Despite the goal, which seemed to trickle in at walking speed, the first half was very enjoyable - lots of play in their half, picking up most loose balls and playing with purpose. Even Henry ended up forward several times. Washington was very good - always playing on the shoulder of the CB and had one good chance well saved at close range and another was lost when he was barged by Berra.
We could have got Polter more involved and didn't look to cross as much and as early as we could. Perhaps this is a consequence of wingbacks compared to wingers.
Perch could have been sent off for several hefty tackles (bizarrely twice sliding recklessly in at balls he wouldn't win on their byline and I'm sure Ollie was glad for the chance to sub him for that reason. Chery too got involved in a needless and recurring spat with Tom Lawrence and I thought he was losing it.
Smithies didn't look wrong to come out but his header sort of spun sideways as he tried to retain possession and just gave Varney a tap in. He recovered well and it was nice to see both Hall and Ned show him some support. His string of fine saves came mostly after their fortuitous third (albeit clinically finished) including one worldy - a ferocious shot from McGoldrick that seemed to swerve late and would have gone just inside the post but for his outstretched fingertip save).
At 3-0 there was no way that it was a game of that dominance although we were nowhere near as effective in the second half. After the third, we kept trying but got caught on the break.
Very disappointing but not as devastatingly bad as the scoreline suggested.
Comments about Ipswich not having played as well in ages do little to console (especially since they only got more confidence with each goal).
