Newcastle United v Ipswich Town preview and matchday thread

[hallamblue]

Many thanks Mike. Makes for pretty somber reading if I'm being honest even if we all knew the outcome.

It makes me question once again where Ipswich Town FC are heading under this current ownership and management style. We have creative players in the squad, and there is need for further quality players in midfield and defence, but even with what we have this current oppressive ultra defensive tactic is styfling the very life out of our creative players. How much longer can this be allowed to continue? I would be surprised to see the attendance versus Rotherham closer to 10k than the undoubted 15k they will claim.

For me, I can see ( wish for) only one outcome. Mick and Evans both OUT. We are likely to go down under this current regime and archaic tactics anyway, so the comments " be careful what you wish for" no longer hold any fear for me. I'm at that point , (as so many thousands of others are,) where I'm willing to take that chance now, because absolutely bored shyteless with the way things are now.

[Mach_Polish_Blue]

We have lost. No surprise given that was fully expected. But the reality is that the gulf between us and clubs of Newcastle calibre is huge, depressing.

'We cannot afford to be open against Newcastle'. Our tactical master said so. Hey we cannot even afford to be open against Rotherham at home and we play with three defensive midfielders, we cannot even afford to have a go at QPR and we sit back for 88 minutes and start attacking them in the last 2 minutes just because we conceded a goal, we cannot afford to be open against Aston Villa and we only take a risk against them in the final 10 minutes. We can't afford to be open against Huddersfield as they are topping the table. Enough? That list can go on and on.

Cannot we even afford to create opportunities and express ourselves against Newcastle? Even though they are top of the league they have lost 3 matches already this season, one of them was a home defeat to Wolves who are below us in the table. What was his 'tactical' plan? Come on lads, go and enjoy the occasion, if we lose so be it, let's get Newcastle out of our system as they are too good for us..... was it like that you ignorant, stubborn coward?

Of course they have better players, resources but that doesn't mean we just need to turn up and accept the defeat. I as a fan want to see my team not being scared of opposition. I want some encouragement. Did I get it today? No. We were looked like a beaten team straight from beginning.

Knudsen..... he had an absolute shocker in the first half. Scandalous let off for their opener as he left Perez completely unmarked and simple shot from close range was a formality. Most of Newcastle attempts would come from his side as he was awful. He was badly struggling. Embarrassingly outpaced by Ritchie and he had to upend the Newcastle player once which resulted in a yellow card.
Replaced at half time. Me and others thought: 'oh even Mick realised how awful Knudsen was as there was a danger of red card'. Now I hear he was subbed due to injury. So he 'obviously' will be in the team next week if fit.
Got to say that Emmanuel who had to play left-back in the second half made a better impression. Not even in his natural position yet couple of good interceptions and good link-up with Lawrence at times.

Chambers not as awful as Knudsen however still very poor. Both of them were getting skinned so easily. But 'The Skip' will still be a right back next week as he's an inspiration according to our master whom we have in charge.

There was a proper proof of our frightening inability to attack the opponent on 20 min. Ward received the ball just behind the middle, he had support on both wings. Perfect opportunity to organise some quick counter attack. What did he do? An immediate long ball towards Sears, poor one, opportunity wasted.

First half we had had two chances. Best hit the bar following the delivery from the corner and Webster shot wide as he carried the ball for the 20 yards.
Second half far worse in that aspect as one harmless shot from McGoldrick and his weaker leg had no chance to land in the net.

Our stubborn master says it was good to keep Newcastle 1 up for 70 minutes. We never made them work hard today. They were calm and comfortable. Some may say we looked like we settled after 30 minutes. Maybe a bit but Newcastle never sensed any real threat from us.

What I didn't really want today was to hand Shelvey space and time. Our manager ought to have known that more than me. Unfortunately Shelvey was handed that and the created a build up for their second goal. Freedom of space and time.

Third goal followed a combination of their good passes.

3-0 and I believe that Shelvey plus some of their players didn't a shower after the game. Comfortable and relaxing afternoon for them against fragile Ipswich team, the team devoid of any creativity.

Brightest players in our team? I'd say Webster and I won't be surprised if he isn't with us next season.
Lawrence also decent performance and I like his tendency to keep the ball on the deck but he wastes his time at Ipswich. He can't express himself along with a few other players. The team is brimmed with horrible ideology.

Mick McCarthy stood still for the majority of the game. Benitez seemed more lively and kept encouraging his players.

The gulf between us and Newcastle is disparaging and I mean more than football team. They have a Premier League environment too whereas Ipswich are just a tinpot happy clappers who are stuck in the Championship and million miles away from Premier League. Mike Ashley has been financing them for years, slated so often by Newcastle fans for various reasons whereas Marcus Evans keeps selling our assets and have a quiet footballing life in a nice, smashing Ipswich environment and all is fine for some as ... he runs the costs !

I'm sure we have better players than they look but this team is shackled. No creativity, wrong philosophy. Defence main priority. Fear. Fright. Inability to express themselves. Wrong team selection as some players will always be his favourites.

Meanwhile Cardiff with the same players who had been struggling to score goals under the previous head coach have somehow started producing goods. Different manager and different philosophy.

Our main object as always is to 'stop opposition playing' according to our manager so he'll start wondering how to stop Rotherham next week. They aren't mugs Mick are they?

Bluemike and Foxy Lady - thanks a lot for your companion.

[derick_ipsw]

Well I think it might be last chance saloon next Saturday. If Town get beaten at home by bottom club Rotherham (god forbid) MM will have to go I'm afraid, just to save the season. The squad we have(even with injuries) should not be 17th in the championship, that is purely down to negative football and negative tactics.MM I thank you for saving us 4 years ago and for the playoffs 2 years ago, but that's it I'm afraid, your time is up. You can take us know further forward, everybody in this league knows, how we will set up for a game, we need fresh ideas and maybe a younger forward thinking attacking Manager. Who ? I hear you cry, well here's 4.

Aberdeen Manager: Derek Mcinnes
Hearts Manager: Robbie Neilson
Scunthorpe Manager Graham Alexander
Doncaster Manager: Darren Ferguson. He would be my choice on style of play a lone.

[hallamblue]

A post from a Town fan on twtd. Nail firmly hit on head , I'd say.





Agreed, fair. Firstly, it's important to acknowledge that MM has done a good job here but we look completely out of ideas. 

We have a clearly talented crop of youngsters coupled with a riggid and turgid spine in the starting 11. I think it feels like their development is starting to be hampered by the insistence on using a core of old but trusted players. 

Anyone who's seen us for more than 2 games knows what our issues are: 
- defence often playing long to isolated players upfront 
- isolated loan striker who can't be supported by overlapping midfielders as we are too deep 
- poor ball retention even when under no pressure 
- sloppy and unstructured interplay 
- no moving into space with the ball effectively, Berra is the main culprit here. 
- chronic lack of chance creation 
- full backs beaten too easily time and again 
- Sears left to chase scraps wide 
- competition for places never seems to make a difference for the same underperforming individuals 
- not adjusting our tactics to the ebb and flow of a game, why wasn't Williams on for the clearly out of place Douglas at 1-0 down? Game was dead when he came on. 

Emmanuel came on and did a capable job at left back, which I think is an impressive feat for such a young guy. MM seems wedded to this fear that talented youngsters will freeze as the first sight of Rotherham et al, get them on as your goodwill is left at dregs. 

The main thing that I think frustrates the faithful is the cumulative repetition of all of these themes with little acknowledgement from MM. We'll hear the same tired and well trodden sound bites 'he's a top pro', 'he's terrific', 'x are a top side'. Repeat.

[marko69]

You think MMs interviews are depressing? Go get Robbie Neilson, Derick. Ok, maybe things would improve slightly, (no promotion though) but you'll be asking Saint Jude for some of his depression tablets after the TV interviews.

Was being conservative predicting the 3-0. Actually thought it'd be 6.

Much prefer Mike & Machs reports. No bullshit, to the point reports. Most of the report writers on the TWTD place want to be headline makers. I'm noting a few names to see if they still write up some lengthy stuff after possible future ITFC wins.

TWaTD.

[bluejacko]

A post from a Town fan on twtd. Nail firmly hit on head , I'd say.





Agreed, fair. Firstly, it's important to acknowledge that MM has done a good job here but we look completely out of ideas. 

We have a clearly talented crop of youngsters coupled with a riggid and turgid spine in the starting 11. I think it feels like their development is starting to be hampered by the insistence on using a core of old but trusted players. 

Anyone who's seen us for more than 2 games knows what our issues are: 
- defence often playing long to isolated players upfront 
- isolated loan striker who can't be supported by overlapping midfielders as we are too deep 
- poor ball retention even when under no pressure 
- sloppy and unstructured interplay 
- no moving into space with the ball effectively, Berra is the main culprit here. 
- chronic lack of chance creation 
- full backs beaten too easily time and again 
- Sears left to chase scraps wide 
- competition for places never seems to make a difference for the same underperforming individuals 
- not adjusting our tactics to the ebb and flow of a game, why wasn't Williams on for the clearly out of place Douglas at 1-0 down? Game was dead when he came on. 

Emmanuel came on and did a capable job at left back, which I think is an impressive feat for such a young guy. MM seems wedded to this fear that talented youngsters will freeze as the first sight of Rotherham et al, get them on as your goodwill is left at dregs. 

The main thing that I think frustrates the faithful is the cumulative repetition of all of these themes with little acknowledgement from MM. We'll hear the same tired and well trodden sound bites 'he's a top pro', 'he's terrific', 'x are a top side'. Repeat.

Can't argue with that spot on assessment!

[arana peligrosa]

Expected nothing and was not disappointed. The pity is, there will be a number of teams this season that will travel there and show some desire and belief and attempt to make a game of it but we once again showed a number of deficiencies in pivotal areas. No disgrace to see defeat against an opposition that should return to the EPL at end of season, but guess McCarthy saw to it again that there was only going to be one winner. No Ipswich team has beaten Newcastle away in the league since before the FA Cup win in '78 records indicate, and that statistic wasn't about to be rewritten yesterday.

[Tangfastic]

Taking positives.... I guess being behind by one goal with 15 mins left is one, but more likely down to luck and last ditch defence than anything else. Glad to hear that Emsnuell was steady. A bit of baptism of fire being brought into a defence against a rampant team... and playing on the wrong side. Half expected Chambers to cover LB due to his experience, but I guess he's got enough on his plate at RB.

We'll scratch that one off. Yes, there's a gulf between the teams.... but we've been outplayed by 'lesser' teams. It's how we show up against other teams from now on. Especially at home.

If we go out with an attitude that we can only win or draw by negating teams... what does that say to the players... especially the younger players? That they're not good enough - even against lowly sides?

I wish McCarthy would take of the shackles in the future. Mach's got it right... it is about fear. With an annoying side-show of Mick trying to prove something to the fans.

Yes, an expected loss.... but we're still allowed to dream or expect a bit still. Cant play Burton every week, unless we slump into League 1. I'm sure we won't, but its the best way of getting out of this bloody league..... and it might force changes.

[charlton837]

I think anyone who travelled up for the game must have just been pleased that Newcastle is a good place to have a few beers and a night out!

In all seriousness though my take on it was there was a huge obvious (as predicted) gulf between the sides. That being said I didn't feel Newcastle were at full tilt, I felt they have another couple of gears to grind through if they needed to. The quality of some of their passing was inferior to anything else in this league, Shelvey may not be everyone's favorite but this is a guy who was a regular for England not long ago, in this league he is very clever. We were only 1 goal down in first half, perhaps Newcastle should have had a pen too (looked like on for me) but we got away with it. Leon Best was putting himself about, and very unlucky not to score when he hit the bar. I was hoping we may give it a go second half, in truth we never really did, maybe we didn't try to, or maybe Newcastle just made sure we didn't play, its hard to know which.

I thought both full backs were terrible, Knudsen has been better this season defensively, but for me he is not a wing back. In the modern game you need full backs to be fit and getting up and down and looking to add something to the attacking side of the game too, however I have not really seen this from Knudsen with his time with us, I don't like to criticize him too much as I think just by looking at him he really gives everything he has and puts so much effort in, I just think he lacks the quality which is a shame. Chambers was just as bad for me, we all say hes playing out of position, but that excuse is old, and actually its not all his fault, MM picks him in that position, hes had numerous chances to sort that out but hasn't, and Chambers takes the brunt of the criticism. Its probably more a case that people want to see some new blood, I think its maybe more a case people want to see Emmanuel play there rather than they don't want Chambers there. Again cant fault his effort, but he is causing us more and issues in my opinion in the RB position. In some cases he does actually try to get up and support the attack, but he doesn't really have the final ball or quality to do it, his best move is making late runs in to the box which is a positive for him. Webster played OK, at times was a bit panicked but also had moments where he looked calm and assured, the run he made past 2 Newcastle players with a resulting shot was probably the town highlight of the game which says something...

An enjoyable day out, and a defeat which most would have anticipated, but its worrying we have only scored 1 goal from open play away from home, and only 2 in total if you include the pen at Reading. After 6 away games that is a shocking and damning stat, these away games include some teams we should be competing with too. We just are not looking like a team with goals in us at the moment, yes we scored 2 against Burton and actually I predict a win against Rotherham on Saturday, but we don't appear to have enough about us to score enough goals to have anything like a "good" season this time round.