Ipswich Town vs Portsmouth FA Cup Preview & Matchday Thread

[Charnwood]

Chelsea just announced a full strength team to play Scunthorpe United with the exception of Begovic replacing Corurtois in goal, now that is a surprise and would be a massive shock if Scunny get anything out of this.

[Bluemike]

...and another upset on the cards, Oxford United 3-1 up against Swansea with less than 25 mins to play.

3-2 now and an absolute FA Cup cracker!

Spurs v Leicester will do well to beat this for tv entertainment later....

But this is kind of the point I am making, Swansea made wholesale changes all at once and got stuffed by a lower league side, are we saying their back up players are not good enough either ? It happens.

[number 9]

Chelsea just announced a full strength team to play Scunthorpe United with the exception of Begovic replacing Corurtois in goal, now that is a surprise and would be a massive shock if Scunny get anything out of this.

Hooray for Chelsea! It's nice to see a team taking the FA Cup seriously. I can understand apathy toward the League Cup, but to ignore the allure of one of the oldest football tournaments in history is criminal. Maybe there should be a bigger pay off for winning the FA Cup? If anything, it should be a great test for teams to take on divergent opponents which may lead to better tactics in the future. One or two changes in the line up are fine, but the whole organization should be playing for the shirt. What yesterday's result does prove to me is that we're no where near being a premier league team. We have no depth, and we'll struggle when we get a few injuries.

I'm not losing any sleep over it, though. It's the Ipswich we have at the moment. COYB!

[Tangfastic]

Chelsea just announced a full strength team to play Scunthorpe United with the exception of Begovic replacing Corurtois in goal, now that is a surprise and would be a massive shock if Scunny get anything out of this.

Hooray for Chelsea! It's nice to see a team taking the FA Cup seriously. I can understand apathy toward the League Cup, but to ignore the allure of one of the oldest football tournaments in history is criminal. Maybe there should be a bigger pay off for winning the FA Cup? If anything, it should be a great test for teams to take on divergent opponents which may lead to better tactics in the future. One or two changes in the line up are fine, but the whole organization should be playing for the shirt. What yesterday's result does prove to me is that we're no where near being a premier league team. We have no depth, and we'll struggle when we get a few injuries.

I'm not losing any sleep over it, though. It's the Ipswich we have at the moment. COYB!

Man U and Chelsea might be getting credit for fielding strong teams, but it's more like they see the FA Cup as their only chance. If they were challenging for the Premiership and Champions League I'm sure they would field weakened sides.

Bit of a shame the FA Cup has been devalued, but this happened for a long time. Think they should get rid of League Cup, as that is FA Cup Lite... and even Norwich won that (a milky version).

[Dubai Blue]

Well if the reviewers are all correct and our fringe players are lacking game time, maybe a draw is a great result and they will get some more game time in the replay. Every cloud and all that....

[Bluemike]

Chelsea just announced a full strength team to play Scunthorpe United with the exception of Begovic replacing Corurtois in goal, now that is a surprise and would be a massive shock if Scunny get anything out of this.

Hooray for Chelsea! It's nice to see a team taking the FA Cup seriously. I can understand apathy toward the League Cup, but to ignore the allure of one of the oldest football tournaments in history is criminal. Maybe there should be a bigger pay off for winning the FA Cup? If anything, it should be a great test for teams to take on divergent opponents which may lead to better tactics in the future. One or two changes in the line up are fine, but the whole organization should be playing for the shirt. What yesterday's result does prove to me is that we're no where near being a premier league team. We have no depth, and we'll struggle when we get a few injuries.

I'm not losing any sleep over it, though. It's the Ipswich we have at the moment. COYB!

I am not sure what you mean by "when we get a few injuries", what do you think we have had and continue to have already ? Hyam (over half a season), Varney (over half a season), Bishop (all season and counting), fraser (over 2 months), Mcgoldrick (2 years), we have also had Murphy, Bru and Parr out at one time or another, and as it stands a few niggles in the camp prior to Saturday so to say we will struggle is something I kinda disagree with as we have taken all that on board and are still placed 6th.

[marko69]

I read it as injuries to players like Chambers, Berra, Skuse (or all 3) ....., pretty sure the arse would fall out of the season.

[Bluemike]

I read it as injuries to players like Chambers, Berra, Skuse (or all 3) ....., pretty sure the arse would fall out of the season.

Berra would be a problem for sure, Skuse would be covered by Bru, Douglas, Hyam to name but Three while every man and his dog insists Chambers is sh*te at RB so that shouldnt be a miss. The thing is every team gets injuries, some have huge squads, others dont but we have to deal with it IF it happens, as I say we have had more than our fair share already and when we lost our best player (Fraser) for two months we dealt with it. We don't know yet if MM has any plans to bring anyone in during January but even if he doesnt it really matters little as the loan market is another option should we pick up an injury to a key player. I actually think once this Digby lad has played a bit more football and got used to the team etc he will be good cover in a number of areas, I personally though he looked ok at CB before being moved.

[Tangfastic]

I read it as injuries to players like Chambers, Berra, Skuse (or all 3) ....., pretty sure the arse would fall out of the season.

Berra would be a problem for sure, Skuse would be covered by Bru, Douglas, Hyam to name but Three while every man and his dog insists Chambers is sh*te at RB so that shouldnt be a miss. The thing is every team gets injuries, some have huge squads, others dont but we have to deal with it IF it happens, as I say we have had more than our fair share already and when we lost our best player (Fraser) for two months we dealt with it. We don't know yet if MM has any plans to bring anyone in during January but even if he doesnt it really matters little as the loan market is another option should we pick up an injury to a key player. I actually think once this Digby lad has played a bit more football and got used to the team etc he will be good cover in a number of areas, I personally though he looked ok at CB before being moved.

Agree with Marko.

We have plenty of cover in midfield and options up front - but apart from holy trinity of chambers, smith and Berra... we're short in defence. Plenty of defenders, but these are on young and on loan or ready. There's a bit of a gap and were relying on these defenders to stay fit/ not suspended. With Parr going, I would expect Mick to look for FB cover.

[Bluemike]

I read it as injuries to players like Chambers, Berra, Skuse (or all 3) ....., pretty sure the arse would fall out of the season.

Berra would be a problem for sure, Skuse would be covered by Bru, Douglas, Hyam to name but Three while every man and his dog insists Chambers is sh*te at RB so that shouldnt be a miss. The thing is every team gets injuries, some have huge squads, others dont but we have to deal with it IF it happens, as I say we have had more than our fair share already and when we lost our best player (Fraser) for two months we dealt with it. We don't know yet if MM has any plans to bring anyone in during January but even if he doesnt it really matters little as the loan market is another option should we pick up an injury to a key player. I actually think once this Digby lad has played a bit more football and got used to the team etc he will be good cover in a number of areas, I personally though he looked ok at CB before being moved.

Agree with Marko.

We have plenty of cover in midfield and options up front - but apart from holy trinity of chambers, smith and Berra... we're short in defence. Plenty of defenders, but these are on young and on loan or ready. There's a bit of a gap and were relying on these defenders to stay fit/ not suspended. With Parr going, I would expect Mick to look for FB cover.

As I said none of us know yet what MM has up his sleeve and even if he doesnt the loan market is always an option should the worst thing happen after January, I am pretty comfortable with it really.

[arana peligrosa]

Well if the reviewers are all correct and our fringe players are lacking game time, maybe a draw is a great result and they will get some more game time in the replay. Every cloud and all that....

A draw is not a quote 'great result' and however you want to address it, even with the players selected it should have been enough for progress - especially with home advantage against a lower league opposition.

One member on here during the game thread even went as far as to publicly announce - without any ambiguity - that they have no interest in the FA Cup whatsoever, and that was disappointing to read. Pity is, they're not alone with those sentiments amongst our support, a great many have nothing but apathy for this (once great) competition.

Simple matter is, there's a winnable game in the return at Fratton Park, we (then) enter Round Four with a favorable draw, and progress further and see just how far we can go. We got players that are capable, and other less recognized teams such as Wigan Athletic, Millwall and Portsmouth themselves have been involved in the final event in recent years - two of those winners - so why not just go out for each round, give it a damn try and realize with enough focus and determination, the opportunity is there to do something in this competition.

[Charnwood]

I read it as injuries to players like Chambers, Berra, Skuse (or all 3) ....., pretty sure the arse would fall out of the season.

Berra would be a problem for sure, Skuse would be covered by Bru, Douglas, Hyam to name but Three while every man and his dog insists Chambers is sh*te at RB so that shouldnt be a miss. The thing is every team gets injuries, some have huge squads, others dont but we have to deal with it IF it happens, as I say we have had more than our fair share already and when we lost our best player (Fraser) for two months we dealt with it. We don't know yet if MM has any plans to bring anyone in during January but even if he doesnt it really matters little as the loan market is another option should we pick up an injury to a key player. I actually think once this Digby lad has played a bit more football and got used to the team etc he will be good cover in a number of areas, I personally though he looked ok at CB before being moved.

If Chambers was absent for a few games I think we'd miss him more than some realise!

[Bluemike]

I read it as injuries to players like Chambers, Berra, Skuse (or all 3) ....., pretty sure the arse would fall out of the season.

Berra would be a problem for sure, Skuse would be covered by Bru, Douglas, Hyam to name but Three while every man and his dog insists Chambers is sh*te at RB so that shouldnt be a miss. The thing is every team gets injuries, some have huge squads, others dont but we have to deal with it IF it happens, as I say we have had more than our fair share already and when we lost our best player (Fraser) for two months we dealt with it. We don't know yet if MM has any plans to bring anyone in during January but even if he doesnt it really matters little as the loan market is another option should we pick up an injury to a key player. I actually think once this Digby lad has played a bit more football and got used to the team etc he will be good cover in a number of areas, I personally though he looked ok at CB before being moved.

If Chambers was absent for a few games I think we'd miss him more than some realise!

So do I !!! I was being my usual sarcastic self

[herforder]

Following these robust and thoughtful exchanges, the consensus appears that MM's priority should be to bolster his defensive options - particularly in the LB area. Fairly obvious, really! Folk seem fairly relaxed that - even allowing for the inevitable injuries that have/might happen -our midfield and striking options are sufficiently strong to ensure we retain a play-off spot. We'll know, come May.

The wider 'need to improve overall squad quality' issue still exists. However, this is linked to resources, and we know where the club stands on that issue - albeit there have been mixed messages on that score rom the likes of Ian Milne. Hopefully we will be well in play-off contention come May. Bringing in a creative midfielder, of Fraser's quality, would do our chances no harm.

RIP David Bowie. We Can Be Heroes.

[marko69]

No one wants to turn a football thread into a funeral parlour, but holy absolute fk, DAVID BOWIE??? What is going on? Lemmy over Christmas, and now David Bowie?? Shocked.

RIP to a truly gifted individual, you will be sorely missed.

[Frosty]

agree whole heartedly Marko

[barmy billy]

David Bowie was truly one of the all time greats.

'Ashes to Ashes' is one of my particular favourites.

[Bluemike]

I was never into Bowie or his music at all, in fact I disliked it but very sad none the less. RIP.

[marko69]

I went home via my parents house tonight and they were speaking about his death...., quote me old dad, "The guys music and dress sense was flippin horrendous, but God rest his soul all the same!"

Opinionated old bstd!!

[Bluemike]

I went home via my parents house tonight and they were speaking about his death...., quote me old dad, "The guys music and dress sense was flippin horrendous, but God rest his soul all the same!"

Opinionated old bstd!!

Couldn't agree with him more LOL.

[herforder]

David Bowie was truly one of the all time greats.

'Ashes to Ashes' is one of my particular favourites.

Understand he's asked for it to be played at the crematorium. (He had a really good SOH!).

[Charnwood]

I read it as injuries to players like Chambers, Berra, Skuse (or all 3) ....., pretty sure the arse would fall out of the season.

Berra would be a problem for sure, Skuse would be covered by Bru, Douglas, Hyam to name but Three while every man and his dog insists Chambers is sh*te at RB so that shouldnt be a miss. The thing is every team gets injuries, some have huge squads, others dont but we have to deal with it IF it happens, as I say we have had more than our fair share already and when we lost our best player (Fraser) for two months we dealt with it. We don't know yet if MM has any plans to bring anyone in during January but even if he doesnt it really matters little as the loan market is another option should we pick up an injury to a key player. I actually think once this Digby lad has played a bit more football and got used to the team etc he will be good cover in a number of areas, I personally though he looked ok at CB before being moved.

If Chambers was absent for a few games I think we'd miss him more than some realise!

So do I !!! I was being my usual sarcastic self[/quote]


I did realise, but I'm sure some think he wouldn't be missed which I assumed was the point you were making.

[Bluemike]

Yes it was LOL.