Ipswich Town v Derby County preview and matchday thread

[ipswichtownNo1]

As usual, Derby were dirty fucks.

Also rapidly losing faith in Knudsen, the guy can't seem to get anything right. It wasn't a bad performance, Derby were more than happy to sit back, elbow, kick and slap their way to the win in the second half. Nearly as unlikable as Norwich.

As MM said, its nice to win the ugly ones every now and then, perhaps they wanted it more?? I wasnt at the game so i dont know.

[Bluemike]

Today was so frustrating as there was absolutely nothing in the game and it was won by a very fortunate bounce which went Derby's way after Berra and a Derby player had gone in for a crunching tackle, fair play to Ince who finished it and as to whether he was offside it was hard for me to tell.

We certainly don't need to be downbeat as for me we matched them all the way, maybe they had that little bit more solidity about them at the back but we still had a couple of good chances which we failed to take, Gerken made a save in something like the 92nd minute which was his only save of the match so we werent under the cosh. For me a draw would have been the fair result.

I am with Jack on Knudsen and it isnt just me, everyone around me are far from convinced, he just does not cut it at this level, his bloody throw ins actually put us under pressure as time and time again the opposition break and nearly catch us out, for me this is our one real weakness right now.

[J4ck22]

I am with Jack on Knudsen and it isnt just me, everyone around me are far from convinced, he just does not cut it at this level, his bloody throw ins actually put us under pressure as time and time again the opposition break and nearly catch us out, for me this is our one real weakness right now.

That's when he's not being called for a foul throw.

[jaykay]

from what i saw from the sir alfs stand we had 2 chances to clear the ball from what they scored from.first from the header we lost then berra had a chance to win the tackle.knudsen got across from the opposite side just to late.he wasnt to blame for our defeat,so dont know why he and no one else been mentioned.i know he not the best but some of the senoir players were under par as well.maybe i saw a different game to you mike but think gerkin ad 2 saves in the first half alone.inces free kick and think it was butterworth had a shot on target to.we had one shot from sears on target all game.i think 6th spot is still on and win the play offs

[herforder]

Disappointing not to get at least the point we started with. In a game of comparatively few chances, and fine margins of better quality when in possession, and snuffing out our forward play, we matched Derby well. Once they got the vital - if somewhat fortunate - first goal, it was always going to be an uphill task for us. Perhaps we could have matched up Derby's three man midfield, where Skuse and Douglas were outnumbered, whilst Knudsen continues to confirm that he's not yet the answer at LB.

Sears, once again, was quality and someone Derby had clearly identified as deserving special attention, whilst Ryan Fraser and Kevin Bru both had positive impacts. Both should start against QPR.

Despite the defeat, no need to break out the Leonard Cohen CDs; confidence should remain high when facing QPR. We remain 6th at Christmas, put in a solid performance against a high-spending bunch of actors(!), and have quality players coming back, perhaps allowing MM to think about a Plan B.

Today's ref and his elves should be exiled to Siberia!

[Bluemike]

from what i saw from the sir alfs stand we had 2 chances to clear the ball from what they scored from.first from the header we lost then berra had a chance to win the tackle.knudsen got across from the opposite side just to late.he wasnt to blame for our defeat,so dont know why he and no one else been mentioned.i know he not the best but some of the senoir players were under par as well.maybe i saw a different game to you mike but think gerkin ad 2 saves in the first half alone.inces free kick and think it was butterworth had a shot on target to.we had one shot from sears on target all game.i think 6th spot is still on and win the play offs

Well there are saves and saves, for me catching a routine ball does not constitute a save but that is just me.

[Bluemike]

Disappointing not to get at least the point we started with. In a game of comparatively few chances, and fine margins of better quality when in possession, and snuffing out our forward play, we matched Derby well. Once they got the vital - if somewhat fortunate - first goal, it was always going to be an uphill task for us. Perhaps we could have matched up Derby's three man midfield, where Skuse and Douglas were outnumbered, whilst Knudsen continues to confirm that he's not yet the answer at LB.

Sears, once again, was quality and someone Derby had clearly identified as deserving special attention, whilst Ryan Fraser and Kevin Bru both had positive impacts. Both should start against QPR.

Despite the defeat, no need to break out the Leonard Cohen CDs; confidence should remain high when facing QPR. We remain 6th at Christmas, put in a solid performance against a high-spending bunch of actors(!), and have quality players coming back, perhaps allowing MM to think about a Plan B.

Today's ref and his elves should be exiled to Siberia!

Yes well said, although I would not be starting with Bru, who would you start him in place of ? When he came on to play wide I asked myself just what is Tommy Oar doing at the club.

[patthegimp]

What quality players do we have coming back. Bru is back- Didzy and Bishop probably won't be back as effective players. Varney is back though quality ? Fraser is back and is quality. Hyam is defensive muscle and input but lacks quality. Our younger players out on loan Kenlock, Clarke etc unproven. God I have just depressed myself.

[arana peligrosa]

Only got the score a short time ago as been busy all day but first reaction was disappointment. Read the match report from a rival site and appears it was something of a lackluster game with actual little difference between the two teams. Apologize if that was not the case as still in the dark as to what fully went on out there today.

As with Middlesbrough a few weeks recent, we fall once again to one of the promotion favorites and some may ask once again if we're really of the level of some of the other sides this league has to offer. Nonetheless it's been a decent last few weeks with lots of points picked up, but appears we've once again hit a stumbling block.

What was the attendance, was there the turnout I had hoped for ? Either way our supporters will doubtless have left frustrated by the end, but we're still very much involved.

[lucy]

Only got the score a short time ago as been busy all day but first reaction was disappointment. Read the match report from a rival site and appears it was something of a lackluster game with actual little difference between the two teams. Apologize if that was not the case as still in the dark as to what fully went on out there today.

As with Middlesbrough a few weeks recent, we fall once again to one of the promotion favorites and some may ask once again if we're really of the level of some of the other sides this league has to offer. Nonetheless it's been a decent last few weeks with lots of points picked up, but appears we've once again hit a stumbling block.

What was the attendance, was there the turnout I had hoped for ? Either way our supporters will doubtless have left frustrated by the end, but we're still very much involved.

Attendance was 20,206

[arana peligrosa]

Only got the score a short time ago as been busy all day but first reaction was disappointment. Read the match report from a rival site and appears it was something of a lackluster game with actual little difference between the two teams. Apologize if that was not the case as still in the dark as to what fully went on out there today.

As with Middlesbrough a few weeks recent, we fall once again to one of the promotion favorites and some may ask once again if we're really of the level of some of the other sides this league has to offer. Nonetheless it's been a decent last few weeks with lots of points picked up, but appears we've once again hit a stumbling block.

What was the attendance, was there the turnout I had hoped for ? Either way our supporters will doubtless have left frustrated by the end, but we're still very much involved.

Attendance was 20,206

Sorry, but that is disappointing to see.

I mean we're playing one of the league frontrunners, it's been a good last few weeks, expectations were raised - and I was hoping for something around 24,000 - or more.

Guess we'll blame it on the time of year and some would rather go shopping than take in a game, but once again, was hoping the figure would have been a little extra.

[lucy]

Got the Attendance wrong. It was 20,161.

[Bluemike]

SJ, it certainly wasnt a case of us "Falling short" against one of the top sides again because there was absolutely nothing between the 2 sides from start to finish, other than the fact they got the all important goal courtesy of the ball falling very favourably for them, it has since been confirmed i believe that Tom Ince was in fact offside but that is the way the cookie crumbles. No reason to be downbeat after this one. Top six at Christmas, I think we would all have taken that last August.

[Charnwood]

Only got the score a short time ago as been busy all day but first reaction was disappointment. Read the match report from a rival site and appears it was something of a lackluster game with actual little difference between the two teams. Apologize if that was not the case as still in the dark as to what fully went on out there today.

As with Middlesbrough a few weeks recent, we fall once again to one of the promotion favorites and some may ask once again if we're really of the level of some of the other sides this league has to offer. Nonetheless it's been a decent last few weeks with lots of points picked up, but appears we've once again hit a stumbling block.

What was the attendance, was there the turnout I had hoped for ? Either way our supporters will doubtless have left frustrated by the end, but we're still very much involved.

Attendance was 20,206

I think that was wishful thinking Lucy being only three off your prediction.

[herforder]

Disappointing not to get at least the point we started with. In a game of comparatively few chances, and fine margins of better quality when in possession, and snuffing out our forward play, we matched Derby well. Once they got the vital - if somewhat fortunate - first goal, it was always going to be an uphill task for us. Perhaps we could have matched up Derby's three man midfield, where Skuse and Douglas were outnumbered, whilst Knudsen continues to confirm that he's not yet the answer at LB.

Sears, once again, was quality and someone Derby had clearly identified as deserving special attention, whilst Ryan Fraser and Kevin Bru both had positive impacts. Both should start against QPR.

Despite the defeat, no need to break out the Leonard Cohen CDs; confidence should remain high when facing QPR. We remain 6th at Christmas, put in a solid performance against a high-spending bunch of actors(!), and have quality players coming back, perhaps allowing MM to think about a Plan B.

Today's ref and his elves should be exiled to Siberia!

Yes well said, although I would not be starting with Bru, who would you start him in place of ? When he came on to play wide I asked myself just what is Tommy Oar doing at the club.

No, certainly not a wide player - slightly surprised at MM's decision. I would pair him with Skuse, vice Douglas. Skuse as holding mid, Bru creating/getting forward. Whilst acknowledging that Douglas had seemed more effective recently, I think Bru gives us that bit more, albeit he's coming back from injury. (Douglas is possibly better suited as part of a midfield 3; something I'd still like MM to go with - albeit unlikely!)

[Charnwood]

Disappointing not to get at least the point we started with. In a game of comparatively few chances, and fine margins of better quality when in possession, and snuffing out our forward play, we matched Derby well. Once they got the vital - if somewhat fortunate - first goal, it was always going to be an uphill task for us. Perhaps we could have matched up Derby's three man midfield, where Skuse and Douglas were outnumbered, whilst Knudsen continues to confirm that he's not yet the answer at LB.

Sears, once again, was quality and someone Derby had clearly identified as deserving special attention, whilst Ryan Fraser and Kevin Bru both had positive impacts. Both should start against QPR.

Despite the defeat, no need to break out the Leonard Cohen CDs; confidence should remain high when facing QPR. We remain 6th at Christmas, put in a solid performance against a high-spending bunch of actors(!), and have quality players coming back, perhaps allowing MM to think about a Plan B.

Today's ref and his elves should be exiled to Siberia!

Yes well said, although I would not be starting with Bru, who would you start him in place of ? When he came on to play wide I asked myself just what is Tommy Oar doing at the club.

No, certainly not a wide player - slightly surprised at MM's decision. I would pair him with Skuse, vice Douglas. Skuse as holding mid, Bru creating/getting forward. Whilst acknowledging that Douglas had seemed more effective recently, I think Bru gives us that bit more, albeit he's coming back from injury. (Douglas is possibly better suited as part of a midfield 3; something I'd still like MM to go with - albeit unlikely!)

Surely Teddy Bishop should be back sometime soon and there's no reason why he shouldn't get back to match fitness fairly quickly....and with Bru & Fraser both available + Skuse, Douglas & AMN, surely we should have some decent midfield options available.

[Shed on tour]

Apparently Bishop's hamstring is still not right and when McCarthy was asked when he would be back he said "how long is a piece of string"?

[herforder]

Apparently Bishop's hamstring is still not right and when McCarthy was asked when he would be back he said "how long is a piece of string"?

Or how tight is a hamstring!

[Bluemike]

I certainly would not be dropping Douglas for Bru, or anyone else for that matter, in a midfield battle Douglas offers far more than Bru does who often comes across a little lightweight and sometimes needs far too much time on the ball, Bru is clearly a crowd favourite but is far from the finished article.

[Charnwood]

Is Tabby still with us or has he moved on.....?

[Bluemike]

Is Tabby still with us or has he moved on.....?

Yes he is still with us, he has the lead role in the pantomime.

[Charnwood]

Is Tabby still with us or has he moved on.....?

Yes he is still with us, he has the lead role in the pantomime.

With his six pals I guess !

[herforder]

I certainly would not be dropping Douglas for Bru, or anyone else for that matter, in a midfield battle Douglas offers far more than Bru does who often comes across a little lightweight and sometimes needs far too much time on the ball, Bru is clearly a crowd favourite but is far from the finished article.

Have to disagree - Douglas was AWOL for long periods yesterday. If Skuse is the holding m/f man, then his partner needs to be the forward thinking, creative body. Douglas struggles to do this against the better teams - although, as said previously, he's probably better suited to playing as part of a midfield 3. As ever, it's opinions, opinions!

[Bluemike]

Douglas didn't have the best of games yesterday I agree, but the 4 or 5 prior to that he has been very good, I am awaitng Bru to contribute anything of note this season to be honest.

[herforder]

Fair comment; although injuries have been a significant factor. If he can now stay injury free and push on, I think he can provide that extra bit of midfield creativity that, to be honest, we have lacked on a consistent basis, particularly against the 'better' teams we have come up against. Sadly it looks like it's going to be a while before young Bishop comes into the equation.
Yesterday Derby effectively strangled us to death - like we have often done to other teams!

(As a 'crowd favourite' of course, there's no way MM will start with KB!)

[Ando]

Disappointing not to get at least the point we started with. In a game of comparatively few chances, and fine margins of better quality when in possession, and snuffing out our forward play, we matched Derby well. Once they got the vital - if somewhat fortunate - first goal, it was always going to be an uphill task for us. Perhaps we could have matched up Derby's three man midfield, where Skuse and Douglas were outnumbered, whilst Knudsen continues to confirm that he's not yet the answer at LB.

Sears, once again, was quality and someone Derby had clearly identified as deserving special attention, whilst Ryan Fraser and Kevin Bru both had positive impacts. Both should start against QPR.

Despite the defeat, no need to break out the Leonard Cohen CDs; confidence should remain high when facing QPR. We remain 6th at Christmas, put in a solid performance against a high-spending bunch of actors(!), and have quality players coming back, perhaps allowing MM to think about a Plan B.

Today's ref and his elves should be exiled to Siberia!

Yes well said, although I would not be starting with Bru, who would you start him in place of ? When he came on to play wide I asked myself just what is Tommy Oar doing at the club.

My thoughts exactly! Why not bring him on as the third sub, Oar was more likely to make something happen than Varney.