Norwich vs Ipswich Town Match Preview

[number 9]

So when would you say was the last time we actually played well? Of course, that's barring the Birmingham game although we made that harder than it should have been. And even if we do make the play offs, are we ever gonna play attacking football because that's what we'll need to win a play off. I honestly thought the Norwich game could have been a great test of preparation for a play off. We should have gone into Carrow road with a plan of attack, yet MM fills the midfield with stuttering journeyman and the result is the predictable long ball to Murphy failure. Do we have a plan B?

[barmy billy]

So when would you say was the last time we actually played well? Of course, that's barring the QPR game although we made that harder than it should have been. And even if we do make the play offs, are we ever gonna play attacking football because that's what we'll need to win a play off. I honestly thought the Norwich game could have been a great test of preparation for a play off. We should have gone into Carrow road with a plan of attack, yet MM fills the midfield with stuttering journeyman and the result is the predictable long ball to Murphy failure. Do we have a plan B?

'Journeyman' just about sums it up very nicely.

[tractorollson]

Poor toothless Performance today boys, a reality check I think - Best team won sadly, MM tactically inept today

[Dazzz67]

Automatic promotion? Playoffs? My ar$e more like!

We give the boys a chance and they still cannot produce the goods, shameful performance, get yourself in early tomorrow and start bloody working!

[tractorollson]

Im concerned about MM's post comments, little in it other than the two goals..really? is that your honest opinion Mick, none so blind!

[Bluemike]

Just back from a thoroughly disappointing and poor performance, just about everything was wrong today, the starting eleven with no bloody natural width or pace, the tactics, the substitutions, the overall performance, everything was bad, can't condone anything today i am afraid to say. Despite there not being much in it in the first half it was plain to see they had far more quality on the ball than us and looked comfortable with the ball, we looked anything but, Sears apart who had a golden opportunity to level it up it was hard to pick a Town player who played well.

Can't really be arsed to write too much more apart form adding Mick's comments concern me a bit because if he thought there wasnt much in it except the goals he is losing it. Time for Smith, Bialkowski, Tabb & Mings to have a rest. And as for Wood ???? Fat overweight lump.

[hallamblue]

Apparently the ref today is the brother of an ex scum player, thierry? If true That would explain an awful lot if his homer decisions today, result aside.

[marko69]

The ref could've gave ITFC every decision until half past seven on Tuesday morning, they still wouldnt have scored.

Seriously though, I can't remember many dodgy decisions.

[hallamblue]

So when would you say was the last time we actually played well? Of course, that's barring the QPR game although we made that harder than it should have been. And even if we do make the play offs, are we ever gonna play attacking football because that's what we'll need to win a play off. I honestly thought the Norwich game could have been a great test of preparation for a play off. We should have gone into Carrow road with a plan of attack, yet MM fills the midfield with stuttering journeyman and the result is the predictable long ball to Murphy failure. Do we have a plan B?

We havent played like a team that believes, since before Xmas IMO. As Mike as saus tgevtacticx are boring , and oh so predictable. Any player with natural attacling flare or pace is eithet left out of the squad or never brought off the bench. We have had a wonderfil season, but it will, FEEL like utter failure because we are in danger of going from top 2 to out of the play offs.


And FFS Mick drop that bloody liability , Smith and bring in Parr at right back, and put Chambers at CB . It isnt rocketvscience is it!

[ashfordblue]

The one good player was Sears, Chaplow didn't look too bad some nice touches, Tabb works his socks off BUT little or no style to his game, we have better players than Tabb, and Parr came on far to late to have any effect, and as we have seen today Smith needs dropping and pushing Chambers into central position, Parr at RB, I will not comment on Varney or Wood as they have to try to settle in very quickly, they looked ok but Murphy being subbed i think was wrong, he's the only one with some organised air and ground distribution skills, Freddie plays well off of his touches, I cant wait to see Bishop and McGoldrick back, and why don't we give someone like new signing Connolly a chance, as Mick says a lightning quick player, but where is he, we need fast width on both flanks, natural wingers to open the game up, stop trying to lump it down the middle, nearly every one of these down the middle balls were cleared today, and the scum wanted it more than us, they do move the ball around quicker and break faster than us, and with their run in they have a much better chance than us of either auto or play off spot, so Mick we need to strengthen up in midfield for sure, as our run in looks an awesome task, as most managers know what your going to turn out, change it open the game up two wingers, as we have Leeds away & Brentford at Home coming up and then Brough away, a real tough run in, so lets just see who wants it the most

[ipswichtownNo1]

MM comment after the game.....

What are we, three points off the top two? That remains the target, the top two. If we can’t make that, then we will aim for the top six. If we achieve that, we’ve had a great season.”   
Read more at http://www.itfc.co.uk/news/article/mick ... HY7hBAI.99

[barmy billy]

The one good player was Sears, Chaplow didn't look too bad some nice touches, Tabb works his socks off BUT little or no style to his game, we have better players than Tabb, and Parr came on far to late to have any effect, and as we have seen today Smith needs dropping and pushing Chambers into central position, Parr at RB, I will not comment on Varney or Wood as they have to try to settle in very quickly, they looked ok but Murphy being subbed i think was wrong, he's the only one with some organised air and ground distribution skills, Freddie plays well off of his touches, I cant wait to see Bishop and McGoldrick back, and why don't we give someone like new signing Connolly a chance, as Mick says a lightning quick player, but where is he, we need fast width on both flanks, natural wingers to open the game up, stop trying to lump it down the middle, nearly every one of these down the middle balls were cleared today, and the scum wanted it more than us, they do move the ball around quicker and break faster than us, and with their run in they have a much better chance than us of either auto or play off spot, so Mick we need to strengthen up in midfield for sure, as our run in looks an awesome task, as most managers know what your going to turn out, change it open the game up two wingers, as we have Leeds away & Brentford at Home coming up and then Brough away, a real tough run in, so lets just see who wants it the most

As I and others have said befoe Ash, I don't think MM is capable of opening things up as you suggest. It's just not in his psyche.

Don't you feel though that comments made earlier in the week about ME not releasing funds for the right calibre player to bring in are also relevant. What is the old saying, 'if you pay peanuts you get monkeys'.

[tractorollson]

MM comment after the game.....

What are we, three points off the top two? That remains the target, the top two. If we can’t make that, then we will aim for the top six. If we achieve that, we’ve had a great season.”   
Read more at http://www.itfc.co.uk/news/article/mick ... HY7hBAI.99

See this for me smacks of being way too laidback. I dont think we have had that ipswich passion since magilton was in charge. It has been a good season but it could of been a great season if he would of been given more cash to spend. We still dont have a midfield and thats the main reason we play hoofball. Good season but disappointing in some ways too.

[ipswichtownNo1]

MM comment after the game.....

What are we, three points off the top two? That remains the target, the top two. If we can’t make that, then we will aim for the top six. If we achieve that, we’ve had a great season.”   
Read more at http://www.itfc.co.uk/news/article/mick ... HY7hBAI.99

See this for me smacks of being way too laidback. I dont think we have had that ipswich passion since magilton was in charge. It has been a good season but it could of been a great season if he would of been given more cash to spend. We still dont have a midfield and thats the main reason we play hoofball. Good season but disappointing in some ways too.

I think we do have a good midfield, MM is just not using the players we all think should be in the squad. Maybe in training they are not producing the goods for his approval?

[Charnwood]

I'm sure I'll get my head bitten off but our a average performances in 2015 suggest to me that we're still not quite good enough to be confident of getting out of this league. I do appreciate all that Mick McCarthy has done for us since his arrival but some of his team selections, tactics and substitutions do leave me a little underwhelmed sometimes especially after performances like this afternoons.

[tractorollson]

MM comment after the game.....

What are we, three points off the top two? That remains the target, the top two. If we can’t make that, then we will aim for the top six. If we achieve that, we’ve had a great season.”   
Read more at http://www.itfc.co.uk/news/article/mick ... HY7hBAI.99

See this for me smacks of being way too laidback. I dont think we have had that ipswich passion since magilton was in charge. It has been a good season but it could of been a great season if he would of been given more cash to spend. We still dont have a midfield and thats the main reason we play hoofball. Good season but disappointing in some ways too.

I think we do have a good midfield, MM is just not using the players we all think should be in the squad. Maybe in training they are not producing the goods for his approval?

I dont, we have no one who runs the game, a couple of wingers but no central hub, that for me is whats missing.

[number 9]

So when would you say was the last time we actually played well? Of course, that's barring the Birmingham game although we made that harder than it should have been. And even if we do make the play offs, are we ever gonna play attacking football because that's what we'll need to win a play off. I honestly thought the Norwich game could have been a great test of preparation for a play off. We should have gone into Carrow road with a plan of attack, yet MM fills the midfield with stuttering journeyman and the result is the predictable long ball to Murphy failure. Do we have a plan B?

[arana peligrosa]

I'm sure I'll get my head bitten off but our a average performances in 2015 suggest to me that we're not quite good enough to be confident of getting out of this league. I do appreciate all that Mick McCarthy has done for us since his arrival but some of his team selections, tactics and substitutions do leave me a little underwhelmed sometimes especially after performances like this afternoons.

No you won't because that's the fact of the matter.

I didn't see the game but ascertained enough information by way of post-match replies from here and TWTD to get a good enough understanding of what occured today - and still where the main areas of concern lie. Like it don't like it, there are an increasing number of our support who want to see McCarthy vacate his position, but I'm not in that number. Whatever occurs this season it's been a great run and he's been the best we've had in 10 years, but can appreciate the growing concerns. Maybe by end of season if we are still in the championship league and McCarthy decides to go elsewhere then the outers will have had their way.

If you look at the votes pre-game then only one out of 29 said Norwich would win, it's astounding whichever way you look at it. We know they're a decent side, have been invigorated since the new manager came in and would cause us problems today. Bottom line - they wanted it more

We always have to entertain the fact that we may miss out on a play-off place once again and after all the hard work and commitment put into this season and occupying the automatic places over the recent holiday season, it'll be a damn shame to see it all go to waste but it would appear once again McCarthy doesn't seem aware what his best starting XI is or indeed bringing in one or two names that some would see questionable.

Seems there was a definite lack of desire and motivation out there today and once again, if you're not motivated for a game of this nature then you're not motivated for anything. Inconsistency will be a heavy price by end of season.

[JonnoTown]

Just got back to Brighton. Great day!

Everyone can have an opinion, but if anyone thinks we need to replace MM then I think you need to see a doctor.

We're 3 points off 2nd place!

Norwich have pretty much a premier league team and now have a manager who's got them going. I thought we matched them 1st half. Not sure why Chapplow was subbed, thought he caused problems. Sears had his great chance and their 2nd goal was scrappy but decisive.

Scum played professionally in the 2nd half to time waste and roll around to kill any impotace we had coming out for the first 15 minutes.

Some football fans are very fickle. We have a very average squad doing generally great things.

3 points off automatic. A brilliant exciting season so far and Let's go again Wednesday.

[marko69]

Just got back to Brighton. Great day!
Everyone can have an opinion, but if anyone thinks we need to replace MM then I think you need to see a doctor.

We're 3 points off 2nd place!

Norwich have pretty much a premier league team and now have a manager who's got them going. I thought we matched them 1st half. Not sure why Chapplow was subbed, thought he caused problems. Sears had his great chance and their 2nd goal was scrappy but decisive.

Scum played professionally in the 2nd half to time waste and roll around to kill any impotace we had coming out for the first 15 minutes.

Some football fans are very fickle. We have a very average squad doing generally great things.
3 points off automatic. A brilliant exciting season so far and Let's go again Wednesday.

First part in bold due to the bevvy and the banter on the bus?

2nd part in bold suggests they are TV camera shy. They've done f*ck all "great" that I have witnessed.

3rd part 100% true.

[JonnoTown]

Just got back to Brighton. Great day!
Everyone can have an opinion, but if anyone thinks we need to replace MM then I think you need to see a doctor.

We're 3 points off 2nd place!

Norwich have pretty much a premier league team and now have a manager who's got them going. I thought we matched them 1st half. Not sure why Chapplow was subbed, thought he caused problems. Sears had his great chance and their 2nd goal was scrappy but decisive.

Scum played professionally in the 2nd half to time waste and roll around to kill any impotace we had coming out for the first 15 minutes.

Some football fans are very fickle. We have a very average squad doing generally great things.
3 points off automatic. A brilliant exciting season so far and Let's go again Wednesday.

First part in bold due to the bevvy and the banter on the bus?

2nd part in bold suggests they are TV camera shy. They've done f*ck all "great" that I have witnessed.

3rd part 100% true.

1st part was a bit sarcastic - I drove all the way on my own. But I did have a great afternoon with Shed.

2nd part - We've won as many in front of the cameras as we have lost. Fulham, Wigan & Charlton vrs Scum, Derby & Scum I think

3rd - 3 points off the automatic spots is great in my eyes. We had an exceptional Christmas period. We have the top goal scorer in the league and we have a real chance of promotion this season.

The last defeat to scum kick started our season...

[arana peligrosa]

Just got back to Brighton. Great day!
Everyone can have an opinion, but if anyone thinks we need to replace MM then I think you need to see a doctor.

We're 3 points off 2nd place!

Norwich have pretty much a premier league team and now have a manager who's got them going. I thought we matched them 1st half. Not sure why Chapplow was subbed, thought he caused problems. Sears had his great chance and their 2nd goal was scrappy but decisive.

Scum played professionally in the 2nd half to time waste and roll around to kill any impotace we had coming out for the first 15 minutes.

Some football fans are very fickle. We have a very average squad doing generally great things.
3 points off automatic. A brilliant exciting season so far and Let's go again Wednesday.

First part in bold due to the bevvy and the banter on the bus?

2nd part in bold suggests they are TV camera shy. They've done f*ck all "great" that I have witnessed.

3rd part 100% true.

What did you make of Heart of Midlothian having a 10 - 0 success at the weekend ? Now there's a capable side..

Do they have any center forwards they can spare, seriously.

[Bluemike]

I expect if we played postmen and builders every week we would score 10 sometimes.

[Shed on tour]

Can't really add anything to what has already been said.

Midfield lacked creativity, pace and the lack of width in the side is still a great concern. Yes we criticise the players at the back for hoofing it but on many occasions there is nothing in the middle of the park giving them any other option.

Mick has often repeated that he picks the team on what the players show him in training and if this is the case all I can say then is some of them must be bloody awful as they have not been given an opportunity. As often been stated on here playing people in their right positions wouldn't go amiss either.

We all knew this month is going to be tough and probably will have a big say where we finally finish in the league and yesterday was certainly not a good start. Having only kept 1 clean sheet in the last 9 league games is also something we are going to need to improve on.

We have got to put yesterdays result behind us, dust ourselves off and get ready for the tough fixtures ahead. Can we do that? Hopefully yes but will we is another matter.

[marko69]

I expect if we played postmen and builders every week we would score 10 sometimes.

Yes, but only if it wasn't on TV, ....., and it wasn't yesterday's team!

And yes Judy, those fuckers are on fire at the moment. They'll definitely be challenging Celtic for the league title next season.

[herforder]

Midfield options available to MM, to introduce creativity, pace and a goal threat? Difficult one with current personnel, but likely to be the critical factor over the next 12 games. Given our limitations in that area, is he using the talent we have to best effect? Or, are we still too risk averse, preferring to preserve at least the point we start games with, as opposed to having the confidence and conviction to win 'difficult' games? But what when that doesn't work?

Defence at Leeds should see Parr at RB, Chambo and CB in the centre and Mings (who needs to work on concentration) at LB. Probably restore Gerken.

Hoping for some innovative changes on Wednesday! 36 points still available - loads still to play for. Stick with it and, despite yesterday, keep the faith.

[Domhide]

I posted this before Christmas!

I was just trying to convince my wife that we should buy the Half Season Tickets (at two thirds their original FULL price value) then I start reading these stories about Selling Player! Then my wife reminds me of the Old "Wife's Tale" : When we are in the Top 6 close to the end of the season - the Pillow talk among the payers goes like this - "but if you get promoted surely they will replace you and we are so settled here".

We then lose the next 5 games and win the last 2 just - falling short of the playoffs.........................

Déjà vu

This year there are a few unattached players in the quad with a different agenda - either way this years 'ride' has been better than recent years; the best we can hope for is to blow the Scum away when it really counts - in the play-offs. Who cares about beating Wolves at Wembly?

[ashfordblue]

Hey Slow down a bit Dom, Play offs from the now run in aint a certainty by any means, we have some real tough matches coming up, and if we turn up to each of the remaining matches and play like we did yesterday which seems the norm now, we will struggle, I just hope that we can get Diddsy, & Bishop back, and try and find a quality loan midfield general like Magilton used to be, as I don't think Scuse has this ability to stamp his authority on a game, we must give Varney & Wood a chance as it gives us a slightly different approach to each game, not much but different, but we do need to open up games with fast wide players, Mick and the team could surprise us with another good run, but I don't think so, the task is mighty tough.

[tractorollson]

Having slept after yesterdays awful result, it has been a good season. The difference between it being a good and great season was by strengthening or lack of it in january.
We have no hub in the midfield and that has cost us ultimately as well as poor defending recently. Loans are all well and good but they are mainly for players looking to get in the shop window.
I just think we now need to look at building our midfield and get some players in in the summer. ME has to dig in deeper if we are going to hit the premiership next season. We arent good enough this season but it has been progress and good to see young players getting a chance too.

[Ohiotractorboy]

Having slept after yesterdays awful result, it has been a good season. The difference between it being a good and great season was by strengthening or lack of it in january.
We have no hub in the midfield and that has cost us ultimately as well as poor defending recently. Loans are all well and good but they are mainly for players looking to get in the shop window.
I just think we now need to look at building our midfield and get some players in in the summer. ME has to dig in deeper if we are going to hit the premiership next season. We arent good enough this season but it has been progress and good to see young players getting a chance too.

Agree with all of this. Need to solidify midfield and get in a couple of difference making players