Ipswich Town vs Derby Preview & Matchday Thread

[Magicmark]

I drove a 100 miles in the rain to see that rubbish..we were losing 0-2 before I'd even got in the ground ,ticket girl at the turnstiles said are you sure you wanna pay £40 to go in.Well the first half was bloody awful.Second half was better,Bera used to be soild,not sure if its the formation or if he wants/needs to go back to Scotland..was impressed with Grant..thought he held the ball well & put in some good crosses..overall was a disappointing evening..Just hope Tom Laurance is okay..if not,relegation is a possibility.

[jimmyt]

We lost this game before kickoff. As soon as I heard the line up, it was obvious what would happen. Like Bluemike, I feel a back 3 could be the way forward, but with the current defensive injuries it isn't. It just isn't. We have all seen that Berra can't play in that system. No, all of us except MM have seen that. He preferred to try it and wait until we were 2 - 0 down to change it. His justification? He thought we needed 3 in central midfield to stop Derby. But that midfield consisted of Skuse, Bru and Lawrence. Lawrence wants to get forward, Skuse wants to stroll around and break up play occasionally, and Bru wants to try 30 yard passes that come off very occasionally and avoid tackling if he can.

The first goal was bad. The scorer stood in yards of space outside the box, screaming for the ball. He got it and a defender - not sure who - rushed to block the shot but was too late. Why did no one move sooner? Because no one ever does. Why wasn't our defensive midfield dynamo blocking it? Because he was nowhere to be seen.

Second goal was even worse. A great finish but Knudsen, who in fairness was trying to get forward as a wingback, was bypassed by a simple pass that more worryingly (and more predictably) bypassed Berra.

Third goal. The worst. We had a few defenders in and around the near post. Knudsen on his arse beyond the far post who seemed to think he'd been fouled but I didn't see it. Bent in the area with what must have been 10 yards of free space all around him.

It is clear that we don't have the players here to do any better. But tactically MM's attempts to stop the opposition playing yet again made things worse. For F*ck's sake let's play our game - and let's forget about 3 at the back until we have a left sided central defender who can play that way. I still believe Tommy Smith, when fit, could do it - certainly better than Berra. I'm not knocking Berra, he's being asked to play in a formation that he simply can't.

While I agree with Bluemike to some extent about Knudsen, he is often left stranded. For example, Sears, who was invisible playing centrally in the first half, became a liability in the second half when he played wide. Every time he had the ball he lost possession. A misplaced pass to Knudsen left the defender at the wrong end of the pitch...through no fault of his own.

The worst player on the pitch for Ipswich in the first half was Spence. He looked bewildered as Derby players shot past him when in a defensive role, and going forward lost possession every time he got it. I expected to see him substituted before half time, he was worse than Knudsen. Much worse. He had a much improved second half, but by then Derby were embarrassing us by letting us keep possession and show how little we could do with it.

If Sears was ineffective up front, Pitman was... Pitman. Unfortunately he isn't a target man and never will be, he needs to play off someone else. He can't help that, and I think he only won 1 header all night. It must be frustrating when all you get are high balls you can't win. But he is always static. Even the appalling sears moves into space. Murphy was never ever stood still. Pitman stands still, never anticipates.

Bart had another good game, several excellent saves. Spence improved, Chambers did all he could. Digby moved into midfield when MM realised at 2 - 0 that his appalling tactics weren't working. Skuse did ok but nothing spectacular, I think once I even saw him running. Lawrence had to try to be a one-man team again. Of the subs, I thought all 3 did OK. Ward and McGoldrick tried, Ward with a bit of pace, McGoldrick with a bit of control. Moore looked good mainly because our other attacking options are so awful. He can at least head a ball, he looks like he can use his feet too, and got off his arse and moved. Not sure that makes him good enough for the Championship, but a better bet than anyone else we have.

So where does that leave us? I haven't been demanding big money transfers because that isn't going to happen. And there is no guarantee they would work (e.g. Michael Chopra). But although it is true that spending money does not guarantee success, not spending pretty well eliminates any possibility of success. As I've said recently, one of my biggest concerns is that we can get in youngsters and wreck them; our tactics and / or coaching aren't good enough. I guess we will avoid relegation - 10 points is a lot of ground to make up when you're near the bottom, you need promotion form to do that. I guess MM will see out the season at least. And possibly next season. God help us.

Andy - totally agree with 3 at the back issue. It is very frustrating to hear the manager constantly taking about a formation to 'stop other teams playing'......that's not what I want to watch. Other teams should be worried about stopping US play. I agree the whole approach is wrong before they even put a boot on the pitch.

I'm sure MM would say that's all he can do with the squad he's got but I don't accept that.

[Charnwood]

The lack of any sign of Bluemike suggests this was another very dire performance tonight.

Given the potential of a very good game tonight after the glimmer of hope on Saturday at Preston, I'm surprised to see we had the lowest crowd at Portman Road for 17 years, this must me a new low for Town and the culmination of gradual decline.

It's there Andy, you must have blinked lol

Cheers Mike, it wasn't there when I started my post, however I was watching MOTD at the same time!

Really appreciate your match reports but would enjoy them more if we were playing better. Not sure where we're heading at the moment but to be honest it all loooks pretty gloomy.

Just wish I could be more optimistic.

[Frosty]

We lost this game before kickoff. As soon as I heard the line up, it was obvious what would happen. Like Bluemike, I feel a back 3 could be the way forward, but with the current defensive injuries it isn't. It just isn't. We have all seen that Berra can't play in that system. No, all of us except MM have seen that. He preferred to try it and wait until we were 2 - 0 down to change it. His justification? He thought we needed 3 in central midfield to stop Derby. But that midfield consisted of Skuse, Bru and Lawrence. Lawrence wants to get forward, Skuse wants to stroll around and break up play occasionally, and Bru wants to try 30 yard passes that come off very occasionally and avoid tackling if he can.

The first goal was bad. The scorer stood in yards of space outside the box, screaming for the ball. He got it and a defender - not sure who - rushed to block the shot but was too late. Why did no one move sooner? Because no one ever does. Why wasn't our defensive midfield dynamo blocking it? Because he was nowhere to be seen.

Second goal was even worse. A great finish but Knudsen, who in fairness was trying to get forward as a wingback, was bypassed by a simple pass that more worryingly (and more predictably) bypassed Berra.

Third goal. The worst. We had a few defenders in and around the near post. Knudsen on his arse beyond the far post who seemed to think he'd been fouled but I didn't see it. Bent in the area with what must have been 10 yards of free space all around him.

It is clear that we don't have the players here to do any better. But tactically MM's attempts to stop the opposition playing yet again made things worse. For F*ck's sake let's play our game - and let's forget about 3 at the back until we have a left sided central defender who can play that way. I still believe Tommy Smith, when fit, could do it - certainly better than Berra. I'm not knocking Berra, he's being asked to play in a formation that he simply can't.

While I agree with Bluemike to some extent about Knudsen, he is often left stranded. For example, Sears, who was invisible playing centrally in the first half, became a liability in the second half when he played wide. Every time he had the ball he lost possession. A misplaced pass to Knudsen left the defender at the wrong end of the pitch...through no fault of his own.

The worst player on the pitch for Ipswich in the first half was Spence. He looked bewildered as Derby players shot past him when in a defensive role, and going forward lost possession every time he got it. I expected to see him substituted before half time, he was worse than Knudsen. Much worse. He had a much improved second half, but by then Derby were embarrassing us by letting us keep possession and show how little we could do with it.

If Sears was ineffective up front, Pitman was... Pitman. Unfortunately he isn't a target man and never will be, he needs to play off someone else. He can't help that, and I think he only won 1 header all night. It must be frustrating when all you get are high balls you can't win. But he is always static. Even the appalling sears moves into space. Murphy was never ever stood still. Pitman stands still, never anticipates.

Bart had another good game, several excellent saves. Spence improved, Chambers did all he could. Digby moved into midfield when MM realised at 2 - 0 that his appalling tactics weren't working. Skuse did ok but nothing spectacular, I think once I even saw him running. Lawrence had to try to be a one-man team again. Of the subs, I thought all 3 did OK. Ward and McGoldrick tried, Ward with a bit of pace, McGoldrick with a bit of control. Moore looked good mainly because our other attacking options are so awful. He can at least head a ball, he looks like he can use his feet too, and got off his arse and moved. Not sure that makes him good enough for the Championship, but a better bet than anyone else we have.

So where does that leave us? I haven't been demanding big money transfers because that isn't going to happen. And there is no guarantee they would work (e.g. Michael Chopra). But although it is true that spending money does not guarantee success, not spending pretty well eliminates any possibility of success. As I've said recently, one of my biggest concerns is that we can get in youngsters and wreck them; our tactics and / or coaching aren't good enough. I guess we will avoid relegation - 10 points is a lot of ground to make up when you're near the bottom, you need promotion form to do that. I guess MM will see out the season at least. And possibly next season. God help us.

Excellent post Andy

[Charnwood]

Thanks for your post Andy, a very interesting and thought provoking read that keeps us "away from home" fans informed and up to date.

I take your point about 10 points being a lot of ground to make up but they could disappear very quickly with a run of difficult fixtures like we're facing in February.

[ipswichtownNo1]

Its not just the fixtures in February that concerns me. I cant see us getting many points right up too and including 1st April when we play Birmingham

[Bluemike]

Its not just the fixtures in February that concerns me. I cant see us getting many points right up too and including 1st April when we play Birmingham

Brentford & Wolves at Home really do look like must wins.

[arana peligrosa]

So now having read post-game reaction from yesterday there's a much clearer understanding of what occurred. Haven't seen the goals themselves but fans on the rival DCFC Fans Forum mentioned they could easily have registered five or six on the night such were our defensive misunderstandings.

Have seen the immediate games ahead and for sure it's a cause for concern. A number of good capable teams lining up and if Derby can do that do us at our own venue then there could be some serious embarrassment in the weeks ahead from some of the more illustrious names this league has to offer.

Can't pass without the obligatory McCarthy ridicule, but then again he's not solely to blame for the whole sorry issue. But as someone who selects the squad, tries to motivate and is directly responsible for results on the field, he has to take his share of culpability. 64,000 dollar question : how much is enough ? What is the breaking point in his tenure where action is finally taken and someone finally realizes he can do no more with us ? Pity is, any owner with a degree of awareness would have acted long before this stage. Best guess holding out for a big paycheck and remaining obstinate in his ways, while the team continues to deteriorate as a direct result of it.

[marko69]

Have seen the immediate games ahead and for sure it's a cause for concern. A number of good capable teams lining up and if Derby can do that do us at our own venue then there could be some serious embarrassment in the weeks ahead from some of the more illustrious names this league has to offer.

Keep in mind that it's the championship, and as a guy who likes a wee football bet, I know this to be arguably the craziest league in England. Regardless of form, things can happen...... ITFC @ Wednesday springs to mind. Speaking out of hope more than anything. "Serious embarrassment" in the weeks (plural) ahead, can only mean a genuine relegation battle. Not quite ready to think about that just yet.

[marko69]

QPR @ loftus Rd Saturday v Burtons biscuits, 2-1 defeat.
Tonight, QPR @ Newcastle...., 2-2 draw.

Effin bstd of a league messing with my betfair account! Giving it up.

ITFC 4 Reading 2