Ipswich Town v Rotherham United preview and matchday thread

[hallamblue]

That comment by Mick which you quote, had me thinking back to the dark days of Keane, where he changed the team for every game.......to counter the opposition tactics, rather than play our own way and let the opposition worry about OUR strengths.

Mick really is at those Crossroads now. The problem is I genuinely believe he knows no other way

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

Absolutely gutted.

It doesn't seem right that the hopes and dreams of so many can be dashed by one moronic decision.

We don't have much quality available, but surely you have to make then most of what you have got and go for the win. And that doesn't include playing 3 defensive midfielders. We have a manager who seems more concerned about what the opposition will do, rather than attack. I don't care that he's come out and taken responsibility for today's defeat - his negative attitude and tactics have cost us quite a few points this season and in my view made a major contribution to the dross we were served up today.

And all season we've conceded far too many goals - today he plays a 7-1-2 formation and yet still their guy is all on his own in front of goal to scuff the ball in.

Of course, there are still 8 games to go, and we're just 4 points off the play-offs. But is there a realistic chance of us making them? To be honest, with the manager we have, I think I have more chance of flying to the moon.

[jaykay]

Absolutely gutted.

It doesn't seem right that the hopes and dreams of so many can be dashed by one moronic decision.

We don't have much quality available, but surely you have to make then most of what you have got and go for the win. And that doesn't include playing 3 defensive midfielders. We have a manager who seems more concerned about what the opposition will do, rather than attack. I don't care that he's come out and taken responsibility for today's defeat - his negative attitude and tactics have cost us quite a few points this season and in my view made a major contribution to the dross we were served up today.

And all season we've conceded far too many goals - today he plays a 7-1-2 formation and yet still their guy is all on his own in front of goal to scuff the ball in.

Of course, there are still 8 games to go, and we're just 4 points off the play-offs. But is there a realistic chance of us making them? To be honest, with the manager we have, I think I have more chance of flying to the moon.

trouble is rossi it isnt just one decision it been several.bolton being another why change the side after the forrest game.you and me have been singing from the same hymn sheet regarding our midfield

[Tangfastic]

It's easy to stick the boot in and ride on a wave of anti-Mick sentiment at the moment, but it's bloody hard to find positive comments to make about Micks management. I don't care about Mick though in comparison to the club. A manager's job is a tough one and if he can't take us to the next level - or even attempt to - then we need someone younger and fresher to add something.

It's the fact that his tactics and team selection are so about negating another team / living of scraps that is so depressing. We talk about play offs and the Premiership.... and then set our teams up to scrap and hope to Nick points of teams like Rotherham, Bristol City. That's not a side ambitious to think of the play-offs. How can possibly expect to even consider a season in the Premiership when we worry and concern ourselves with team selection to counter a team like Rotheham at home? Pick your most positive and attacking side at home and let them worry about us!!!!!!

What pisses me of most is that MICK mentions not changing a winning side, yet he has done that recently to bench Foley and Pringle to get Douglas and Skuse back in the team.

[derick_ipsw]

Well I didnt think it could get any worse that tuesday but that was an abject performance from the first whistle to the f**king last. I was totally gobsmacked when the news filtered through in the pub as to the starting line up, once again at home we go with THREE defensive Midfielders in Skuse Douglas & Hyam, but this time in a game against a team battling for their lives and in a match we really needed to win !!! Absolutely no doubt MM f*cked it up big time today with that line up and formation, not to mention leaving the likes of Feeney, Pringle & Foley on the bench, what the hell could he be thinking !!

One of my biggest issues this season has been the number of times we get a free Kick or a corner, bring up all the big lads from the back and then proceed to take a f**king short one, worse than that we have conceded from it several times and did so again today, how bloody thick are we that we do it again and again and again. falling behind to this lot and once again we give ourselves a mountain to climb knowing full well we didn't have it in us to turn it around. From the point they scored we had pissed it away. I can't really remeber us creating any worthwhile chance in the first half. The odd few boos told you everything you needed to know about the performance but it was nothing compared to what was to come at the final whistle.

The second half definitely saw an improvement but to be fair it could only improve on the shyte we had witnessed in the first half. It doesnt take a brain surgeon to know that Feeney and Pringle should have started, thankfully we got Feeney for the whole half and Pringle for part of it. What a difference the guy made, yes we were playing a bit better thanks in the main to the new boy who we were clearly trying to get the ball to at every opportunity. I counted 6 or 7 corners that he won on his own and pretty much deliverd every one of them on the money and yet we failed to get on the end of a single one of them ! I noticed in the first half how twice Bart was flapping at crosses because his attempt to punch was thwarted by 2 or 3 Rotherham players getting into him and making it uncomfortable for him to get the ball, and yet he was us getting all these corners into a great position only to watch out p*ss poor attack stand off while Camp calmly caught nearly every f**king one of them.

As the game was petering out we tried to muster a few desperate attacks, most of which fell to Feeney to create, but it wasn't till the dying seconds of ET that Pringle had a glorious chance to salvage a point only to see his shot creep agonisingly past the post. In truth we didnt deserve it and we got nothing. It was another boring spectacle against a crap team wgo we again made look half decent, they aren't.

As for the players, well where to start. Smith (Crap) Chambers (Crap) Hyam (Worse than crap) Douglas(Crap) Sears (crap) Pitman(Worse than crap). The rest average at best. Feeney stole the show but a f**king Donkey with Ricketts would had done had we had one to bring on. I think today is a pivotal day, not only for the fact any play off hopes were all but extinguished but also judging by the very loud boos and chants of "what a load of rubbish" at the final whistle MM may now be losing the backing of the vast majority of fnas who were unsure. I don't say I am at the point of wanting him out but f*ck me he cocked it up big time today and I hope he is man enough to admit it. We had Five very winnable home games which would have put us virtually in the play offs had we won them and we come up with that showing ? Utter crap is the only way to describe it. Of course it isn't officially over but we are so bad in the last 3 or 4 games you just can't see anything other than disappointment. What we have to do next is give it a bloody go with a nothing to lose mentality, drop the bloody carthorses who are out of form and get Feeney, Pringle, Foley and varney more involved, to be fair it wasn't defence issues that caused the problems but our drab Midfield and attack. Wolves up next and for some stupid f**king reason I will be there.

Surely now you must admit its time for MM to go?

[Bluemike]

Well I didnt think it could get any worse that tuesday but that was an abject performance from the first whistle to the f**king last. I was totally gobsmacked when the news filtered through in the pub as to the starting line up, once again at home we go with THREE defensive Midfielders in Skuse Douglas & Hyam, but this time in a game against a team battling for their lives and in a match we really needed to win !!! Absolutely no doubt MM f*cked it up big time today with that line up and formation, not to mention leaving the likes of Feeney, Pringle & Foley on the bench, what the hell could he be thinking !!

One of my biggest issues this season has been the number of times we get a free Kick or a corner, bring up all the big lads from the back and then proceed to take a f**king short one, worse than that we have conceded from it several times and did so again today, how bloody thick are we that we do it again and again and again. falling behind to this lot and once again we give ourselves a mountain to climb knowing full well we didn't have it in us to turn it around. From the point they scored we had pissed it away. I can't really remeber us creating any worthwhile chance in the first half. The odd few boos told you everything you needed to know about the performance but it was nothing compared to what was to come at the final whistle.

The second half definitely saw an improvement but to be fair it could only improve on the shyte we had witnessed in the first half. It doesnt take a brain surgeon to know that Feeney and Pringle should have started, thankfully we got Feeney for the whole half and Pringle for part of it. What a difference the guy made, yes we were playing a bit better thanks in the main to the new boy who we were clearly trying to get the ball to at every opportunity. I counted 6 or 7 corners that he won on his own and pretty much deliverd every one of them on the money and yet we failed to get on the end of a single one of them ! I noticed in the first half how twice Bart was flapping at crosses because his attempt to punch was thwarted by 2 or 3 Rotherham players getting into him and making it uncomfortable for him to get the ball, and yet he was us getting all these corners into a great position only to watch out p*ss poor attack stand off while Camp calmly caught nearly every f**king one of them.

As the game was petering out we tried to muster a few desperate attacks, most of which fell to Feeney to create, but it wasn't till the dying seconds of ET that Pringle had a glorious chance to salvage a point only to see his shot creep agonisingly past the post. In truth we didnt deserve it and we got nothing. It was another boring spectacle against a crap team wgo we again made look half decent, they aren't.

As for the players, well where to start. Smith (Crap) Chambers (Crap) Hyam (Worse than crap) Douglas(Crap) Sears (crap) Pitman(Worse than crap). The rest average at best. Feeney stole the show but a f**king Donkey with Ricketts would had done had we had one to bring on. I think today is a pivotal day, not only for the fact any play off hopes were all but extinguished but also judging by the very loud boos and chants of "what a load of rubbish" at the final whistle MM may now be losing the backing of the vast majority of fnas who were unsure. I don't say I am at the point of wanting him out but f*ck me he cocked it up big time today and I hope he is man enough to admit it. We had Five very winnable home games which would have put us virtually in the play offs had we won them and we come up with that showing ? Utter crap is the only way to describe it. Of course it isn't officially over but we are so bad in the last 3 or 4 games you just can't see anything other than disappointment. What we have to do next is give it a bloody go with a nothing to lose mentality, drop the bloody carthorses who are out of form and get Feeney, Pringle, Foley and varney more involved, to be fair it wasn't defence issues that caused the problems but our drab Midfield and attack. Wolves up next and for some stupid f**king reason I will be there.

Surely now you must admit its time for MM to go?

[number 9]

That comment by Mick which you quote, had me thinking back to the dark days of Keane, where he changed the team for every game.......to counter the opposition tactics, rather than play our own way and let the opposition worry about OUR strengths.

Mick really is at those Crossroads now. The problem is I genuinely believe he knows no other way

The difference for me Hallam is I think MM can turn things around if he puts aside his stubborn pride. Keane on the other hand is just a tosser, it amazes me Martin O'Neil has anytime for him.

[marko69]

My opinion only......, please spare me the abuse, but I think the stubborn pride thing is total bullshit. It's something that's been started on a Sunderland/ wolves/ Ipswich site and everyone jumps on the "Mick is too stubborn" wagon.

A manager being too stubborn to change, FOR ME, that is a sackable offence alone.

He MUST genuinely believe the sides he puts out, WILL do the job.

[jaykay]

My opinion only......, please spare me the abuse, but I think the stubborn pride thing is total bullshit. It's something that's been started on a Sunderland/ wolves/ Ipswich site and everyone jumps on the "Mick is too stubborn" wagon.

A manager being too stubborn to change, FOR ME, that is a sackable offence alone.

He MUST genuinely believe the sides he puts out, WILL do the job.

every manager must think that marko.trouble is he never drops any of his back 5.except those who come in for a injured player e.g.Emmanuel ,foley
theres loyalty to players and BLIND loyalty

[J4ck22]

My opinion only......, please spare me the abuse, but I think the stubborn pride thing is total bullshit. It's something that's been started on a Sunderland/ wolves/ Ipswich site and everyone jumps on the "Mick is too stubborn" wagon.

A manager being too stubborn to change, FOR ME, that is a sackable offence alone.

He MUST genuinely believe the sides he puts out, WILL do the job.

every manager must think that marko.trouble is he never drops any of his back 5.except those who come in for a injured player e.g.Emmanuel ,foley
theres loyalty to players and BLIND loyalty

Who would you play along the back 5 then?

[number 9]

I think Pringle and Feeney should have started.

[jaykay]

My opinion only......, please spare me the abuse, but I think the stubborn pride thing is total bullshit. It's something that's been started on a Sunderland/ wolves/ Ipswich site and everyone jumps on the "Mick is too stubborn" wagon.

A manager being too stubborn to change, FOR ME, that is a sackable offence alone.

He MUST genuinely believe the sides he puts out, WILL do the job.

every manager must think that marko.trouble is he never drops any of his back 5.except those who come in for a injured player e.g.Emmanuel ,foley
theres loyalty to players and BLIND loyalty

Who would you play along the back 5 then?

so we havent anyone to put in then.wasnt foley and digby brought in as defenders plus we got several out on loan.you dont change the whole back 5 in one match like we did in the f.a.cup.

[itfc76trev]

My opinion only......, please spare me the abuse, but I think the stubborn pride thing is total bullshit. It's something that's been started on a Sunderland/ wolves/ Ipswich site and everyone jumps on the "Mick is too stubborn" wagon.

A manager being too stubborn to change, FOR ME, that is a sackable offence alone.

He MUST genuinely believe the sides he puts out, WILL do the job.

every manager must think that marko.trouble is he never drops any of his back 5.except those who come in for a injured player e.g.Emmanuel ,foley
theres loyalty to players and BLIND loyalty

The back 5 isn't the problem. The midfield is!!!

[hallamblue]

http://www.twtd.co.uk/forum/370319/a-fe ... terday/#10

Some good comments on this thread I think.

[Bluemike]

My opinion only......, please spare me the abuse, but I think the stubborn pride thing is total bullshit. It's something that's been started on a Sunderland/ wolves/ Ipswich site and everyone jumps on the "Mick is too stubborn" wagon.

A manager being too stubborn to change, FOR ME, that is a sackable offence alone.

He MUST genuinely believe the sides he puts out, WILL do the job.

every manager must think that marko.trouble is he never drops any of his back 5.except those who come in for a injured player e.g.Emmanuel ,foley
theres loyalty to players and BLIND loyalty

The back 5 isn't the problem. The midfield is!!!

This !!

[jaykay]

well up to yesterday mick didnt think so.not that i'm defending him.not of the 3 should have been playing

[itfc76trev]

well up to yesterday mick didnt think so.not that i'm defending him.not of the 3 should have been playing

So you wouldn't have skuse in the midfield ?

[Mach_Polish_Blue]

Have to admit that Mick McCarthy has lost myself.

The situation at the club is very strange. Evans' unwillingness to invest and improve the team means that no manager is going to make us better under current circumstances.

Skuse, Hyam and Douglas yesterday......that's why he's lost me. Probably the slowest, most uninspiring and unfathomable selection against the relegation threatened team. What was his reasoning?

Always been pro-Mick but he's lost me (very painful for me to say that). He's a very stubborn person who'll play his favourite players no matter how they perform, who won't listen to anyone, who has no plan B. Just hoof it and stop opposition from scoring. Yesterday really cowardly approach against bottom three team. No, that's enough for me.

I'm neither pro nor anti-Mick now. Just indifferent. My excitement will have gone. I'll attend all our remaining away matches but I'll be mainly going to see other people. Evans' policy and Mick's approach has killed off my football excitement.

We have to stick with Mick though unless he wants to go (Villa maybe). Any new manager is going to have life very difficult when he'll get told he has to rely on rejects and loanees.

[jaykay]

well up to yesterday mick didnt think so.not that i'm defending him.not of the 3 should have been playing

So you wouldn't have skuse in the midfield ?

if you read machs post on another forum regarding last years 2 games against brighton away, derby at home in successive weeks and notts forest game this year.will tell you why i dont want skuse in the side.

[itfc76trev]

well up to yesterday mick didnt think so.not that i'm defending him.not of the 3 should have been playing

So you wouldn't have skuse in the midfield ?

if you read machs post on another forum regarding last years 2 games against brighton away, derby at home in successive weeks and notts forest game this year.will tell you why i dont want skuse in the side.

I don't read other forums I draw my own conclusions on why skuse should be in the team and I see how much we miss him when he isn't!

[Bluemike]

Totally correct Trev.

[number 9]

Totally correct Trev.

Yeah well us fans overseas do whatever we can to support our team. Fair enough, though. It is perplexing that so many fans are either for or against Skuse. I remember the old days when it was pretty simple to judge the worth of a player.

[Bluemike]

Totally correct Trev.

Yeah well us fans overseas do whatever we can to support our team. Fair enough, though. It is perplexing that so many fans are either for or against Skuse. I remember the old days when it was pretty simple to judge the worth of a player.

What is the rellevance of that ? I dont get it .

[jaykay]

it all amatter of opinion but we didnt miss him against forrest

[number 9]

Totally correct Trev.

Yeah well us fans overseas do whatever we can to support our team. Fair enough, though. It is perplexing that so many fans are either for or against Skuse. I remember the old days when it was pretty simple to judge the worth of a player.

What is the rellevance of that ? I dont get it .

That some fans have to rely on what they read in forums, and what they see on tv/net etc to have an opinion. You guys just sounded a bit condescending...maybe I read it wrong. No worries.

[itfc76trev]

it all amatter of opinion but we didnt miss him against forrest

To be fair although we got the result against forest we actually did miss skuse breaking up play in midfield and had it not been for Bart in goal forest would have been out of sight in the first half

[jaykay]

it all amatter of opinion but we didnt miss him against forrest

To be fair although we got the result against forest we actually did miss skuse breaking up play in midfield and had it not been for Bart in goal forest would have been out of sight in the first half

i understand what you saying trev,but if you look at the games we won when skuse is out of the team for what ever the reason to the games we lost when he out,it about 4 to 1 in favour of wins.so the facts prove we dont miss him alot

[Tangfastic]

I can't see there is anyone that is undroppable.

If we need a player who does the dirty work then Skuse fits the bill.... but we have Douglas, Hyam, Foley as well. No need to fill the midfield up with this kind of player and no need to have such reliance on Skuse as a 'must' for the team.
Sounds sometimes as if Skuse is missing then we will implode and will certainly lose, but we've played crap/ lost whilst he's been there and done ok whilst he was injured.
Foley did well in Skuses absence.

This isn't about making a scapegoat out of Skuse.... there's room for him and his like, but don't try and build a team around a scrapper or scrappers. That's Micks call on how we set up the team and the style of football we play.

If we could hold possession of the ball and cause teams problems, then there would less reliance on players like Skuse to try and break up play.

[Charnwood]

I don't have an issue having Skuse being in the team I think he does a great workmanlike job, the issue for me is more about who plays in the midfield alongside him and I think we have better options than those selected on Saturday which for me contributed to our poor performance.

[Bluemike]

Charnwood and Trev are spot on with Skuse, in fact I would go further and say if fit he has to play, he does so much of the dirty work that always goes unnoticed, that we did ok in the past when he was not in the team means bugger all in truth, I can point to Bart being a classic example, he has played really well since coming back into the team but lets be honest we have lost at QPR, Bristol City, Hull, Cardiff and Rotherham while drawing at Bolton with Bart in goal so is he the issue ? Are we better with Gerken in the side ? It is just one of those things. Maybe the games we won without Skuse in the team would ahve seen us win even more convincingly with him playing.