League 1 - Oxford United vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

[hallamblue]

https://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/ipswich-to ... rd-8768742

[MasseyFerguson]

Jesus christ, if people can't see the vast difference from what we were to what we are now i despair, unbeaten in Ten, numerous clean sheets, far better football etc, cast your minds back ffs, no wonder Town fans are never bloody happy, always looking for the negatives. I really can't be arsed to keep reading it at times, does my head in frankly

Wow.

You go from 0 to 10 in a second. I’d hate to think how you’d react if there was some real criticism.

We’re never going to get out of this league if we don’t improve. Hardly any criticism of the club, the players and especially the manager…. just outlining we draw a few too many, can’t get on that 3 game winning run and can’t beat a top side. Everyone can see the difference McK has made, but next season we need to be better. If you think we’ve got there already - you’re wrong. Work in progress.

I don't see how anyone could reasonably argue with any of that.

KMcK has been excellent for us but it is a work in progress. I have no doubt that we WILL be better next season.

[Bluemike]

Jesus christ, if people can't see the vast difference from what we were to what we are now i despair, unbeaten in Ten, numerous clean sheets, far better football etc, cast your minds back ffs, no wonder Town fans are never bloody happy, always looking for the negatives. I really can't be arsed to keep reading it at times, does my head in frankly

Wow.

You go from 0 to 10 in a second. I’d hate to think how you’d react if there was some real criticism.

We’re never going to get out of this league if we don’t improve. Hardly any criticism of the club, the players and especially the manager…. just outlining we draw a few too many, can’t get on that 3 game winning run and can’t beat a top side. Everyone can see the difference McK has made, but next season we need to be better. If you think we’ve got there already - you’re wrong. Work in progress.

Sorry, ignore me, bad day and shouldn't be posting atm. I will comment when more rational (never then) lol

[LizinSpain]

Jesus christ, if people can't see the vast difference from what we were to what we are now i despair, unbeaten in Ten, numerous clean sheets, far better football etc, cast your minds back ffs, no wonder Town fans are never bloody happy, always looking for the negatives. I really can't be arsed to keep reading it at times, does my head in frankly

Wow.

You go from 0 to 10 in a second. I’d hate to think how you’d react if there was some real criticism.

We’re never going to get out of this league if we don’t improve. Hardly any criticism of the club, the players and especially the manager…. just outlining we draw a few too many, can’t get on that 3 game winning run and can’t beat a top side. Everyone can see the difference McK has made, but next season we need to be better. If you think we’ve got there already - you’re wrong. Work in progress.

Sorry, ignore me, bad day and shouldn't be posting atm. I will comment when more rational (never then) lol

Don't apolgise for speaking the truth!

[Frosty]

Current form table has us in 11th place over past 6 matches so no surprise we have drifted off the pace.

So far I have been impressed with McK, if he can improve the striking options over the summer I think we will be hard to stop next season.

Like Tang, I agree regarding the draws. Its always a fine line between taking the point versus throwing caution to the wind.

[rossi]

For the last time - it's not the strikers that is the issue, it's the supply. Any striker at this level can stick the ball away regularly (well, maybe apart from Dobbin) as long as he is supplied regularly.

And I don't accept that the one thing Cook got right was the squad he assembled - it's a decent squad but not a League-winning squad because it's disjointed and lacking in consistency and quality.

KM has done a great job with the squad that Cook put together but couldn't do anything with, but even if Cook had of been sacked when he should have been (and thus KM given a few more games), I doubt the outcome would have been any different because of the deficiencies in the squad.

I'm sure that KM already knows what is needed and will address that in the summer, so that next season we will have a squad capable at least of making the play-offs. I hope so, because next season will be my last in the UK, and after that I'll be reduced to watching on i-player from afar.

[marko69]

So, ……. Just one more time……. You’re saying its NOT the strikers then?

[Bluemike]

For the last time - it's not the strikers that is the issue, it's the supply. Any striker at this level can stick the ball away regularly (well, maybe apart from Dobbin) as long as he is supplied regularly.

And I don't accept that the one thing Cook got right was the squad he assembled - it's a decent squad but not a League-winning squad because it's disjointed and lacking in consistency and quality.

KM has done a great job with the squad that Cook put together but couldn't do anything with, but even if Cook had of been sacked when he should have been (and thus KM given a few more games), I doubt the outcome would have been any different because of the deficiencies in the squad.

I'm sure that KM already knows what is needed and will address that in the summer, so that next season we will have a squad capable at least of making the play-offs. I hope so, because next season will be my last in the UK, and after that I'll be reduced to watching on i-player from afar.

Here here

[number 9]

For the last time - it's not the strikers that is the issue, it's the supply. Any striker at this level can stick the ball away regularly (well, maybe apart from Dobbin) as long as he is supplied regularly.

Hey rossi, do you think the strikers were getting better balls when Cook was in charge?...and why?

Also, if you don't mind me asking where are you moving to mate?

[hallamblue]

If it’s not the strikers but the supply that’s the issue, why then has Bonne missed sitters on the goal line 2-3 times this season , plus countless others,( usually 1 on 1’s) or Pigott hitting the woodwork 4 times, Burns blasting over, Chaplin losing possession on the edge of the box instead of shooting, Norwood hitting four goals in four games then appearing to losing interest…. That’s not a supply issue, it’s basic ability to stick the ball in the net. These countless misses have in the main been within the 6yard area!

Sorry Gary, I’m not agreeing with you on this as the main issue. We need better strikers and a decent left side of the pitch

Ps “ good luck” in the Far East munchkin x

[Bluemike]

That's the only part I'm not sure i agree with too, I think our strikers have left a lot to be desired in recent weeks, like watching Four Freddie Sears

[Tangfastic]

If it’s not the strikers but the supply that’s the issue, why then has Bonne missed sitters on the goal line 2-3 times this season , plus countless others,( usually 1 on 1’s) or Pigott hitting the woodwork 4 times, Burns blasting over, Chaplin losing possession on the edge of the box instead of shooting, Norwood hitting four goals in four games then appearing to losing interest…. That’s not a supply issue, it’s basic ability to stick the ball in the net. These countless misses have in the main been within the 6yard area!

Sorry Gary, I’m not agreeing with you on this as the main issue. We need better strikers and a decent left side of the pitch

Ps “ good luck” in the Far East munchkin x

Well I think we’ll change strikers this summer so the strikers are part of the problem. Could be a combination of a number of other things. Opposition working us out. The way we play - do we create enough clear-cut chances? We often get space on the right to cross, but more often than not the defence cuts out the crosses. How often do we cross before we get the perfect cross like we did for Celina on Saturday? Not enough penetration down that left side. Maybe too much reliance on the right-hand side. Not making more use of set-pieces. I think we’ll have to add more variety to our game apart from the strikers.
We’ve got a solid defensive base to work from so it could just be a bit of tweaking and an astute couple of signings needed.
Be interesting to see what happens with the strikers this summer. Jackson went from out of the picture to first-choice striker because he could run the channels, but I wouldn’t want us to rely on him for goals.

[rossi]

If it’s not the strikers but the supply that’s the issue, why then has Bonne missed sitters on the goal line 2-3 times this season , plus countless others,( usually 1 on 1’s) or Pigott hitting the woodwork 4 times, Burns blasting over, Chaplin losing possession on the edge of the box instead of shooting, Norwood hitting four goals in four games then appearing to losing interest…. That’s not a supply issue, it’s basic ability to stick the ball in the net. These countless misses have in the main been within the 6yard area!

Sorry Gary, I’m not agreeing with you on this as the main issue. We need better strikers and a decent left side of the pitch

Ps “ good luck” in the Far East munchkin x

There's a really simple answer to this, Liz. Currently the strikers are under pressure because they get so few quality balls in the course of a game, so they are snatching at the few chances they do get. Apart from Dobbin (who couldn't hit a stable door from 5 yards), they have all had periods this season when they were scoring freely. One of them might have a drop in form during the season, but it's hardly likely that all of therm would have a drop in form at the same time.
So you have to look for other reasons. Under Cook, we played a lot more basic style of football with a lot more hopeful balls pumped up-field, but some of those hopeful balls found the target. Under KM, the approach play is 500% better on the eye, but we seemingly do not have the quality to deliver the final ball. And our corner taking is woeful - for example, I would say that 99% of the corners that Chaplin has taken have hit the first defender - if he can't do better than that then he should not be taking them.

[Bluemike]

Only 500% ??? KM OUT !!!!!

[rossi]

For the last time - it's not the strikers that is the issue, it's the supply. Any striker at this level can stick the ball away regularly (well, maybe apart from Dobbin) as long as he is supplied regularly.

Hey rossi, do you think the strikers were getting better balls when Cook was in charge?...and why?

Also, if you don't mind me asking where are you moving to mate?

See my reply to Liz for the answer to your first question, 9 - I think that under Cook we played a lot more basic style that involved a fair bit of pumping hopeful long balls up the pitch, quite a few of which found the target. Whilst our approach play under KM is so much better we do not appear to have the quality to deliver the decent final ball.

And next year I'm retiring and moving to the Philippines, which has been my plan for the last 10 years.

[Charnwood]

For the last time - it's not the strikers that is the issue, it's the supply. Any striker at this level can stick the ball away regularly (well, maybe apart from Dobbin) as long as he is supplied regularly.

Hey rossi, do you think the strikers were getting better balls when Cook was in charge?...and why?

Also, if you don't mind me asking where are you moving to mate?

See my reply to Liz for the answer to your first question, 9 - I think that under Cook we played a lot more basic style that involved a fair bit of pumping hopeful long balls up the pitch, quite a few of which found the target. Whilst our approach play under KM is so much better we do not appear to have the quality to deliver the decent final ball.

And next year I'm retiring and moving to the Philippines, which has been my plan for the last 10 years.

Nice one Rossi, enjoy your retirement in the Philippines it will certainly be different and hopefully better to life in Blighty. Not sure about Futbol over there but there’s always basketball which I think is their national sport. I’m sure you’ll still follow Ipswich from afar, once a Tractor Boy always a Tractor Boy and so much easier now with ifollow.

[rossi]

Basketball? Not wanting to generalise, but aren't a lot of Phillipinos really short?

The native Filipinos (Tagalog, Malay, Pinay) are mainly short, but over the past 3 centuries most Filipinos paired of with Spanish and Americans, so there are as many tall ones now as short. In any case, they set their baskets much lower than in the US.

[hallamblue]

[number 9]

See my reply to Liz for the answer to your first question, 9 - I think that under Cook we played a lot more basic style that involved a fair bit of pumping hopeful long balls up the pitch, quite a few of which found the target. Whilst our approach play under KM is so much better we do not appear to have the quality to deliver the decent final ball.

And next year I'm retiring and moving to the Philippines, which has been my plan for the last 10 years.

Sweet on the Philippines retirement! The cost of living there is pretty cheap, isn't it?

The thing is, as hallam referred to the strikers have been missing open chances. I would not be surprised if our striker force is completely different next season.

Good luck in PH!

[shabba]

From the recent games I’ve seen I would lean on the side of the strikers /attackers not taking the chances - I’ve seen many good chances missed. If your score earlier in the game you’ll likely find the supply improved after that as the other team has to be more attacking and it opens up more space, so many it’s kind of linked.

[ashfordblue]

I still say KM must try Simpson up top as all the others are firing blanks I just want to see a change from the also-rans, defence and midfield are fine we just need to give the lad chance NOW

[Bluemike]

Not gonna happen Ash.

[mendipblue]

Actually Mendipblue I notice you seem to enjoy putting down some long standing posters on here recently.

So if you want to stay posting here I suggest toning it down a bit.

Are you serious? I was reacting to Saint Jude saying the play off thread (which I started) being nauseating. So it is OK for long standing posters to be condescending but new kids aren't allowed to say f*ck all. Wow, nice site your running here. Also you said "long standing posters". Who are you referring to? I have not been deogertry to anyone intentionally. As for being accused of having a "d*ck side" by Mark is that OK as well? Comments far worse than I have said. Maybe I'm new and don't understand you have to be a long standing poster to say anything you want without retribution?

Further example when it's clearly a predictive text issue:

I think this can all Change if we get dome real decent drivers in over the summer. No easy task of course. But that’s what’s missing .

What? Please explain. Who do you want Lewis Hamilton, Jackie Stewart, Graham Hill or Jenson Button?

An earlier comment with a strange emoji toward SJ:

I guess I could have Google’d that myself or even read Saint’s previous post but sometimes it’s nice just to try remember from simply being there on the day it happened.

I'm definitely remembering I don't need "google" . Town memories are Town memories. As for saint I really could not comment 🥺

I will also add that the three other moderators have noticed your posts and have some concerns of your motives, so I would reiterate to you to please refrain from posting comments that serve little point, or could indeed be taken as inflammatory.

The drivers thing is clearly a joke...wow and the Google thing was putting a right a accusation that I had Google’d the scorers of the 6-0 Man Utd game, which I didn't and remember quite clearly. Really terrible things I did there. Unbelievable.

[marko69]

That you, Derick? COME ON!! That IS you, eh?

[hallamblue]

Of course it’s him . Same mindset and posting style. Thought he was banned for life ?

[number 9]

https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/very- ... e-verdict/

Not sure how credible this is, but Brandon Thomas-Asante looks like a decent replacement for a striker?

[Bluemike]

Underperformed for the last Two seasons? That's the comment that bothers me.

[hallamblue]

He’s scored 9 goals (3 of them in one game) this season. Our own young striker, Simpson has scored 12 goals plus whatever he’s scored since his return to the Club .

I know it’s only an article … but I raises the question again , “why not take a chance on our own players”?

Wonder how the two players compare on Ashton’s data matrix analysis thingy ?

[number 9]

He’s scored 9 goals (3 of them in one game) this season. Our own young striker, Simpson has scored 12 goals plus whatever he’s scored since his return to the Club .

I know it’s only an article … but I raises the question again , “why not take a chance on our own players”?

Wonder how the two players compare on Ashton’s data matrix analysis thingy ?

I’d like to see Simpson given a chance too, but t I don’t think that’s gonna happen.