Ipswich Town v Blackburn Rovers preview and matchday thread

[lucy]

Birthday goal for Murphy then

[Charnwood]

15 shots, 5 on target, 2 goals....

Just what was needed....

Well done Daryl Murphy.

2-0 Town, that will do nicely

[lucy]

Now that has made me feel better. Quite annoyed I couldn't go but 3 points has cheered me up.

[Magicmark]

Nice one Daryl & happy birthday..Thanks for giving me a good birthday to

[derick_ipsw]

Well done Town now for Rotherham.

[lucy]

The 2nd goal is a cracker

[Charnwood]

At least we've made good use of our game in hand and with Hull City faltering (only 3 points from 12) who knows 5th & 6th could still be up for grabs.

[lucy]

Another 3 points Saturday will be lovely

[marko69]

B E A utiful......, 2-0 will do nicely. Well done, Murphy.

[James Scharmann]

2-0 Murphy back in the goals 3 points just what doctor ordered, roll on Saturday Rotherham and Warnock down here

[Bluemike]

Part one of the double achieved tonight although at HT it was looking like we may struggle to get the win. I was hardly drooling over the starting line up with THREE defensive Midfielders starting and Pringle on the bench and the first half did little to change that. Blackburn having the better of the opening exchanges and made bart make a couple of decent saves before Town had a couple of long range efforts themselves which their keeper dealt with. In truth the firt half was a pretty limp affair and gave us little to get excited about, the silence inside PR was deafening with both players and fans alike failing to lift each other.

Thankfully the second was a bit of an improvement with Town starting the half the sharper of the two teams. Murphy hit a rasping drive just passed the post before Blackburn went close at the other end. Thankfully we got a slice of luck for once with the referee awarding us a penalty for an apparent push on Chambers, what is that 10 years since our last penalty ? Murphy burying the kick with ease, there was such a huge sense of relief around the stadium you could almost feel the tension being lifted. To be fair we looked to be seeing the game out comfortably after the goal and it was the icing on the cake when the impressive Varney picked up the ball and surged forward before feeding Murphy who scored his second with a very nice finish from distance.

It wasn't a classic but we did enough to get the job done against a very ordinary Blackburn side, as I keep saying the points are all that matters and tonight is a classic example of that. Over the 90 minues I think we deserved it, especially for the second half showing which improved on a very dour first period. Once again Knudsen looked much more solid and I am starting to take to the lad while Murphy took his goals well and could well have had a hat-trick, Bart's handling was assured and he collected every cross with ease while Douglas had a much improved performance on recent games. One point off the play offs and all to play for again.

[arana peligrosa]

Murphy returning to scoresheet was the very best thing after victory itself. Been concerned at times for the player after his success of last season, and while to duplicate that was always going to be a tall order, have always felt he could have contributed more up until today. That's not so much a criticism, only that I (with all other supporters doubtless) would have liked to have seen him among the goals a little more regular since August.

As it is that's two goals for the player to add to this seasons total and maybe from here he can find form again in the remaining weeks and go on a run to help aid the team into another play-off opportunity.

Reading a report from the game it appeared we played well, had the share of possession, created chances, and as with the Forest game from recent, actually looked like a team wanting to go somewhere. Those two points thrown away at Bolton still irritate to a minor extent and with those we would find ourselves in the top six right now but we can't repair the damage from previous games, only build on what we have and our destiny lies in our own hands.

16,000 may represent a poor attendance with the club in a favorable position and everything to play for but for those who went at least, departed with three much needed points and promise ahead for the remaining games. Please no f*ck ups with Rotherham this weekend, that's another club side we really should be looking to take maximum points from, and if that comes to pass, we can really focus on another play-off chance. Well done to those involved today in providing this victory.

[barmy billy]

A very welcome 3 points.

Well done ITFC.

[marko69]

Good to read that Knudsen had another decent game......., hoping he is genuinely getting better and it's nothing to do with Blackburn being "ordinary" as you put it in the match report there, Mike.

[bluepeter]

Murphy 9 championship goals in 24 games.Not a bad return after the fickle boys were jumping on his back.
Lets hope the strikers take encouragement and move up a gear for the run in.Goals also appearing from the midfield.
It ain't over yet.COYB

[Dubai Blue]

Is Luke Varney ok? According to the stats he came on late in the game, set up the winner and was substituted in the 94th minute. Injured?

[Bluemike]

Marko, As you know i was not big on Knudsen at all but over the last 3 or 4 games he has, without doubt improved a fair bit. I would say he has been our best outfield player in a couple of those games and is looking far less shaky than he was,

Well said Bluepeter, people have short memories with Murphy and while he has not been as good as last season he is still a vital part of our team, much of his work has always gone unnoitced and he is only measrued by his goals tally, even if he only gets another 3 this season that would be 40 over 2 seasons which is bloody good at any level, and lets also not forget we go on about how little our Midfield creates so it makes his efforts even more commendable. AS you say it aint over yet, it never has been.

Dubai, Varney appeared to take a whack of some sort in the face so whether he had a cut or something I don't know but he trotted off ok and as it was so late maybe it was easier to replace him and wind some more of the clock down. Hopefully he is ok for Saturday, he is so good when he comes on for those short cameo roles.

[Shed on tour]

Murphy returning to scoresheet was the very best thing after victory itself. Been concerned at times for the player after his success of last season, and while to duplicate that was always going to be a tall order, have always felt he could have contributed more up until today. That's not so much a criticism, only that I (with all other supporters doubtless) would have liked to have seen him among the goals a little more regular since August.

As it is that's two goals for the player to add to this seasons total and maybe from here he can find form again in the remaining weeks and go on a run to help aid the team into another play-off opportunity.

Reading a report from the game it appeared we played well, had the share of possession, created chances, and as with the Forest game from recent, actually looked like a team wanting to go somewhere. Those two points thrown away at Bolton still irritate to a minor extent and with those we would find ourselves in the top six right now but we can't repair the damage from previous games, only build on what we have and our destiny lies in our own hands.

16,000 may represent a poor attendance with the club in a favorable position and everything to play for but for those who went at least, departed with three much needed points and promise ahead for the remaining games. Please no f*ck ups with Rotherham this weekend, that's another club side we really should be looking to take maximum points from, and if that comes to pass, we can really focus on another play-off chance. Well done to those involved today in providing this victory.

Just my opinion but there is no way I would say we played well last night.
Yes the 3 points were the most important thing but for me the majority of the game was terrible to watch. The idea of starting with Hyam, Douglas and Skuse in midfield for me was a baffling decision. On the way home I thought to myself yet again, how the hell is a team that is playing this bad still in with a chance of making the playoffs? Is it that the Championship is really competitive or just that the standard of football that poor?
One highlight for me last night was Bart's save from the freekick early on. I had a perfect view of it from my seat in SBRL and it was a great save as the ball was virtually passed him when he managed to scoop it over.
On to Rotherham on Saturday where another 3 points is essential.

[marko69]

Maybe the person who wrote the report also thinks Deila is doing well at Celtic.

[jaykay]

good result but as many have said not the best of games.there was groans around me when the team sheet was read out.if we had got nothing out of this game,i think mick would have lost alot of faith from those around me, with that midfield he put out.on the plus side we had three attackers.for some reason since the start of the year we dont often score in the first half.the pleasing thing for me was knudsen,after all the stick he has had to take from the crowd and dare i say it those on here.he realy begining to come good.mind you the same people were moaning about mings when he first got in the team.
so a certain mr warnock rolls into town on sat.hopefully another 3 points and may i say it a little beter football that last night first half showing

[Andym]

I'd decided not to post on this forum any more, but after last night and reading some of the above I feel the need. I'm sure I'll take some stick for it but it doesn't matter because I probably won't bother to read it. I obviously see things a lot differently to most others.

I'm just amazed that so many people can be happy. I think that is the worst performance I have seen in ages - and that really is an achievement. I've seen better football watching Sunday league stuff.

We lacked width. We lacked creativity. Bart kept us in the game yet again in the early stages. Haven't seen the penalty incident again but most of the people where I sit had no idea what it was for. Without that decision I doubt if we'd have won.

The midfield was shambolic. Skuse remains solid but so one-dimensional, nothing constructive at all. Hyam has improved if some of his challenges are reckless. I would start him over Skuse any day. Douglas didn't do much. Pitman had another poor game, contributing nothing at all. Sears works hard but actually contributes more when playing wide. Through the middle he works and runs with no real end product.

Surprised by the comments about Knudsen. True, his defending has improved. His distribution remains absolutely shocking. Half hearted humps upfield to no-one.

If there were any positives, they were Varney and Foley. When they came on they made a difference. Varney made the second goal and Foley showed that it is possible to collect the ball from the defence and make an quick, accurate ball forward.

Sorry to be negative after a victory but I actually wished we had lost. We didn't deserve to win. It was the worst football I've seen from a side who are actually getting worse week on week. It keeps the play off dream alive for those who actually believe we might make it and somehow win them should we succeed. But it's papering over the cracks. The results might be better but the football is actually worse than in the Jewell / Keane era. Had I not been there last night I might have been happy with 3 points. But on the day my season ticket renewal letter arrived.....that performance was the last thing I needed to suffer.

[Bluemike]

A so called Town fan who actually wishes we had lost, says it all really. I won't bother posting anything further on the subject as it isn't going to be read anyway....apparently.

[Steve and Jo]

It was crap in all honestly. Don't think anybody can deny this who was there. Dire and in lots of ways unimaginative. Far worse could be used to describe the performance but also the game. Blackburn were just as bad we were.

Okay now got that out of my system i have to admit i have never wished or wanted Ipswich to lose any game. However we play even under Keane i never wanted us to lose. Peter Duncan also and his sides were dire yet i still never wished or wanted Ipswich to lose. Though again yesterdays game and not for first time and lets not kid ourselves be last either was TOSH

Still think Mick and Terry are best for the job though

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

Well I was pleasantly surprised at the result.
When I saw the team line-up, it was worse than I had anticipated with a midfield including Skuse, Hyam, and Douglas.
It sounded as though we created nothing in the first half, but with that line-up it wasn't surprising.
Second half didn't sound any better, then we suddenly get a penalty. I've watched it a few times now - seen them given before but usually not given for a lot worse, so all in all I think we were lucky to get it. But it did change the course of the game.
And to me, Varney was more like what I would expect an attacking midfielder to be - was a great pass for Murph's second. In fact Varney did what Pitman had up till then failed to do - maybe something to be learned there.
So the dream is still alive - bring on Rotherham. I sincerely hope, though, that MM is done with playing 3 defensive midfielders together - we got away with it last night but I doubt we'd be so lucky again

[Dubai Blue]

Maybe he thought Pringle needed a rest for Saturday?

[number 9]

Two wins, a draw and a loss isn't bad for our last four games. Still there's a lot of criticism for our style of play or lack there of. We keep grinding out results though. I wouldn't be surprised if MM's team selection for Rotherham is some what cautious. We need the win, but Warnock has Rotherham fighting. COYB!

Rotherham's last four games: Three wins and a draw.

[number 9]

A so called Town fan who actually wishes we had lost, says it all really. I won't bother posting anything further on the subject as it isn't going to be read anyway....apparently.

Wishing we had lost, is a bit like wishing Norwich wins yeah?

[Steve and Jo]

Just watched the highlights and though ten or so minutes out of 90+ doesn't give the true or entire story of the game it does highlight in my opinion should of had two penalties in the first half.


One when Murphy had his shirt nearly yanked off though he never complained and other when Sears was poorly tackled and i thought arm come up also made contact. Was a pen, possibly more so than the one given. Also both goalies made more than useful good saves. Though biggest cheer was the head tennis in the first.

Like been mentioned 10 points from last 5 games isn't that bad if keep up this ratio until end of season should see us in the play offs

[marko69]

The wishing a loss thing is definitely determined by the level of shyteness witnessed. And then of course, that shyteness, and the level of that shyteness, is all down to opinion.

The only comparison I can use is a few years ago with Hibs, (hoping people see the funny side of this). During the Calderwood years, the Cabbage & Ribs were so unbelievably poor that people wanted Colin to just eff off. Before a particular game v Rangers at Easter Road, TONS of Hibees were saying things like, "OK, hopefully we'll get pummelled today 3 or 4 nil and Calderwood will be emptied by 5 o'clock!"

The Hibs won 2-0!

It really isn't the usual thing to do, to wish your team to be defeated........, but I can certainly understand that there are some people who just have a much lower tolerance for Shyte football. Especially when they think the manager has other options.

[marko69]

Just remembering a Saturday game @ Motherwell around 1989, Alex Miller was Hibs manager, my big cousin, Dougie (easily annoyed tit) shouted some abuse about the first Hibs sub around the 55th minute. When the second sub came on, he shouted, "Ah fk this, Miller you clueless cnt" and then stormed away. We thought he'd gone to get a coffee or went to the bog........, nope, he'd naffed off home! And he was our lift! We had to get a train back to Edinburgh!