Ipswich Town v Watford Match Preview

[Quasar]

Extremely happy with results. Well done

[hallamblue]

Something special is starting to happen at PR peoples.....you'd better get yer butts down to FPR to witness it.



TEN GRAND....WE ONLY COST TEN GRAND!

[Mr.Punch]

looks like we've sold out our ticket allocation for bournemouth - coyb

[marko69]

MASSIVE game....., and one that better get the respect it is due.

[Bluemike]

What a fantastic afternoon at Portman Road yet again, we really are on a roll right now and it is a wonderful time to be a Town fan. I am not quite sure wher James got his "Watford had the better chances" from but thats not what I saw. First and formost it was a cracking game of football again, a good tempo, end to end and even when it looked to be heading to a 0-0 it was still very entertaining.

The first half was pretty even in truth with both keepers making a cracking save, firstly Bialkowski saved well when a watford player was through and a few minutes later Murphy hit a rasping drive which Gomes brilliantly tipped over the bar. We continued to have more of the play and efforts at goal although there is no doubt watford were very damgerous on the break and are the best I have seen at doing that, they really do break quickly. Murphy had a couple of chances and Hunt hit a great strike which looked goal bound before a deflection took it over. I think a draw at half time was not unfair though and despite us having 64% of possession in the first half Watford had their moments too.

I felt the second half was by and large mostly us in the ascendancy, Deeney did have an early chance but wasted it before Williams had one for Town. Midway through the half we lost Joniesta who had suffered his usual barrage of bad tackles etc from what I thought was a pretty dirty Watford team, the times they pulled our players back when through in good positions was ridiculous. Forestieri had a great chance to put Watford ahead but somehow contrived to put it over. As the game approached the final 15 minutes I could sense we may get something as Watford were starting to flag a bit at the back although on the break they did cause us some concern, in fact we scored the goal at a time when Watford were having a decent few minutes but what a feeling when Tommy Smith followed up a blocked shot to ram it home, the place erupted. As you would expect watford then attempted to hoist the ball into our box at every opportunity but this time there was no panic and we were getting opur heads to everything while Chambo made a couple of great blocks. The joy at the final whistle was clear to see.

This team is made of very stern stuff and we really do need to start believing that something big could be happening at last. We have such big hearted players who give their all and run for 90+ minutes. Defensively we were exposed a bit first half due to Watfords excellent breaks, but second half I thought we defended really well. The midfield should be applauded again as they were superb, I have to say a special mention to Kevin Bru who I though was fantastic throughout, what a find this guy has turned out to be, I dont see Skuse getting back in very quickly. Tabby & Hunt were like a couple of Bees round honey all afternoon, snapping at opponents heels, closing then down and getting in their faces, great stuff. Murphy carried on his good form with Three or Four efforts at goal while Didsy looked better than Tuesday night.

One defeat in Thirteen, up to Fourth, Two points off the top and confidence at an all time high, I believe the players think they can beat anyone right now. Six points in Five days against Wolves & Watford is a super effort, even a defeat would probably not see us drop out of the top six and that is what we need to achieve, a little bit of a buffer. The icing on the cake is our nearest and dearest getting beat again to fall further off the pace and we have re-established ourselves as East Anglia's Number One team. Not bad for a team of freebies, has beens and cast offs is it. Bring on Bournemouth, thank god I have a ticket.

[J4ck22]

What a fantastic afternoon at Portman Road yet again, we really are on a roll right now and it is a wonderful time to be a Town fan. I am not quite sure wher James got his "Watford had the better chances" from but thats not what I saw. First and formost it was a cracking game of football again, a good tempo, end to end and even when it looked to be heading to a 0-0 it was still very entertaining.

The first half was pretty even in truth with both keepers making a cracking save, firstly Bialkowski saved well when a watford player was through and a few minutes later Murphy hit a rasping drive which Gomes brilliantly tipped over the bar. We continued to have more of the play and efforts at goal although there is no doubt watford were very damgerous on the break and are the best I have seen at doing that, they really do break quickly. Murphy had a couple of chances and Hunt hit a great strike which looked goal bound before a deflection took it over. I think a draw at half time was not unfair though and despite us having 64% of possession in the first half Watford had their moments too.

I felt the second half was by and large mostly us in the ascendancy, Deeney did have an early chance but wasted it before Williams had one for Town. Midway through the half we lost Joniesta who had suffered his usual barrage of bad tackles etc from what I thought was a pretty dirty Watford team, the times they pulled our players back when through in good positions was ridiculous. Forestieri had a great chance to put Watford ahead but somehow contrived to put it over. As the game approached the final 15 minutes I could sense we may get something as Watford were starting to flag a bit at the back although on the break they did cause us some concern, in fact we scored the goal at a time when Watford were having a decent few minutes but what a feeling when Tommy Smith followed up a blocked shot to ram it home, the place erupted. As you would expect watford then attempted to hoist the ball into our box at every opportunity but this time there was no panic and we were getting opur heads to everything while Chambo made a couple of great blocks. The joy at the final whistle was clear to see.

This team is made of very stern stuff and we really do need to start believing that something big could be happening at last. We have such big hearted players who give their all and run for 90+ minutes. Defensively we were exposed a bit first half due to Watfords excellent breaks, but second half I thought we defended really well. The midfield should be applauded again as they were superb, I have to say a special mention to Kevin Bru who I though was fantastic throughout, what a find this guy has turned out to be, I dont see Skuse getting back in very quickly. Tabby & Hunt were like a couple of Bees round honey all afternoon, snapping at opponents heels, closing then down and getting in their faces, great stuff. Murphy carried on his good form with Three or Four efforts at goal while Didsy looked better than Tuesday night.

One defeat in Thirteen, up to Fourth, Two points off the top and confidence at an all time high, I believe the players think they can beat anyone right now. Six points in Five days against Wolves & Watford is a super effort, even a defeat would probably not see us drop out of the top six and that is what we need to achieve, a little bit of a buffer. The icing on the cake is our nearest and dearest getting beat again to fall further off the pace and we have re-established ourselves as East Anglia's Number One team. Not bad for a team of freebies, has beens and cast offs is it. Bring on Bournemouth, thank god I have a ticket.

This makes me feel good.

[Mr.Punch]

great report - i love to see us above narridge

[phily bon bon]

Brilliant write up Bluemike , no rose tinted spectacles just an honest aprasal of the fare currently dished up at PR. Watford are a dirty bunch of shilarcks and im delighted that they left with nothing.
Mick has a well oiled team in full swing at the moment which works hard for each other and never gives an inch. Bournemouth wont be relishing us turning up and with the blue srmy in full voice backing them up lets see what can happen.
Delighted

[Shed on tour]

What a fantastic afternoon at Portman Road yet again, we really are on a roll right now and it is a wonderful time to be a Town fan. I am not quite sure wher James got his "Watford had the better chances" from but thats not what I saw. First and formost it was a cracking game of football again, a good tempo, end to end and even when it looked to be heading to a 0-0 it was still very entertaining.

The first half was pretty even in truth with both keepers making a cracking save, firstly Bialkowski saved well when a watford player was through and a few minutes later Murphy hit a rasping drive which Gomes brilliantly tipped over the bar. We continued to have more of the play and efforts at goal although there is no doubt watford were very damgerous on the break and are the best I have seen at doing that, they really do break quickly. Murphy had a couple of chances and Hunt hit a great strike which looked goal bound before a deflection took it over. I think a draw at half time was not unfair though and despite us having 64% of possession in the first half Watford had their moments too.

I felt the second half was by and large mostly us in the ascendancy, Deeney did have an early chance but wasted it before Williams had one for Town. Midway through the half we lost Joniesta who had suffered his usual barrage of bad tackles etc from what I thought was a pretty dirty Watford team, the times they pulled our players back when through in good positions was ridiculous. Forestieri had a great chance to put Watford ahead but somehow contrived to put it over. As the game approached the final 15 minutes I could sense we may get something as Watford were starting to flag a bit at the back although on the break they did cause us some concern, in fact we scored the goal at a time when Watford were having a decent few minutes but what a feeling when Tommy Smith followed up a blocked shot to ram it home, the place erupted. As you would expect watford then attempted to hoist the ball into our box at every opportunity but this time there was no panic and we were getting opur heads to everything while Chambo made a couple of great blocks. The joy at the final whistle was clear to see.

This team is made of very stern stuff and we really do need to start believing that something big could be happening at last. We have such big hearted players who give their all and run for 90+ minutes. Defensively we were exposed a bit first half due to Watfords excellent breaks, but second half I thought we defended really well. The midfield should be applauded again as they were superb, I have to say a special mention to Kevin Bru who I though was fantastic throughout, what a find this guy has turned out to be, I dont see Skuse getting back in very quickly. Tabby & Hunt were like a couple of Bees round honey all afternoon, snapping at opponents heels, closing then down and getting in their faces, great stuff. Murphy carried on his good form with Three or Four efforts at goal while Didsy looked better than Tuesday night.

One defeat in Thirteen, up to Fourth, Two points off the top and confidence at an all time high, I believe the players think they can beat anyone right now. Six points in Five days against Wolves & Watford is a super effort, even a defeat would probably not see us drop out of the top six and that is what we need to achieve, a little bit of a buffer. The icing on the cake is our nearest and dearest getting beat again to fall further off the pace and we have re-established ourselves as East Anglia's Number One team. Not bad for a team of freebies, has beens and cast offs is it. Bring on Bournemouth, thank god I have a ticket.

This sums it up perfectly.
That bit of skill by Teddy Bishop by the touchline when he beat 2 Watford players and still managed to play the pass to McGoldrick (I believe) was worth the admission price on it's own. No doubt that there will be further sticky spells to come but this squad of players seem to have the belief that they can overcome these and dare I say it, so now are the supporters.
Thanks Town for beating one of the teams that I dislike the most, it really has made my weekend.

[derick_ipsw]

And Chester go and beat Sarfend in the Cup.

Good day all round for this household!

The mighty Chester, full title please.

[marko69]

Excellent read there, Mike, thanks for posting it.

AndyM....., are you starting to believe just a little bit, buddy......, not OTT "ITFC are going up!" believing, but maybe just a nice thought that things are going to happen this season? I ask because I'm genuinely interested in hearing the thoughts of fans who err on the side caution, but fans like you, who post regularly, win, lose or draw.

Edit: For the record, I am a fan who always errs on the side of caution......, never in my life have I ever had the green tinted specs on....., but the Hibs can take the blame for that!

[Andym]

Pretty much agree with Bluemike's excellent report, although I share James' opinion tthat Watford probably had more clearcut chances. I was delighted the goal came from a free kick because, as others have said, Watford were cynical at the back.

I thought there were fewer individual excellent performances today compared to tuesday, but as a team we were terrific. Delighted that my fears and prediction were as unfounded as usual.

As an ex-Luton man I share Shed's dislike of Watford. The best thing for me today was I suddenly realised that I was watching with the same nerves and excitement that I used to have. Its wonderful to be watching a team that makes me feel like that - that we might be heading for something special

[Mr.Punch]

how did he not get sent off?

https://vine.co/v/Oe9hQH7bVOu

[J4ck22]

how did he not get sent off?

https://vine.co/v/Oe9hQH7bVOu

I've seen a fair few applauding that tackle (including the description of that vine), dirty twats.

[Bluemike]

Should have seen Red.

[BLUEBLOOD]

how did he not get sent off?

https://vine.co/v/Oe9hQH7bVOu

I've seen a fair few applauding that tackle (including the description of that vine), dirty twats.

Look at his reaction as he walks away he thought he was going to get sent off.

[The Don]

Just the nine points this week then. Guess that'll have to do.

[herforder]

A couple of weeks ago MM was being booed by a small contingent of so called supporters. Perhaps they would like to make small donations to the Poppy Appeal by way of repentance!

As Bluemike says in his excellent summary, this was a cracking team performance, in a game of quite fine margins, against a good team. One incident, towards the end, provided a great insight into MM's ability to spot where a firm word of encouragement was required to lift a head that had dropped, following a mouthful from another lad for failing to track a runner. It involved TM who MM yanked over to the dug-out to administer words of wisdom and get him refocused and his head up. Only one small incident over 90 mins, but spoke volumes for me.

Not sure whether the international break comes at a good time or not. On the one hand it allows for some R&R and time for injuries to repair, on the other it would be good to keep the current momentum going.

In the final analysis, we had to win today - if for no other reason than to cheer Andy M and get his football juices flowing again!

[Dazzz67]

Bluemike...excellent match report mate, really enjoyed that read.

As for Ekstrand, dirty shi1te should of been off, how the 'f' did he stay on? hope Jonny will be fit for Bournemouth, thats the thing when your good, you get targeted.

[Ohiotractorboy]

Yeah Don, marginal at best!

Enjoyable read bluemike, thanks for it. Really heady times right now, but trying to remain calm until February.

[lucy]

Update on Williams from TWTD - he's got a heavily strapped thigh and will be missing from the Wales game next Sunday. It didn't say how long he'd be out for though. Get well soon Joneista

[derick_ipsw]

Yeah Don, marginal at best!

Enjoyable read bluemike, thanks for it. Really heady times right now, but trying to remain calm until February.

Why February?

[Ohiotractorboy]

Figured by February if Town are still in the top 8, they are definately in for a run at the playoffs...or better.

[Ohiotractorboy]

Figured by February if Town are still in the top 8, they are definately in for a run at the playoffs...or better.

[arana peligrosa]

Who was the participant who voted on an opposition victory before start of play. In any event that was a mighty fine result against one of the (other) promotion candidates, one of which that hasn't been witnessed at Portman Road for ten years and repays a little on previous setbacks to Hornets in both cup and league action.

One of the very best things (or perhaps the very best thing) about this season thus far is that once again after many years away and a handful of (let's face it) sh*t managers that proved inept and unreliable despite some fanfare of hype, McCarthy has instilled enough belief and provided results that makes it a considerable pleasure to once again be associated with the club. For the first time in what is approaching a decade away there is a real tangible belief (and expectation) that Town can once again be recognized as a premier league club in the near future. On course for a real good shot at the play-offs at least and every opportunity now of automatic promotion. It's ours to throw it away.

I would've liked to see this going and keeping consistency underway, but apparently the English have another pointless immaterial soccer game against another whipping team of Europe this weekend by all accounts, so Town won't be involved in domestics unfortunately. Guess you get a little irritated when it occurs and this club could be back in action and continuing where we left off, victory still fresh, but that apart, we are looking good for end of season.

[Bluemike]

I usually hate these meaningless International breaks but I must admit this time i think it has come at a good time for Town with a few injuries and bumps and bruises knocking around. I hope we hit the ground running on the resumption next weekend.