Rotherham FC vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

[Bluemike]

Never in doubt PMSL

[J4ck22]

We finally got a hat-trick!!!

[Charnwood]

Did I just hear correctly..... first hat-trick in Daryl Murphy's senior career.... if so well done Daryl.

[Shed on tour]

It's so stress free being a Town fan.

[Steve and Jo]

Well at least got to say, its damn well entertaining to listen to. Bet the fans are thoroughly enjoying this match

Marko will be ecstatic with Hibs winning 4-1 away as well

[Steve and Jo]

It's so stress free being a Town fan.

I love that quote

[Ando]

Did not see this coming if I am honest! Great for Murphy.

What concerns me is the 4 players with most flair, niles, oar, mcgoldrick and Fraser not in the starting line up. Let's hope MM will play these players.

[Steve and Jo]

Did not see this coming if I am honest! Great for Murphy.

What concerns me is the 4 players with most flair, niles, oar, mcgoldrick and Fraser not in the starting line up. Let's hope MM will play these players.

Few of those players are injured though. They will play after the International break when injury free

[J4ck22]

Did not see this coming if I am honest! Great for Murphy.

What concerns me is the 4 players with most flair, niles, oar, mcgoldrick and Fraser not in the starting line up. Let's hope MM will play these players.

Really? We've just scored 5 goals away from home and that's your concern?

[shamm]

Did not see this coming if I am honest! Great for Murphy.

What concerns me is the 4 players with most flair, niles, oar, mcgoldrick and Fraser not in the starting line up. Let's hope MM will play these players.

Really? We've just scored 5 goals away from home and that's your concern?

No concern for me. Two unstoppable goals from opposition. Nothing we can do about that but admire the skills.
5 goals for us.
Murphy back in the goals and gets 3.
Great week.

[Kerry Blue]

Good result and Murphy's back

[shamm]

Nice touch from MM- bringing Murphy off to receive the deserved applause.

[Steve and Jo]

Feeling lot happier going into the International break this time.

[hallamblue]

Ha! Result never in doubt.........not even when we let in 2 quick goals. Always kept the faith !!

[J4ck22]

Great win today! Started to have Derby flashbacks when their second went in but we regained our composure and slapped them back down with a Murphy hat trick. If that doesn't get him back in form then nothing will! Not much to complain about for their two goals, sounded like they were cracking goals that came from nothing really. Sears needs to keep playing, his goals may have dried up but his contribution is still very much needed!

We're back!

[Ando]

Did not see this coming if I am honest! Great for Murphy.

What concerns me is the 4 players with most flair, niles, oar, mcgoldrick and Fraser not in the starting line up. Let's hope MM will play these players.

Really? We've just scored 5 goals away from home and that's your concern?

What I mean is those 4 players are better to watch than the rest of the squad, apart from Sears. MM may go back to hard working players and leave the flair out.

[Charnwood]

Not only 3 points but a decent help to our Goal Difference too.

I know some will say "it's only Rotherham" but what a boost for the players confidence especially Murphy who could now go on a goal scoring run, I certainly wouldn't bet against it.

[Bluemike]

Yes hopefully we are back to something approaching our best, it doesn't matter who the opposition is, to score Five goals away from home is indeed impressive. 19 shots at goal with 11 on target hardly sounds like we were defensive. So pleased for Daryl Murphy and such a relief, I would not be surprised to see him go on a little scoring run now, that is what he does.

It would have been nice to keep a clean sheet but it sounds like we were undone by Two absolute crackers so no complaints from me on this . I am also pleased for our scapegoat Johnny Douglas, the seond goal is often crucial in any game so well done to him for his first Town goal. Even though it was only Rotherham I hope some of the doubters have a little bit of faith restored this evening, someone said we should beat these by at least three goals, well we did !!

The Five game winning run is up and running, Two down, Three to go, COYB'S

[J4ck22]

Did not see this coming if I am honest! Great for Murphy.

What concerns me is the 4 players with most flair, niles, oar, mcgoldrick and Fraser not in the starting line up. Let's hope MM will play these players.

Really? We've just scored 5 goals away from home and that's your concern?

What I mean is those 4 players are better to watch than the rest of the squad, apart from Sears. MM may go back to hard working players and leave the flair out.

If they keep playing like today then I'd be more than happy to keep leaving them out!

[ipswichtownNo1]

Well i thought we would let in two but couldnt see us scoring many. I stand corrected and good to see murphy up and running now with 3. After the huddersfield game i couldnt see where the goals would come from but it looks like the strikers are doing their bit. For too long we have had too many shots with few on target, today with 19 shots and 11 on target maybe things are starting to go our way. Great result and hats off to MM and the team.

[Steve and Jo]

Think we both said we would take a flukey scoring 1-0 win today

Well it sounds like it was far better than this. Doesn't matter who we played its a massive win. Murphy back up and running. Goal from midfield.

Sounds like fireworks to me.

[lucy]

My biggest away win ever and boy I enjoyed it. I've given Douglas some serious stick recently but his goal what a beauty.

[lucy]

Did I just hear correctly..... first hat-trick in Daryl Murphy's senior career.... if so well done Daryl.

His first hat trick since he scored 4 for Waterford 11 years ago

[ashfordblue]

second win, and so we bloody well should be beating a p**s Rotherham bottom of the league, they really are a bloody awful, I'm really pleased for Daryl's hat-trick though, I thought he was never going to score again, and I have always said Pitman should be in the team, he's a real work horse, I cant wait for Bishop to make a start, and Fraser to come back, we should have more than enough strength to start a good run now.

[number 9]

Well done lads! 5 away goals, brilliant!!! Hopefully Murph's goal drought is long behind him. COYB!

[barmy billy]

An excellent way to shut the critics up (myself included) and it was good to hear MM say how pleased he was that Douglas got on the scoresheet with a well taken and deserved goal. Hopefully people will get off his back now.

It was also pleasing to hear Murphy pay tribute to Sears and Pitman, particularly for their work rate. It does make you wonder whether or not we really need McGoldrick.

[marko69]

It really does go to show that the league is just crazy. Boro struggled to score against them @ home, (1-0) then ITFC put 5 past them at their place?! Makes no sense. Even Huddersfield? Drawing at Reading, then humped by Leeds today? Football bets can officially go f*ck themselves.
Awesome win, and well done to Daryl on the hatrick......, hopefully see the goals later on.

And Steve & Jo, thanks for giving the Hibs a mention. ....., was in the shithole that is Paisley today, and the old Cabbage & Ribs were absolutely brilliant. Very enjoyable afternoon.

[Andym]

Did not see this coming if I am honest! Great for Murphy.

What concerns me is the 4 players with most flair, niles, oar, mcgoldrick and Fraser not in the starting line up. Let's hope MM will play these players.

Really? We've just scored 5 goals away from home and that's your concern?

What I mean is those 4 players are better to watch than the rest of the squad, apart from Sears. MM may go back to hard working players and leave the flair out.

A great result.

I know what you mean but: Niles is a bit hot and cold. Oar hasn't shown me any flair, just strength and running. McGoldrick was injured but also has his poor games. Fraser is injured and we miss him. I suppose after today, the question is: who would you leave out to play any or all of those 4 if they were available?

[Mach_Polish_Blue]

Completely different mood ! Personally I was quite disgruntled and fed up in recent weeks so nice change today. I still maintain that I can't see us challenging for top 6 place this season as we need a quality in midfield but days like that 'repair' the mood.

Some might say it was 'only' Rotherham but you can only beat what is in front of you. A welcome surprise today though as we didn't shut a shop after Pitman's goal. Wouldn't have been surprise though as we all know Mick isn't too adventurous.

First goal they gave away a simple ball. The second one Douglas dispossessed our former loanee Paul Green. Two really appalling mistakes and thankfully we duly utilised these gifts.

Only 3 goals in the first half. Yes, I'm saying only. Could have been 5 or 6 as Rotherham looked like a Conference team. The only player who can hold his head up is their latest youth loanee from Man City Brandon Barker. By far their best player and Chambers didn't have an easy life with him at times.

Danny Collins in Rotherham's defence was hilariously poor. Remember that donkey whilst with us? LOL.

Honestly could have been more as Camp instinctively saved Murphy's deflected shot. The latter also hit the bar towards the end of first half. It was so enjoyable to watch.

Really chuffed for Douglas and the way he scored. That may shut up some of our fans as he's been their scapegoat when things weren't going well.
The beginning of second goal and this time the way Murphy scored. This is the proof that he must be back to his best. He chased the ball, he was quicker than their sluggish defender Rawson and what a shot ! The beast is back !

The only negative point of the afternoon was our complacency and slack defending after we went 4-0 up. Both Barker and Derbyshire were allowed the space to shot like they did. Cracking goals to be speaking frankly. I admit that was a bit scary for me for a few minutes. It would have been unimaginable and unthinkable to f**k it up given how poor Rotherham were. We plainly gave them a glimmer of hope.

Soon after though really strong and powerful Murphy's shot from 16 yards and the game was over. First hat-trick from a Town player since Wickham at Doncaster. Such a long time.

Giles Coke's introduction and taking Sears off meant Mick wasn't interested in further attacking.

An emphatic win and joyous atmosphere among Town's 1000+ travelling party. The Bridge Inn pub with the announcement 'away fans welcome, no dickheads' wasn't as noisy as last year but still loads of Town fans in and really good pre-match chat.

The most pleasing aspects:
1. Murphy without a shadow of doubt the most important one. What better confidence boost than todays hat-trick. More importantly though the way he played. Quick, constant threat and bullying defenders. Particularly our 4th goal and his second what I've mentioned above. He would have never chased that ball a month ago when we were playing Blackburn. That game against Blackburn he had looked like a man taken straight from a pub onto the football pitch.

2. Pitman - probably best I've seen from him since joining us. Very quick and seemed determined to prove his worth. Even in 90 minute he looked quite fresh as chased the ball that seemed impossible to reach as their goalie was closer to it.

3. Douglas - firm response to those who have been slating him. Wish they'd stay quiet.

4. Our tactics today as we didn't shut a shop after taking 1-0 lead.

5. Town noisy support today but the result really helped creating that.


Negatives (though we can't be critical today just some little observations):

1. Slack defending when 4-0 up

2. Chambers still not convincing as right-back and Knudsen not making any crossed

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Perfect away day, almost perfect performance, Town get 3 points so what more do you want on Saturday afternoon?

[Charnwood]

Great to hear you had a good day out Mach. I'd forgotten the Bridge Inn pub, it certainly brought back good memories of last years visit there despite that dreadful result.... 2-5 will be far more memorable although somehow I don't think we'll be visiting Rotherham next season unless something drastic happens at The New York Stadium.