Post
by Bluemike » Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:33 am
I knew things were bad but I honestly did not think we could sink much lower, yesterday proved me wrong. I thought we would at least try to give us fans something to grasp onto this torrid season by way of a mini interest in the FA Cup, at least the excitement of the Fourth Round draw perhaps, but no, another inept, couldn't give a sh*t attempt by the players saw us go out with a whimper to lower league opposition yet again at a time when they really needed to at least do something to keep the fans onside a bit longer. The promise by Paul Lambert that he would take it seriously and field as strong a team as possible was met with seven changes and players in form being rested, hmmmmm. The atmosphere in The Crown pub prior to the game was fantastic, heaving with Town fans the singing brought back memories of happier days gone by with some of the oldies raising the roof and getting us all in the mood for what was to follow.
The game kicked off and I think it was virtually a good Five or Six minutes before we got into their half, a hesitant looking Town struggling to pick a pass or a move of any note as Accrington came out the better of the Two sides. One or Two early balls into our box being dealt with, albeit unconvincingly. Town were huffing and puffing in an attempt to get on the front foot but it was breaking down all too often with wayward passes or wasted delivery at the crucial time. The first effort on target from either team saw Bart getting down to smother a shot and not long after the Pole was called upon again to repeat the feat. Town really were not at the races and were finding it hard to contain Clark who was showing up well and was at the centre of most things.
For Town Flynn Downes was looking the brightest in a Blue shirt and his efforts were bordering on the aggressive side at times which resulted in a Yellow card for an alterercation with an Accrington player but at least he was getting stuck in, Nsiala had done a couple of good things at the back when called upon but the rest were looking very much like they didn't want to be there, new boy Callum Elder had seen a fair bit of the ball but there was little to get enthused about at this early stage. Town were having a half chance or Two as the game neared HT but they were woefully wild and not threatening the goal at all, at least any chance the home side carved out was testing Bart in the Town goal. Downes was very lucky not to have seen Red earlier but continued to at least put it about, Dozzell & Nolan in the centre had been anonymous while Edwards wide Right and Sears on the left looked lost at times. Spence had started the game ok but the longer it went on the more likely he looked to make a rick of it. We did finally have a Sears effort just before HT which required the home keeper to get his gloves dirty but it was as limp a effort as you will see. Over all the first half had seen Accrington look much the better side, more up for it, tested our keeper Three times and moved the ball around as if they were the Championship side, it really had to improve from Town's point of view.
The second half started a bit better for Town as Sub Teddy Bishop tried to grasp control and take the game to the home team, an early effort drifting high and wide but he at least showed some energy where others had failed to do so. Town were still finding it hard to carve out anything of note but had at least looked a bit more interested since the restart and the defence did not look quite so all at sea. It continued to be the Bishop show as he was now running the game in the centre and was involved in pretty much everything, in fact he was close to giving us an undeserved lead only to see his effort sail wide. Jon Nolan then drew a save for their keeper with an effort from distance as Town finally looked to have the upper hand for a few minutes.
Typically just as we look like we may at least hold on if not win it we gift them a goal by virtue of a free header, a simple freekick was delivered to our far post where it was nodded back into the danger zone by a Red shirt where Kee was on hand to place it untroubled into the empty net, unbelievably simple and pretty much as we all expect these days. With realisation setting in that we were facing another embarrassing exit Bishop tried all he could to rectify things, this time a good run and pass setting up Sears who somehow contrived to miss an absolute sitter yet again, this time the keeper being allowed to get something on it to send it an inch or two wide of the post when it should have been put away all day long, Two sitters missed against Millwall and another today, don't really need to say anymore. The final seconds petered out with little serious action as Town rolled over and died in the FA Cup once again.
By and large I think the players can be ashamed of themselves for this one, normally we know they give their all, even when we get well beaten, can we say that about yesterday ? I am not sure too many of them can to be honest, it was like they were thinking "what the hell are we doing playing at a place like this", well they best get used to it because anyone playing for Ipswich Town from next season will be playing at the likes of Accrington for many a good season unless we get our sh*t together, and with that in mind Paul Lambert's post match comments are so so true, some are not good enough and need to go, I would say a fair few now if I am honest, it's a massive rebuild that is needed, where the hell do you start. I actually vented my frustration at the players as they left the field yesterday. walking out you could pretty much touch them and I just shouted out that the least I and the rest of the fans deserve is for them to show the same bloody level of commitment as we show week after week, Two or Three definitely heard it and I am glad.
Bart....(6) Did most things ok and One save was very good, no chance with goal, not liking the body language though.
Spence....(5) Started ok, winning a few headers etc but fell away the longer the game wore on, how can he be the best option ?
Pennington...(5) Not his finest day, all at sea at times, some dodgy clearances.
Nsiala....(6) One of the brighter performers, not the prettiest but blocked a fair few through balls.
Elder....(5) New boy failed to shine but not alone there, need to see more but no better than Kenlock on that showing.
Nolan....(5) Back at his level and still looks iffy, one to be moved on.
Downes...(6) Gave it his all and at least tried to get stuck in, needs to reign it in a bit at times.
Dozzell....(5) Once lauded over as a great new star, now just a fading player that looks totally like he wants away, it won't be long.
Edwards....(4) What a change from the early weeks, a bit of a liability, another that must be offloaded.
Sears....(5) Missed another sitter which is the story of his career, time to ship him out i'm afraid.
Jackson...(4) Back at his old stomping ground, they must be laughing their heads off at the money we wasted.
SUBS :-
Bishop....(8) Back to his best, tried with all his might to turn it around, some lovely runs and passes. MOTM
Keane....(5) Little time to shine and hard to gauge him on this effort, hardly saw the ball and I hardly saw him.
Harrison...(5) Should have started after his performance last time out, only on for a few minutes when the game was all but lost.