Ipswich Town vs Portsmouth FA Cup Preview & Matchday Thread

[derick_ipsw]

Unfortunately for MM that has back fired badly. Now we have a extra game, a 318 mile round trip sandwiched between Preston at home and Birmingham away!!

[marko69]

Wanted a cup run. Not too sure about doing it that way though.

[Charnwood]

At least we have the benefit of knowing the fourth round opponents before the game to decide whether to have a go or not....

I didn't realise until today that we've now gone nine games without winning an FA Cup tie.

I guess that says it all.

[Mr.Punch]

Digby and AMN did not play well and MM had to move Chambers inside and eventually bring Smith on. Pitman didn't play great either. On a positive, Fraser really made a difference, as did Sears and although Portsmouth deserved to win overall, it never looked like we would lose - however bizarre that might sound.
Pompey fans were loud but they could have done with some balloons, flags or inflatables- all a bit dark over in the chicken run.
I enjoyed my experiment of sitting high up in the middle of the West Stand, a better view and some fun comments from some old (and young) lags!
5 more wins in the fa cup and we're at Wembley!

[Charnwood]

Digby and AMN did not play well and MM had to move Chambers inside and eventually bring Smith on. Pitman didn't play great either. On a positive, Fraser really made a difference, as did Sears and although Portsmouth deserved to win overall, it never looked like we would lose - however bizarre that might sound.
Pompey fans were loud but they could have done with some balloons, flags or inflatables- all a bit dark over in the chicken run.
I enjoyed my experiment of sitting high up in the middle of the West Stand, a better view and some fun comments from some old (and young) lags!
5 more wins in the fa cup and we're at Wembley!

That's the area where I used to have my season ticket many years back, Block H, Row G great view of the pitch but probably very expensive these days.

[Bluemike]

Well that wasn't great viewing, second best from start to finish and pompey deserved to win. If it told me anything it is that the fringe players are just that for a reason. I actually thought MM switched Chambers and Digby after 25 mins because Malarczyk is f**king useless, that's how I saw it, for me Digby looked ok at CB.

Tommy Oar was decent but I suspect the rest of them I.e Varney, Hyam , Malarczyk, Digby, Bialkowski and AMN will all be back on the bench at best on Tuesday having been average at best. Fraser and Smith made a difference when they came on and saved us from defeat. I expect it has only delayed the inevitable as MM has already said he will play a much weakened team.

It was a real pleasure to meet Rossi before the game over a couple of beers and put a face to a name. I cant even fall out with him on here anymore !!! A really nice guy.

[bluejacko]

That was utter crap
Given a very good football lesson by a lower league team

[Charnwood]

Well that wasn't great viewing, second best from start to finish and pompey deserved to win. If it told me anything it is that the fringe players are just that for a reason. I actually thought MM switched Chambers and Digby after 25 mins because Malarczyk is f**king useless, that's how I saw it, for me Digby looked ok at CB.

Tommy Oar was decent but I suspect the rest of them I.e Varney, Hyam , Malarczyk, Digby, Bialkowski and AMN will all be back on the bench at best on Tuesday having been average at best. Fraser and Smith made a difference when they came on and saved us from defeat. I expect it has only delayed the inevitable as MM has already said he will play a much weakened team.

It was a real pleasure to meet Rossi before the game over a couple of beers and put a face to a name. I cant even fall out with him on here anymore !!! A really nice guy.

Wish I'd made the effort now, could have picked Rossi's brains about his trip to "The Phillipines".....that said maybe not after reading how crap the game appears to have been, it would have been thouroughly depressing long drive home in the rain. .... Maybe choosing to play golf was the right decision after all.

I'm pretty sure with our best team we could still win this, but without any appetite it's unlikely to happen.

[herforder]

A largely embarrassing, inept, performance. Woeful first half, improvement on introduction of Fraser (quality with bells on) and Sears, who might have won it with a rasping cross shot at the death. A draw was probably undeserved, a win would have led to criminal proceedings!

Full credit to Pompey, who appeared stronger, better organised and more motivated; they played the better, controlled, football in the main, and both of their goals were well crafted. Although MM had made changes, it was not simply a matter of those coming in not playing well, or being short of match time (which was actually glaringly obvious). In truth, with a couple of exceptions - Oar and Varney - the whole team were well below par, allowing themselves to be overpowered all over the park. AMN looked disinterested and was rightly subbed; whilst Digby was moved to RB with Chambo to CH alongside PM - reflecting the pressure Pompey were exerting on a central pairing with limited recent game time at any level. Unfair, therefore, to be unduly critical of both based upon one performance. Will be interesting to see whether they start, and gain further match time, in the replay. Because, for me, today confirmed the fragile nature of the quality, experience and strength in depth of MM's squad, all those who might be needed to come in for injuries, suspensions etc, should get valuable game time. With Parr apparently returning to Norway, MM urgently needs experienced full-back cover - Emmanuel and Kennlock are not yet ready for half a season of sheer Championship slog.

Am sure Bluemike will post his usual excellent match report; the above were 'hot' comments. As ever, a sense of perspective is required: on the day we were poor, Pompey were excellent, but we dug out a draw, didn't lose and live to fight another - probably unwelcome! - day.

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

This was the first game I've seen since I got back to the UK.
I can understand that MM wants to play some of his fringe players against supposedly weaker opposition, but for me todays game highlighted the fact that it is unwise to make too many changes to a team at once. There was little cohesion in our play.
First half was absolutely dire. True, Pompey played well - actually I felt they gave us a lesson in how to pass the ball. They had 3 golden chances to score, and had by far the best of the possession. They were also first to every loose ball, and we had far too many players who looked disinterested. I think the only direct 'attempt' we had on goal was when Pitman 'passed' the ball back to their keeper following an injury stoppage. And every time we tried to move the ball upfield it was invariably hit high into the air - not very good thinking in such windy conditions.
Second half was not much better. MM moved Digby to RB and Chambers to CB, and subsequently brought on Tommy Smith for Digby. That at least shored things up in central defence, but the amount of space Pompey had going down the right side of our defence all second half was very worrying. We scored with really our first decent attacking intent, only to switch off immediately and concede straight away from an attack down our right. Pompey's second goal also came from good work down that side, but was a well taken goal. I was relieved when we equalised, though I can't help feeling that the goal was a bit of a fluke and robbed Pompey of what I think would have been a deserved win.
Overall, I thought Digby was weak (though its perhaps harsh to judge him as he hadn't played for some time). AMN was totally disinterested, Varney and Pitman ineffective, Chambers and Skuse poor, Knudsen continues to worry me. I thought Tommy Oar had a half decent game, but was expecting him to take this opportunity to really stake a claim for the first team and he didn't really do it for me. Bart made a couple of decent saves and looked solid. I was hoping that Malarcyk would have a decent game - sadly he didn't. It wasn't until Fraser and Sears came on that we started to look 2 divisions better than Pompey. Still, at least we are in the draw for the 4th round, and we havn't been able to say that very often over recent seasons.
So all in all a very disappointing performance. Best part of the day was meeting BlueMike, Hallam, FoxyLady and Mr Fox prior to the game - was a pleasure to meet and drink with such nice people.

[lucy]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35273051

Highlights of the game for anybody not there today.

[derick_ipsw]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35273051

Highlights of the game for anybody not there today.

From what I just read, there was not any?

[lucy]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35273051

Highlights of the game for anybody not there today.

From what I just read, there was not any?

i know but Saint/Shamm might want to see the goals so it's for them

[Charnwood]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35273051

Highlights of the game for anybody not there today.

I know it only shows a couple of minutes of play but their Kyle Bennett looks a handful. Was he MOTM by any chance?

[Charnwood]

Town & Portsmouth are drawn No12 for the 16 fourth round ties to be drawn out on Monday at approximately 7.15pm on BBC One, with all the draw numbers listed below.

The fourth round proper will take place across the weekend of Friday 29 January to Monday 1 February 2016 with winning clubs receiving £90,000 from The FA’s prize fund.

Fourth Round Proper draw numbers

1 Watford
2 West Bromwich Albion or Bristol City
3 West Ham United
4 Derby County
5 Exeter City or Liverpool
6 Tottenham Hotspur or Leicester City
7 Colchester United
8 Peterborough United
9 Northampton Town or Milton Keynes Dons
10 Arsenal
11 Newport County or Blackburn Rovers
12 Ipswich Town or Portsmouth
13 Bournemouth
14 Wycombe Wanderers or Aston Villa
15 Sheffield Wednesday
16 Oxford United or Swansea City
17 Walsall
18 Bury or Bradford City
19 Manchester United
20 Everton
21 Crystal Palace
22 Eastleigh or Bolton Wanderers
23 Nottingham Forest
24 Carlisle United or Yeovil Town
25 Chelsea or Scunthorpe United
26 Stoke City
27 Leeds United or Rotherham United
28 Cardiff City or Shrewsbury Town
29 Huddersfield Town or Reading
30 Burnley
31 Manchester City
32 Hull City


These are the same numbers/teams that will be used for the TB Cup draw which will be drawn simultaneously on Monday. See Prediction League thread for details.

[arana peligrosa]

Tried to respond to this maybe thirty minutes ago but encountered some technical difficulties. Wanted to put across :

The only saving grace was the equalizer towards the end. If not for that, the team could rightfully be castigated for what went on out there today but we salvaged it in the end and are at least still involved in the competition if nothing else.

Maybe McCarthy revealing the starting XI early was a mistake. It provided the opposition that extra time to prepare or put out a match plan but what's done is done. Voted in the mistaken belief of a home win, I never envisaged we would make it so hard for ourselves.

Seen it said that McCarthy again showed enough contempt for a Cup game and to an extent they're right. The squad selected seemed strong enough but we know now that wasn't the case and face up to a replay at an awkward venue and the possibility of another first time FA Cup elimination. Whether you want to agree or disagree, this will be nowhere near good enough.

Read on a rival page there was a incident of sorts on the trains away from the Town (presumably back into London) with fans involved (they didn't specify which set) causing some level of mayhem with misuse of fire extinguishers and other rail property, so hope none of our own were caught up in any stupidity. (Police were called to restore order)

Bottom line : pleased with saving it at the end, but that's about the extent of it. It was another largely lackluster game where we were fortunate to come away with something, were largely outplayed for long periods, and Portsmouth would have appeared to have had the better opportunities. Either McCarthy quits pissing around with games like this - or he takes the competition seriously.

[shamm]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35273051

Highlights of the game for anybody not there today.

From what I just read, there was not any?

i know but Saint/Shamm might want to see the goals so it's for them

Thanks Lucy.
Much appreciated. Difficult to be in the Southern tip of Africa an be a fan of Town. Really wish we will be in the stands one day.

[lucy]

Tried to respond to this maybe thirty minutes ago but encountered some technical difficulties. Wanted to put across :

The only saving grace was the equalizer towards the end. If not for that, the team could rightfully be castigated for what went on out there today but we salvaged it in the end and are at least still involved in the competition if nothing else.

Maybe McCarthy revealing the starting XI early was a mistake. It provided the opposition that extra time to prepare or put out a match plan but what's done is done. Voted in the mistaken belief of a home win, I never envisaged we would make it so hard for ourselves.

Seen it said that McCarthy again showed enough contempt for a Cup game and to an extent they're right. The squad selected seemed strong enough but we know now that wasn't the case and face up to a replay at an awkward venue and the possibility of another first time FA Cup elimination. Whether you want to agree or disagree, this will be nowhere near good enough.

Read on a rival page there was a incident of sorts on the trains away from the Town (presumably back into London) with fans involved (they didn't specify which set) causing some level of mayhem with misuse of fire extinguishers and other rail property, so hope none of our own were caught up in any stupidity. (Police were called to restore order)

Bottom line : pleased with saving it at the end, but that's about the extent of it. It was another largely lackluster game where we were fortunate to come away with something, were largely outplayed for long periods, and Portsmouth would have appeared to have had the better opportunities. Either McCarthy quits pissing around with games like this - or he takes the competition seriously.

Where did you read about the train incident Saint Jude?

[arana peligrosa]

On the Portsmouth fansite "The Pompey Chimes"

Wait a moment I'll supply a link if possible. (Read through their forum, got some decent no-nonsense fans there, somewhere you could go to as a rival fan and expect little trouble)

http://thepompeychimes.net/forum/viewto ... =2&t=75703

It's in the fourth response in the above link.

[lucy]

Sounds like it was Portsmouth fans not Ipswich.

[Bluemike]

When we all look at what went on in the FA Cup yesterday I wonder why we are surprised really, loads of teams played weakened sides, we had shocks at Brentford, Colchester, Eastleigh, Middlesbrough, Peterborough, while Northampton, Bristol City and Wycombe joined Pompey in pulling off mini upsets by securing draws against higher ranked teams, so really we were just one of a number of clubs to find the going tough when we should really have done better, I put this down to the fact that by and large the majority of clubs see this competition as a hindrance now and go into it half heartedly.

At the end of the day we are still in the cup and I suppose if we truly didnt want to go through we would be out now but as MM said we didnt give up and grabbed an undeserved draw. Having watched the highlights again I can't help but feel that had it been Gerken letting those two goals slip passed him yesterday the forums would be flooded with threads ripping Gerks to bits.

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

When we all look at what went on in the FA Cup yesterday I wonder why we are surprised really, loads of teams played weakened sides, we had shocks at Brentford, Colchester, Eastleigh, Middlesbrough, Peterborough, while Northampton, Bristol City and Wycombe joined Pompey in pulling off mini upsets by securing draws against higher ranked teams, so really we were just one of a number of clubs to find the going tough when we should really have done better, I put this down to the fact that by and large the majority of clubs see this competition as a hindrance now and go into it half heartedly.

At the end of the day we are still in the cup and I suppose if we truly didnt want to go through we would be out now but as MM said we didnt give up and grabbed an undeserved draw. Having watched the highlights again I can't help but feel that had it been Gerken letting those two goals slip passed him yesterday the forums would be flooded with threads ripping Gerks to bits.

agree with your comments on Bart and Gerks Mike. Have to say, though, that their second goal was extremely well taken and I don't think many goalkeepers would have saved it.

[Shed on tour]

When we all look at what went on in the FA Cup yesterday I wonder why we are surprised really, loads of teams played weakened sides, we had shocks at Brentford, Colchester, Eastleigh, Middlesbrough, Peterborough, while Northampton, Bristol City and Wycombe joined Pompey in pulling off mini upsets by securing draws against higher ranked teams, so really we were just one of a number of clubs to find the going tough when we should really have done better, I put this down to the fact that by and large the majority of clubs see this competition as a hindrance now and go into it half heartedly.

At the end of the day we are still in the cup and I suppose if we truly didnt want to go through we would be out now but as MM said we didnt give up and grabbed an undeserved draw. Having watched the highlights again I can't help but feel that had it been Gerken letting those two goals slip passed him yesterday the forums would be flooded with threads ripping Gerks to bits.

mike
For me the real concern yesterday was it showed yet again that we could really struggle in certain areas if a couple of the first team players get injured.

If we let Parr go as seems likely we need to get a replacement in for him as we really are short of cover at fullback. Also imo the cover for centre of defence is a problem as I really don't think either of the players that played there at the start yesterday would be adequate at this moment in time.

[Bluemike]

Shed I agree completely with the defensive cover thing, Should knudsen get injured we are in trouble at LB but I believe I read somewhere Parr will only be allowed to leave when we have a replacement in place, i hope that proves to be correct !! As for the Cb situation we obviously have Chambers at RB who can come in or Malarczyk who for me is not the answer, it is way to early for any of us to pass judgement on Digby but he is clearly going to take a while to settle in, I am not sure if we have a recall on Yorwerth or not ? Josh Emmanuel may well have been brought back to the club in the event of this very scenario.

[herforder]

Team changes notwithstanding, attitude towards the competition affecting players' motivation and desire to compete, Pompey playing out of their skins etc, cannot excuse what was a poor and worrying performance. Irrespective of what other teams may have done, when MM announced yesterday's team 24 hrs ahead of KO, most seemed to think it would be strong enough to beat Pompey. What transpired was as disappointing as it was unexpected.

The reality, however, is that it has flagged up the quality/experience gap between MM's preferred starting line-up and those who could be required to step up, for whatever reason. MM has repeatedly stated that he's happy with his squad; I take that to mean that, in the absence of capital funds being made available, there are no loan or free transfers identified that might improve it. We are where we are, but real concerns remain regarding quality cover across the back four - whose pre-existing unbalanced nature has been an ongoing topic of debate on here for yonks.

What now matters is Tuesday night.

[herforder]

Ooops - double post. Sorry folks!

[Tangfastic]

Well that wasn't great viewing, second best from start to finish and pompey deserved to win. If it told me anything it is that the fringe players are just that for a reason. I actually thought MM switched Chambers and Digby after 25 mins because Malarczyk is f**king useless, that's how I saw it, for me Digby looked ok at CB.

Tommy Oar was decent but I suspect the rest of them I.e Varney, Hyam , Malarczyk, Digby, Bialkowski and AMN will all be back on the bench at best on Tuesday having been average at best. Fraser and Smith made a difference when they came on and saved us from defeat. I expect it has only delayed the inevitable as MM has already said he will play a much weakened team.

It was a real pleasure to meet Rossi before the game over a couple of beers and put a face to a name. I cant even fall out with him on here anymore !!! A really nice guy.

Thanks Mike for your reports.

We cannot write of fringe players just like that, but could be we have a few players who are never going to add to the strength of the squad.... and perhaps to add the likes of Coke, Toure and Tabb who we should look to offload.
Good to hear that Oar had a reasonable game and Hyam cannot be judged too harshly as he's coming back after injury.

With Digby, that's an odd one. He's seen as surplus to requirements for a League 1 club, yet Yesterday was a replacement for a competent Chamionship FB like Parr.

I'm not one who wants us to start bringing in expensive marquee signings, but wondering if we could look to promising younger players from the lower leagues to add to the squad and provide a bit more competition. I don't see Digby as that as i see him as an inexpensive gamble.

Not really bothered about a cup run, but interesting to see fringe players get some game time.
Would have been great to see some players put their hand up to Mick and say' pick me'.

[Charnwood]

Even more worrying is the lack of competition for a place in the starting line up.

Whilst some clubs don't take this competition seriously others do even in The Premiership (inc Man Utd who put out a pretty much full strength side against Sheff Utd) and they have far less reasons than Town to bag attendance money from a couple of extra games let alone the £90k prize money for winners in the next round.

Call me old fashioned, but I still think a decent run in the FA Cup is a missed opportunity for the club, the players and the fans.

[Bluemike]

I have to be honest and say that I don't see yesterday as any reason for any of us to be concerned at all, I still cannot help but think the club couldn't really care less about a cup run whilst still trying to get through obviously. When a manager makes severalo changes in one go it is always going to be a gamble which could backfire and it nearly did yesterday, somehow we survived it. We basically changed the whole defensive unit, with a second choice keeper and Two CB's, not to mention Knudsen who lets not forget is hardly a dependable Left back, As Tang has pointed out Hyam has only just returned to the fray and needs games, I think MM proved just what a wiley old fox he is by using yesterday as nothing more than a game with which to give the likes of Hyam, Varney, Malarczyk, Digby, Bialkowski and Oar some vital game time, of course it wasn't great, we all know that but I am surprised anyone expected anything different, Pompey raised their game, it was their cup final and yet still couldnt win it.

While it may have looked a tad worrying yesterday with a lack of quality fringe players we must not forget the quality of the players that weren't available to us yesterday, as Shed has already pointed out it is the LB slot that has to be addressed, that aside I see no reason to be unduly concerned.

[Charnwood]

...and another upset on the cards, Oxford United 3-1 up against Swansea with less than 25 mins to play.

3-2 now and an absolute FA Cup cracker!

Spurs v Leicester will do well to beat this for tv entertainment later....