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Talk about 'After the Lord Mayor's Show'! No doubt some folk will be demanding a partial licence fee refund, after witnessing what the BBC pre-match hype promised would be a thrilling blood and thunder FA Cup replay, following a near giant killing first match. What transpired was that the 'giant' was well and truly slayed, by a tenacious, skilful and totally committed bunch of Imps, inspired and coached by a young and vibrant management duo. (If only...!)
In truth it was virtually a non-contest. Lincoln carried on from where they had left off, perhaps actually not playing quite as well, but recognising that if they stopped Tom Lawrence then they stopped Town. MM's ostensibly 'experienced' players had no response to their high-pressure, pressing, game plan and were totally ineffectual at winning and retaining the ball, and bringing our forward players into the game. But perhaps worse, we lacked shape, purpose and were completely devoid of ideas or ability to impose ourselves on the night. The Imps and their fantastic supporters seemed to want it more, and we tamely obliged. Well done.
The fall-out from this beyond embarrassing debacle is currently raging across local media - with caller after caller to local radio demanding that MM should do the honourable thing, and fall on his sword. If that should happen - which I think unlikely - then a number of under-performing players, whose efforts fell so short of what wearing the shirt demands, need to take long looks into the mirror of truth. Certainly players arguing with supporters post match, as happened yesterday, simply inflames an already toxic situation.
So, another inglorious 3rd round Cup exit, which will live long in supporters' memories - for all the wrong reasons. But once everyone's vented their anger, frustration and sense of doom, football life continues. We climb back on the league programme caravan, and head up to 'Udders on Saturday - for another easy game! With yet another injury to cope with (Adam Webster), life don't get any easier; and it will be interesting to see how MM sets up against a David Wagner team reflecting expert German engineering for his football team. If ever a damage limitation performance and result were needed, then it comes on Saturday; but I sense that confidence and belief may have taken an almost fatal blow.
Finally welcome to Jordan Spence on a short, until end of season, contract. Sound decision, Jordan!
The Opposition – Huddersfield Town
In 1910, just three years after being founded, Huddersfield entered the Football League for the first time. In November 1919, a fund-raising campaign was needed to avoid a move to Leeds. Citizens of Huddersfield were asked to buy shares in the club for £1 each, and the club staved off the proposed merger. The team went on to reach the 1920 FA Cup Final and win promotion to Division One.
In 1926, it became the first English team to win three successive league titles – a feat that only three other clubs have been able to match. Huddersfield Town also won the FA Cup in 1922 and have been runners-up on four other occasions. During the club's heyday, on 27 February 1932, the club achieved a record attendance of 67,037 during their FA Cup 6th round tie against Arsenal at Leeds Road. This attendance has been bettered by only 13 other clubs in the history of the Football League.
After the Second World War, the club began a gradual decline, losing its First Division status in 1952. It returned to the top flight for the last time (so far) in 1970 but was relegated two seasons later and has since meandered through the lower three divisions. Before the start of the 1969/70 season, Huddersfield Town adopted the nickname "The Terriers".
In 1998, the club attracted the attention of local businessman Barry Rubery and, after protracted takeover talks, he took over the running of the club, promising significant investment as the club sought Premiership status. However, the club did not make it back to the top flight and fell two divisions. The club was sold by Rubery to David Taylor and, under Taylor’s ownership, slipped into administration.
In the summer of 2003, the Terriers came out of administration under the new ownership of Ken Davy.
At the start of the 2004–05 season, the stadium was renamed the Galpharm Stadium, to reflect the sponsorship by this local healthcare company.
On 26 May 2012, following a penalty shoot-out in the 2012 Football League One play-off Final victory over Sheffield United, Huddersfield were promoted to the Championship. The shoot-out was the longest contested in the current League One play-offs format. Eleven rounds took place and the final score was 8–7 to Huddersfield, with the winning goal being scored by goalkeeper Alex Smithies.
During the summer of 2012, the stadium changed its name to the John Smith's Stadium, after the sponsorship rights were bought by Heineken International.
Last season Huddersfield finished the season in 19th place on 51 points.
Huddersfield Last 5 Matches - Currently in 5th place with 46 points
Sheffield Wed 2-0 Huddersfield
Huddersfield 4-0 Port Vale
Wigan Athletic 0-1 Huddersfield
Huddersfield 1-1 Blackburn Rovers
Huddersfield 2-1 Nottingham F.
Ipswich Last 5 Matches - Currently in 14th place with 34 points
Lincoln City 1-0 Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town 3-2 Blackburn Rovers
Ipswich Town 2-2 Lincoln City
QPR 2-1 Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town 2-1 Bristol City
Fixtures of Interest
QPR VS FULHAM
VILLA VS PRESTON
NORWICH VS WOLVES
WIGAN VS BRENTFORD
Marko’s Caption Contest - THE DON CUP
Another week of very good entries in the caption contest. Very good use of the pictures Wolfie. Max points and 8 points clear at the top. Text from a buddy Saturday night; "That caption contest on IT site, YES! Only beat by one goal! GET IN!" Not a bad effort....., you can use the result to forward on a caption.
Gold&Black 50
DerickIpsw 42
Herforder 41
Nicscreamer 39
Blueblood 37
Ando 35
Bluemike 34
Frosty 33
Quasar 25
Tangfastic 23
Watership Down 18
Patthegimp 17
Number 9 16
IpswichtownNo1 14
Shed on Tour 12
Ashfordblue 6
LoudNProud 5;
Supershred 3
Longjohn 1
Foxy Lady 1
Barmy Billy 1
ItfcTrev76 1
Have a go at Wagz.....
Match Referee – Andy Davies
Final Thought - Bluemike
This feeling I have right now is becoming all to familiar, it's a feeling of having no idea what to write and very little motivation to write it. The events of Tuesday evening will live long in the memory for nothing but wrong reasons, I know we hardly take the FA Cup seriously these days but my god what unfolded at Sincil Bank was nothing short of criminal. The issues on the field are almost becoming secondary because what I witnessed at the end of the game were fans who have reached the absolute end of their tether, I mix and mingle with these fans every away game and hear how they feel and what I am hearing is nothing but negativity and hate of the current regime, fans giving up on following their team until such time as Evans & McCarthy are gone, demonstrations was a word being bandied about, it could get far more ugly than it already has, it was lucky the police managed to stop it from spilling out onto the pitch Tuesday where the obvious targets were the Town players, if this happens god know what reprisals will come our way. We also had a verbal altercation between Luke Chambers and the fans once again, surely this can only go on for so long before Evans has to act.
After such a disgraceful effort we must be in for a Town backlash right ? Huddersfield should surely be trembling with fear shouldn't they ? I doub't it very much, if they watched that dross I expect they will be given the week of to unwind in the knowledge they only have to turn up to win. Of course I say it in jest as I fully expect the Town players to want to right some very bad wrongs and restore a little bit of pride with a decent showing, I cannot for the life of believe we will witness such a horrendous performance again. I remember last February watching Huddersfield outplay us as we came away with a 1-0 win, I would certainly take that again but somehow I fear a heavy defeat is coming our way which will only add more fuel to the fires that are already burning out of control. This is the first of an Eight game spell where every game looks very very tough indeed, I had stated that I expected us to pick uip points when we least expect them but after the Lincoln debacle I may have to retract that comment, we could very well lose all Eight, the only good thing is that MM would be gone somewhere along the line. Come on boys, prove me wrong. 0-3 defeat for me. COYB'S
Well this current situation has definitely divided us as fans but IMO the reaction to that last match will be revealing indeed. If we come away with something then I'll stay just about onside while we settle in the 3-5-2 system that does hold promise. If however the players who a lack of commitment or a lack of pride in the shirt then I'm afraid that will indicate pretty strongly that MM is having difficulty in doing his job for whatever reason and the word 'change' will travel across even my lips.
Common boys, let's see a strong reaction and a surprise result. (I really hope that pitman is back).
I'll not be surprised to see team morale low and confidence shot after Tuesday nights dreadful performance at Lincoln. I guess much will depend on the manager and how he dealt with the post match management of the players. Certainly if any of them watched a replay of the televised game they will be utterly embarrassed, I guess most of them won't have bothered.
Unless McCarthy has performed a miracle on the players this should be an easy win for Huddersfield.
Prediction: Huddersfield Town 2-0 Ipswich Town
But as we all know football can sometimes throw up crazy results, (we can only hope)
I agree with the above predictions!!!
whatever lineup we have on the day
i still can't see us getting a result unless
we're playing against nine men!!!
It will be interesting to see who Mick plays on Sat. Wouldnt be surprised to see the new players both in. May be almost refreshing to have a target man again. Im sure the likes of Pitman, Sears, etc will be grateful.
Much has been made of the awful performance against Lincoln and I avoided commenting. But I will now as I think it is significant.
MM has assembled a squad based on effort over technical ability. That is partly as a result of the financial limitations placed upon him but is also, I believe, a personal preference for him.
The bet result is this: whenever we play a team who closes us down, it doesn't matter whether it's Manchester City or Lincoln City, we can't cope. We don't have the skill (good first touch, close control, ability to spot a quick pass) to play.
Injuries to the one or two players who might cope (e.g. McGoldrick ) don't help. Nor does our lack of movement off the ball. And of course confIdence is rock bottom.
As Huddersfield are another team who will close us down in expect a defeat. But who knows?
This is a hiding waiting to happen, Huddersfield play some lovely football and with our fragile confidence and plethora of injuries this could be a tonking. Hopefully we will go with Emmanuel, Dozzell, and maybe the new boys too so at least we have something to look forward to, Chambers looks a cert for CB alongside Berra and we either stick with Digby or revert back to the dull and boring 4-4-2.
CAPTION.......The Huddersfield manager joins the Town fans in song......."Mick McCarthy, your football is sh*t"
We do have a good record at Huddersfield and have only lost one of the last four played there with two wins and a draw.
Also, the most similar fixture we've gone into this season was away at Sheffield Wednesday where we came away with a 1-2 win.
The only downside is Huddersfields 0-1 win at Portman Road which probably makes them clear favourites.
I still think Huddersfield will win, but many of the stats point to Town doing ok. Certainly if the players have any self pride, they'll be putting in an extra shift on Saturday.
As with others there's a tangible feeling of apathy regards whatever the team attempts to achieve following the most recent debacle but instinctively voted for us to win in Yorkshire. Only that even after the bullshit of mid-week, there'll now most likely be a sudden change and that rare occasion when the team gets it together and actually shows any apparent capabilities.
As before, no real focus on what remains of this season - we're evidently playing out four and a half months of immaterial fixtures - but went in favor for an away team win.
Having just about hit rock bottom on Tuesday night, with our managerial and players' frailties so forensically exposed by a non-league team playing 59 places below their true potential over two games, the recovery process has to start tomorrow. Will it? Can it? I'm not at all certain; but the longer it takes to recover, and for individuals to prove to themselves that they are capable of being professional football players at this level, and of representing ITFC with pride, commitment and passion, then the slope to potential oblivion gets ever more steeper. A bit over dramatic? Perhaps. But if we're still talking this sort of language come May, then it's game over.
I think we'll see both new signings involved tomorrow, and go for a 1-1 draw.
Caption comp #1
Question to coach: "Does your boss normally get over excited and emotional?"
Reply: "Nah, the lads call him the Dour Kraut"
#2
David Wagner going for the jugular. Coach frantically trying to contact van Helsing!
Last edited by herforder on Sat Jan 21, 2017 10:12 am, edited 1 time in total.
I can't see past a convincing home win. Saying that I am not sure we can play any worse than the last outing. Hopefully we can get the ball to stick upfront. Be interesting if the new striker features as we look lost without a target man. Heart says we might just win, but head says 3-0 home win.
Caption: aaaargh! I thought you said deep heat made a great lube!
I see young Tristan Nydam is travelling with the squad to Huddersfield, I would love to see this kid get a run out some time soon, I was very impressed indeed with him at Cambridge in pre season.
Huddersfield Town V Ipswich Town
