Brentford v Ipswich Town preview and matchday thread

[Bluemike]

And that is all you take from today ? None of the positives then ? I don't know why I am surprised.

All of the positives, Mike, were completely undone by a tactically inept muppet of a manager who completely changed the course of the game - yet again - with his ridiculous substitutions. It does not bode well.

They were undone today Rossi, I grant you that and yes I also found the changes bizzare, but that said I think it bodes very well that for 92 minutes we did what we did against a very tough side who are 5th favourites for the title. We can't just ignore 90 minutes of positivity even if we did kind of implode, as I said in my post had Bru not gone off we would have cruised it, it's just one of those things I suppose, only MM can tell you why hee took of Fraser & Maitland- Niles when Murphy was the obvious choice, you do make a very good point elsewhere that why the hell do we have to make Three substitutions just because we can, I often wish we would just leave it as it is.

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

And that is all you take from today ? None of the positives then ? I don't know why I am surprised.

All of the positives, Mike, were completely undone by a tactically inept muppet of a manager who completely changed the course of the game - yet again - with his ridiculous substitutions. It does not bode well.

They were undone today Rossi, I grant you that and yes I also found the changes bizzare, but that said I think it bodes very well that for 92 minutes we did what we did against a very tough side who are 5th favourites for the title. We can't just ignore 90 minutes of positivity even if we did kind of implode, as I said in my post had Bru not gone off we would have cruised it, it's just one of those things I suppose, only MM can tell you why hee took of Fraser & Maitland- Niles when Murphy was the obvious choice, you do make a very good point elsewhere that why the hell do we have to make Three substitutions just because we can, I often wish we would just leave it as it is.

But that is what worries me Mike. We can make all the improvements to the squad, and play well for the majority of the game. Fact is, though, that the course of the game today was altered by tactical ineptitude, and by no means for the first time. It needs to be addressed - and quickly - otherwise even if we play well for the majority of the games, we're going nowhere. MM has had a good managerial career, but I think his ideas are old and not suited to the modern game. I really wish he'd go..

[Bluemike]

You seriously want him to go ?

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

You seriously want him to go ?

Yes, but then again I never wanted him here in the first place.
Sorry, but I just don't rate him - never have, never will.

[arana peligrosa]

Admire your candid observations Rossi and you needn't worry, you're not alone in having doubts with the manager. Unfortunately we can't always give a bad word against McCarthy at risk of being berated, and while once again have no real wish to see him depart (I think if the team had missed out on the play-off zone in May any departure would have been more warranted) do often wonder how much we could have improved had a new name been installed before now.

Otherwise predicatable knee-jerk reactions from today. One game does not make a season and while can appreciate the frustrations from today, we came very close to a fine result once again there only to lose out at the very end. Created plenty of opportunity although second best regards possession. Sure there were positives to take from today but I feel 90 per cent of our support couldn't get past the fact they scored twice when they did - and whatever came before seemed almost immaterial.

[Mach_Polish_Blue]

Let's start with the positives as one of them is really pleasing. Midfield. We had few goals from midfielders last season and in only the first game of this one we got 2 from them but the main thing is how we play. We seem to have more creativity and pace. In Maitland-Niles and Fraser we have two players who have made us looking more dangerous today than S.Hunt, Anderson or Tabb last season.
Maitland-Niles our MOTM for me. What an exciting, young player. Despite total lack of experience at this level he seemed hungry for every ball and he's gonna be a threat for every opposition in this league.
Fraser is the another one. Seems fairly skillful and he's kind of player who could make things happen.
Two of them are a huge difference to what we have seen last season.

Freddie Sears has also had a very good afternoon today. Constant threat for them as his acceleration was particularly impressive. Big job for Mick to keep strikers and midfield happy.

Have to say good words about Smith and Bialkowski but only for the their first half performance. Smith was very composed and assured whereas Bialkowski made a phenomenal stop from Jota's header.

Second half was largely under our control. Brentford seemed starved of any ideas how to break us down. A disarray is the best description of their display.

Then all went tits up after Bru went off due to injury. Then came in one of those moments where Mick makes decision I really hate that is when we start sitting deep and playing negative. There is no other explanation of Coke's introduction as it meant sitting back and fending off Brentford's lame attempts. To be honest I don't understand why we have signed Coke.

Some of our players forgot the game lasted 90+ minutes. Smith's terrible inaction that led to Gray's goal is unforgivable. I'm not laying into him (first half he was very good as I've mentioned above) but it's yet another his mistake this calendar year. Micks affection to him is really baffling. Always prone to mistakes and such bad moments like that. And also always gets away with them. I firmly believe he could have done more difficult for Gray.
For instance Fryers whilst on loan with us last season had got dogs abuse from some for his Huddersfield game so I wonder why Smith gets away with his mistakes among large section of our support.

An equaliser for them. Yes unlucky one but Bialkowski's hesitance was a bit annoying too. It was a reminiscence of Richard Wright and his 3rd spell with the club. Bialkowski seemed completely lost and didn't know what was going on.

The draw would have been a decent result before the game. Given all circumstances though it's a catastrophic one and I hope we won't be ruing losing 2 points today by the end of the season.

It seems unlikely but Mick please drop Smith for the Sheffield Wed game. Chambers and Berra as CB's and new right back or carry on playing Emmanuel. However it's probably my wishful thinking.

Gutted. Gobsmacked. Stunned. Speechless. A few hours have elapsed but it's still hard to realise how we have thrown away 2-0 lead.

The biggest positives today were Maitland-Niles and Fraser + noisy Town support at fully loaded away end.

[Charnwood]

I've never been a Mick McCarthy fan but we have to take account of where he's taken us from and to during his short period of tenure.

Before his arrival we were in very poor shape both on and off the field and with no sign of improvement.

Sometimes you have to "be careful what you wish for", because I'm not convinced changing the manager would be a positive move.

[Bluemike]

It's staggering it's even being spoken about because had we held on yesterday it wouldnt be, thats how daft it is.

[marko69]

Informed fans write up there, MPB, and that's appreciated.

And 100% agreement regarding Tommy. Ok, I don't see games, apart from TV highlights or live games, but that's yet another match report I've read in the paper where TS has been the cause of a very important goal conceded. And it's the first game of the season FFS! I suppose every club has a blue eyed boy who can do fk all wrong. Smith is ITFC's.

[Bluemike]

Ive been Tommy Smiths biggest critic at times and yes he was brushed aside for their first goal but I firmly believe it was chambers at fault, Grey broke into the box on our Right side where Chambers was playing, Smith had come across to cover while Chambers was nowhere to be seen, watch the replays again and our captain was ambling back.

[marko69]

It could be argued though that come the 94th minute, Chambers is 20,30,40% more knackered than Tommy as he's been covering his arse most of the game. My opinion on tommy, which I suppose I can be entitled to after watching 6 or 7 live games last season, is that he's Shyte. Complete liability.

[Bluemike]

It could be argued though that come the 94th minute, Chambers is 20,30,40% more knackered than Tommy as he's been covering his arse most of the game. My opinion on tommy, which I suppose I can be entitled to after watching 6 or 7 live games last season, is that he's Shyte. Complete liability.

LOL, I pretty much agree with you for what it's worth.

[herforder]

I have nothing personal against any of our players, who are honest, hard-working pros giving their all for MM and the team. However, yesterday again exposed certain managerial and player frailties - not new - that need to be addressed once and for all if we are to be serious promotion contenders. Whatever players were on the pitch, we simply should not have given Brentford the opportunity to score two very soft goals at the death. Totally unprofessional and unacceptable in terms of the sort of team we now consider ourselves to be.

MM needs to review his management of the final quarter of yesterday's match; strange use of subs, falling back and attempting to defend what we had; inept tactics that contributed to the opposition being given opportunities that looked totally beyond them for most of the encounter.

The new or young players didn't let us us down yesterday, and showed how much we have improved as an attacking force. Special praise for our new RB! But our two central defenders and gkeeper who, to be fair, didn't do a lot wrong in the first half, were in my view exposed as weak links when under any sort of sustained pressure. Something for MM to review and get sorted.

[Bluemike]

When Berra returns we will be more solid, I just hope it is alongside Chambers, I am quite happy with either Emmanuel or Parr at RB while Knudsen did ok and will only improve, of the Two keepers we have I would be playing Gerken I am afraid, yes Bart made a cracking save at 0-0 yesterday but I think he is average at best, instills no confidence in the defence at set pieces.

[number 9]

I'm not sure I understand the calls for MM to be replaced at this point of the season. I think he deserves another go at getting us promoted after what he's done for the club already. I now you can't rely on the past, but MM has been at the helm of Wolve's and Sunderland's promotions to the Prem. Further, I don't think there's a manager available who could do what MM has done with Ipswich's budget. Now if we fail to at least make the playoffs this season, I'll jump on the MM OUT bandwagon! But for now, I'll wait patiently.

[larrylamb]

I'm not sure I understand the calls for MM to be replaced at this point of the season. I think he deserves another go at getting us promoted after what he's done for the club already. I now you can't rely on the past, but MM has been at the helm of Wolve's and Sunderland's promotions to the Prem. Further, I don't think there's a manager available who could do what MM has done with Ipswich's budget.

Now if we fail to at least make the playoffs this season, I'll jump on the MM OUT bandwagon!

But for now, I'll wait patiently.

Why , other clubs have spent loads of money and once again differing clubs coming down from the prem..so it,s only getting harder as the parachute payments under the bollocks that is FFP take grip. It is very likely are just going to end up with a little group that will just go to and throw..and we will be lucky to be in that group imo...in no way are we certs for a top 6 finish , i think if MM gets us there again he has done well again...remember he has spent literally bugger all again..on top of that i dont really think the prem is the promised land it is meant to be ,,,,,,,,, we are competative at least in this division

[J4ck22]

You seriously want him to go ?

Yes, but then again I never wanted him here in the first place.
Sorry, but I just don't rate him - never have, never will.

I guess you'd rather be in League 1...

[J4ck22]

I'm really getting fed up with Smith, whether he was covering or not, there's no excuse to being shrugged off like that and it definitely isn't the first time that's happened to him. Give him a one on one battle or bounce a ball in front of him and the opposition will definitely score from it. He is our weakness at the back. Their second was the standard sh*t the bed set piece that has undone us so many times, not much to do other than Mick making sure they are 100% focused for the full 90 minutes AS WELL as stoppage time.

On the other hand, Bru, our wingers and Sears all had brilliant games which looks very very encouraging for the coming season. I reckon there will be a lot more goals this season.

[Bluemike]

Agree with that Jack, I hope Berra comes in for Smith next Saturday, I just wonder if MM will put chambo back to RB, I hope not as the kid did well yesterday, he even had an assist for the first goal.

[J4ck22]

Agree with that Jack, I hope Berra comes in for Smith next Saturday, I just wonder if MM will put chambo back to RB, I hope not as the kid did well yesterday, he even had an assist for the first goal.

I really hope not, not that I don't like Chambers at RB, I just don't want Smith there. Probably won't happen though.

[hallamblue]

I'm really getting fed up with Smith, whether he was covering or not, there's no excuse to being shrugged off like that and it definitely isn't the first time that's happened to him. Give him a one on one battle or bounce a ball in front of him and the opposition will definitely score from it. He is our weakness at the back. Their second was the standard sh*t the bed set piece that has undone us so many times, not much to do other than Mick making sure they are 100% focused for the full 90 minutes AS WELL as stoppage time.

On the other hand, Bru, our wingers and Sears all had brilliant games which looks very very encouraging for the coming season. I reckon there will be a lot more goals this season.

Dont you dare be so bloody positive on this forum, J4ck... FFS, go and post somewhere else. First game drawn away from home at a fancied top 6 side, and we are basically f*cked. Come on, you know we are dont be so daft!!

[J4ck22]

I'm really getting fed up with Smith, whether he was covering or not, there's no excuse to being shrugged off like that and it definitely isn't the first time that's happened to him. Give him a one on one battle or bounce a ball in front of him and the opposition will definitely score from it. He is our weakness at the back. Their second was the standard sh*t the bed set piece that has undone us so many times, not much to do other than Mick making sure they are 100% focused for the full 90 minutes AS WELL as stoppage time.

On the other hand, Bru, our wingers and Sears all had brilliant games which looks very very encouraging for the coming season. I reckon there will be a lot more goals this season.

Dont you dare be so bloody positive on this forum, J4ck... FFS, go and post somewhere else. First game drawn away from home at a fancied top 6 side, and we are basically f*cked. Come on, you know we are dont be so daft!!

That was positive?! I felt like I needed to wash my mouth out after that...

[number 9]

I'm not sure I understand the calls for MM to be replaced at this point of the season. I think he deserves another go at getting us promoted after what he's done for the club already. I now you can't rely on the past, but MM has been at the helm of Wolve's and Sunderland's promotions to the Prem. Further, I don't think there's a manager available who could do what MM has done with Ipswich's budget.

Now if we fail to at least make the playoffs this season, I'll jump on the MM OUT bandwagon!

But for now, I'll wait patiently.

Why , other clubs have spent loads of money and once again differing clubs coming down from the prem..so it,s only getting harder as the parachute payments under the bollocks that is FFP take grip. It is very likely are just going to end up with a little group that will just go to and throw..and we will be lucky to be in that group imo...in no way are we certs for a top 6 finish , i think if MM gets us there again he has done well again...remember he has spent literally bugger all again..on top of that i dont really think the prem is the promised land it is meant to be ,,,,,,,,, we are competative at least in this division

I respect your opinion, but I'd still like us to get promoted. Shouldn't promotion be the desire and goal of any championship or lower league club?

[larrylamb]

Yeah of course i want us to get promoted , but given the teams now in this division and the resources MM has been (or apparently been given) i dot think a top six is by any means a given for us , indeed i truthfully feel it may just be beyond us, as we imo over reached last season..if we play this season with more flair and not quite so negative football (which i expect we will) and we are at least challenging for the top six come seasons end i will be happy...anything more than that is a bonus..reaching the play off,s would be success for me.!!.

I just feel saying MM out if we don,t get to the play off,s is maybe a bit strong taking all the a"fore mentioned bit,s into consideration.

[marko69]

It's actually getting a bit tedious that some of us have to keep on voicing our opinions on TS. Could the forum just come to the overwhelming agreement that he's pish and move on from it?

[hallamblue]

I'm really getting fed up with Smith, whether he was covering or not, there's no excuse to being shrugged off like that and it definitely isn't the first time that's happened to him. Give him a one on one battle or bounce a ball in front of him and the opposition will definitely score from it. He is our weakness at the back. Their second was the standard sh*t the bed set piece that has undone us so many times, not much to do other than Mick making sure they are 100% focused for the full 90 minutes AS WELL as stoppage time.

On the other hand, Bru, our wingers and Sears all had brilliant games which looks very very encouraging for the coming season. I reckon there will be a lot more goals this season.

Dont you dare be so bloody positive on this forum, J4ck... FFS, go and post somewhere else. First game drawn away from home at a fancied top 6 side, and we are basically f*cked. Come on, you know we are dont be so daft!!

That was positive?! I felt like I needed to wash my mouth out after that...

I was really referring to your last two line lol....and my post was very much tongue in cheek given knee jerk response after just one game.

[hallamblue]

It's actually getting a bit tedious that some of us have to keep on voicing our opinions on TS. Could the forum just come to the overwhelming agreement that he's pish and move on from it?

Lol the view does appear to be gaining momentum marko!

[J4ck22]

Dont you dare be so bloody positive on this forum, J4ck... FFS, go and post somewhere else. First game drawn away from home at a fancied top 6 side, and we are basically f*cked. Come on, you know we are dont be so daft!!

That was positive?! I felt like I needed to wash my mouth out after that...

I was really referring to your last two line lol....and my post was very much tongue in cheek given knee jerk response after just one game.

Well I'll do what I can when we inevitably fail in the cup on tuesday

[hallamblue]

Lol , Ill be mega peed off if we do that : again!

[jaydub]

Agree with that Jack, I hope Berra comes in for Smith next Saturday, I just wonder if MM will put chambo back to RB, I hope not as the kid did well yesterday, he even had an assist for the first goal.

Totally agree with you there, You could see the nerves in the lad when the game kicked off, but I think as the game went on he got stronger and more to grips with the pace of it. I am convinced that Emmanuel and Maitland-Niles could form a really good understanding. Having Chambo and Berra at CB works for me, it's only the turn of pace that is slightly worrying. Ryan Fraser, I thought was at the heart of everything positive, running at people and commiting them, it was so good to see us doing that. Knudsen showed glimpses but again not used to the pace and physicality of the championship, so a little time and we could see the best of him. Overall as disappointing as it was to concede so late, plenty of positives in the game
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