Thought going forwards we looked the best we've played all season, good passing and movement then we give a stupid goal away. Think we look a lot more fluid going forwards with one exception Philogene just slows it down and hogs the ball really frustrating tonight he takes far too many touches
Not good enough - too slow in the build up and not incisive in final 3rd. For the 1st time, I am starting to question McKenna. Should not be swapping greaves and Kipre every game - find your favoured back 4 and play it. With all the resources that we have for this level, we have turned in too many slow, ponderous performances. Coventry next week should be interesting - missing that 1 as in Malta for the weekend
Well that was a frustrating watch. Too slow to move the ball forwards, we always allow the opposition to get back in shape. Too slow with attacking throw-ins, so we don't apply constant pressure to force mistakes. And why is it we only up the tempo after about 85 minutes? Nunez looks more useful in the double pivot, has been pretty useless in the 10 role. Poor first touches, knocked off the ball easily and not finding space apart from coming out wide to the right. I'm not a fan of Jaden, doesn't seem like a team player. His only move is to cut inside, and when there's no space, he looks useless and bereft of ideas. Selfish, ignores great overlaps from Davis and has no strength, always falling over looking for free kicks. With the way Oxford were playing, our spare man was always going to be one of the CBs. Early in the game I was already wishing Greaves was playing instead of Kipre as he makes forward runs and commits players that would've really helped us. Taylor and Matusiwa (weak pass for the first goal aside) were great in the middle of the park. Think we need an upgrade on Hirst though, someone that does what he does, but offers more goal threat. Lankshear looks a handful. I just don't understand why Kieran is making subs at 70 minutes and beyond every match, he used to bring 3 on at 60 consistently but he started making them later last season and hasn't changed it at all. Pretty frustrated that we never seem to turn the screw, a real lack of urgency until the final minutes. There was a moment where I saw Walton wanting to make a quick throw out to the right but Azor and Sindre were both running upfield and not looking back, ready to receive. We need to up the tempo. Every team we play against shows us moments of how to move the ball quickly from back to front, we have had few of those moments ourselves this season. Too many changes too often. Our inconsistency is a result of the starting eleven inconsistency. It's time to settle on an eleven and ****in' play them until injury and suspension disrupt it. The players won't get too tired if you regularly make changes at 60 minutes. It's time to sort it out. Can't wait for Burns to get back, none of our wingers are going down the outside. Jaden, Sindre and Clarke are all constantly cutting in. Davis gets ignored on his overlaps, Furlong clearly has been told not to make too many. I miss Harry Clarke bombing on, causing a problem down that side. We should be doing far better in games, granted our League position isn't terrible, but you just feel there should be more happening. I'll say it again, it's all too slow, pick up the ****in' pace and move the ball forward before the oppo get back into position!
I am trying not to be too despondent about yesterdays game. As others commented we were in complete control for opening 25 mins, then that idiotic goal unsettled us. We lacked the character to up our game, lacked determination, urgency, pace and energy. The team lacks the belief of our 2023/24 squad. Defensively we are better now, but ineffective in attack. We miss having bullies like Moore and Delap. Oxford marshalled Philogene and Nunez and they were too predictable. I dont recall a proper shot on target in the first half for all the ball (almost 80%) we had. Deffo need a striker in, tho they are gold dust. Much as I like Phillogene and Clarke, they both go on solo runs into traffic and failed to give Hirst proper service. We need to create chances for strikers before we can say they can't take them. Hirst ran his socks off 1st half tho he clearly isnt the player of 2023/24. Credit to Oxford, they have got points off Boro and Coventry, and they thrive against the more talented sides. Makes you realise just how good Burns - Chaplin - Broadhead were. I feel I am now in the camp of choosing a settled 11, barring injuries. Then bring on our strong subs at 60. At this rate, we will be lucky.to make top 6 let alone the autos!
I feel this result feels all too familiar. A "smaller side" digging their heels in, and catching us on the break. And that seems to be an Ipswich trait no matter who the manager is. I again echo calls for a stable starting 11, let the players build relationships and attacking patterns, much easier to do things quickly if you don't have to remember where your teammates will be. But then I'm not a coach. There's probably plenty of evidenced based reasons passing the ball slowly sideways is the correct way to play the game.
