Ipswich Town vs Blackpool FC Match Preview

[hallamblue]

Well we can't have done it as much as Wolves & Brentford as our goal difference is superior to the both of them over 42 games.

With Country's leading goal scorer in our team The defensive frailties are papered over lol.

[Charnwood]

Well we can't have done it as much as Wolves & Brentford as our goal difference is superior to the both of them over 42 games.

With Country's leading goal scorer in our team The defensive frailties are papered over lol.

You say that Hallam, but only five Championship teams have conceded fewer goals than Ipswich and they are:

Middlesbrough 32
Bournemouth 43
Norwich 44
Sheffield Wednesday 44
Derby 46

Maybe we're not as bad as we think?

[Bluemike]

We arent Charny and that is exactly my point, Town fans love to panic and see things that arent there. That said we have got slack at the back in recent games and if we can just tighten that up in the final Four games we have a great chance.

[Shed on tour]

Well we can't have done it as much as Wolves & Brentford as our goal difference is superior to the both of them over 42 games.

With Country's leading goal scorer in our team The defensive frailties are papered over lol.

You say that Hallam, but only five Championship teams have conceded fewer goals than Ipswich and they are:

Middlesbrough 32
Bournemouth 43
Norwich 44
Sheffield Wednesday 44
Derby 46

Maybe we're not as bad as we think?

Charny

Again though the problem has been since the beginning of January where we have only managed to keep 3 clean sheets in 18 league games.
Obviously these have not all been down to defensive mistakes but it does make life really difficult for ourselves when we shoot ourselves in the foot by not even doing the basics right at times.

[Charnwood]

I'm sure you're right Shed, but if this team can apply the same level of concentration in the remaining games as they did against Watford at their place then we shouldn't be seeing sloppy goals. After all Watford are the Championships second highest goal scorers with 84 goals.

I just think we don't apply the same degree of concentration when we play lowly placed opposition and that's MM's job to make sure that happens.

[hallamblue]

I think the defence is affected by the efficiency and formation of our midfield. At Watford the midfield worked their sox off for 95 mins , closing down and taking the ball off the watford players. None moreso that Tabb. Wonder what JR has to say about this topic...Where is he btw ??

[herforder]

I think it's possibly a combination of factors, not least a loss of collective defensive confidence. Prior to the New Year, despite the Chambers/Smith mismatch, confidence was high, with being hard to beat in the team DNA. Then Smith made that individual error against Derby, followed by others in subsequent matches etc, and suddenly the spotlight on individual performances and the unbalanced nature of the back four kicks in, which must affect them as individuals, and up pressure levels. And so it goes on. At the same time, opposition managers do their homework on us, and target Chambers and Smith, or the space they occupy, as a potential weakness. A significant number of goals against this season have come from that scenario.

That said, I don't see MM changing his defence for the remaining games.

[derick_ipsw]

caption: 02's latest mobile phone advert star, gets his tackle tackled by man with no head!!

[hallamblue]

I think it's possibly a combination of factors, not least a loss of collective defensive confidence. Prior to the New Year, despite the Chambers/Smith mismatch, confidence was high, with being hard to beat in the team DNA. Then Smith made that individual error against Derby, followed by others in subsequent matches etc, and suddenly the spotlight on individual performances and the unbalanced nature of the back four kicks in, which must affect them as individuals, and up pressure levels. And so it goes on. At the same time, opposition managers do their homework on us, and target Chambers and Smith, or the space they occupy, as a potential weakness. A significant number of goals against this season have come from that scenario.

That said, I don't see MM changing his defence for the remaining games.

I think your point about opponents targeting our obvious weakness at right back. So when we start to play teams second 'time round they've sussed the easy back door. It's been so bloody noticeable thatteams are doing this it beggers belief that MM/TC havent made that simple change.

[herforder]

I think it's possibly a combination of factors, not least a loss of collective defensive confidence. Prior to the New Year, despite the Chambers/Smith mismatch, confidence was high, with being hard to beat in the team DNA. Then Smith made that individual error against Derby, followed by others in subsequent matches etc, and suddenly the spotlight on individual performances and the unbalanced nature of the back four kicks in, which must affect them as individuals, and up pressure levels. And so it goes on. At the same time, opposition managers do their homework on us, and target Chambers and Smith, or the space they occupy, as a potential weakness. A significant number of goals against this season have come from that scenario.

That said, I don't see MM changing his defence for the remaining games.

I think your point about opponents targeting our obvious weakness at right back. So when we start to play teams second 'time round they've sussed the easy back door. It's been so bloody noticeable thatteams are doing this it beggers belief that MM/TC havent made that simple change.

Yep, truly bonkers!

[hallamblue]

Lol yes it is.