Gooch massively helped Roberts when he came on, be tempted to start him right back next game with Hume being suspended.
Substitutions helped but would have like to see Hemir on with Pritchard who was much more progressive
Not read the thread, want to get the motor running. We will be there or thereabouts. But boy do we need a striker. Hemir was lost today. Mind you Roberts and Clarke were looked after. Ballard is levels. Onien is the business. Massive mistakes from Ekwhah both goals. He is miles off 1v1. Hell of a player but physically weak. Needs to grow. Jobe lacking big time for me. No control as a 10 at all. Flashes but miles away at this stage. Rigg is the player to watch. Ballard and Onien immense. Hume and Cirkin off it.
What should have happened last will happen this season, not a clue they have yet again signed no striker and that showed today Mowbray too quiet and soft, di canio back quick and this youth policy will get us relegated.
Frustrating that. We'd been canny in that first half, we played at tempo and pressed well and forced them into giving us the ball back. They weren't comfortable at all. They had a few bits on the break admittedly, great awareness from O'nien to get back and clear off the line. We didn't hit the target enough, Ekwah forced a save then Jobe has to score really, for me we'd have gone on to win had that have gone in because we were on top. I think we're denied a very good claim for a penna on Clarke, Donancien is wrong side and didn't seem to get the ball. We got very little from the ref and got no help there. Then right on HT its a nothing daisy cutter of a shot that deflects into the opposite corner. Skys text commentary called it fortuitious, I'll say no more. Sedond half they looked full of beans, understandable given they're newly promoted and got the best part of 100pts last season. We have a great opportunity at 1-0, Hemir gets the ball in the box and manages to wriggle the ball inside on to his left - pull the trigger! Not sure what he was thinking, but shortly after its 0-2. Good finish tbf. We looked rattled, the ridiculous effort from half way that hits the bar and then Hume gets his second yellow (two fouls two cards? ffs). We rally and decide to go for it, some good work on the left and its a clever finish from Dan Neil. All of a sudden Ipswich are going down every two mins trying to break it up and disrupt things. Another late cross falls to Neil and he connects well but it comes back off the post, missing that luck today or the ball just falling kindly in the box. So overall thoughts? Ipswich looked canny when they went ahead. I don't expect them to struggle but they'll have days where they son't carry the luck they had today. A massive deflection right on HT, that changes everything. For us? Our wingers weren't quite on it today and we too often look for the extra pass. We need the ball into the striker earlier and we need other options up there. Its no use having to stick Ballard up there as the focal point. Fine margins, they didn't fall our way.
Lost count of our free kicks and corners, all just pumped into the box, stupid, we need to play a lot of them short, keep the ball ,it is far more dangerous
Hemir isn’t ready. Not ‘not good enough’ but not ready, think the physicality caught him out. Nothing I’m too upset about to be honest but O’Nien CB is a liability and I don’t care for any argument against it. He turned back inside on himself about 20 times and v some of the better sides and better wingers that will be suicide. I like the lad but not at CB again, Jesus. I will gripe how they were allowed to batter Roberts all game and he gets **** all.
O’Nien was fortunate to not lose possession in dangerous areas any amount of times. We need to stop sucking his balls. I love the lad but let’s not pretend he ‘can’ play everywhere just cos he has.
Just baffles me that we sign natural CB’s and continue to play someone out of position there. Square pegs in round holes and all that. Far too many people judge O’nien on his personality and not his footballing ability. He’ll get caught out 5 times then make a decent clearance and everyone raves about the clearance.
Just back in from the match and Pritchard needs to start games. He made a hell of a difference when he came on. Would've been nice to see him behind Hemir
Bellingham looked quality but I don’t really see how these 3 midfielders work, they all possess so many of the same attributes. Would be harsh to drop him but I feel like we’re missing some real quality somewhere in there that Pritchard/Dack will bring.
Dack of 2 years ago would have made a massive difference in that shape wise when we had the ball entire first half. Hopefully the Dack we get is close to that Dack. Seen enough from Jobe to know he’s gonna be a baller but we need to be patient there.
We have been awful on set pieces for a number of seasons now mind. I never expect anything when we are awarded something near the opposition area.
