improved performance, really better mood tonight following many bleak weeks and I'm begging you Mick if you read it: don't come back to play with two defensive midfielders in the next two 'winnable' home games. If you come back to this then it means we are dreadful dinosaurs, devoid of creativity, movement and pace. Play one of them, simple, not two.

I'd say it's been the best away performance this season. If we liken it to last month games (Newcastle who were too strong and we were scared of them + poor Blackburn opposition) it was better. OK forget Newcastle but far better than dour 0-0 at Blackburn after which some said we had been playing well. A few shots on target in the first half doesn't mean we played well. Second half at Blackburn was mostly annoying safety approach from us, today we went for a win in the 2nd half and got it.

Play like today Mick, keep altering our tactics and Outers won't be voicing their displeasure.

Most annoying aspect about today was our few 'special and loyal' fans who themselves booed off those who were singing 'Super Mick McCarthy' in the first half. No matter if you're Inner our Outer it's still despicable thing to do during the match.

[Tangfastic]

Just going out on the field with a positive intent is encouraging enough.

It can go tits up, but it's better than going into games with the aim of just not conceding goals and hoping for a break.

Hope Mick doesn't try and over-think this... just stick with it. If we can keep injury-free.... we've got players who can trouble teams.

[Bluemike]

Thanks for the report Mach, missed you yesterday mate. Obviously some reasons to be pleased and some cause for optimism goiong forward. At least starting with a attacking line up and trying to pass the ball are Two big plusses from what we have seen in recent games, watching Tom Lawrence surge through the oppos defence was a breath of fresh air too. It's ok people saying Sheff Wed werent that good but sometimes it is down to not being allowed to be that good and hopefully Town went some way to achieving this.

It has been said that once our better players return from injury we would start to see some improvement and hopefully that is the case, Didsy & Williams clearly have quality in their armoury so keeping them fit and playing is vital I feel, even though I have never been Didsy's biggest fan he has what it takes to cause defences problems.

One area of concern for me is the apparent non show of young Teddy Bishop again, he seems to be taking time to get back up to speed following such a long lay off, he looked razor sharp in the pre season games I saw but this division is a different kettle of fish, with a Two week break now I would not be at all surprised to see Jonny Williams in for Bish from the off against Forest.

Three out of the next Four games are at home and with the same attacking mentality Forest, QPR & Cardiff should not hold many fears for us, it' not to say we will win them all but we certainly can win them all and with Bristol City sandwiched in between that too is no harder than Sheff Wed away so this is a key period in defining which way our season could pan out. All in all there is hope for the weeks to come.

[supershred]

I love it that in the town, when Ipswich win and Norwich lose (as the song goes) everyone goes outside at lets off fireworks! Good to see and lets hope this is a sign of things to come...

[derick_ipsw]

Great result certainly was not expecting that. Congrats to MM as well.

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

Fantastic result, and it just goes to show that the players are maybe not as bad as they have been made out to be lately.
Finally, MM fields an attacking team and we grab all of the points - surely even he cannot be so thick as not to see the connotations here.

[hallamblue]

I think I'm even looking fwd to that scum game in Feb (?) now lol......we beat en at PR but had a perfectly good goal disallowed. Jammy scum !

[Andym]

Delighted we won. A lucky winner but their equaliser certainly looked offside.

However, let's not get carried away. I wasn't at the game but I suspect (from listening to Radio Suffolk) that it wasn't quite as attacking as we think. It sounded as if Bishop was indeed tied to Skuse to prevent him getting forward. I still feel that Bishop can be box-to-box, and I appreciate he isn'ty fully fit, but I have this nasty feeling he's being told to stay back. He certainly didn't seem to have a very good game.

Statistics. I hate them. But..

Our average possession this season is 46.4%, 20th in the division. On Saturday it was 39%, lower than any other team's average.

Our average shots per game is 10.9, 22nd in the division. On Saturday it was 9, lower than any other team's average.

Our passing accuracy averages 62.7%, the lowest in the division. On Saturday it shot up to... 64.8%, still lower than any other team's average.

So let's not think we've turned a corner in footballing terms. A great win, (although as Bluemike almost suggested) Sheffield Wednesday are certainly not setting the division on fire as some of us expected, and seemed to lack creativity too. We still aren't passing, we still aren't shooting, we still don't keep possession. So when MM says "Judge me on this game", apart from the result, brought about by a very fortunate deflection near the end, nothing much has changed.

[Bluemike]

Fortunately most stats mean nothing except the final scoreline, Leicester had a very low possession stat last season and won the title.

[herforder]

Still don't believe Bishop is being deliberately shackled in midfield - just that he's not currently displaying those attacking midfield qualities expected from one of our more talented and creative players. However, given his lengthy injury it will inevitably take time; but every game he starts, and minutes he plays, should help him become stronger, more confident and more effective.

[Andym]

Fortunately most stats mean nothing except the final scoreline, Leicester had a very low possession stat last season and won the title.

True. But Leicester broke quickly and accurately and had scoring strikers. I'm just ttying to say that despite the win, the football appears to be no more attractive and, despite the lineup, no more attacking.

[Andym]

Still don't believe Bishop is being deliberately shackled in midfield - just that he's not currently displaying those attacking midfield qualities expected from one of our more talented and creative players. However, given his lengthy injury it will inevitably take time; but every game he starts, and minutes he plays, should help him become stronger, more confident and more effective.

I'd like to think not. But its exsctly what he did with Douglas lastt season. Took a forward thinking midfielder and tied him to the goalposts.

[Bluemike]

Fortunately most stats mean nothing except the final scoreline, Leicester had a very low possession stat last season and won the title.

True. But Leicester broke quickly and accurately and had scoring strikers. I'm just ttying to say that despite the win, the football appears to be no more attractive and, despite the lineup, no more attacking.

Dunno Andy, people that I know who went beg to differ.

[herforder]

It will inevitably take time for players to transition to a post-Murphy era; MM has recently put out two attack minded sides, including our 'flair' players, it's down to them to perform within it. Saturday's performance and - perhaps unexpected - result will help build confidence and belief. Hopefully continuing to be reflected in next two home games. Will personally judge progress then.

[Dubai Blue]

I'm still waiting for the first days of 2017 before judging but as I see there are some reasons to hope. Let's just hope that they all come home fit from the international break.

[len]

Well done Trump on winning!!!! now Hillary Clinton can have more time
doing the housework and get that bloody garden sorted!!!

Oh! by the way Trump has been a town supporter for many years!

[Andym]

Oh! by the way Trump has been a town supporter for many years!

If that was true, I think I'd find myself a new team to support.

[verulam]

Oh! by the way Trump has been a town supporter for many years!

If that was true, I think I'd find myself a new team to support.

And just suppose you had gone into the bookies earlier this year and placed an accumulator bet on:
Leicester winning the Premiership
UK leaving the EU
Mrs May becoming PM
Boris as Foreign Secretary
Trump as president elect

You could have bought your local football team!

[Andym]

Oh! by the way Trump has been a town supporter for many years!

If that was true, I think I'd find myself a new team to support.

And just suppose you had gone into the bookies earlier this year and placed an accumulator bet on:
Leicester winning the Premiership
UK leaving the EU
Mrs May becoming PM
Boris as Foreign Secretary
Trump as president elect

You could have bought your local football team!

An opportunity missed! Maybe next year....

[Watership Down]

Last I heard he was looking for a Championship team to purchase. Said he'd like to put a few roots down in Suffolk or was it sow a few wild oats.........