Ipswich Town v Stevenage preview and matchday thread

[Shed on tour]

You know it was dire when Mick says "we were awful" as he usually tries to find something positive out of the performance whatever the result.
Sears confidence at the moment is completely shot and this is what happens when you continually play a player out of position and he struggles in that role. Then even if he returns to his best position it is hard for him to regain that confidence he once had.
Knudson's deliveries into the box when in a good position are like his throw-in's, nearly always find the opposition rather than a Town player.
I know a lot of people will say well it's a blessing to be out of the competition early and we can now concentrate on the league but winning is always the best habit to get into. We need to put in a good performance on Saturday now as another tough game next Tuesday and we certainly don't want to go into the Norwich game on the back of a run of defeats.

[marko69]

Yes Shed, this is why I was disappointed to read reports of Freddie playing poor and needing dropped etc....., he really was a talent when he arrived at PR. To go rapidly downhill, just don't understand it. Can only be a confidence issue...... Good players don't forget how to play the game.

So........., for the first time this season, your fault Mick!

[Bluemike]

Don't see it as a MM mistake, he thought enough of Sears to want him in the team albeit not in his favoured position, maybe he should have dumped him on the bench and affected his confidence even more, Freddie needs to man up, Murphy played over a season wide left while Chambers has played a season and a half as a RB, both have got dogs abuse at times despite getting on with it and trying their best, Sears on the other hand has sympathy by the bucket load, it shouldn't be any different. Get on with it man for god sake.

[number 9]

Sounds like the loo is blocked up at Portman Road from that performance! Maybe Freddie has had a bout of Montezuma's revenge? It's a rubbish competition anyway...I certainly hope it's not a sign of lack of depth. No, I shall remain positive...lets go to Brentford like raging bee-keepers. COYB!!!!!!!!

[marko69]

So it's a huffy, immature thing? If that's the case, (and I've said this in the past about other players) I'd drop him indefinitely or put him on the f**king transfer market. Very disappointing though because we have seen what he can do, you obviously a lot more than me. You've been seeing what he's NOT been doing recently!

[Shed on tour]

Don't see it as a MM mistake, he thought enough of Sears to want him in the team albeit not in his favoured position, maybe he should have dumped him on the bench and affected his confidence even more, Freddie needs to man up, Murphy played over a season wide left while Chambers has played a season and a half as a RB, both have got dogs abuse at times despite getting on with it and trying their best, Sears on the other hand has sympathy by the bucket load, it shouldn't be any different. Get on with it man for god sake.

Mike
For me what you have said sums the problem up though.
Sears has played out wide on numerous occasions, Murphy played out wide left for over a season and Chambers has played at RB for a long period. These problem areas needed to be addressed rather than playing players out of their natural positions which in the long term neither benefits the team or the player themselves.

[herforder]

As much as our second half performance against Barnsley came as a complete surprise, then so did last night's poor display - even given our recent cup competitions record. MM clearly wanted to win the match, his players for most of the night apparently didn't. Criticism for the defeat rests entirely with them, as a team. In his post match interview MM rightly praised Stevenage, but could not find the words, or the reason, for the team's abject performance. Analysis in the cold light of today might provide him - and us - with some answers. But wanting to win the match more than Stevenage might be a good start point. The poor showing by Smith and Digby, who should have provided a solid defensive platform, was probably a major negative on the whole team.

A real worry must be that if, through injuries and suspensions, some who played last night are needed to step up to the plate, specifically Smith, Digby and Douglas, then we may be in trouble. Also, elimination from the comp reduces the opportunities for fringe players to get competitive game time. However, it was one game, so there's an obvious need for perspective. But it was a game we could have been expected to win reasonably comfortably. In truth, after Stevenage went ahead, it was pretty evident that the game was up, even after Didsy and Bishop came on.

I don't think Sears has an attitude problem, neither has his work rate dropped. But, for whatever reason - confidence, actually trying too hard, poor decision making at critical times etc - he's a shadow of the player he was on signing. Am sure he'd want to be on the pitch, no matter where MM asked him to play; but he desperately needs a goal to reboot. Be interesting to see how MM views it on Saturday.

[marko69]

Herforder, I'm not sure "Smith" and "solid defensive platform" belong in the same sentence. Unless of course you are speaking of Brad Smith?! ( <---- exclamation mark added to denote joking......., but only half joking!) <------, exclamation mark added, but fk knows why! <------ exclamation mark added because there I was joking....,

Fk it...... "!"

[barmy billy]

You know it was dire when Mick says "we were awful" as he usually tries to find something positive out of the performance whatever the result.
Sears confidence at the moment is completely shot and this is what happens when you continually play a player out of position and he struggles in that role. Then even if he returns to his best position it is hard for him to regain that confidence he once had.
Knudson's deliveries into the box when in a good position are like his throw-in's, nearly always find the opposition rather than a Town player.
I know a lot of people will say well it's a blessing to be out of the competition early and we can now concentrate on the league but winning is always the best habit to get into. We need to put in a good performance on Saturday now as another tough game next Tuesday and we certainly don't want to go into the Norwich game on the back of a run of defeats.

It rarely works does it.

A shame really as I think Sears has a lot to offer if played correctly.

[herforder]

Daft thing is, he's now playing better out of natural position, than in it! Might be similar if Chambo suddenly moved back to CH. MM's 'needs must' selections probably come with debits.

[Watership Down]

Has Sears signed a new contract or something because he certainly seems to have the attitude of a comfort level now

[Bluemike]

Marko, I don't think it is so much a case of it being Sears in a huff or anyhting I just think so much has been made of him playing out of position that he is feeling bloody sorry for himself while losing a bit of confidence etc too, he needs to knuckle down and work his butt of wherever he is asked to play and people (fans) need to stop feeling sorry for him, I have already highlighted Murphy & Chambo as prime examples of others being played out of position and not given the same levels of sympathy, what about Jonathon Douglas ? An attacking Midfielder when we signed him and scorer of 15 goals the season before, asked to play as a defensive Midfielder by Mick which he duly does only to get ridiculous amounts of stick by the cretins who call themselves fans, my point is what is the difference ? Bishop now being asked to play wide at times, you can see the kid is giving his all even when it isn't coming off, the same can not be said of Sears. Listen I don't want to turn this into a witch hunt but again it is the fans making more of this than was needed as you play where you are asked to play and be grateful you are in the team. I think Sears will be out of the starting Eleven Saturday, I will be surprised if he isn't.

Herforder, you are spot on, not too much was made of our victory over Barnsley as it wasn't a great performance and it was after all only one game, just the same shoulkd be said of last nights debacle, lets not all go overboard after one defeat or the manner of it, it happens, move on. Mick put out a good team and they played crap, simple as that.

[Bluemike]

Don't see it as a MM mistake, he thought enough of Sears to want him in the team albeit not in his favoured position, maybe he should have dumped him on the bench and affected his confidence even more, Freddie needs to man up, Murphy played over a season wide left while Chambers has played a season and a half as a RB, both have got dogs abuse at times despite getting on with it and trying their best, Sears on the other hand has sympathy by the bucket load, it shouldn't be any different. Get on with it man for god sake.

Mike
For me what you have said sums the problem up though.
Sears has played out wide on numerous occasions, Murphy played out wide left for over a season and Chambers has played at RB for a long period. These problem areas needed to be addressed rather than playing players out of their natural positions which in the long term neither benefits the team or the player themselves.

I agree, the difference is though Two of them continued to give their all.

[Shed on tour]

Don't see it as a MM mistake, he thought enough of Sears to want him in the team albeit not in his favoured position, maybe he should have dumped him on the bench and affected his confidence even more, Freddie needs to man up, Murphy played over a season wide left while Chambers has played a season and a half as a RB, both have got dogs abuse at times despite getting on with it and trying their best, Sears on the other hand has sympathy by the bucket load, it shouldn't be any different. Get on with it man for god sake.

Mike
For me what you have said sums the problem up though.
Sears has played out wide on numerous occasions, Murphy played out wide left for over a season and Chambers has played at RB for a long period. These problem areas needed to be addressed rather than playing players out of their natural positions which in the long term neither benefits the team or the player themselves.

I agree, the difference is though Two of them continued to give their all.

Will look out for you at Brentford on Saturday so we can discuss this further.

[Bluemike]

In the Griffin from 12pm LOL.

[Bluemike]

Only 6K in attendance? I know it's midweek and "The Mickey Mouse Cup", but I would've expected more.

Surprised to see Rotherham go out. Stubbsy is the cup run specialist.

Only Derby & Sheff Utd can boast a bigger attendance than us, Birmingham, Brighton & Reading all had a handfull more while the rest were considerably lower crowds, our crowd actually stands up in this p*ss pot cup against most others.

[jaykay]

i'm at a loss here.has sears been in and seen mick or has he been to the papers complaining about his role in the team.
all i see is a player on a very bad run of form.mick keeps picking him and as we all know mick knows best.so if his head keeps droping as people
says he is,mick doesnt think so.so what has he got to man up about

[Bluemike]

i'm at a loss here.has sears been in and seen mick or has he been to the papers complaining about his role in the team.
all i see is a player on a very bad run of form.mick keeps picking him and as we all know mick knows best.so if his head keeps droping as people
says he is,mick doesnt think so.so what has he got to man up about

It is my opinion that he needs to get his arse in gear, nobody elses, all last season we had this poor Freddie is out of position cobblers and it gets tedious, the point is he is not playing well and we cannot afford to carry anyone when we have better options. In any case a lot of the time we have played Freddie in a 4-3-3 so to say he is out wide all the time is wrong, as that formation sees him more in a striker role just not down the middle. A blind man can see that even this early in the season his body language is not good, neither is his decision making, I saw it in most of the friendlies too.

[marko69]

I can't speak for the people who feel sorry for Freddie, because I just don't get that at all.

What I can see is a very good championship player not getting good press, and it's disappointing. The one game I saw where he was poor, in my opinion, it didn't look like there was a lack of ambition,....., was just a poor game. Can't remember the opposition but everyone sucked that night.

My point is, putting him regularly in his preferred position, I feel he is good enough to return to form.

[herforder]

Knowing MM's single-mind approach, and seeing his players every day in training, there's no way he'll allow anyone to pull on the shirt if there's the slightest doubt regarding attitude or commitment. That's not Sears' problem. Lack of confidence, and frustration that he's not meeting the standards he sets himself, are clearly affecting his performances - which in turn impacts the team. MM has a decision to make: to continue to show faith that he'll come through this poor spell, and play him; or to take him out of he firing line, and possibly risk reducing his confidence even further. In the end, the decision must be what's in the team's best interest. By taking Sears out, it immediately sets a challenge for him to regain confidence and belief, and work hard to regain his place. He is a quality player at this level, and we need him back to his best - achieving that is the sort of management challenge MM gets paid big bucks to solve!

[Bluemike]

Knowing MM's single-mind approach, and seeing his players every day in training, there's no way he'll allow anyone to pull on the shirt if there's the slightest doubt regarding attitude or commitment. That's not Sears' problem. Lack of confidence, and frustration that he's not meeting the standards he sets himself, are clearly affecting his performances - which in turn impacts the team. MM has a decision to make: to continue to show faith that he'll come through this poor spell, and play him; or to take him out of he firing line, and possibly risk reducing his confidence even further. In the end, the decision must be what's in the team's best interest. By taking Sears out, it immediately sets a challenge for him to regain confidence and belief, and work hard to regain his place. He is a quality player at this level, and we need him back to his best - achieving that is the sort of management challenge MM gets paid big bucks to solve!

So would you play him Saturday ?

[herforder]

Knowing MM's single-mind approach, and seeing his players every day in training, there's no way he'll allow anyone to pull on the shirt if there's the slightest doubt regarding attitude or commitment. That's not Sears' problem. Lack of confidence, and frustration that he's not meeting the standards he sets himself, are clearly affecting his performances - which in turn impacts the team. MM has a decision to make: to continue to show faith that he'll come through this poor spell, and play him; or to take him out of he firing line, and possibly risk reducing his confidence even further. In the end, the decision must be what's in the team's best interest. By taking Sears out, it immediately sets a challenge for him to regain confidence and belief, and work hard to regain his place. He is a quality player at this level, and we need him back to his best - achieving that is the sort of management challenge MM gets paid big bucks to solve!

So would you play him Saturday ?

No! But that's because I'm pretty sure MM will revert to 4-4-2, with Didsy and Murph being the preferred strikers.

[marko69]

Bear with me here, (rrrraaaarrrrrr)......, if it's a low confidence issue, I'd play him vs Brentford, @ Griffin Park. The reason being; less fans on his case to help the cause.

[hallamblue]

Freddie Sears WAS playing very well until Mick decided to stick him out wide for a season and a half due to injuries. It's totally stuffed the boys game up now because he is a player that I'd most effective...it's his game, to be central running onto the ball off the last defenders shoulder.

So good old Mick covers Fraser injury by putting Sears wide - Sears game has to totally change from one of ball reliever to one of ball provider......when he gets the ball on the by line. He's first line of action is now to put the ball in the box, not bare down on the wooden top centre back and smash it in the net. His confidence is totally shot away and I can't say I blame him for that.

Drop him?.....that would totally finish him off. No, play him centrally or just behind a front two of Murphy: McGoldrick...but I'd say McGoldrick should be the one to play behind a front two really, not Sears. But for the love of God Mick PLEASE play him in his central striking role. The goals will return but he needs a run of games there now. Put Didsy or Murphy wide and see how it Cockshutt up their game!!

[marko69]

"Ball reliever" Hallam? Did you mean ball receiver?

Oh, I remember the good ole days......., when I'd have my balls relieved on a regular basis.

[Bluemike]

Freddie Sears WAS playing very well until Mick decided to stick him out wide for a season and a half due to injuries. It's totally stuffed the boys game up now because he is a player that I'd most effective...it's his game, to be central running onto the ball off the last defenders shoulder.

So good old Mick covers Fraser injury by putting Sears wide - Sears game has to totally change from one of ball reliever to one of ball provider......when he gets the ball on the by line. He's first line of action is now to put the ball in the box, not bare down on the wooden top centre back and smash it in the net. His confidence is totally shot away and I can't say I blame him for that.

Drop him?.....that would totally finish him off. No, play him centrally or just behind a front two of Murphy: McGoldrick...but I'd say McGoldrick should be the one to play behind a front two really, not Sears. But for the love of God Mick PLEASE play him in his central striking role. The goals will return but he needs a run of games there now. Put Didsy or Murphy wide and see how it Cockshutt up their game!!

OMG !!!! It's even worse than I thought, Freedie has "Cockshutt" syndrome, we really are fooked, you just cannot score with "Cockshutt" trust me it has to be open, no wonder he doesn't know if he is coming or going....Not the dreaded "Cockshutt" It's gonna take balls to come back from this.

[herforder]

"Ball reliever" Hallam? Did you mean ball receiver?

Oh, I remember the good ole days......., when I'd have my balls relieved on a regular basis.

That's 'cos they're a pair of tough nuts to crack!

[Andym]

So what went wrong? Nothing really, we just aren't good enough individually, collectively or tactically. We can blame Evans for not providing enough money, we can blame MM for his team selection and tactics, we can blame the players for not being good enough. In all honesty, it's probably a combination of all 3.

My opinions on the team:

Gerken did enough; unfortunate with the deflection that meant he couldn't hold the shop before they scored. But otherwise sound if less impressive than Bart.

Defence: Chambers, Digby, Smith, Knudsen again seemed solid enough against league 2 opposition. Didn't give many chances but distribution often poor. Knudsen got forward well but with no end product. I've seen criticism that his crosses, like his throw ins, never find a colleague. This is true, but without any height to aim at, any high cross is unlikely to be successful.

Midfield; Douglas: if I was critical of Skuse after Saturday (and I still believe we need someone better), Douglas was invisible. A first half in which he contributed nothing. In the second half he moved further forward, and I hoped he might show us how he scored a few goals a couple of seasons ago, but he was still anonymous. He frustrates me how when he challenges for a header he always turns his back. Probably our least effective player.

Bru, on the other hand, did what everyone should do. Gets the ball, brings it forward quickly, makes a good, accurate pass. At times in the first half he was running the game, spraying out passes, left, right and centre. Unfortunately in the second half he seemed to swap with Douglas, playing a deeper role, where he was far less effective and soon substituted.

Grant again looked class, although frustratingly he couldn't make anything of it. A decent performance though.

Ward had an ok game, tried hard to score but was blocked at every occasion.

Dozzell showed promise playing behind Sears. Can hold the ball up and can pass the ball. Our one really bright moment in the first half came when he collected a good pass from Bru, and then himself made a quick burst before delivering a good pass. Bru, Grant & Dozzell were the only bits of quality on display.

Sears. Oh dear. I still don't think he was ever as good as people remember. Has always made poor decisions, often shooting when there were better options but got away with it because he scored a few. Playing out of position hasn't helped, but he looked lost as a lone striker. We simply can't afford to play him at the moment. He has to be dropped.

When they came on, McGoldrick and Bishop were largely ineffective. Bishop wants to take on too many players and McGoldrick kept trying to score from 30 yards. In fact nearly all our shouts were from way out, most of them blocked before getting near the keeper.

As I said before the game, it was a team that should have won comfortably. Most of the team were no shorter of match practice than Saturday's team. But let's not forget, Tuesday's performance was no worse than the first half on Saturday. We are a team lacking in imagination and creativity. Nothing has changed there from last season. I guess it's why I liked Bru and Dozzell - they both looked as if they might create a chance by moving the ball quickly and accurately. We lacked any presence in the penalty area on Tuesday, not just because Sears was so awful, but also because we lacked numbers getting in the box. The only option left was the 30-yard shots that were so ineffective.

I thought the midfield looked narrow again; Grant and ward seemed to play inside rather than with width. To create space you must either use width, or move the ball forward quickly or run at the opposition. We lack width; apart from Bru and Dozzell we can't pass quickly or accurately; and the players who can run at the opposition (Sears, Bishop) have no end product as they lack vision. Bishop has more potential than Sears in that respect, and so does McGoldrick. But both have to bring others into the game.

It could be a long, hard season.

[hallamblue]

Freddie Sears WAS playing very well until Mick decided to stick him out wide for a season and a half due to injuries. It's totally stuffed the boys game up now because he is a player that I'd most effective...it's his game, to be central running onto the ball off the last defenders shoulder.

So good old Mick covers Fraser injury by putting Sears wide - Sears game has to totally change from one of ball reliever to one of ball provider......when he gets the ball on the by line. He's first line of action is now to put the ball in the box, not bare down on the wooden top centre back and smash it in the net. His confidence is totally shot away and I can't say I blame him for that.

Drop him?.....that would totally finish him off. No, play him centrally or just behind a front two of Murphy: McGoldrick...but I'd say McGoldrick should be the one to play behind a front two really, not Sears. But for the love of God Mick PLEASE play him in his central striking role. The goals will return but he needs a run of games there now. Put Didsy or Murphy wide and see how it Cockshutt up their game!!

OMG !!!! It's even worse than I thought, Freedie has "Cockshutt" syndrome, we really are fooked, you just cannot score with "Cockshutt" trust me it has to be open, no wonder he doesn't know if he is coming or going....Not the dreaded "Cockshutt" It's gonna take balls to come back from this.

LMAO ....

BLOODY PHONE!!!


Anyway, Im not the only one who thinks MM is ruining Sears games by playing him wide...

Thread from TWTD:

Got to start Bishop nxt to Skuse sat ?

On Saturday hasn't he? If he does, and we see both Sears and bishop wasted out wide it's pretty clear he's lost the plot, isn't it?
Personally think he's killed Sears, and I really worry the bishop out wide experience will be a regular feature, just because he doesn't seem to do what anyone else think is the right decision.
.........................................................................................................

I think Joe said it yesterday, but i'd perhaps take Sears out for a game or two, Bishop next to Skuse in the middle with Ward and Grant out wide, Murph and McGoldrick up top.


....................................................................................................

I think Joe said it yesterday, but i'd perhaps take Sears out for a game or two, Bishop next to Skuse in the middle with Ward and Grant out wide, Murph and McGoldrick up top.


I'd genuinely send Sears on loan, to a team that uses him properly and appreciates his strengthens

Build up his confidence to get the lively little goal machine we brought.

[hallamblue]

"Ball reliever" Hallam? Did you mean ball receiver?

Oh, I remember the good ole days......., when I'd have my balls relieved on a regular basis.

That's 'cos they're a pair of tough nuts to crack!

You should be so lucky lol .......But Im saying nothing more lol .....Im easily shocked btw !!