Ipswich Town vs Leeds United Preview and Matchday Thread

[James Scharmann]

Really how on earth do you know what I look like?

Yeah Marko, English was never my first language at school

[Bluemike]

Just back from another nail biting game, a game in which bar 15 bloody seconds we dominated throughout and should really have won it at a canter. I couldnt quite believe what i saw as Chambo and Douglas contrived to gift them a lead after 12 bloody seconds !!! The only good thing was we had the whole game to turn it around. Despite going in behind at HT I felt some of our approach play was very good, in fact better than it a lot of the games that we have won recently, most of our passing and delivery was good too, there were one or two crosses that were wildly overhit but by and large it was good. Murphy, Sears, Bru and fraser all had efforts to get us level but somehow we went in behind.

The second half really was one way traffic and thankfully we got level early on from another Chambers effort as he ghosted in to bullet home an excellent Fraser cross, Chambers may have his critics but he gets forward far better these days and is now adding crucial goals to his armoury, not sure Parr would be getting on the end of these crosses to be honest. Chances continued to come and go, Murphy, Skuse and Pitman all misses great chances, Pitman in particular was so unlucky not to get on the end of Sears cross after he had rounded the keeper but Sears hit it way too hard and the chance was gone. It really had been a bit of a siege and you just felt the chance was passing us by to get a deserved win. But frustration turned to sheer ecstacy as fraser sent in yet another pinpoint cross for super sub Pitman to power home another header and again the place exploded as another great comeback was complete.

I was so pleased to see us actually play the ball on the deck a fair bit and some of our attacking play really was pleasing on the eye, we never panic, we never give up and we never lose belief that we can win, those attributes will take us far in this division and we are on a roll right now. There were so many good performances tonight, Tommy Smith again looked so assured at the back, he is a different player lately, Jonas Knudsen defended the best I have seen him defend, Skusey was super and didnt put a foot wrong, protecting the back four so well, Daryl Murphy won almost every header and led the line superbly, while Sears and the clear MOTM Fraser took the game to Leeds at every opportunity and provided some excellent delivery into the box, Frasers skill and crossing ability is crucial to us and he won us the match with the accuracy of his crosses. So many reasons to be happy, up to 5th and with the exception of wednesday we are pulling away from the chasing pack while we continue to close in on Derby in second. Brighton have been caught, now for Burnley. COYB'S !!!

[marko69]

Great report there, Mike. And it's excellent to read that they dominated the second half. I just know Leeds wouldn't have been out to defend a 1-0 lead over 45mins so to read that, it's very uplifting. Especially as some have said that Leeds were ticking over quite nicely.

Good job, MM & TC & Players. Three points from Preston? Well, even though they won away tonight, I think three points should be do-able.

[lucy]

Had the pleasure of goading Leeds Fans after the game in Car Park.

[herforder]

As ever, Mike's report spot on. An excellent team performance, following the shock of giving away such a cheap, early goal. Thereafter we gained and kept the initiative, with Leeds having some possession but, in truth, doing little of any threat with it. We could/should have probably scored a couple more - but let's not be greedy! So a sound win, and 3 invaluable points gained against a team on the rise. A good night's work, and well done MM/TC, the boys and all those in PR who played their part - great atmosphere under the lights.

With B'mth having spent big on Afobe and Grabban, would urge ME/MM to make an approach to get Fraser here permanently. Quality in spades and surely a wise investment for next season and further.

[lucy]

http://www.skysports.com/watch/video/10 ... -2-1-leeds

Highlights of the game anyone?

[ipswichtownNo1]

Just got home from the game and i am so pleased with the perfomance from every ipswich player tonight. A great team effort, and even if we had lost 1-0 i would still be happy after watching that. Far far the best i hsve seen ipswich at home in the way they played attacking football while looking solid at the back. Knudson looked a different player tonight, confident on the ball defending and offered great support to fraser going forward. Skuse was all over the pitch doing what he does best, sears and murphy kept the leeds defence on the back foot. Fraser my motm without a doubt, wanted the ball at every opportunity and ran at leeds causing them all sorts of problems. Only grumble would be the ref, very poor imo. Leeds got away with too many fouls, ref played advantage but either failed to pull the game back after lost possesion or failed to booked the leeds players for some blatent fouls. Nice to see MM and TC bending the ear if fourth official and hope the ref gets an ear bashing from fa or his second rate oerformance. Well done itfc and enjoy the journey home leeds!!

[Charnwood]

Many thanks a for the report Mike. Always a good read especially after a win.

Not often I'm happy when Town screw up a treble bet...

[trimleyblue]

Made for a very happy Birthday to me.

[lucy]

Only way we would sign Fraser is if we got promoted I think.

[Bluemike]

Only way we would sign Fraser is if we got promoted I think.

Unfortunately this is correct, if Grabban is worth 7 million Fraser must be 10.

[lucy]

But where would he play in the Bournemouth team. So many players ahead of him atm.

[James Scharmann]

But where would he play in the Bournemouth team. So many players ahead of him atm.

Gradel and Wilson come back from injury as well

[Steve and Jo]

Isn't it amazing tonight was my second match at home i had to miss this season. By all sounds the result was totally deserved. I had to miss tonight's game through no choice of mine but there you go, life happens.

well done ITFC, always nice to beat 'dirty Leeds' even nicer when deserved. Stats normally i don't go into other than most important stat, the score line but tonight's Ipswich were far superior in all details.

So was Mick right to play the team he did Saturday? To which i was there to watch and totally admit i confess Portsmouth were the bee's knees, so much so, i thought they were up there with Middlesbrough and i thought as good as Derby in everything other than finishing.

So Now Preston on Saturday. Another performance like this please and then yes can look forward to Portsmouth and then the away game the following Saturday.

Sometimes lets just applaud the team, say well done Mick and totally glory in 3pts which were well deserved.. Ohh i think we are 5th now and looking up at the top two. Not getting over excited and going to silly but isn't it nice to be just 5pts off the top two than worry to think damn like we have so many times under previous 3 managers.. Happy belated new year to you all, Hoping 2016 will be great year to be a ITFC supporter

[lucy]

http://www.twtd.co.uk/forum/364459/bitt ... part-2/#17

Sour grapes anyone?, what an idiot.

[marko69]

It's ok......., ^^^^^ , I'll say it on behalf of everyone on here. F**KING FAT, SCOTTISH b*stard. What an absolute tool. I'll place a bet with anyone right now that he will end up at Celtic or Rangers and will be on Sportscene every f**king week moaning his fat b*stard arse off about the opposition and the officials. Fkn stupid c*nt. Would LOVE to hear Micks response to that.

[Bluemike]

Isn't it amazing tonight was my second match at home i had to miss this season. By all sounds the result was totally deserved. I had to miss tonight's game through no choice of mine but there you go, life happens.

well done ITFC, always nice to beat 'dirty Leeds' even nicer when deserved. Stats normally i don't go into other than most important stat, the score line but tonight's Ipswich were far superior in all details.

So was Mick right to play the team he did Saturday? To which i was there to watch and totally admit i confess Portsmouth were the bee's knees, so much so, i thought they were up there with Middlesbrough and i thought as good as Derby in everything other than finishing.

So Now Preston on Saturday. Another performance like this please and then yes can look forward to Portsmouth and then the away game the following Saturday.

Sometimes lets just applaud the team, say well done Mick and totally glory in 3pts which were well deserved.. Ohh i think we are 5th now and looking up at the top two. Not getting over excited and going to silly but isn't it nice to be just 5pts off the top two than worry to think damn like we have so many times under previous 3 managers.. Happy belated new year to you all, Hoping 2016 will be great year to be a ITFC supporter

A happy new year to the both of you too. As you say always nice to beat that lot especially when we do it in style which at times we did last night. In answer to your question, MM was 100% coprrect in playing the team he did against Portsmouth, just my opinion but as I said if we picked up 6 points this week but went out of the cup that would be fine by me and job done, as it is we are still on for the 6 and are still in the cup so even better. I think he will play an even weaker side at Portsmouth but somehow i think we may just scrape through that as well, the fringe players cannot be as bad again.

2016 is indeed brewing up to be a special season, when you consider at the end of October we were 9 points behind Derby, 10 behind Burnley and 12 behind Brighton I think it is safe to say that over the last Two and a half months us and Middlesbrough are the two sides from the top Six that are coming on strong right now and not faltering, 5 points is nothing to pick up on Derby, what with Birmingham & burnley in their next two and the Three points they are going to drop to us at their place on the final day all is looking rosy !! COYB'S

[marko69]

Many thanks a for the report Mike. Always a good read especially after a win.

Not often I'm happy when Town screw up a treble bet...

Did you have Brighton in your bet, Charnwood? Bloody coupon burster that was.

[Bluemike]

It's ok......., ^^^^^ , I'll say it on behalf of everyone on here. F**KING FAT, SCOTTISH b*stard. What an absolute tool. I'll place a bet with anyone right now that he will end up at Celtic or Rangers and will be on Sportscene every f**king week moaning his fat b*stard arse off about the opposition and the officials. Fkn stupid c*nt. Would LOVE to hear Micks response to that.

I don't think I could have put it better myself LOL.

[BLUEBLOOD]

Had the pleasure of goading Leeds Fans after the game in Car Park.

Yeah I saw you standing at the back near the exit ready to run .
No easy running away in a Olaf costume easy to spot in a crown too

[marko69]

It's ok......., ^^^^^ , I'll say it on behalf of everyone on here. F**KING FAT, SCOTTISH b*stard. What an absolute tool. I'll place a bet with anyone right now that he will end up at Celtic or Rangers and will be on Sportscene every f**king week moaning his fat b*stard arse off about the opposition and the officials. Fkn stupid c*nt. Would LOVE to hear Micks response to that.

I don't think I could have put it better myself LOL.

That interview reminded me of fat bstd Bobby Williamson when he was manager at ER. Blaming opponents, officials......, never a mention of Gary O'Connor, Tam McManus and Nick Colgan all being Shyte.

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

Superb result - maybe I should miss games more often.

Reading Mike's excellent report confirmed what I was listening to on Player - we actually passed the ball a lot more last night, kept the passing shorter and on the deck, and the result was we created more chances without looking vulnerable ourselves.
It sounded to me like Bru absolutely ran the show and I hope he continues to be played in that forward midfield role.
Still shows that if Fraser and Sears both start we are an infinitely better team.

Only one sour point - what the hell was Douglas thinking of; why was he even in that central defensive position only seconds into the game? I wouldn't be surprised to see him surrender his place in the starting line-up to Hyam.

[herforder]

Only way we would sign Fraser is if we got promoted I think.

Unfortunately this is correct, if Grabban is worth 7 million Fraser must be 10.

Yes, I get that! Fortunately he at least remains with us until season's end - no recall clause. Providing he remains injury free, he will be a major influence in determining our destiny come May. Then, who knows! Quality benchmark.

[herforder]

It's ok......., ^^^^^ , I'll say it on behalf of everyone on here. F**KING FAT, SCOTTISH b*stard. What an absolute tool. I'll place a bet with anyone right now that he will end up at Celtic or Rangers and will be on Sportscene every f**king week moaning his fat b*stard arse off about the opposition and the officials. Fkn stupid c*nt. Would LOVE to hear Micks response to that.

"Eeh lad, pure class is Evans. IQ of a flip-flop, but hey ho"

[lucy]

Had the pleasure of goading Leeds Fans after the game in Car Park.

Yeah I saw you standing at the back near the exit ready to run .
No easy running away in a Olaf costume easy to spot in a crown too

I was "Frozen" cold so had to make to a quick exit.

[Steve and Jo]

http://www.twtd.co.uk/forum/364459/bitt ... part-2/#17

Sour grapes anyone?, what an idiot.

So that manager admits he is a sore loser, damn that's understatement of the season!!. What a prat of a man

I wasn't there but Tony Cottee on Sky Posts was impressed, the radio commentary were praising, the stats were all for Ipswich and only real hoof ball i seen on highlights was in the making of there crazy goal.

Football doesn't need idiots like him, was the ref biased towards us btw to anybody who was there?

[Mr.Punch]

http://www.twtd.co.uk/forum/364459/bitt ... part-2/#17

Sour grapes anyone?, what an idiot.

So that manager admits he is a sore loser, damn that's understatement of the season!!. What a prat of a man

I wasn't there but Tony Cottee on Sky Posts was impressed, the radio commentary were praising, the stats were all for Ipswich and only real hoof ball i seen on highlights was in the making of there crazy goal.

Football doesn't need idiots like him, was the ref biased towards us btw to anybody who was there?

The ref was not great, let a lot of bad tackles go and certainly was not biased towards us.
It was a great night to be at PR, a huge win - no stopping us now.

As for Steve Evans, here's what a Leeds blogger thinks -

Evans’ answers after the match were not those of a manager who is invincible. Adeyemi is out of the side because he’s crap, Ipswich are crap, the referee was crap, he’d told the defenders about Luke Chambers before the game so they’re all crap, he needs some new players because the ones he’s got are crap.

“No disrespect,” he said about Ipswich after the game, “But if that’s the benchmark [for sixth] then we’ll take that benchmark.” Well, after beating us, Ipswich are fifth now, so there’s that. Also, we’re fifteenth, a position we occupy so often that we’re not just a benchmark for it, we’re its registered trademark. I wouldn’t object if we had to swap places. I also wouldn’t advise Evans to get into a war of words with the considerably more suave Mick McCarthy. “They’ve got good players, Leeds,” he said. “They’re on a good run — or they were.” You can hear the wink. And even thought its at our expense, you can’t help but want to buy him a beer.

[herforder]

Apart from the result, and the points, is that last night's performance flagged up that we have the players who can play progressive, passing, football. Can only be good for team confidence, and gives us options in terms of mixing our game up - opposition scouts will have something a bit more to report back other than 'yea, they can only play the long-ball game, lack much creativity and are weak in both FB areas'! Really?

[number 9]

http://www.skysports.com/watch/video/10 ... -2-1-leeds

Highlights of the game anyone?

For those of us in the USA, you can find the highlights on youtube in case you didn't know.

I really like the look of Fraser! He's my type of winger. His ball control and crossing are amazing. I can't comment on the whole game since I've only seen the highlights, but if we keep attacking from the wings like that we're gonna pull off a few wins!

F-off Steve Evans! COYB!!!!!!!!

[derick_ipsw]

http://www.twtd.co.uk/forum/364459/bitt ... part-2/#17

Sour grapes anyone?, what an idiot.

What a fuc*in pri*k!! Look the stats dic*head they don't lie. We use to dic* you when you were Rotherham manager and nothing has changed.