The goalless draw today was disappointing, I won't argue with that. We were organised in an overly-cautious manner, much more so than usual, and our style of play was fairly defensive. Yes, this was a Wigan team that should not be taken for granted, as no team should in this division, yet the last time they won a match was on Boxing Day. Unfortunately for us, three defeats in the last four games will always have some sort of negative effect on a team previously used to winning, so we're not in great form ourselves at the moment. I can understand the need for caution and patience in the wake of the three goals we conceded against Brighton where, in my opinion, we showed a lot of complacency and fatigue. We're a small squad, it's going to have drawbacks. But then, when you're complying with FFP and the money isn't there, what can you do? In that respect, at least we didn't concede. Evidently, we missed Daryl Murphy up front. David McGoldrick, once again, put in a sub-standard performance and, to me at least, he doesn't look particularly bothered in contrast to his earlier performances. Why did we not start Freddie Sears? That was my first thought when looking at the team sheet. Then, where is Teddy Bishop? Now, I know we've ground out results without those players before, which some people will no doubt overlook, but I thought Sears, with a goal and an assist in his last two games, would be a surefire starter. Once again, we lacked creativity in the centre of midfield and on the wings. I feel like a stuck record having to repeat it after every match recently. But you can't win them all, which brings me to my main concern today. After the game finished, and upon leaving the ground, I was disappointed to hear the reaction from some of our supporters. Is it just me, or do people come to Portman Road with a massive sense of entitlement lately? People need to realise this is a tight, extremely competitive division. We're three points off the top. I mean, come on! At this stage of the season, that's impressive, particularly in the context of what we've had to endure over the past several years. Now, I know this doesn't apply to many of us on here, but we cannot afford to write off, underestimate, or become ignorant of other teams in this division. I know it's a cliche, but there are no easy games. Every club is capable of taking points off each other, I thought our lot would understand this a bit more. But no, it's all "we're so s***", "I'm getting fed up of McCarthy", etc etc (not aimed at anyone on this board, but more towards some of the 'fans' I've heard today elsewhere). We picked up a point at home. It's disappointing, yes, but it happens. This is the same management, coaching, and playing staff that has got us so far in the space of a couple of years that, we can't really begrudge them when things don't happen. Yes, we all have theories on what McCarthy should have done differently, and they should be criticised where criticism is due. But some of the comments I've heard have been ridiculous. Let's drop the sense of entitlement, keep behind the team, and be appreciative of the fact that, for once in the past several years, we're in a serious shout for promotion and are keeping our eyes out on results at the top of the table, rather than the bottom. Sorry, rant over.
Yes, we all have theories on what McCarthy should have done differently, and they should be criticised where criticism is due. But some of the comments I've heard have been ridiculous. Let's drop the sense of entitlement, keep behind the team, and be appreciative of the fact that, for once in the past several years, we're in a serious shout for promotion and are keeping our eyes out on results at the top of the table, rather than the bottom. continue like that and we will not be in with a serious chance of promotion!! Sorry Nuggets but we are way to cautious and as for the hoofball, its absolute gash!! Mick said today was a point gained, will he say that if we miss out on promotion by a point? Tabb Skuse and Anderson in the same team week in week out will not keep us in the playoffs!!
Great post Nuggets and I can't really add much to that as you have summed it up very well I was there today and the mood at the end was disgraceful certainly where I was sat there were people who I have never seen before Booing! This really pisses me off and if they do that sort of thing then I don't really want them at Portman Road! If they want to watch a team win every week then feck off and support Chelsea etc...!
Continue like what? Showing support for the team? Some people booed at full time ... booed! Incredulous. We're a side three points off the top of the table. Nobody is giving us a chance. Ask other supporters whether Town will go up, and most of them laugh. But it's depressing to see that, in some instances, our own supporters can stay united and get behind the team. Yes, the form has been poor recently and McCarthy got the tactics wrong today, but is this ugly sense of entitlement and petty booing every time we draw/lose going to have a positive effect on the players. Of course not. We are cautious, yes. We are direct, yes. But that style of play didn't get any complaints when we went on a run of one defeat in 20 odd games. It's the fickleness that winds me up. Now to your credit, Spanish, you usually complain when the team wins, so you can get a pass. But some supporters are so reactionary, narrow-minded, and fickle that they just seem so quick to change their opinions on Mick, depending on the latest result. True, there are some average players in the team. We have a small squad and a lack of investment recently, after all. However, Mick's not going to play 'attractive', 'on the ground' football. He's not that type of manager. As for Skuse, your favourite player, didn't you say we missed him a couple of weeks ago and that he'd make it into your preferred starting eleven?
Warky if people pay good money to go see a show and its gash, then they boo, if you pay good money to watch football and its gash, you boo. Thats just the way it is and just coz you have never seen them before means nothing!!
Nuggets, i did not say i liked Skuse and most on here will back me on that, i said he has to start as he is the best of a bad bunch but you cant play him Tabb and Ando together, that is ****!!
I really don't get this whole 'pay to see a show/pay to see a football match' analogy. If I pay to see a show, film, concert etc, then I'll expect a good performance because that's kind of what I'm paying for and what I'm hoping to get. When I pay to see Ipswich play, yeah, I hope to see a good performance and, more importantly, a win to celebrate. But I'm paying to follow my football club and I know that's not going to happen all of the time. Today's game was one of the most boring games I've seen recently. But does that give me a pass to stand up and make a t*t of myself by booing because we couldn't win a game of football that day? I mean, booing can be effective if you're playing so bad that you're struggling near the bottom of the table, sure. But we're three points off the top!
Perspective for people's views is also required, now I am the first in line to say MM is the only manager I would want looking after us in these financially difficult times, however it does not mean he is beyond criticism when he got things as badly wrong as he'd did today, with your main man unavailable for selection and no similar replacement to take his place why would you continue with the same tactics?
1.No-one likes booing at any game, or any sport. Totally wrong and offensive and shows up the idiots that some fans in all clubs are. And, yes, it is dispiriting to hear it as you leave a ground..... 2.Most, perhaps all of us on here much appreciate what MM & TC have done for our club - their work ethic, skills & experience in getting the best out of mostly average players has been extraordinary. But they are not above reproach. 3.Several things became frustratingly apparent today, none too clever: and, yes, I too will make constructive criticisms. MM picked the wrong team - they were far too cautious, especially after the Brighton game and 10 days break; they should have started with much more flare, attacking, pace and passion - the crowd were oddly quiet(unsurprisingly as no feast was turned up) - there was no change in formation or tactics; subs brought on and playing out of position hardly any shots at goal let alone in it. Such was our lack of adventure, Wigan almost stole the game in the 2nd half! 4. When fans pay £20-30 to watch a game, in my case, others and Warky's iro £70, then yes, we do want to see real effort, passion, commitment on the pitch by professional sportsmen who are being paid iro £2000-£10,000 a week for our club(Money that we can only dream of) Didsy's and Berra's drop of form, the former seemingly has attitude does worry me. 5. Yes, we could well have been top spot, with games we should have taken more from, which is so maddening...but hey thats footie. 6.Yes, every team has bad periods, loss of belief etc....but as I said on tother thread, I hope and believe that MM can sort things out quickly. I stick to my view that we are not an auto promotion team, nowhere near it frankly. I am even envious of Bnmth's style of play! 7. If we lose at Rotherham....or a scrappy unpretty draw, then we are at risk IMO of not making top 6 after all. I say again......just one player of the calibre of Jonny W would make a huge difference. And please with Freddie & Bish! Lets all hope we can turn a new leaf!
Well summed up Spanish out of interest then seeing as you've said it explain..... Brentford 2 Ipswich 4 ( skuse / anderson/ Tabb all played Ipswich 2 Boro 0 ( all three played ) Ipswich 4 Leeds 1 ( same again ) Charlton 0 Ipswich 1 ( same............ ) I know exactly where you're coming from though Spanish. Seriously, a midfield of Tabb wide left leaves me wanting to punch a wall, Anderson I have doubts as to whether he's good enough at this end and Skuse well he has a lot of ability but boy he can be frustrating to watch at times. I really know where you're coming from. I had a feeling we'd struggle today, sadly going to have to take the point. Mick can get the plaudits when we win he is going to have to take the flack when we don't ! Simple as. For what it's worth, get Parr at RB as soon as possible I really will never understand why he's not playing 90 minutes every week. This is my main Mick boo point right now. It offers us a far better balance both ends.
I took the last minute decision to go to the match... (other half was dragged bridesmaid shopping by a friend) Dreadful game of football.. I feel sorry for Wigan fans as they looked as hopeless as any team I've seen play at PR (including us!) My thought on the spectacle (or lack of) that it was.. It was painfully clear for all to see that Murphy the key player in our system, none of Hunt, McG or Sears have the ability to play with their back to goal and make the ball stick. The direct style of getting it to the front man and allowing Bru, Bish and others then play from there (in between the lines) simply didn't happen today. Also when we did try and play it fell apart with the lack of urgency through the midfield. As for individual performances. None of the back 5 had anything of real note to deal with today, though Chambo at RB still doesn't look right. the Midfield was where we really needed an injection of quality. I like Tabb, but he doesn't offer enough to play out wide, always puts in a shift but doesn't have the ability to change a game. That unfortunately applies to Anderson. (today as an example) Bru was unable to get a foothold in the game and huffed and puffed but wasn't really able to make anything happen.. Then there is Skuse, he epitomised everything that we find so frustrating. 2 key examples from today's match, Anderson was charging down the wing only to have McG and Hunt near the box (Tabb was busting a gut to catch up with play) and Skuse was ambling over the half way line. Then after the ball went out of play by their corner flag Bru was trying to give an option and Skuse was still in the centre circle.. Then the biggest 'Skuse' moment, Mings has the ball at the back and Skuse is open in the middle of the park.. naturally Mings plays the ball into his feet as he has space.. only for Skuse to then rock back on his heels take a dreadful touch and then foul the opponent who has nicked the ball off him.. In that moment it highlighted his ability to let a match happen around him, without wanting to get 'too involved'. He wasn't the only one who played poorly but that stuck with me as a ridiculous moment against a dire football team. It was abundantly clear that we need someone to change the pace of the game in the midfield.. a Joniesta if you like? someone who can get hold of the ball, get his head up, pick a pass or drive into space and commit defenders. What we currently have is an honest, hard working group of decent players, a couple with ability on the ball, but no one to take the game by the scruff of the neck.. Also if we are to go and beat teams like Wigan, we need to be able to change the angle of attack, add a little variation and without Murph we struggled to play our 'usual' game. Also, worth pointing out. As bad as we were, Wigan are destined for the drop. They were utterly hopeless today
Ok Westy fair enough but how many would we have won by if we had a better midfield, maybe 10-0 hehe!! No i just find those 3 so uninspiring!!
Haha yeah I'm amazed we have done so well with them three. To be fair to Tabb, quite a few have said on TWTD he played quite well yesterday.
KoPR I agree entirely with your assessment of the match.And it's no use people bleating about MM not being given the funds when he has amply demonstrated he can put together a decent side on (virtually) no funds, he just seems to have a complete blind spot when it comes to finding and getting the best from a play maker.Someone who, during the god awful periods of head tennis yesterday, could have brought the ball under control and either taken on the opposition,or found a telling pass to Did's or Hunt's feet! I think the crowds ironic cheers during such periods was more telling than the boos at the end.It's one thing to win ugly but to bore draw ugly against what was before Town yesterday was inexcusable.
We are all disappointed at dropping 2 winnable points, I think most of us were amazed at MM referring to Wigan as a very good side, I know every team has an off day but it doesn't disguise the fact that the standard of football from both sides was absolutely appalling, little more than 2 Sunday morning pub teams. Our midfield was hopeless I think it was 30 minutes before Skuse actually touched the ball, nobody was getting down the flanks and putting in good crosses so we didn't even get close to scoring, McG seemed to be at half speed and Mings was hopeless. we still played a hoof ball game even though Murphy wasn't playing so there was very little success there, what has happened to the good football we were playing until quite recently? Where has our pass and move game gone? These problems need to be addressed quickly or promotion? play offs? forget it.
Good constructive debate going on here boys it's good to see. Have to say I strongly disagree with booing a team no matter how bad you are, yes criticise them (you're going to have the odd grumble) plus this is what these forums are for and the pub but don't boo or be degrading to your own players (only acceptable in certain circumstances), the only time I showed disastisfaction at a match was under Keanes tenure but that was directed at him because he's a twat
Agree with most of your points Southcoast, however I still believe we will quite comfortably make the playoffs unless we have real injury worries. As we are apparently in a bad run of form at the moment yet we still are only 1 win from being joint top. If Mick played attractive football I doubt many of these conversations would be taking place, I think it's the unattractive performances that seem to put us into the frame of mind of thinking we're going to drop down the division.
Great post KOPR, completely agree about Murphy we need another target man, it is vital to our direct style of play especially in a 442, or we need to go back to a 433 again. SKUSE epitomises MCCARTHY, lots of ability but is too cautious in approach which means they will never fulfil their true potential
I just hope Evans has seen what's been happening the past few weeks and realises that, by failing to bring in some fresh faces to challenge for our problematic right back, centre midfield, and wide areas, we're going to struggle to see games out and get the win. Our style of play, while effective, could be counteracted by the better teams who have bigger, and more in-depth, squads to field.
Ffs, maybe, just maybe its Mick that feels he does not need anyone else!! Why is everyone blaming Evans? After all, he never picked yesterdays poor side!!
