We move on, and I share the more optimistic notes from others. Not that bad a result, and most knew that our astonishing run couldnt go on for ever. While it wasnt the fluent Ipswich of recent weeks, it was always going to be a challenge, small pitch, very windy, poor choice of Harness, sloppy defending, mistake from Walton, and KM perhaps not getting tactics quite right. But 2nd half a different game and we were playing our more direct, swift passing pressing game, and with Edwards, we were opening them up like a sardine tin. Our 20 shots should have resulted in more goals. It is all still in our hands and all to play for. Glancing at Plymouth's wobble, who saw that result! Win next 2 games, and hopefully Broady back in play and the future looks bright again! Lets keep right behind the team, it is one hell of a ride!
I also didn't think we played badly. Okay, we were a little bit complacent and sloppy at the back at times, but all in all - we deserved the three points. Recently, we've found a way to break down teams that sit deep and get the win. Unfortunately, Walton made that error that probably cost us two points. Looking at it as a point gained - as others say, we struggle against Cheltenham and that narrow pitch doesn't play to our strengths. Plymouth lost and a couple of teams dropped points in the Friday match, so as Gaffer says it's still in our hands. The two upcoming home games on the weekend and Tuesday are key - we should be beating Charlton and Port Vale at Portman Road. Six points out of six would set us up well for the tricky away fixtures against Barnsley and Peterborough. With Sheffield Wednesday, Plymouth, and even Barnsley dropping points lately - particularly Wednesday's run of several games without a win before yesterday's match - I do wonder if there will be a team putting together an unstoppable run of form to break the 95 point barrier. I've got a feeling that Plymouth or Sheffield Wednesday will bottle it and drop into the play off positions.
We are all disappointed that we didnt win but we got a point, so in the last 10 games weve won 8 on the bounce and drawn 2 conceding just 1 goal, thats pretty impressive in any grade of football and if we dont get automatic promotion it wont be the Cheltenham result that stops us, it will be the draws beforehand including Cheltenham at home, Bristol away, Barnsley, Sheff Wed twice, and Plymouth all games we could and should have won but still all to play for.
I don’t think that he’s a bad player for this level. He can come on for the last twenty minutes of a game and cause some damage to the opposition but it’s just not happening for him with us. I think a sliding doors moment for him was when he curled an effort just wide of the post earlier in the season (might have even caught the woodwork?). Maybe he is trying a bit too hard at times and doesn’t have the composure and confidence that we get from the others. We have got some players who might have a crack at the Premier League and he’s not one of them. But still he’s part of the team and the squad and the whole lot of them deserve a massive amount of credit. Who knows what he brings to the side in training and the dressing room. I think his days are numbered though, Saturday was an absolute horror show from him.
If we get promoted i think McK will have to think long and hard about who will not be coming with us and who needs to move on to make way for better players, those who are makeweights in this division wont compete in a Championship side but i hope leigh will be retained as an able sub for Davis.
The one I’m sentimental about is Donacien. We would not be where we are without his consistent level of performance. After that - Jackson, Edwards, Evans, Ball, Aluko… if we go up we’ll have to improve on those players.
Harness doesn’t get the assists that you would expect from someone playing in his position, if he doesn’t score, not sure what he brings. In addition, I don’t think he wants to be on the left of the 3 forwards, him and Chaplin are too often (for me) in the same space when they play together. Hopefully Broadhead is fit for Saturday but we can’t rush him back as we’ll need him for as many games as possible over the run in
I agree with Donacien, time will tell, I still miss Aluko and his skills. On his day he delivers the pinpoint pass that opens up stubborn defenses.
I think Harness used to play for Portsmouth as a wide forward but McKenna brought him in to play as one of the 10s. For me one of the reasons we went on that unbeaten run was we ditched that with Broadhead playing more as a wide forward. Agree with your analysis that Harness and Chaplin were both often in the same space. This often left a gaping hole on the left with Davis having to patrol the whole left hand side. It also meant Chaplin often drifted to the right and took space away from Burns which I think contributed to his drop in form the first half of the season I do feel for Harness because he does look like a player bereft of confidence, he constantly loses the ball and whilst I don't think ball retention and passing are top of his skills sets but there is definitely a good player in there it's just finding his position and playing himself into form. Unfortunately we don't have that luxury at the business end of the Season and I'd rather Edwards play, he has been very unlucky with the limited amount of game time he's got this season for me he has impressed and made a positive difference in nearly every appearance. Also agree in regards to Donacien, I feel that Luongo, Broadhead and Hirst are improvements on what we've got and really add good balance to the team but whilst Clarke looks like a really good player particularly going forwards he's nowhere near Donaciens level defensively and given we have a few other CBs and also a decent player in KVY at RB/RWB I think he could easily feel hard done by.
