Ipswich Town v Huddersfield Town preview and matchday thread

[Quasar]

caption - You;re It

[Bluemike]

Can't speak for Bailkowski at the moment, but I think many fans remember Gerkens performance against Reading. Arguably the worst goalkeeping performance seen by anyone this season. For me, it actually made me question if the defence is really as bad as people think. Players like Christophe Berra don't get miraculously sh*te overnight. Having a f**king muppet in goal can certainly cause nervous defending. If it was me, I would hang the pickle out to dry for a few games and see how Bart fairs between the sticks.

The game against Reading was horrendous, but it was all Eleven players on the night that were totally abject, Gerken was no better or worse than anyone else and this is exactly what happens when a goalie makes errors, they get clobbered while everyone else gets away with it. My take on it was that he was at fault for one of the goals while sharing the blame with the joke of a defence in front of him for Two or Three others, the defending was far worse than the goalkeeping.

Bialkowski's positioning is rank bad, bloody awful in fact, his concentration wanders during games and he too often gets rooted to the spot instead of coming out for crosses etc, the joke of a second goal at Brentford was comical to say the least and as bad as anything Gerken offers. The last home game against Bristol City saw Gerken make an absolute world class save in the first few minutes but it passes with barely a mention.

We have two very average keepers on the books who at times have very good games but who also at times have howlers, there is nothing between the pair of them.

[marko69]

I certainly do remember the gerken save being mentioned by yourself and maybe J4CK, and how it could've been a complete disaster if he didn't reach it.

It can be extremely difficult to tell at times just who is having the "off" day. Certainly that one goal against Reading where he was two yards away and decided not to take it was a very strange one.

I'm actually hoping to see Bart play......., hopefully he gets game time in a couple of the Sky games.

[BLUEBLOOD]

Caption Comp : Oi you were born in Norfolk you have a pigs trotter not a hand .

[Bluemike]

I certainly do remember the gerken save being mentioned by yourself and maybe J4CK, and how it could've been a complete disaster if he didn't reach it.

It can be extremely difficult to tell at times just who is having the "off" day. Certainly that one goal against Reading where he was two yards away and decided not to take it was a very strange one.

I'm actually hoping to see Bart play......., hopefully he gets game time in a couple of the Sky games.

Maybe we should play both keepers at once ?

[Andym]

I have resisted commenting on recent performances until now. I'll try to keep this brief but I can't promise.
There has been much criticism of the defence and our 2 central midfielders. All quite justified. But....
Our midfield 4 has 2 wide players in Fraser and Niles who like to attack. So its hardly surprising that the the central midfielders dont get forward.
Worse, our full backs are awful. Knudsen in particular is a disaster.
But Chambers isn't helped by having Niles in front of him. Avoids every 50-50 ball. Cant head. And recently spends most of the game drifting inside. No protection or support whatsoever.
Many of us wanted wide players in a 4-4-2 but it hasn't worked. We are playing more of a 4-central 2 - wide 2 - forward 2.
With Fraser out we have an excuse / reason to revert to 5-3-3. We played that during our best period last season.
I think that is much more important than the team selection. But I'd play Parr (who I don't rate) instead of Knudsen (who is utter sh*te,). Up ftont I'd try Murphy and Sears with McGoldrick just behind. Midfield? Fu¢k knows.

[Bluemike]

Good points Andy, I can't remember what game it was but I said atg the time that Maitland-Niles offers bugger all help to Chambers and yet is looked upon as a good option in the team, Anderson was sh*te but he did get back well to offer support to the fullback which is why we were harder to beat with so called lesser players in the side, this is exactly why MM often looked to Tabby too. As you say wanted width with more attacking flair and this is what thje outcome is, we can't have it both ways. As for the Midfield, Bru and Bishop have been big losses for us, hopefully they are on the way back soon, I am expecting Bru to play today.

[Mach_Polish_Blue]

Very deflated and underwhelmed.

Going to be even more deflated before kick-off when I see our team. Getting frustrated more and more with his stubbornness and reluctance to make changes in the team. He never drops his favourites and that is what cost us points. Forget Marcus Evans and clubs policy at the minute. We could do better with the squad we have but Mick is addicted to some names.

Skuse, Chambers, Smith, Berra and Murphy all live in the comfort zone as they know they'll always be in the team. Yes, Murphy too. Yes, leagues top goalscorer from last season. But to keep him in the team at this moment is a crime. He's woefully out of form and looked like a man taken straight from pub in the last game against Blackburn fortnight ago.

Seems like a LOSE-LOSE situation today. Going to be really bad afternoon if we don't get a good result. The second option is that if he doesn't make significant change and we still win he's going to continue with the same favourite players in the next games.

Don't really know what to predict. Really deflated. I'll put 1-1 and Mick saying how pleased he is with players attitude and response after Blackburn

[marko69]

How can you be so deflated after an international break? A ball hasn't been kicked for two fkn weeks?

I understand what you are saying, especially the part about a win perhaps only papering over the gaps......, but ffs MPB, it's SATURDAY, fitbaw time,......, get inflated dude.

[Bluemike]

I am gonna get Mach pissed at Forest next week and then kick him up the arse LOL.

[Andym]

I am gonna get Mach pissed at Forest next week and then kick him up the arse LOL.

Don't ask the Town defenders to do the kicking, they'd probably miss....

[Bluemike]

I am gonna get Mach pissed at Forest next week and then kick him up the arse LOL.

Don't ask the Town defenders to do the kicking, they'd probably miss....

LOL, we will bounce back, I have to believe it or I get so depressed.

[Kerry Blue]

The Team is

Gerken

Chambers Smith Berra Knudsen

Skuse Douglas Niles Oar

Pitman Sears

Not the team I would have picked

[J4ck22]

The Team is

Gerken

Chambers Smith Berra Knudsen

Skuse Douglas Niles Oar

Pitman Sears

Not the team I would have picked

Still can't understand why McGoldrick and Bru aren't starting.

[Tangfastic]

Hardly refreshing the side is it?

Nice to see Oar in, but that was forced by Fraser injury.

No Bru... Same old defence.....

We'll see.... Good luck Town.... but can't see how Micks using the squad.

[lucy]

I'm liking the look of Tommy Oar. He's not afraid to get stuck in and constantly chasing the ball.

[Floors]

I'm liking the look of Tommy Oar. He's not afraid to get stuck in and constantly chasing the ball.

So we're really sticking our oar in.....
Sorry... I'm truly sorry.

[arana peligrosa]

This game is underway is it not ? Didn't get the start time incorrect or anything ? Seems very little activity in this here match thread ?

hold on it's no score apparently with time running out. Damn it we should be getting goals (and a victory) at home against this level of opposition ? Should be an interesting post-game reaction if it stays as it is.

[Quasar]

Commentary said that was the most boring game ever.....

[arana peligrosa]

Just waiting for full-time to confirm the score. Some three, four minutes remaining and still no score. Seen it said that there will be unrest if the team were to lose today but even a no score draw at home against Huddersfield represents a poor outcome. Is there still belief in McCarthy's long-term abilities after this ? People will have their own ideas and opinion but sorry this isn't (going to be) good enough.

Been a dismissal at the very end as one of the opposition sees a red.. but this is just about all up now.

And there it is : full time and a no score draw. Disappointed, was expecting more from this. Some may argue "it's alright we didn't lose" but a point from this ? As before, not really good enough.

Can only imagine the game was so poor that people didn't bother to participate, but guess we'll have a better understanding at a later time. Do I still wish for McCarthy to vacate his position ? Sure you can't go on scoreline alone, but once again, he has done himself no favors in this.

[Dazzz67]

Do not normally comment or whinge on here but what the heck is going on at ITFC? anyone else getting a tad disappointed with our performances?

I was really expecting us to turn Huddersfield over and prove something, nice break and at home, how wrong I was lol.

[Quasar]

Commentary said that was the most boring game ever.....

[James Scharmann]

McGoldrick had a great chance in injury time to win it but keeper pulled off great save. Based on chances Huddersfield should have won.

Berra off the line from Wells denied certain goal in 1st half. Then Huddersfield should had penalty when Vaughan was pushed over by Berra after the ball dropped Gerken pulled off terrific save, then ball dropped and had another two chances but somehow Huddersfield put it over the bar.

Before game would have said clean sheet would be terrific but somehow we haven't managed to score...

[marko69]

Disappointed is one way of putting it, Dazzza.

Going on what I have managed to read; team selection predictable and very poor performance at home to what is regarded as a mediocre championship rival.

If people still think this "squad" can make the play offs, then they better go and have a word in Micks lug. Give him some pointers as to where he's going wrong.

[barmy billy]

I haven't MM's post match comments. It will be interesting to read what he said.

Has Mr Evans got be ready to put his hand in his pocket when the chance arises?

[lucy]

We are 4 points worse off from this time last year. We need to be looking at 4 points at least from next 2 away games.

[hallamblue]

Well, that was a complete load of utter bollox!

Ive just watched a Town side clearly devoid of confidence, and any creativtity - that was sat firmly on the bench until midway through the 2nd half. We huffed and puffed throutout the whole game, with Huddersfield clearly aiming to "do a number " on us throughout the game to throw us off our stride. The tactics of blatant diving, shirt pulling, muscling Town players to the ground but ti e and again clattering into them,, and of course that old favourite, timewastimg by fiening injury. The ref and linos absolutely clueless to these antics, and appeared to bd the whole ones inside the ground who couldnt see what the opposition were doing.


Having said that about the opposition, it is patently clear the whole of the Town squad are as flat as ditch water. WTF has gone wrong? McCarthy changed little in the team other than Orr coming in for Fraser, and Pitman for Murphy.

Gerkin, for me had his best game in a Town shirt for a long time. He actually commanded his 6yrd area, came for crosses, Caught the ball, and when called upon, made an outstanding save.


The back four looked edgy throughout. Yet again, the opposition targetting our right back position. I watched this situation today, and in many ways Chambers has sod all assistance from AMN in front of him. The youngster either being out muscled, losing possession countless times, and offering very little infront of Chambers by way of defensive duties whdn he's lost the ball or ended up on his arse by a solid challange. The result time and again is pressure across tge back line as opponents get a cross in having got behind Chambo.

Berra and Smith overall looked competent today, whilst Knudsen blew hot and cold, eitger distfibuting or tavkling well, or fluffing thd simplest of short passes. He's lost his confidence in going forward and for most parts decided to play the backward or square pass.

Midfield. Where do you start. Its safe to say Skuse and Douglas are not a dynamic duo, anc ard very pedestrian, at best. Orr playing his first game, looked usefull until thd Huddersfield GK commited ABH on him by flattening him with a full on frontal body slam - naturally no foul was given. I suspect had the challange been the other way round, Orr would have seen a red card for dangerous play. But this incident encapsulated the refs management of the game all afternoon.

Our strikers were largely impotent all afternoon, simply because they had bugger all service, from the wings or midfield. It was pitiful. Town mustered ONE shot on goal in the first half. Simply abysmal.

Seceond , for me wasnt a lot better. There was a bit of a spark when Didsy came on, purely due to zhis ability on the ball - he could keep possession! And was able to slip the odd little ball through to Sears. Murphys cameo roll late in the game was too little too late, which was a shame because that old understanding between him and Didsy was there for all to see.


Where do we go from here? McCarthy said before the game in the week that he was looking for a reaction, and was being loyal to his better players. Well for me those better players did not step up to the plate, and Mick has GOT to make changes for the Hull game.

Id be dropping AMN and bring in a more experienced player to sit infront of Chambers ( assuming MM isnt ever going to change the right back player, but in truth I feel Parr should be in there), Chambers has little support imfrong of himfrom the youngster.

Midfield, Id be playing Bru instead of Douglas, and Id keep Orr on the left. Up front Id have Murphy and Didsy. This is tough on Sears who puts himself about, but we need old partnerships together and some physical presence up front. Gerkin on current form, deserves to keep his place.



Sorry about the long post, but had to put it down on "paper" after watching that a very boring, frustrating game. However I remain loyal ( in a mug like way). COYB'S

The back four

[larrylamb]

So where was this shake up or reaction..!!!..we got neither..first half was dire, utter sh*te..!!second was marginally better..with D.Mcg making a difference but the change was needed in the middle...Douglas is a waste of wages..brings nothing to the team that is required..Chambo was poor again (yes i know he is out of position).

Knudsen is the only player we paid a fee for this season and bugger knows why,,,he aint much cop.

MM should take this one squarely on the chin...yet again..Rapidly losing it with his negative team selection and tactics , 27 quid to get annoyed and frustrated by the same sh*t week in and out...he is losing the mass of the crowd as well.

And i am going to say it , we either need a pick up by xmas or a new approach..(manager) as MM has had the time to get things right but with no change, and it,s still the same rubbish..we have gone backwards on the offerings so far this season .

And not knee jerk reaction..he simply must change things but seems totally unwilling to do so.

[barmy billy]

So where was this shake up or reaction..!!!..we got neither..first half was dire, utter sh*te..!!second was marginally better..with D.Mcg making a difference but the change was needed in the middle...Douglas is a waste of wages..brings nothing to the team that is required..Chambo was poor again (yes i know he is out of position).

Knudsen is the only player we paid a fee for this season and bugger knows why,,,he aint much cop.

MM should take this one squarely on the chin...yet again..Rapidly losing it with his negative team selection and tactics , 27 quid to get annoyed and frustrated by the same sh*t week in and out...he is losing the mass of the crowd as well.

And i am going to say it , we either need a pick up by xmas or a new approach..(manager) as MM has had the time to get things right but with no change, and it,s still the same rubbish..we have gone backwards on the offerings so far this season .

And not knee jerk reaction..he simply must change things but seems totally unwilling to do so.

Yes and he has always said there is money available to spend should he need to. Well I think he does need to get some class into the team instead of the mediocre players he has got in.

[derick_ipsw]

I did not understand the substitution of Oar. Bring Mcgoldrick and Murphy by all means, but to take the player off who can supply the ammunition for them?