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Ipswich Town v Reading


Saturday 4th February 2017 – 15:00


Portman Road








Opening Thought – Jamma



Starting with the positives, I would like to add my thanks to Herforder for standing in for me over the last couple of weeks and contributing his wisdom in an ‘official’ capacity. Alas, any hopes of a change of tack in the preview team producing an upturn in fortunes for Town proved short-lived, but it’s always good to get someone else’s insight and I for one enjoyed reading his thoughts from the other side of the world. Unfortunately, even in Australia, I was unable to escape the current malaise surrounding Ipswich Town. I was foolish enough to set my alarm for 6.45am to catch the FA Cup replay over the net, an experience which got my day off to the worst possible start. Then, wearing my Town shirt later that day, I was stopped by a passer-by outside the MCG who asked me if I had got over the shock of losing to Lincoln yet! Following Ipswich is usually something to be proud of, with supporters of other teams quick to express their admiration of the club. But it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep up the enthusiasm in this most difficult of periods.

This sense of apathy amongst the Blue Army was reflected on Tuesday night, as the lowest league attendance at Portman Road for more than 17 years was recorded for the visit of high-flying Derby. An improved showing at Deepdale on Saturday should have been reason for cautious optimism. But any such hopes had been firmly extinguished by the time the 15-minute mark came around, with the Rams racing into a 2-goal lead through clinical finishes by Craig Bryson and Tom Ince. Something clearly had to be done to prevent a potential whitewash, and Mick McCarthy responded by scrapping the wing-back system which had again failed to impress. This may have stemmed the tide, and helped Christophe Berra look less a fish out of water and more the accomplished Championship defender of not too long ago. However, the formation change also had the effect of isolating the ineffective Brett Pitman up front, allowing Derby to ease to an already thoroughly comfortable 3 points. The win was as good as wrapped up on the stroke of half time, Darren Bent inevitably the man in the right place to capitalise on yet more catastrophic ‘defending’ from the Blues’ backline. Jeff Stelling, watching as the goal went in on Sky Sports News, couldn’t conceal his disbelief at the static nature of the defence, exclaiming ‘What are they doing?!’. Unfortunately, for anyone who has been following Ipswich in 2016/17, this has been an all-too-familiar sight.

With the falling crowds and an apparent lack of ability/inclination to change anything, there is a growing feeling of resignation amongst supporters. This was a theme picked up in the radio commentary on Tuesday night as well as in the match thread. Stories abounded of fans who had not bothered returning for the second half, while those who remained at the final whistle could barely summon up the effort to boo. Our play-off aspirations may have gone out the window almost as soon as the campaign started, but it is now almost as if we are just playing out the rest of the season with no aspirations. But this is a dangerous game with three months still to go. It wasn’t too long back that we were saying with confidence that there were three worse sides than us in the division. That doesn’t seem quite so clear-cut now and, although we remain 10 points above the drop zone, it should be noted that Bristol City, Wigan and Blackburn, in 20th, 22nd and 23rd, have at least a game in hand on us. Our much-talked-about February fixtures are upon us, with Town facing three of the current top four along with away trips to Villa and Norwich. We start with a visit from Reading, who, like Derby, will be confident of building on their recent good form at our expense.



The Opposition – Reading







Reading were formed on 25 December 1871 and originally played their matches at the Reading Recreation Ground. The club then moved to Elm Park, where they played for 102 years between 1896 and 1998. In 1998, the club moved to their latest home, the new Madejski Stadium.

The club holds the record for the number of successive league wins at the start of a season, with a total of 13 wins at the start of the 1985–86 Third Division campaign, and also the record for the number of points gained in a professional league season, with 106 points in the 2005/06 Football League Championship campaign.

Reading finished eighth in their first ever season as a top-flight club.

Reading were elected to the Football League Third Division South of the Football League in 1920.

In more modern times, Reading were promoted to the Second Division as champions in 1986 under the management of Ian Branfoot, but were relegated back to the Third Division in 1988.

The appointment of Mark McGhee as Player/Manager in 1991, shortly after the takeover by John Madejski, saw Reading move forward. They were crowned champions of the new Division Two in 1994. 35-year-old striker Jimmy Quinn was put in charge of the First Team alongside midfielder Mick Gooding and guided Reading to the runners-up position in the final Division One table, only to be denied automatic promotion because of the streamlining of the Premier League, from 22 teams to 20.

In 1995, Reading looked to have booked their place in the Premier League, only to lose against Bolton Wanderers in the play-off final. Quinn and Gooding's contracts were not renewed two years later, after Reading had slid into the bottom half of Division One. Their successor, Terry Bullivant, lasted less than one season before being sacked in March 1998.

1998 also saw Reading move into the new 24,200 all-seater Madejski Stadium, named after chairman John Madejski. Tommy Burns had taken over from Terry Bullivant but lasted just 18 months before being replaced by Alan Pardew, who had previously been reserve team manager before being released. Reading returned to Division One for 2002/03 after finishing runners-up in Division Two. The following season, they finished fourth in Division One and qualified for the play-offs, where they lost in the semi-final to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Alan Pardew moved to West Ham United the following October and was replaced by Steve Coppell.

Reading won the 2005/06 Championship with a league record 106 points, scoring 99 goals and losing only twice. Reading were promoted to English football's top division for the first time in their history. Reading defied pre-season predictions of relegation to finish the season in eighth. The second season was less successful and Reading were relegated back to the Championship.

Reading started the 2008/09 season with a 15 -match unbeaten home run. They finished fourth and qualified for the play-offs, where they lost to Burnley in the semi-final. Manager Steve Coppell resigned just hours after the game, and was replaced by Brendan Rodgers.

Rodgers left the club by mutual consent on 16 December 2009 and Brian McDermott was made caretaker manager the same day. Reading eventually finished 5th in the Championship to qualify for the division's play-offs, losing 4–2 to Swansea City in the final at Wembley Stadium.

In the 2011–12 season, a streak of good form in the second half of the season ensured promotion to the Premier League on 17 April 2012.

McDermott led Reading to their first Premier League win of the 2012/13 season on 17 November 2012, at the eleventh attempt. On 11 March 2013, McDermott left his position at Reading.

On 26 March 2013, Nigel Adkins was appointed manager, but could not stop Reading from being relegated from the top flight.

The 2013/14 season saw the Royals finish the season in seventh, one point off Brighton in sixth, after being in and around the play-off zone all season.

The 2014/15 season was a different story, however, as Reading could only muster 50 points and finished in a disappointing 19th place in the table.

Last season only saw the Royals rise two places to finish in 17th place in the Championship.



The Gaffer – Jaap Stam








Past Match - Video Highlights - Trev



Ok lets get our promotion push back on track!








Media Watch - K L Blue



Sears on Derby defeat


http://www.itfc.co.uk/news/article/2016 ... 49171.aspx


We need a lift says MM


http://www.itfc.co.uk/news/article/2016 ... 49385.aspx


MM Praise for Skipper


http://www.itfc.co.uk/news/article/2016 ... 49411.aspx


Mick on the transfer window


http://www.twtd.co.uk/ipswich-town-news/31094/


Have Town done enough in the transfer window


http://www.sudburymercury.co.uk/sport/h ... _1_4871694


Championship signings that would have fitted the 5 point plan


http://www.sudburymercury.co.uk/sport/f ... _1_4872409




Form Guide



Ipswich Last 5 Matches – Currently in 17th place with 35 points




Ipswich Town 0-3 Derby County

Preston NE 1-1 Ipswich Town

Huddersfield 2-0 Ipswich Town

Lincoln City 1-0 Ipswich Town

Ipswich Town 3-2 Blackburn Rovers




Reading Last 5 Matches – Currently in 3rd place with 55 points




Birmingham City 0-1 Reading FC

Reading FC 2-1 Cardiff City

Reading FC 1-0 Fulham FC

Derby County 3-2 Reading FC

Reading FC 0-1 QPR




Fixtures of Interest



BLACKBURN VS QPR

BURTON VS WOLVES

CARDIFF VS NORWICH

FOREST VS VILLA




THE DON CUP



Thanks to everyone for continuing to deliver some hilarity in such shitty times. Keep it going.


Huddersfield scores:
Frosty 5pts
Number 9 4pts
Bluemike & Tangfastic (post match) 3pts
Blueblood 2pts


Preston scores:
Tangfastic 5pts
Bluemike 4pts
Blueblood & Number 9 3pts
Nicscreamer, Shed on Tour & DerickIpsw 2pts


LEAGUE TABLE


Gold&Black 52
DerickIpsw 45
Herforder 43
Nicscreamer 42
Blueblood 42
Bluemike 41
Frosty 39
Ando 37
Tangtastic 31
Quasar 27
Number 9 23
Watership Down 19
Patthegimp 17
Shed on Tour 15
IpswichtownNo1 14
Ashfordblue 6
LoudNProud 5;
Supershred 3
Longjohn 1
Foxy Lady 1
Barmy Billy 1
ItfcTrev76 1


Try this:






Match Referee – Geoff Altringham







Final Thought - Bluemike



I've always maintained that we are not in any danger of being relegated, nor that it would ever happen with MM in charge of us, but I can't pretend that I am not suddenly looking at who Blackburn, Wigan, Burton, Forest, QPR, Bristol City and Rotherham are playing in the coming games because quite frankly I am. Thankfully we have a Ten point gap between us and the bottom Three and as AndyM quite rightly said those teams would need to produce near play off form to catch us and in my opinion they just ain't good enough but as we all know this league is bizzare and anything can and often does happen, that kind of cushion can so easily be eroded away in the blink of an eye.

There is no doubt we are a team very close to crisis, a team bereft of confidence and consistency, a manager that has lost the fans, players allegedly wanting away, another transfer window that failed to deliver the big name signings we all crave, our best player apparently added to a ridiculously long injury list that has hampered us for much of the season, an owner who seems hell bent of letting things coast along with little interest in change, dwindling crowds the like of which we have not seen for years, I could go on but I'm sure you get the picture. Add to that a torrid run of fixtures in February that could see us sucked even closer to the bottom of the table. We currently sit on 35 points and going on past seasons and the so called experts we need another 15 points to regard ourselves as safe, Five wins from Seventeen games, surely even we can muster that, a repeat of the first half at Preston would probably guarantee it and yes I have looked at our remaining games with some morbid interest and thankfully I can see us exceeding that total by a few points, ever the optimist.

For now though we have to concentrate on One game at a time and next up is Reading, currently sitting Third and nailed on for a play off place so another really tough test awaits in this torrid Seven game run we have all spoken about. Seven new faces have arrived and we really need them to shake the place up and bring something to the party, despite them not being what we may have hoped for Diagouraga & Moore have impressed me from the little I have seen of them so far while Taylor when fully fit is a real decent player so it may not be all doom and gloom, as for the others time will tell. As for Saturday's game I will stick my neck out and say we may just nick a valuable point. COYB'S


IPSWICH TOWN 1 READING 1

Let's not kid ourselves, getting something against Reading
will be just as hard as was against Derby.
We are simply not good enough at present!!!
It's like the blind leading the blind.

Town 0 Reading 2.

I seriously fear for us in this game. I easily see a 4-0 drubbing by a really on form Reading side. I pray I am wrong.

Caption - Uncle Fester gives us a rare smile as he starts working at Reading

Cheers guys, not easy when there's a rough patch.

Caption


"Rastafarian look ....... You're doing it all wrong"

town 1 reading 5


( ive given up )

Town1 Reading1

Caption: That Marcus Evans is a clever man. He told those Ipswich supporters that he had made a 7 figure bid for players but not that it was in pennies.

yep I see a loss here as well, we seem to get worse, and now its compounded by another 7 players for mick to muddle through, so it Ipswich 0 Reading 2

When will this bloody nightmare end.

Japp Stam: Yeh I Know Mick they called me a sh*t manager as well, but you and I have proved them wrong ehh.

I see that Reading have won their last 23 by the odd goal after losing 2 by one goal. I hope Saturday's game is as close.

Hopefully MM has learned that 3 at the back doesn't work if Berra is there and will start with a back 4.

Hopefully Lawrence will be fit, described today as 50-50. I'd try the new lad instead of Sears, and see if the lazy b*stard Pitman can feed off him. But I'd be prepared to bring on Freddy if / when either look out of it. I'd also remove Bru from midfield. w might get away with a narrow 2-1 defeat.

I think it's time for a surprise result...ITFC 3-1 Reading.

Caption: "I v'ant to dwrink ya blood ha ha ha!" or "I'll see you in the loo after the match hee hee hee."

Ipswich Town RIP



Caption Comp: Well Marcus you can now sell the ground at last NO more Fans in your way 5 Point plan complete.

I must be right soon 1 - 1 tie or a Town win in the dying minutes

Caption...... Us lose here.....Yeah right!!

It is at the stage where home games, even against top sides need to see us getting at least a point, obviously this will be tough with Reading flying and all the unrest flying around the corridors of PR lately. Like AndyM says I hope we give Keiffer Moore a start alongside Pitman or even Didsy up front, Sears really needs taking out of the firing line, as does Bru, I would love to see Bishop in there and playing like the Bishop we all like to see, it's been far too long since that player was available to us. As for the 3-5-2 which I still think is the way forward with the right personnel we have to ditch it at the moment as Berra & Knudsen have no clue, hopefully when kenlock returns we can give it a go again. Fingers crossed on Tom Lawrence who is the only player with any confidence at the minute. I think I would like to see something like this :-

........................Bart..........................

Emmanuel.....Chambers....Berra/Taylor........Knudsen (No bloody choice)

Ward.......Skuse.......Bishop........Lawrence...

...........Pitman/Didsy........Moore............


I would not be surprised though to see Chambers at RB and Taylor in alongside berra at CB. Unfortunately I doubt Bish will start either meaning bloody Bru again !!!! Whoever goes out on the day please, please, please just give it your all and get the fans behind you, trying your nuts off, giving it a reral go but getting beat by a better team we can live with, rolling over and dying inside 12 minutes we can't.

CAPTION........"PMSL Mick, look at what you have on the bench, it is a total bloody joke"

Of course I have omitted Diagouraga based on the fact he did not even make the bench Tuesday evening so am assuming there is a problem.

Played it safe and went for a drawn game. The opposition may begin as favorites but we can play when it suits us and as always a home advantage will at least provide the team with a fighting opportunity. There's a certain sense of apathy with it all, but from somewhere inside you keep the belief that there will be change for the better at some stage of the campaign.

Ipswich 2 Reading 2

The football team may be playing a bit sh*t, but that preview was top quality. Very well done to all involved, very much appreciated. Good to have you back, Jamma, great to read you were at the MCG......, was there in 1980 for the VFL Grand Final...... It's probably changed a bit! Herforder was so good, I think he should have his own spot in the preview,...... I dunno, a "According to Herforder" corner or something! And must say, I laughed out loud at Bluemike saying he's been checking out other relegation threatened teams fixtures! I too, do not think ITFC will be relegated, BUT, I've been checking other teams upcoming fixtures also!
Anyway, well done.

Thinking that a draw in this game could be a very good result, regardless about it being at PR, (not that that makes any difference recently). Got to be honest though, I really would not be surprised if it ends up 2-1 ITFC. My advice would be to not go anywhere near this fixture with an accumulator bet.

Ref caption:
Fourth official: "OOHHH, that was a crunching tackle, MUST be red.
Linesman: Dear God, agreed......., career ending challenge that! Ref?
Ref: (pic)

Opposition caption:

Young lad in middle: (thinks) Best EVER birthday present to be here!
Young lad on left: (thinks) great to be here, can't believe he invited me.
Young lad on right: (thinks) when can I go home and put my Manchester United top on.

Gaffer caption:
Stam thinks: Hmmm, I better get the defence sorted for the second half before Kay Nood Zens throws start making a difference.

Depending on MM line up either

Town 2-1

OR


Town 0 -2


I'd for a flat back.four now and I'd drop Berra and if at possible Knudsen too.


.............................................Bart...........................................


Emmanual........Chambers...........Taylor..............Kenlock?

............................................Skuse........................................

........................"Dave"................Hew............Lawrence...........

.....................................Moore.............Pitman....................

Spot on preview - understand and appreciate the efforts that go into them. A pity, in some ways, that the current quality of our football doesn't reach the same standard!

A less than exciting bunch of recent signings, the team captain prevented from leaving against his wishes, contradictory interviews and comments daily coming out of the club, players' confidence and belief shot through and a platitudinous and hollow 5 Point Plan that only serves as ME's justification for minimal investment in the team. But apart from those minor issues, we're all good!

Tomorrow's going to be tough, and I'm not sure - whoever plays and in whatever set up - that we have enough about us to beat a good, confident, Reading team. However, will go for a 1-1 - more in hope than expectation. If we lose, then the screw tightens another notch.

Caption:

Reading appoint a manager of substance - most of it coming in from Amsterdam!

I'm not sure what to expect anymore and each week hope that something will change for the good and uplift the spirit of the players and fans cos to be honest it's all getting a little depressing.

Reading are a bit of a "sh*t or bust" team on the road and rarely draw. If we try to play defensive football and shut up shop they'll try to nick it 0-1 as they did at Birmingham in mid week and at Rotherham earlier in the season. If we try to play attacking football "god forbid". their previous three games all ended 3-2 with Reading winning two at Bristol City and Blackburn and losing the other at Derby.

Well I can't see us being involved in a five goal thriller twice in three home games so it all points to Reading nicking it 0-1.

I'd just love to be proved wrong cos surely this depressing spell can't carry on and after all we did play quite well at Preston where we could well have nicked three points ourselves.

Having got the right score in the last match albeit for the wrong team I will go 2-1 ITFC.
Toulouse and Dave to make the difference.
COYB

Taylor

patthegimp wrote:Taylor

And ???? he cant do it on his own you know, and we are playing Toulouse, that will make a change.

Taylor and the entire Toulouse team, Ash!

It's ok, Pat, I knew what you meant......, Ipswich "To lose" again?

hallamblue wrote:Depending on MM line up either

Town 2-1

OR


Town 0 -2


I'd for a flat back.four now and I'd drop Berra and if at possible Knudsen too.


.............................................Bart...........................................


Emmanual........Chambers...........Taylor..............Kenlock?

............................................Skuse........................................

........................"Dave"................Hew............Lawrence...........

.....................................Moore.............Pitman....................

Skusie mopping up in front of the back 4 interesting, like the team though

Hey Gollum, take that stupid look off your face and give me my gold whistle back.
Was’nt meeeeee Frodo , was myyyyyyyyy inner self Sméago.

Nailed on home win.

Everything points to an away win

Caption, hey was that you who just farted !

Caption comp: Stam to MM. Hey Mick try passing from the back instead of passing the buck!!

quick prediction...........

play Berra, Chambers, Sears, and Skuse - we lose heavily

play just 2 from the above, we might well nick it, unless one of the 2 is Berra in which case we will lose

rossi wrote:quick prediction...........

play Berra, Chambers, Sears, and Skuse - we lose heavily

play just 2 from the above, we might well nick it, unless one of the 2 is Berra in which case we will lose

We'll lose heavily then. I'll be very surprised if Berra, Chambers and Skuse don't all start.

To be honest I wouldn't be too disappointed if Berra & Chambers started centrally in a back 4.

Well i hope mick makes alot of changes?I'd put Dave in midfield..why didn't he play tuesday?Sears should of been dropped months ago.If the right players are on..we might get something from this,otherwise its another derby.