Ipswich Town vs Reading Preview & Matchday Thread

[Ohiotractorboy]

Well done on soldiering through this season by keeping up the quality of the previews, guys.

I can feel the depression clear over here.

2-1 Reading.

[Andym]

3 at the back. McGoldrick as lone striker. Very worried.

[Tangfastic]

ITFC 0: READING 2

Caption:

A beaming Jaap Stam celebrates off-loading his deadwood onto Ipswich Town.

[arana peligrosa]

Starting XI

Bialkowski, Emmanuel, Chambers, Taylor, Berra, Knudsen, Diagouraga, Skuse, Huws, McGoldrick, Lawrence

bench

Gerken, Bishop, Pitman, Spence, Ward, Sears, Moore

[Charnwood]

Another fabulous contribution from Tom Lawrence to give a Town a 1-0 lead at half time.
How Leicester City must be regretting sending him out on loan with no Premiership goals in the last 430 minutes.

[nicscreamer]

I dread to think where we would be without Tom Lawrence. What a player he is for us. A one man team

[Magicmark]

Can we hold on for the win..Good morale boost if we can.

[Magicmark]

oh well guess we were expecting a defeat after tuesday..disappointed with a point though.

[arana peligrosa]

Wasting your time there, McCarthy will fail to recognize "hold on for a win". Still, must not castigate his as* too soon, the game still is underway.

Lawrence could be a very good addition if we can bring him in full-time but still learning out there. (And) We've created enough opportunity today but as always let the opposition back in or can't see a winning lead out.

Anxious last few moments of the game still to pass, f*ck it, believe I'd take a point now actually.

Edit, game is over. 2 - 2 home draw. Got a spot on pre-game prediction right, if nothing else.

[lucy]

Should of won it but a point will have to do. Tom Lawrence just gets better and better.

[ashfordblue]

What a change from Tuesday's debacle, Huw's & Lawrence is a dam good partnership, But where would we be without Lawrence 10 goals now, I will say this only once, Marcus even if you have to break the bank, Please sign Lawrence on a permanent basis at the end of the season, clear out the deadwood as we now have a nucleolus of a very good team, and a word for Mick, do not let Douglas or Scuse back in the teams midfield, you stick with what we have in midfield with Huw's , Diagouraga, Bishop, ok, do not revert back to a defensive Scuse & Douglas however much your tempted.

[trimleyblue]

What a much better performance and display that was. First match I have really enjoyed since September.

[Bluemike]

That was much, much better, chalk & cheese springs to mind. Making my way to the ground I was filled with trepidation and not much confidence following Tuesday's capitulation against Derby. I must admit I was pleased when the team was announced with Huws & Taylor making their debuts and Diagouraga his home debut while no sign of Bru, Pitman & Sears was equally pleasing. For a change it was Town who flew out of the blocks and started taking the game to Reading from the off. Two or Three half chances came our way with Emmanuel, Lawrence & Knudsen all unable to convert half chances. Town suffered a bit of a blow with Cole Skuse being forced off midway thorugh the first half having picked up an earlier injury while making a very good tackle to stop a Reading attack, Grant Ward his replacement. It is no word of a lie but the visitors had barely had a sniff of our half let alone Bart's goal such was the impressive start Town had made, Huws & Diagouraga were contolling the Midfield and both looked very good while Lawrence was his usual self, looking to run at the Reading defence at every offortunity. At the back what really pleased me was the way Steven Taylor was going about his duties, talking constantly, pointing to gaps and waving players into positions, generally marshelling the defence so well and looking calm and assured.

Reading finally had an attemt on our goal which sailed well over the bar, and not long after bart made his first save of the game from a weak effort. Huws then tried his luck from distance but the effort was saved, the welshman then sent Knudsen away in acres of space but unfortunately for us the keeepr just got to the ball first. It really had been good stuff from Town and thankfully with the half drawing to a close we deservedly went ahead. Diagouraga nipped in to win an important tackle in our own defence, he fed Huws who strode forward before playing a perfectly weighted ball to Tom Lawrence who took it on, turned the defence inside out before smashing yet another unstoppable rocket into the back of the net off the underside of the bar, it really was yet another cracker and no more than we deserved. There was still time before the HT whistle for Town to miss a golden opportunity to double the lead, from a corner Taylor peeled off the defender at the back post and sent his header inches the wrong side of the post, it was going to prove a crucial miss.

Instead of Reading coming out of the blocks in search of an equaliser it was the Blue's who carried on in the same fashion, taking the game to our visitors, first Didsy had a effort which was wide and then Lawrence came within an inch or Two of scoring his second, this time though he bent his effort just wide of the post with the keeper well beaten. These misses were to prove costly as not long after Reading got level and there was a bit of good fortune in the weay it came about. Chambers went in for a tackle and was left grounded, the bounce fell kindly for Reading who broke away and with the skipper on the floor Mutch was given too much space and he made no mistake. It was so harsh and unjust and you got the feeling our old failings may just creep back in again.

Another really pleasing thing for me was the way we responded to being pegged back, no heads went down and we carried on going forward and taking the game to our opponents although we did have Bart to thank for pulling off a good save following a shot from distance. What followed was a intense period of Town pressure, McGoldrick was having a good game and in the second half he was simply on fire, Town were forcing corners which were putting them under real pressure, Didsy had a shot saved and Diagoura looked to have been tripped in the box but nothing doing. Finally the pressure paid off and Town went back ahead, a brilliant piece of play from McGoldrick put that man Lawrence through on goal and he kept his composure to make no mistake, the pass from Didsy was brilliant, I am not his biggest fan but he was in great form today.

It was McGoldrick who had a chance to put the game to bed, this time Lawrence returning the favour by playing a lovely ball into the box, unfortunately Didsy was unable to get a good tocuh on it so crossed instead but nobody was on hand to benefit. Town had done more than enough to win the game but Reading somehow got level again, from a corner Obita smashed a shot passed an unsighted Bart, it was a strike of some aplomb but so undeserved. Still Town came forward looking to get all the points but we just could not find a Third goal and we had to settle for a share of the spoils.

I have to say I was concerned for us after Tuesday and the thought of a relegation battle was a possibility, of course it could still be but IF we can play like that from now on in we will have no fears at all, there was so much to admire about today, we had Two players making theri debuts and "Dave" m aking his home debut and yet we looked so much more assured and confident, there was none of this aimless hoofing it, in fact we played some lovely stuff, we tried to break quickly and there always seemed to be players offering themselves and supplying options. Taylor at the back looks a real leader and with a bit of luck would have scored on his debut, if he stays fit it's a great signing at this level. Diagouraga carreid on from where he left off at preston and wins so many 50/50 balls and breaks up play, it was his tenacity that paved the way for Huws to set up the first goal. As for Huws what a super debut, composed and assured, he also made some telling passes and his dead balls caused problems, yes he tired but again such promise for the games ahead. Up front Tom Lawrence is simply unstoppable right now, great goals keep coming one after another and on another day he could have had Three or Four. What can I say about Didsy, never been my favourite but I thought he was superb today, whether it be tracking back, breaking forward or playing great balls through he did it all well, if only he was like this all the time. Emmanuel too had a lot of success in getting in behind their Left back while defensively he looked better, he will only get better.

Bart (6) Chambers (7) Taylor (7) Berra (6) Emmanuel (7) Knudsen (6) Diagouraga (7) Huws (8) Skuse (-) Lawrence (9) McGoldrick (8) SUBS :- Ward (6) Spence (5) Bishop (6)

No doubt there will be those that are disappointed and upset at only drawing and I totally get that, we SHOULD have won the game, no question, we have to take the positives from it, the debuts of Huws & Taylor, both looked very astute signings, in Lawrence I would suggest that right now we have the best player in the Championship, Didsy looked superb today. Add to that the atmosphere, not a boo or negative song in sight, the players started well and lifted the fans and in turn the fans got behiond the team, it has to be a two way thing, they go hand in hand. Yes we still have a long way to go and yes we will still lose games, this month is tough as we all know but nobdy expected such a good performance today so you just never know.

My final point is this, for any muppett who says Luke Chambers has no passion I suggest you get your head out of your arse, to see his reaction in front of the North stand following our second goal speaks volumes about the man, to celebrate like we had won the league shows how much he cares and what the club means to him. A top bloke and a great captain, Bring on the Villa. COYB'S

[patthegimp]

Thanks for the report Mike. They are invaluable and I am glad to say todays was also enjoyable. Listened on BBC Suffolk and was very pleased but not surprised that with the additions of Taylor and Diagourago our defence was strong and linked well with midfield. If they stay fit( and are not over trained) then this aspect will only get stronger. Huws and Lawrence exceptional, and Rowe still to come. Dids supported by a better team showed us what a player he can be. And our loan striker still to come.
I expect ITFC to bring back the good times and move up the league and still believe the play offs are still possible- its the scrumpy talking, not me!

COYB and thanks for today MMC

[patthegimp]

Whoops two stills- one must be for the scrumpy!!

[BLUEBLOOD]

Caption Comp: after the game.
Tom Lawrence I must BUY him when we get promotion...10/10

[marko69]

How a draw can be so different at times. A f**king draw at Easter Road against Ayr f**king United is NOT good, not good at all. But the 2-2 at Portman Road......, OK, I've read the report, should've won etc, but that's a decent result. Reading are a good side and they'll be there or thereabouts come seasons end.

If the team can keep today's form going, (IF......., yes, IF) then mid to slightly upper table finish could be on the cards.

Pat........, seriously! Forget the scrumpy, what the feck are you smoking, buddy!

[number 9]

Lovely to hear we played football for a change, and even better to hear the positive comments about our new signings. It sounds like we had a Welsh rare'bit of quality in the midfield today. COYB!!!

[Charnwood]

Thanks for the report Mike, brilliant.

I just hope and pray Leicester City have no emergency recall clause on Tom Lawrence's loan deal cos they need his goals as much if not more than we do.

[Bluemike]

Thanks for the report Mike, brilliant.

I just hope and pray Leicester City have no emergency recall clause on Tom Lawrence's loan deal cos they need his goals as much if not more than we do.

No recall on Lawrence, here for the season.

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

Thanks for the report Mike - I was as usual listening to every kick on the radio and was pleasantly surprised both with what I heard and with your report.

I sincerely hope that for our next game MM will start with the same line-up. The only thing I would want to change would be the omission of Berra for either Webster or Smith.

Although I am not attending games at the moment, I am still building up a picture of things and would offer the following observations:

1) Chambers seems to be a lot better when played in his natural position, and I'm all for him keeping his place in a back 3. It's obvious that this system does not suit Berra as it requires a certain amount of covering and ball-play. Therefore to me the ideal back 3 would be Chambers, Taylor, and Webster, with Smith the choice as replacement for any of these.
2) It seemed to me that our midfield yesterday was considerably better than it has been for some time. To me it seems that Skuse was not missed at all when he went off - in fact the midfield probably performed better due the lack of his negative and one-dimensional play. I sincerely hope that MM will not bring him back at the first opportunity.
3) It sounded as though MM has finally hit on a decent front partnership, although I would still like to see a place for a proper target man.

[Bluemike]

Hiya Gary, I too hope we start with the same line up, like you a back Three of Webster, Chambers & Taylor looks very appealing, for now we have little choice but to stick with Berra, next season however he won't be here so that won't be an issue.

Your second point about the Midfield being better than for some time is spot on, Huws and Diagouraga have brought something to it that we have lacked, however I don't think Skuse going off necessarily made things better, we had started very well and for the first 20 minutes it barely came out of Reading's half, Skuse went off around the 20 minute mark i believe and that was at the point they finally started to get some territorial success, coincidence or otherwise who knows but for me I would be more than happy with Diagouraga, Huws and Skuse in there as opposed to Ward who came on.

Up front Lawrence was again unstoppable while Didsy was superb, I can't say anything else, his pass for the seond goal was sublime but his all round game deserves praise because it was top notch I thought. I honestly think Kieffer Moore has something to offer as a target man, will he ever be a daryl Murphy, no of course not but not many strikers at this level can match up to what Murphy brought to our team.

Are we likely to have the pleasure of your company anytime soon ? Would be good to hopefully meet up again before the season draws to a close. Seven more home games, you gotta make at least one of them !!

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

Hiya Gary, I too hope we start with the same line up, like you a back Three of Webster, Chambers & Taylor looks very appealing, for now we have little choice but to stick with Berra, next season however he won't be here so that won't be an issue.

Your second point about the Midfield being better than for some time is spot on, Huws and Diagouraga have brought something to it that we have lacked, however I don't think Skuse going off necessarily made things better, we had started very well and for the first 20 minutes it barely came out of Reading's half, Skuse went off around the 20 minute mark i believe and that was at the point they finally started to get some territorial success, coincidence or otherwise who knows but for me I would be more than happy with Diagouraga, Huws and Skuse in there as opposed to Ward who came on.

Up front Lawrence was again unstoppable while Didsy was superb, I can't say anything else, his pass for the seond goal was sublime but his all round game deserves praise because it was top notch I thought. I honestly think Kieffer Moore has something to offer as a target man, will he ever be a daryl Murphy, no of course not but not many strikers at this level can match up to what Murphy brought to our team.

Are we likely to have the pleasure of your company anytime soon ? Would be good to hopefully meet up again before the season draws to a close. Seven more home games, you gotta make at least one of them !!

well whilst I can honestly say I have not missed the football I saw dished up all season, I have to say that I do miss the pre-game meet-up. Watch this space

[herforder]

Much more positive atmosphere throughout the ground, with most folk eager to support the team. Not sure who was more surprised at the significantly improved performance against a good Reading team - the crowd or the players themselves! Probably not what most of us anticipated; but on display yesterday was a platform on which to build. With the recent additions, those returning from injury and those on the bench MM now has more (hopefully better) options - bearing in mind, also, Ian Milne's pre-match comments indicating that we're effectively in re-building mode. (Subject, of course, to ME's budgetary constraints in the next transfer window). I don't think that either Chambers or Berra - together with a number of others - will be here next season. Big question, however, is will MM? Don't think the man himself knows the answer to that, yet.

[Bluemike]

Hiya Gary, I too hope we start with the same line up, like you a back Three of Webster, Chambers & Taylor looks very appealing, for now we have little choice but to stick with Berra, next season however he won't be here so that won't be an issue.

Your second point about the Midfield being better than for some time is spot on, Huws and Diagouraga have brought something to it that we have lacked, however I don't think Skuse going off necessarily made things better, we had started very well and for the first 20 minutes it barely came out of Reading's half, Skuse went off around the 20 minute mark i believe and that was at the point they finally started to get some territorial success, coincidence or otherwise who knows but for me I would be more than happy with Diagouraga, Huws and Skuse in there as opposed to Ward who came on.

Up front Lawrence was again unstoppable while Didsy was superb, I can't say anything else, his pass for the seond goal was sublime but his all round game deserves praise because it was top notch I thought. I honestly think Kieffer Moore has something to offer as a target man, will he ever be a daryl Murphy, no of course not but not many strikers at this level can match up to what Murphy brought to our team.

Are we likely to have the pleasure of your company anytime soon ? Would be good to hopefully meet up again before the season draws to a close. Seven more home games, you gotta make at least one of them !!

well whilst I can honestly say I have not missed the football I saw dished up all season, I have to say that I do miss the pre-game meet-up. Watch this space

Good, let us know if you are intending to come as we have used a different pub last couple of games.

[bluepeter]

We must buy Lawrence....come on gang get your piggy banks out and the £5 of premium bonds bought by Auntie Betty in the 60's.

[arana peligrosa]

We must buy Lawrence....come on gang get your piggy banks out and the £5 of premium bonds bought by Auntie Betty in the 60's.

Last viewed, Leicester were having nowhere near the success of last season, so they may wish to keep hold of him at season's end and any hope of a permanent loan deal would be dead in the water. Say for argument sake the player is available in a full-time capacity, how much is the owner prepared to move to make the deal permanent ? Someone like that could mean a real difference here for next season but there's too many people at the club devoid of any real motivation or sense of ambition.

Last word on yesterdays game and despite being held back at the end, signs were once again evident that we can achieve results on occasion, it's just that for every one game of merit, there appears to be three or four around it where the team reverts to type and lets everybody down, themselves inclusive. Some standout games in the immediate future against awkward opposition, and it will be interesting to see if the players can continue from before and bring further reward.

[Bluemike]

There is absolutely zero chance of Tom Lawrence being signed by ITFC, why can't people realise that ? He will go for a good 6 Million at least and most likely to the premier league.

[hallamblue]

I dont think Leicester will even be selling him. Assuming they avoid relegation from PL they will be playing him themselves.

[Charnwood]

I dont think Leicester will even be selling him. Assuming they avoid relegation from PL they will be playing him themselves.

I'm with you Liz, I don't think he'll be going anywhere especially with Leicester struggling so much to score goals. I'm sure I heard this afternoon that they're the only team in English football not to have scored a goal in 2017, that's 520 minutes without scoring.

One guy who could put an end to that is Tom Lawrence.