Ipswich Town v Barnsley preview and matchday thread

[arana peligrosa]

We should not have given away the free kicks that presented the scoring opportunities! Poor full back defending.

As believe mentioned elsewhere, yesterday we got away with it but what happens when we face off against one of the more recognized teams this seasons league has to offer.

Grant did very well but he won't be scoring three times against every opposition and bringing to attention once again the concerns of the defense and providing opposition sides the chance of scoring, a few of the heavyweight names could inflict some considerable damage when we visit, unless due caution and clear thinking is implemented.

[Bluemike]

Ipswich were one of three teams to score four goals in their first match, with Norwich and Nottingham Forest also weighing in with a quartet of strikes.

It was McCarthy’s men that were particularly remarkable however, showing a ruthless finishing streak to earn all three points.

The Portman Road side only had nine shots at goal against their Yorkshire rivals, but fired seven of those on target and scored with four, albeit the other goal coming from a David McGoldrick penalty.

No other side had more shots on target during the opening Saturday, with Huddersfield and the Canaries both matching that tally.

[Charnwood]

This was our best opening day of the season result since 2011 when we won 0-3 at Bristol City with Michael Chopra scoring twice on his debut. Before we get too carried away we ended the season 15th but we did of course have Paul Jewell in charge.

Great to read the reports of the two Grant signings which sounds more than encouraging as goals from midfield has been a missing ingedient for sometime.

Could Grant Ward be our new Johnny Wark, early days as yet but how good would that be.

Can't wait for the next game, bring it on.

[hallamblue]

I think its going to be another massively tight season with teams down as far as half way in the divisional table being able to strike the top 6. There's simply too many good sides likely to take points off one another, plus the promoted teams are an unknown quantity .... ask Forest fans!

[herforder]

I think its going to be another massively tight season with teams down as far as half way in the divisional table being able to strike the top 6. There's simply too many good sides likely to take points off one another, plus the promoted teams are an unknown quantity .... ask Forest fans!

Up to half time on Sat, ask our fans!

[Andym]

A great result, and some good performances - and some poor.

While it's true that we could easily have gone in behind at half time (one free header straight at Bart, and a brilliant save from him later on)we could also have gone in ahead. An excellent through ball from Bru sent Murphy away who looked odds on to score. Maybe he took a touch too many but a well-timed tackle prevented him shooting. Later, a similarly good ball from McGoldrick sent Sears free, who unfortunately hit his shot with no power whatsoever.

I was as disappointed as many others with the starting line-up, but it is understandable that MM didn't necessarily feel safe starting two signings who had been with the club for a couple of days. The real disappointment for me was his obstinate insistence that square pegs can occupy round holes in the wide positions. Sears remains wasted, and had a very poor game. And Bishop was equally (if not more) lost playing on the right. He could easily have given away a goal by taking someone on in his own half and conceding possession. The half time substitutions helped, but I'm still not sure where Sears was supposed to be playing in the second half.

There was definitely more of an attempt to pass the ball, but one example when (I think) Berra lumped the ball forward from the left back position in desperation looking very frustrated highlights the problem; to be able to pass, you need players moving into space. This is something we aren't good at. Skuse might be there to break up play but there's not much more to his game; he needs to be looking for and demanding the ball from defenders in that situation. He doesn't. Ever.

Bru showed some nice touches, as he will bring the ball forward quickly and try to make a telling pass, but he seemed to be getting caught up in too many physical battles and was rightly substuituted at half time as he was living dangerouysly following a booking.

The defence conceded two poor goals. Murphy tried hard, McGoldrick less so. He still looks lethargic when not on the ball.

This all sounds ridiculously negative after a 4 - 2 win. But beyond the two Grants, Bart and possibly Murphy, I'm not sure who else I would say had a good game. Maybe Webster.

I think MM should:

1. accept that after a season or more of trying, Sears will never make a wide payer. Either play him alongside Murphy (and maybe McGoldrick just behind) or not play him at all.

2. accept that the defence is not good enough. One new addition looked like he might be ok but we could easily have conceded 4 on Saturday. I daren't think what Norwich will do to us if we defend like that.

3. give someone - anyone - a chance to play the defensive midfielder instead of Skuse. I know he has his supporters and he can break up play, but he's not ever going to demand the ball from the back 4. Hyam used to do that when he first came into the team but I think the criticism he receives has frightened him off.

The good news is that we seem to have finally got a midfielder who gets in the right place at the right time. To score a hat trick shows that it's no coincidence; if you can read a game and put the effort in to get in the right places, you'll get opportunities to score. Whewn did we last have that in our midfield?

[Bluemike]

Some good points Andy, I agree completely about Freddie Sears & Teddy Bishop, however I believe Bishop just had a bad day and if called upopn to play wide will invaribly do better than that, Sears however won't, I would actually go for the option you suggested of not playing him at all, I just don't think with the new arrivals of Ward & Grant he won't be required to play wide much longer and with Murphy always a shoe in to start if fit it will be a battle between Sears, Didsy & Pitman to play alongside Murphy, for me Sears will miss out.

I can't agree about Skuse though, although I do accept he could do better with his passing to create attacks/openings etc but the workload he outs in sitting in front of the back Four is not to be underestimated, for me he plays that role so well and it isn';t until he is not there that we really miss him. Skuse is the one player that divides opinion among Town fans more than anyone but for me he is a must to play, especially with our ropey defence.

I actually didn't think Murphy had a great game, that was until I watched the highlights and he was involved in all Three goals while also putting in his usual shift, I think if I got anybodies rating wrong it was Murphy.

[herforder]

I think the need for MM to play square pegs in round holes - Chambers being the exception - has reduced significantly. However, because arriving at the strongest, most balanced, formation remains work in progress, expect further tinkering - particularly in the midfield and wide areas.
The addition of Ward and Grant, both quality, have almost instantly improved our offensive threat, whilst giving MM options to move away from Saturday's narrow starting formation. Bishop should be played centre/creative midfield, with Skuse as the holding player. He's consistently steady, but not outstanding. Bru provides mf back up cover.

Chambers and Knudsen appear givens; but with only youngsters to provide cover, we're exposed - possibly our weakest area. Will be interesting to see how Smith and Digby perform as tomorrow night's CB pairing - might give MM further food for thought, but anticipate Webster being the preferred right sided first choice.

MM has stated that Murphy and McG are his preferred front pairing; so Sears and Pitman would have to fight for the third striker's berth in a 4-3-3 formation - both quality in their natural positions, and providing effective options.

Add the youngsters coming through into the mix, and with the older squad fillers being shown the door, we might be looking at a team in transition, with an impressive core of young talent coming increasingly to the fore, augmented by experinced older, good quality, heads. Getting the optimum balance right might take a little time. However, with the possibility of strengthening further, I believe we're now getting it right, and there's more reasons to be optimistic than even a couple of weeks ago!