Sheffield Wednesday v Ipswich Town preview and match thread

[derick_ipsw]

33 Bartosz Bialkowski
4 Luke Chambers
5 Tommy Smith
6 Christophe Berra
3 Jonas Knudsen
8 Cole Skuse
22 Jonathan Douglas
12 Liam Feeney
17 Kevin Bru
20 Freddie Sears
42 Luke Varney

I hope this is not the team he puts out. I would rather see Mcgoldrick & Pitman than Varney & Bru.
I would like 4-4-2 with Pringle and Feeney wide with Sears & Pitman up front and play Didzy in midfield for a bit of creativity and put Douglas on the bench.

[marko69]

Safe journeys to all those heading to Sheffield today - probably more in hope than expectation! But whilst there's life there's hope!

Up and raring to go for more torment LOL. Leaving about 9, in the pub for 12.30 latest....COYB'S

Enjoy the day, the bevvy, the game, hope its a win. Just off to yet another Hampden Park game with the Cabbage & Ribs, praying this one will be successful. It's well overdue!

MON THE HIBS & ITFC

[lucy]

TEAM NEWS: Bialkowski, Chambers, Smith, Berra, Knudsen, Douglas, Bru, Foley, Feeney, Sears, McGoldrick.

Skuse misses out through injury

[derick_ipsw]

33 Bartosz Bialkowski
4 Luke Chambers
5 Tommy Smith
6 Christophe Berra
3 Jonas Knudsen
8 Cole Skuse
22 Jonathan Douglas
12 Liam Feeney
17 Kevin Bru
20 Freddie Sears
42 Luke Varney

I hope this is not the team he puts out. I would rather see Mcgoldrick & Pitman than Varney & Bru.
I would like 4-4-2 with Pringle and Feeney wide with Sears & Pitman up front and play Didzy in midfield for a bit of creativity and put Douglas on the bench.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36003016 the team.

[James Scharmann]

1-0 Sheff Wed

[arana peligrosa]

You could be forgiven for thinking there was no game today such is the lack of participation.

Just received Sheffield have a lead and we find ourselves our goal in reverse. Somehow, this doesn't come as much of a surprise.

Guess the opposition have a need for points greater than ourselves but it would have been encouraging to remain without score until the interval. Gave up on any last hope of a play-off finish after the last result and if it remains as it is that will just about confirm any last lingering doubts.

[phily bon bon]

Depression is setting in. Time to turn things around.

[lucy]

1-1 Andre Dozzell on his debut. Well done to him.

[TractorBoys91]

Andre Dozzell equalisers. Good for you lad!

[lucy]

Anyone fancy us to sneak the win?.

[shamm]

Anyone fancy us to sneak the win?.

Yes. Mc Goldrick goal last minute. Pleeeeese.

[James Scharmann]

Nice see 16 year old score shame seasons over though...

[lucy]

Scored on his debut for us just like his dad did Same age aswell 16.

[lucy]

FT 1:1

[arana peligrosa]

Maybe the team realized before play the season was over and relaxed a little and with it we're taking away (on paper at least) a decent score.

Obviously going to be of little benefit regards whatever fixtures there are ahead for us but pleased the team is taking something from this trip and an improvement from the crap of previous weeks.

Don't get me wrong, one improved score doesn't change anything and still desire a change of management next season and overhaul, but on this day, this will represent an encouraging result.

Confirmed game is at an end and scores even.

[lucy]

Just seen highlights and Andre's goal was a good one.

[BLUEBLOOD]

Just like his old man scoring on his debut.
Maybe a ray of hope for next season is begging to shine.

[lucy]

Just like his old man scoring on his debut.
Maybe a ray of hope for next season is begging to shine.

If we don't sell him as quick as we did Wickham I think he's going to be a good player for us over the next year/2years

[Bluemike]

Just home from what for once was a slight improvement on recent away days. No we didn't get the win that would have kept the faintest of hopes alive and yes Bart was the busier of the two keepers, but a draw was maybe what we deserved for our second half performance. We actually started the first half ok and the opening 15 or so minutes looked quite promising, a couple of breaks from Sears coming to nothing. It wasn't long before Wednesday got a foothold in the game and Bialkowski was now becoming pretty busy, rushing off his line to clear one and punching a couple of crosses away. Their goal when it did come was a little fortunate as our clearance seemed to take a fortunate deflection and feel kindly for Forestieri to slam home. I suppose they were worthy of being ahead given the fact Bart was far busier than Westwood at the other end. Foley playing wide hadnt really worked while the CM duo of Douglas and Bru had created absolutely nothing for the strikers, Feeney had failed to get in to the game while Didsy had shown a few neat touches without really threatening the Sheffield goal.

It was so refreshing to see MM give the young Andre Dozzell a whole 45 minutes and boy what a debut it was going to turn out to be the future star with a goal to mark his first game in Town shirt, emulating the feat of his father all those years ago. Prior to that though we once again had Bart to thank for Three good saves, while at the other end chances had been few and far between, the equaliser when it did come saw Dozzell actually start the move with a neat pass out wide for Feeney to deliver a pinpoint cross on to the head of the youngster who had continued his run into the box before sending a looping header into the net, cue wild celebrations among the travelling Town fans who started the obvious chants of "He's one of our own, he's one of our own, Andre Dozzell, he's one of our own".

I actually thought that in the final 15 minutes it was Town who looked the hungrier and more likely to score and to be perfectly honest we should have nicked the win with virtually the final kick of the game, Knudsen elceting to drill a shot wide when Pitman and another Town player were in acres of space at the far post, had the pass been made it was the simplest of tap in's for Pitman who went mental at Knudsen and had to be restrained at the final whistle, in truth it would have been a bit of a steal but it was there for us to take the points but the young fullback made the wrong choice.

Overall I felt we deserved the point against a team who have been flying most of the season at home and intruth at times weren't great themselves. Clearly the high point of the day was seeing the emergence of a future star, aside from his goal he went looking for the ball at every opportunity, got forward well, sprayed a few passes around and never looked out of place at all, he needs to bulk up a bit but that will come, he is only 16 after all, I would love to see him again Tuesday night, he could well force his way into the first team next season. Bart was again a big positive for us while Didsy showed some nice touches at times. There was little hoofball from us but still we lacked a real cutting edge in front of goal. A great day out with Hallam and good to see Mach in the pub pre game where we revelled in seeing the scum make another big step towards the drop. Not a bad day at all.

[arana peligrosa]

I read the above report and an improvement on recent performances is good to take in, but a victory was really required to keep hold of any last hope of a top six finish once again. Thing is, don't feel too downhearted about it.

We realized the play-off ambition was all but dead in the water before start of play and any pressure there was before, seemed to be lifted. Maybe this had a factor on the game as before, and some our players relaxed and with it, a satisfactory score. The opposition had the greater need today and we held them to a draw at their own venue, so all said, one of the better scores of recent weeks and hopefully more of the same in the remaining fixtures of this season.

[Mach_Polish_Blue]

Customary 1-1 draw at Hillsborough. Given all negativity from recent weeks and turbulent period this point has to be deemed as a decent result. Add to this fabulous Sheffield Wed home record (they have scored 3 or more goals 8 times) and it all doesn't look bad.
Personally though I have mixed feelings as some issues still remain like static midfield for example.

The biggest personal disappointment for me is what Knudsen did in the final minute where he ought to have passed to Pitman. The win might not have been a true reflection of the game but would I care? 3 points would have been 3 points.

We started the game really brightly with Sears twice threatening their goalie. Dead, really dead atmosphere from the home crowd throughout the game and it must have affected their players as Sheffield Wed seemed somewhat lifeless. Don't know why but we stopped our surging forward after 15 minutes and seemed content with sitting back for the remainder of first half. From then on every time we had a chance to make quick counter we were hopeless. There is utter lack of acceleration in our team. We allow the opposition to come back, to regroup and be ready to deal with our attempts.

Time and time again the middle of our midfield is the area where main problem occurs. Both Bru and Douglas were static. OK I can somewhat understand Douglas as he was asked to play Skuse's role today but Bru once again was our worst player. I know Mick hasn't had many options today but Bru has been a disappointment for the majority of this season. Don't know what his duties were today. Chasing his own shadow? I expected a decent passing from him as I know he has ability to do so but he was a waste of space.

We conceded the goal in a unfortunate circumstances as the ball following Berra's intervention bounced off Joao and fell to Forestieri.

We haven't improved much after the interval though there wasn't much of hoofball from us. To be honest though we didn't look that static after changing our settings to 4-2-3-1. Sheffield Wed still though were on the front foot and things weren't looking promising. Town travelling support seemed a bit resigned and they were ironically singing :' Let's pretend we scored a goal' and fake ovation from them followed.

Then out of the blue we equalised. Andre Dozzell began build-up to the goal by doing what Bru and Douglas were unable to do so for the whole game. Just simple decent pass to better placed teammate that was Feeney. Former's cross into the box was met by Dozzell and nice header from the close range was a formality. A goal in his debut at such young age. Just like his dad 32 years ago who was sitting with the Town fans today.

As expected this goal rattled hosts and they became far more threatening. The reason we escaped the defeat? That's Bartosz Bialkowski and his 3 outstanding saves as they were real chances for them.

Last 5 minutes or so were bizarre from our point of view. Instead of sitting back and defending the point our players seemed to believe that 3 points were possible to gain hence three or four quick counter attacks. Sheffield Wed's defence opened up and that probably made our players believe.

Last minute of the game and Knudsen enters their box. Pitman waiting for the pass at the far post where tap-in would have been a formality for him. Instead of that Knudsen decided to shoot and it went wide. Pitman went totally mad. I can't remember any Town player having been so furious and angry with his teammate. He chased Knudsen and yelled at him after that. The final whistle followed a few seconds later but Pitman was unable to calm down. Such angry was he that he wasn't even arsed to acknowledge Town travelling support. Mick told him to turn back and shake hands with other players. That would have been and should have been a winning goal but for the Knudsen's greed of the first goal this season. This what he has done makes me a bit downbeat today as this was glorious opportunity.

Positives today:

1. Bialkowski - excellent job done when required. Outstanding

2. McGoldrick - we badly missed him this season. Completely different type of striker than Murphy and we need him more than Murphy

3. Andre Dozzell obviously.

4. We look slightly better in 4-2-3-1 system in which you can play two defensive minded midfielders.


Negatives:

1. Static central midfield. No passes from them towards strikers. No build-ups from them.

2. No ideas how to unlock oppositon defence.

3. Everything is so slow.

4. We try random things in the hope something might happen


Once again we lacked quality needed to unlock their defence and create opportunities. This is the main problem for this team. New faces and better quality are required this summer otherwise we won't do better next season.

[Charnwood]

Although we've not lost at Hillsborough for the past six seasons and have drawn the last three 1-1, I just can't see us getting anything out of this game and think we'll do well to come away without a good hiding.

I think 2-0 or 3-0 to Sheff Wed is the most likely outcome although I'd love to see us spring a surprise against a team two of my golf pals used to play for and who will both give me a hard time if we lose. Another 1-1 would be very acceptable.

Despite our lack of entertainment I'm disappointed to be missing my annual pilgrimage to Hillsborough for a game I've not missed for a while.

Sod it, I'm going with 1-1.

Happy with the 1-1 prediction, shame I didn't use this score in the Prediction League!

[derick_ipsw]

Customary 1-1 draw at Hillsborough. Given all negativity from recent weeks and turbulent period this point has to be deemed as a decent result. Add to this fabulous Sheffield Wed home record (they have scored 3 or more goals 8 times) and it all doesn't look bad.
Personally though I have mixed feelings as some issues still remain like static midfield for example.

The biggest personal disappointment for me is what Knudsen did in the final minute where he ought to have passed to Pitman. The win might not have been a true reflection of the game but would I care? 3 points would have been 3 points.

We started the game really brightly with Sears twice threatening their goalie. Dead, really dead atmosphere from the home crowd throughout the game and it must have affected their players as Sheffield Wed seemed somewhat lifeless. Don't know why but we stopped our surging forward after 15 minutes and seemed content with sitting back for the remainder of first half. From then on every time we had a chance to make quick counter we were hopeless. There is utter lack of acceleration in our team. We allow the opposition to come back, to regroup and be ready to deal with our attempts.

Time and time again the middle of our midfield is the area where main problem occurs. Both Bru and Douglas were static. OK I can somewhat understand Douglas as he was asked to play Skuse's role today but Bru once again was our worst player. I know Mick hasn't had many options today but Bru has been a disappointment for the majority of this season. Don't know what his duties were today. Chasing his own shadow? I expected a decent passing from him as I know he has ability to do so but he was a waste of space.

We conceded the goal in a unfortunate circumstances as the ball following Berra's intervention bounced off Joao and fell to Forestieri.

We haven't improved much after the interval though there wasn't much of hoofball from us. To be honest though we didn't look that static after changing our settings to 4-2-3-1. Sheffield Wed still though were on the front foot and things weren't looking promising. Town travelling support seemed a bit resigned and they were ironically singing :' Let's pretend we scored a goal' and fake ovation from them followed.

Then out of the blue we equalised. Andre Dozzell began build-up to the goal by doing what Bru and Douglas were unable to do so for the whole game. Just simple decent pass to better placed teammate that was Feeney. Former's cross into the box was met by Dozzell and nice header from the close range was a formality. A goal in his debut at such young age. Just like his dad 32 years ago who was sitting with the Town fans today.

As expected this goal rattled hosts and they became far more threatening. The reason we escaped the defeat? That's Bartosz Bialkowski and his 3 outstanding saves as they were real chances for them.

Last 5 minutes or so were bizarre from our point of view. Instead of sitting back and defending the point our players seemed to believe that 3 points were possible to gain hence three or four quick counter attacks. Sheffield Wed's defence opened up and that probably made our players believe.

Last minute of the game and Knudsen enters their box. Pitman waiting for the pass at the far post where tap-in would have been a formality for him. Instead of that Knudsen decided to shoot and it went wide. Pitman went totally mad. I can't remember any Town player having been so furious and angry with his teammate. He chased Knudsen and yelled at him after that. The final whistle followed a few seconds later but Pitman was unable to calm down. Such angry was he that he wasn't even arsed to acknowledge Town travelling support. Mick told him to turn back and shake hands with other players. That would have been and should have been a winning goal but for the Knudsen's greed of the first goal this season. This what he has done makes me a bit downbeat today as this was glorious opportunity.

Positives today:

1. Bialkowski - excellent job done when required. Outstanding

2. McGoldrick - we badly missed him this season. Completely different type of striker than Murphy and we need him more than Murphy

3. Andre Dozzell obviously.

4. We look slightly better in 4-2-3-1 system in which you can play two defensive minded midfielders.


Negatives:

1. Static central midfield. No passes from them towards strikers. No build-ups from them.

2. No ideas how to unlock oppositon defence.

3. Everything is so slow.

4. We try random things in the hope something might happen


Once again we lacked quality needed to unlock their defence and create opportunities. This is the main problem for this team. New faces and better quality are required this summer otherwise we won't do better next season.

Great report MACH far better than any others you get on here.

[jaykay]

Customary 1-1 draw at Hillsborough. Given all negativity from recent weeks and turbulent period this point has to be deemed as a decent result. Add to this fabulous Sheffield Wed home record (they have scored 3 or more goals 8 times) and it all doesn't look bad.
Personally though I have mixed feelings as some issues still remain like static midfield for example.

The biggest personal disappointment for me is what Knudsen did in the final minute where he ought to have passed to Pitman. The win might not have been a true reflection of the game but would I care? 3 points would have been 3 points.

We started the game really brightly with Sears twice threatening their goalie. Dead, really dead atmosphere from the home crowd throughout the game and it must have affected their players as Sheffield Wed seemed somewhat lifeless. Don't know why but we stopped our surging forward after 15 minutes and seemed content with sitting back for the remainder of first half. From then on every time we had a chance to make quick counter we were hopeless. There is utter lack of acceleration in our team. We allow the opposition to come back, to regroup and be ready to deal with our attempts.

Time and time again the middle of our midfield is the area where main problem occurs. Both Bru and Douglas were static. OK I can somewhat understand Douglas as he was asked to play Skuse's role today but Bru once again was our worst player. I know Mick hasn't had many options today but Bru has been a disappointment for the majority of this season. Don't know what his duties were today. Chasing his own shadow? I expected a decent passing from him as I know he has ability to do so but he was a waste of space.

We conceded the goal in a unfortunate circumstances as the ball following Berra's intervention bounced off Joao and fell to Forestieri.

We haven't improved much after the interval though there wasn't much of hoofball from us. To be honest though we didn't look that static after changing our settings to 4-2-3-1. Sheffield Wed still though were on the front foot and things weren't looking promising. Town travelling support seemed a bit resigned and they were ironically singing :' Let's pretend we scored a goal' and fake ovation from them followed.

Then out of the blue we equalised. Andre Dozzell began build-up to the goal by doing what Bru and Douglas were unable to do so for the whole game. Just simple decent pass to better placed teammate that was Feeney. Former's cross into the box was met by Dozzell and nice header from the close range was a formality. A goal in his debut at such young age. Just like his dad 32 years ago who was sitting with the Town fans today.

As expected this goal rattled hosts and they became far more threatening. The reason we escaped the defeat? That's Bartosz Bialkowski and his 3 outstanding saves as they were real chances for them.

Last 5 minutes or so were bizarre from our point of view. Instead of sitting back and defending the point our players seemed to believe that 3 points were possible to gain hence three or four quick counter attacks. Sheffield Wed's defence opened up and that probably made our players believe.

Last minute of the game and Knudsen enters their box. Pitman waiting for the pass at the far post where tap-in would have been a formality for him. Instead of that Knudsen decided to shoot and it went wide. Pitman went totally mad. I can't remember any Town player having been so furious and angry with his teammate. He chased Knudsen and yelled at him after that. The final whistle followed a few seconds later but Pitman was unable to calm down. Such angry was he that he wasn't even arsed to acknowledge Town travelling support. Mick told him to turn back and shake hands with other players. That would have been and should have been a winning goal but for the Knudsen's greed of the first goal this season. This what he has done makes me a bit downbeat today as this was glorious opportunity.

Positives today:

1. Bialkowski - excellent job done when required. Outstanding

2. McGoldrick - we badly missed him this season. Completely different type of striker than Murphy and we need him more than Murphy

3. Andre Dozzell obviously.

4. We look slightly better in 4-2-3-1 system in which you can play two defensive minded midfielders.


Negatives:

1. Static central midfield. No passes from them towards strikers. No build-ups from them.

2. No ideas how to unlock oppositon defence.

3. Everything is so slow.

4. We try random things in the hope something might happen


Once again we lacked quality needed to unlock their defence and create opportunities. This is the main problem for this team. New faces and better quality are required this summer otherwise we won't do better next season.

Great report MACH far better than any others you get on here.

lol

[Charnwood]

Thanks to M&M for the reports, always a good read and look forward to this.

As much as I'm happy with the draw for many reasons, it sounds like we could have easily nicked all three.

[marko69]

Saw some highlights.

Got to say, after reading Mike and Machs reports, I'm surprised Berra got off relatively light. Summer holidays can't arrive early enough for him I think. Looked to me in those limited highlights that he was absolutely shocking.

Great goal by Dozzell....... Hopefully there is more of the same from the laddie in the near future. Can't believe he's only 16 years of age. Well done, Jason will be so proud and hopefully the lad makes bucket loads of money in this modern game, like his dad should've been rewarded with also.

[hallamblue]

Rumour has it Berra is on his way in the summer, back to Scotland, for family reasons........not sure how true this is .

[herforder]

Rumour has it Berra is on his way in the summer, back to Scotland, for family reasons........not sure how true this is .

Time for a dedicated Rumours Thread! Can be with 4 categories? 'Very likely', 'Possibility', 'Total Bobbins' 'WTF'! Or any variations. Once the season ends, it'll be the rumours that keep us all amused and interested - unlike some of the actual football!

(Berra possibly returning to play in Scotland, since that's where most of his clearances have ended up!)

[hallamblue]

haha I actually like that idea !!

[barmy billy]

What a day for young Dozzell, he must be chuffed as buckets! What a way too to lift the away supporters. And too happen on top of his father's debut makes it even more of a fairytail.

I see he has had an agent since he was fourteen. Let's just hope we can hang onto him: agents can be very persuasive and the smell of money will be very alluring.