Ipswich Town v Queens Park Rangers preview and match thread

[Charnwood]

Just home in time to catch up with the later stages of the game.... hard to believe we've only had one shot on target in a home game and we're at 85mins!!!

[lucy]

2-1!!!!!! Chambers

[Charnwood]

2 shots on target and 2 goals!!!

[Tangfastic]

The Maligned Two..... Winning it for Town

[arana peligrosa]

Chambers with a strike, goddamn it where did that come from

and.. Full Time by all accounts.

What happened at the end there, first we were in a losing situation, get back in it, and then out of nowhere a winning goal arrives (for us)

Back in the play-off positions once again if this score is anything to go by, but why do they make it so damn difficult to sit through ?

Not often we turn around from a losing situation but we got the victory. Feel relief more than anything else right now but this was the right response after the Derby setback.

[TODD66]

Just looked at all the scores after seeing we were one down.

Get in there!

[derick_ipsw]

Beautiful lovely xmas prezie.

[shamm]

Beautiful lovely xmas prezie.

We did get lucky with the 3 points. We certainly did not play great football.
Right now the points are more important than the quality.

Merry Xmas.

[James Scharmann]

2-1 to Town I hope

CAPTION COMPETITION

Hey Baby! Lets do a remake of that dirty film we watched last night, oh that feels so good!!!

GOT MY PREDICTION SPOT ON, only just

Both teams weren't great should of been 0-0, but turning point deffo when Fer clean through round the keeper but cleared off the line. Chambo header last minute winner was priceless

[bluepeter]

Douglas also hit the post.

[Bluemike]

YESSSSSS !!!!

For once a late late twist goes in our favour and wins a game that maybe we were fortunate to win as for me it was all the way a very even game and a draw would have been right but hey, who gives a stuff !!!

I thought the first half was very even with a Gerken save from a freekick about the only real thing either keeper had to do so to go in 1-0 behind was so damn frustrating but QPR should never have been allowed to get the cross in for Hoillet to head home !

Early in the second half we were unfortunate not to get back on level terms when Pitman hit a super shot on the volley which came off the outside of the post and away to safety. There has been many times when we have all questioned some of MM's weird substitutions but today they were spot on and changed the game. The introduction of Fraser and Oar and the moving of Sears up front with Murphy worked wonders as we finally started to look more threatening with balls being delivered into the box. Thankfully we finally got back on level terms with Jonathon Douglas overhead kick, in turth it had felt it was never going to come and even then it took a bit of a scramble before we put it away.

Oddly after we levelled it was QPR who started to look the most likely to nick a winner with Fer's effort off the line and Gerken making a super save to tip one away when it looked like going in. Thankfully we didn't do our usual sit back nonsense and continued to try and get forward, a super ball in from Freddie Sears was met by the head of captain fantastic Luke Chambers who sent a bullet of a header into the net and OMG the place erupted, every Town player celebrated with the skipper and the fans went wild with disbelief as much as anything.

I think a draw would have been the right result but hey ho we have been robbed often enough so tough sh*t to the cheating bloody Londoners I say, I hope it f**king hurts. We may not be the most cultured football team in the world or the prettiest to watch but I bet there is not a more honest and hard working bunch of players in the Championship and today we reaped our rewards. we will and indeed often have played better and not won so today it feels really sweet to get the breaks today. Brighton Tuesday Night and I just can't wait !!! COYB'S

[lucy]

For all those around me who left early .

[Shed on tour]

Coming out of the ground a chap said to me "I don't come down to Portman Road very often now and for the majority of the game I thought what a waste of 30 quid then when Chambers headed that winner I thought I would have paid double the amount for that moment".

That summed it up perfectly for me.

[Steve and Jo]

For all those around me who left early .

Not rubbing it in are you Lucy?

truthfully i never see or understand why leave early when in such a tight game. Once Pittman hit the post just thought not our day but great result. Happy eating what is left of the turkey and Dave, Jo is wiggling her arse for you.. (enough said)

[Bluemike]

Coming out of the ground a chap said to me "I don't come down to Portman Road very often now and for the majority of the game I thought what a waste of 30 quid then when Chambers headed that winner I thought I would have paid double the amount for that moment".

That summed it up perfectly for me.

Which kinda proves the point I always make, win and everyone is happy and forgets the average football, it is all about the 3 points when all is said and done.

[lucy]

For all those around me who left early .

Not rubbing it in are you Lucy?

truthfully i never see or understand why leave early when in such a tight game. Once Pittman hit the post just thought not our day but great result. Happy eating what is left of the turkey and Dave, Jo is wiggling her arse for you.. (enough said)

No... But seriously why leave early when we had a chance of scoring.

[Steve and Jo]

For all those around me who left early .

Not rubbing it in are you Lucy?

truthfully i never see or understand why leave early when in such a tight game. Once Pittman hit the post just thought not our day but great result. Happy eating what is left of the turkey and Dave, Jo is wiggling her arse for you.. (enough said)

No... But seriously why leave early when we had a chance of scoring.

No idea Lucy, i agree with you.. Mike i'm happy, Jo not so happy.. Can't possibly understand why

[hallamblue]

For their goal Berra seemed to get dragged horrinly out of position for me , ( he was almost by the bloody corner flag), and the space it created in the centre of our 6 yard area allowed their bloody midget of a player to head home, Smith ( I think ) failing to win that header!


The funniset thing today was seeing Knudsen chasing down amthrough ball with Green coming out to collect it - Knudsen then just just does a bizzare "windmill arms" action as he ran towards Green, and screeming at him, trying to put him off. The SBR lowef just roared with laughter and started to mimick Knudsen singing "lets all do a Knudsen, lets all do a Knudsen". Ha ha poor sod!

[hallamblue]

For all those around me who left early .

Not rubbing it in are you Lucy?

truthfully i never see or understand why leave early when in such a tight game. Once Pittman hit the post just thought not our day but great result. Happy eating what is left of the turkey and Dave, Jo is wiggling her arse for you.. (enough said)

No... But seriously why leave early when we had a chance of scoring.

No idea Lucy, i agree with you.. Mike i'm happy, Jo not so happy.. Can't possibly understand why [/quote]



Cant wait for MOTD lol . HAPPY BOXING Day

[lucy]

For their goal Berra seemed to get dragged horrinly out of position for me , ( he was almost by the bloody corner flag), and the space it created in the centre of our 6 yard area allowed their bloody midget of a player to head home, Smith ( I think ) failing to win that header!


The funniset thing today was seeing Knudsen chasing down amthrough ball with Green coming out to collect it - Knudsen then just just does a bizzare "windmill arms" action as he ran towards Green, and screeming at him, trying to put him off. The SBR lowef just roared with laughter and started to mimick Knudsen singing "lets all do a Knudsen, lets all do a Knudsen". Ha ha poor sod!

That was the funniest thing i've ever seen in Football . The Upper Sir Bobby were also in hysterics.

[Bluemike]

For their goal Berra seemed to get dragged horrinly out of position for me , ( he was almost by the bloody corner flag), and the space it created in the centre of our 6 yard area allowed their bloody midget of a player to head home, Smith ( I think ) failing to win that header!


The funniset thing today was seeing Knudsen chasing down amthrough ball with Green coming out to collect it - Knudsen then just just does a bizzare "windmill arms" action as he ran towards Green, and screeming at him, trying to put him off. The SBR lowef just roared with laughter and started to mimick Knudsen singing "lets all do a Knudsen, lets all do a Knudsen". Ha ha poor sod!

It wasn't Smith that failed to win the header, it was Chambers.

[arana peligrosa]

Last word on todays game and maybe didn't get the full picture when all said and done but appears it was something of a disappointing encounter and we were - once again - fortunate to get a result. Obviously pleased with the victory it's just that some would argue we played poorly and overcame a team that won't be involved in the end of season promotion race.

Brighton Hove Albion is up next if correct and haven't seen what they achieved today but realize they're up near the top and have had a very good run since season's start. Will be interesting to see what occurs when we face off against another promotion challenger. Derby was unfortunate, but Middlesbrough were well ahead in terms of ability and deserving winners in that respective game.

Bottom line we maybe got lucky today and perhaps a draw would have been a fair score for both opposition, but hard to be impartial when it's for the good and benefit of our club. (We) showed in this game we can obtain a result even when not playing nowhere near our best, so at least that's one extra positive to take from this fixture.

[lucy]

Last word on todays game and maybe didn't get the full picture when all said and done but appears it was something of a disappointing encounter and we were - once again - fortunate to get a result. Obviously pleased with the victory it's just that some would argue we played poorly and overcame a team that won't be involved in the end of season promotion race.

Brighton Hove Albion is up next if correct and haven't seen what they achieved today but realize they're up near the top and have had a very good run since season's start. Will be interesting to see what occurs when we face off against another promotion challenger. Derby was unfortunate, but Middlesbrough were well ahead in terms of ability and deserving winners in that respective game.

Bottom line we maybe got lucky today and perhaps a draw would have been a fair score for both opposition, but hard to be impartial when it's for the good and benefit of our club. (We) showed in this game we can obtain a result even when not playing nowhere near our best, so at least that's one extra positive to take from this fixture.

They drew 0-0 with Brentford.

[Bluemike]

Last word on todays game and maybe didn't get the full picture when all said and done but appears it was something of a disappointing encounter and we were - once again - fortunate to get a result. Obviously pleased with the victory it's just that some would argue we played poorly and overcame a team that won't be involved in the end of season promotion race.

Brighton Hove Albion is up next if correct and haven't seen what they achieved today but realize they're up near the top and have had a very good run since season's start. Will be interesting to see what occurs when we face off against another promotion challenger. Derby was unfortunate, but Middlesbrough were well ahead in terms of ability and deserving winners in that respective game.

Bottom line we maybe got lucky today and perhaps a draw would have been a fair score for both opposition, but hard to be impartial when it's for the good and benefit of our club. (We) showed in this game we can obtain a result even when not playing nowhere near our best, so at least that's one extra positive to take from this fixture.

I just wondered what you mean by "once again fortunate to get a result" ?? Our recent wins have been against Fulham, MK Dons, Charlton, Rotherham and Bolton and each and every one of those was deserved. Before yesterday I don't believe we have won any game that we didnt deserve to win, in fact I think it is the other way round, we failed to pick up 3 points in certain games where we perhaps deserved to have won (Forest away, Brentford away, Wolves home etc etc).

[arana peligrosa]

Obviously I don't get the full picture as those who are live witness at our games but read enough from post-game reports to ascertain enough information that presents a good enough summary. Point being, I merely felt in recent weeks we have been maybe a little lucky to come away with the scores we have, Saturdays game was no different.

Seem to recall (and although it's only recent) we were fortunate with victory in the Milton Keynes fixture also but got a lot going on right now so please excuse any inconsistencies.

Realize the Derby game could have gone either way by the end but remain resolute that in a select few of Towns fixtures thus far this season (and not wishing to reiterate) we have been fortunate with some scores.

One last time I realize there are a great many who attend these games and they will have a much better knowledge of what goes on out there, but (I) try to keep up (with events), and give an opinion on what I deem fair comment nonetheless.

[Tangfastic]

Obviously I don't get the full picture as those who are live witness at our games but read enough from post-game reports to ascertain enough information that presents a good enough summary. Point being, I merely felt in recent weeks we have been maybe a little lucky to come away with the scores we have, Saturdays game was no different.

Seem to recall (and although it's only recent) we were fortunate with victory in the Milton Keynes fixture also but got a lot going on right now so please excuse any inconsistencies.

Realize the Derby game could have gone either way by the end but remain resolute that in a select few of Towns fixtures thus far this season (and not wishing to reiterate) we have been fortunate with some scores.

One last time I realize there are a great many who attend these games and they will have a much better knowledge of what goes on out there, but (I) try to keep up (with events), and give an opinion on what I deem fair comment nonetheless.

St Jude, I'm in the same position in that I can't attend games as I live abroad. I listen to the commentaries or stream / watch on Sky when possible. My dad goes to the games when he can get the enthusiasm - so I get his second-hand accounts - and usually I end up arguing for Mick as my dad hates the brand of football mostly being played. So I can't give a first hand account as well, but that's not going to stop me giving opinions and bowing down to the real true fans. So your opinions are worthy.

On the other hand, I don't think we've been lucky. Keeping going to the end and never giving up is part of Towns spirit. Give credit to Mick for that.
I would much prefer a more attractive passing approach, but if it's a 46 game slog-fest, then maybe Mick has a formula of sticking with 6 or 7 players who he knows will give you 6/10 performances all season. Half way through... It's got us to sixth place, so got to give him credit.

Would love it if he could tinker a bit more at times. We will go through a sticky patch ( or more), and if we continue to leak soft goals ( Even Mick has started to acknowledge that), I hope to see fresh faces come in.
We've got a half way base to work from- I just hope football improves and he allows game time for fans faves like Bru, Bish who look up and try to spot a pass. Can't grumble too much as we're FFP darlings and we're in sixth. Just think the great team spirit won't be enough... we're going to need a bit more creativity from midfield to get those wins to keep us in top six, as well as a tighter defence.

[Bluemike]

On reflection SJ, I will give you the MK Dons one, we were very fortunate to win that day as they pinned us back for much of the second half, although defending is part and parcel of the game so in a sense we played very well defensively.

The reason I and others try to put up decent accounts of the games is so fans like yourself who are not fortunate enough to attend get what we hope is a decent overview of the actual events, obviously sometimes we see things differently but by and large we seem to see most of the games in the same light, hopefully they give our far flung fans something to enjoy reading.

[herforder]

Sadly I couldn't be at the game - huge family party in Warwickshire. When my daughter's partner showed me the full-time score, having said previously we were 1-0 down, I really couldn't have given a flying fu*k how it was achieved. Only, that after 94-odd mins we had achieved a truly significant positive RESULT. In a results-based industry, that's all that will be reflected in the C'ship table. I could imagine the total feelings of joy and satisfaction being felt back at PR -- something that reports by some on here also capture well.

The debates regarding the style of soccer being played, MM's team selections and individual players' abilities forms the warp and weft of post-match debates. Sometimes, however, these tend to grind on at the expense of appreciating what is being achieved by both management and players. Room for technical improvement - yes; achieving results on limited resources, but with hard work, team spirit, guts and determination - nothing more to give.

[Charnwood]

Obviously I don't get the full picture as those who are live witness at our games but read enough from post-game reports to ascertain enough information that presents a good enough summary. Point being, I merely felt in recent weeks we have been maybe a little lucky to come away with the scores we have, Saturdays game was no different.

Seem to recall (and although it's only recent) we were fortunate with victory in the Milton Keynes fixture also but got a lot going on right now so please excuse any inconsistencies.

Realize the Derby game could have gone either way by the end but remain resolute that in a select few of Towns fixtures thus far this season (and not wishing to reiterate) we have been fortunate with some scores.

One last time I realize there are a great many who attend these games and they will have a much better knowledge of what goes on out there, but (I) try to keep up (with events), and give an opinion on what I deem fair comment nonetheless.

St Jude, I'm in the same position in that I can't attend games as I live abroad. I listen to the commentaries or stream / watch on Sky when possible. My dad goes to the games when he can get the enthusiasm - so I get his second-hand accounts - and usually I end up arguing for Mick as my dad hates the brand of football mostly being played. So I can't give a first hand account as well, but that's not going to stop me giving opinions and bowing down to the real true fans. So your opinions are worthy.

On the other hand, I don't think we've been lucky. Keeping going to the end and never giving up is part of Towns spirit. Give credit to Mick for that.
I would much prefer a more attractive passing approach, but if it's a 46 game slog-fest, then maybe Mick has a formula of sticking with 6 or 7 players who he knows will give you 6/10 performances all season. Half way through... It's got us to sixth place, so got to give him credit.

Would love it if he could tinker a bit more at times. We will go through a sticky patch ( or more), and if we continue to leak soft goals ( Even Mick has started to acknowledge that), I hope to see fresh faces come in.
We've got a half way base to work from- I just hope football improves and he allows game time for fans faves like Bru, Bish who look up and try to spot a pass. Can't grumble too much as we're FFP darlings and we're in sixth. Just think the great team spirit won't be enough... we're going to need a bit more creativity from midfield to get those wins to keep us in top six, as well as a tighter defence.

I guess this is a classic example of "how we all see it differently"..... because I much prefer to see McCarthy identify his strongest team and start with them regularly and only tinker with tactical and impact substitutions.

I think we've just had the same starting eleven for six consecutive games in which we've won four and lost two (against the top two teams in the Championship) and picked up 12 points.... this is "play off" form and would definitely keep us in the top six and is much better than when every week he tries a different midfield combination.

I agree it would be nice to have more creativity in midfield but unless he brings in someone considerably better than we already have, I'd much prefer to see him stick with a settled team who will build a better understanding with each other than if he keeps tinkering every game.

[herforder]

Agreed regarding sticking with a settled team, built around a strong spine - back to front. With an injury free, fully match fit squad available, I wonder what MM considers to be his strongest team, particularly in midfield/wide areas? Personally, Fraser, Bishop and possibly Oar apart, I don't see significant choices available, in terms of that extra bit of quality, in the remainder of the squad. Limited tinkering options available, therefore, unless further investment is forthcoming; in which case persuading Bmth to sell RF to us would be a top priority for me. Top quality investment for this and future seasons.