– As usual, apologies for the inevitable essay that will follow! –
We’d just come off the back of a tremendously tough week. A hard-fought victory at bogey-ground Ewood Park preceded by a brilliant second half demolition of in-form Watford meant that momentum was building. Five wins on the bounce! Next up was the big derby game - bigger than most of late, as both coveted the top slots. Never mind the gap, would we look mentally and physically tired or would our squad strength see us through to another key win?
As it happens I think the efforts of the previous seven days had taken their toll a little and added to the blustery winds, made the win yesterday all the more satisfying. In truth, it was a poor game. City never really got going but they ‘did enough’ in a thoroughly professional performance in difficult conditions. Each player dug in, worked hard, won their personal battles and let our quality shine through – the first three things reeled off were only fleetingly seen during the first half of the season. Now we’re the ‘full package’.
The strong gusts combined with the early low sun and the visitors high lofted balls were a worry as far as I was concerned from the outset. Huge credit to Martin and Bassong who marshalled everything superbly and although there were one or two moments of concern – especially when the lively Sears burst through on goal, only to be thwarted by the ever-improving Ruddy, and when Johnson almost hooked through his own net – as soon as the slightly fortuitous second goal went in it was another relatively comfortable afternoon’s work.
Johnson’s goal was a howitzer – another howitzer! That glistening Barry Butler Trophy is looking more and more destined for the battling Londoner who has added quality goals to his comabative displays. Russell Martin was Man of the Match for me. Fantastic display at centre back under constant aerial and physical pressure. He now looks assured in that position alongside Bassong in a well-balanced partnership, and with Whattaker playing well at right back, the much-maligned backline has now kept five clean sheets in our last seven games. That’s a wonderful return considering how leaky we were just two months ago.
I’ll give Ipswich a little credit but I’m not sure they deserve too much. They are a bit like an annoying wasp but we kept swatting them away. They are not a particularly good side but they have had a terrific season. They are a mish-mash of good pros, washed up has-beens and young hopefuls – but they never gave up yesterday. Ironically, despite the increased scoreline, this was a closer game than the reverse fixture at Portman Road. We were the better team throughout and deserved the honours, but it was scrappy and awkward for a little. I never felt we would not win the game though.
Yes they are horrid to watch, yes they have the most overrated footballer in English football in Tyrone Mings, and in my opinion, have now totally lost their traditional reputation of being a passing side – their club identity has completely vanished under Mick McCarthy. But on paper that side should be in the bottom six, not the top six – so credit to the manager for that, no matter how ugly to watch. They’ve certainly over performed but they won’t be getting much further playing that way and that way only – you need more strings to your bow.
As I said above, I thought we looked a tad weary so the three points, regardless of performance, were a great tonic. I think this is where our squad depth will be key. Tettey picked up a clever yellow card to rule him out of the matches against Wigan and Millwall, so it gives a chance for someone else to come in and fill his mighty shoes for a couple of games. It’s time to rotate and I trust Neil will do just that. We mustn’t think we’ve achieved anything – and fixtures against teams near the foot of the table will be equally tough and keenly contested. We’ll need to be at the races to keep the run going. Though clear we would improve, I didn’t see us being able to mount an automatic promotion charge when Alex Neil came in – how wrong I was. It’s now in our hands - you can’t ask any more than that.
Yesterday highlighted once again that it is imperative this club gets back to the Premier League and increases the capacity of the ground. Yet another full house and with the new tv deal kicking in, it could give us the chance to finally get the stadium our fan base deserves. As a club, I believe we have a stronger mentality on the pitch to stay in the top flight than when we went down. One step backwards, two steps forwards and all that. It was a rough ride before Neil came through the door, but what a revelation he has been.
Now let’s complete the job.
OTBC
We’d just come off the back of a tremendously tough week. A hard-fought victory at bogey-ground Ewood Park preceded by a brilliant second half demolition of in-form Watford meant that momentum was building. Five wins on the bounce! Next up was the big derby game - bigger than most of late, as both coveted the top slots. Never mind the gap, would we look mentally and physically tired or would our squad strength see us through to another key win?
As it happens I think the efforts of the previous seven days had taken their toll a little and added to the blustery winds, made the win yesterday all the more satisfying. In truth, it was a poor game. City never really got going but they ‘did enough’ in a thoroughly professional performance in difficult conditions. Each player dug in, worked hard, won their personal battles and let our quality shine through – the first three things reeled off were only fleetingly seen during the first half of the season. Now we’re the ‘full package’.
The strong gusts combined with the early low sun and the visitors high lofted balls were a worry as far as I was concerned from the outset. Huge credit to Martin and Bassong who marshalled everything superbly and although there were one or two moments of concern – especially when the lively Sears burst through on goal, only to be thwarted by the ever-improving Ruddy, and when Johnson almost hooked through his own net – as soon as the slightly fortuitous second goal went in it was another relatively comfortable afternoon’s work.
Johnson’s goal was a howitzer – another howitzer! That glistening Barry Butler Trophy is looking more and more destined for the battling Londoner who has added quality goals to his comabative displays. Russell Martin was Man of the Match for me. Fantastic display at centre back under constant aerial and physical pressure. He now looks assured in that position alongside Bassong in a well-balanced partnership, and with Whattaker playing well at right back, the much-maligned backline has now kept five clean sheets in our last seven games. That’s a wonderful return considering how leaky we were just two months ago.
I’ll give Ipswich a little credit but I’m not sure they deserve too much. They are a bit like an annoying wasp but we kept swatting them away. They are not a particularly good side but they have had a terrific season. They are a mish-mash of good pros, washed up has-beens and young hopefuls – but they never gave up yesterday. Ironically, despite the increased scoreline, this was a closer game than the reverse fixture at Portman Road. We were the better team throughout and deserved the honours, but it was scrappy and awkward for a little. I never felt we would not win the game though.
Yes they are horrid to watch, yes they have the most overrated footballer in English football in Tyrone Mings, and in my opinion, have now totally lost their traditional reputation of being a passing side – their club identity has completely vanished under Mick McCarthy. But on paper that side should be in the bottom six, not the top six – so credit to the manager for that, no matter how ugly to watch. They’ve certainly over performed but they won’t be getting much further playing that way and that way only – you need more strings to your bow.
As I said above, I thought we looked a tad weary so the three points, regardless of performance, were a great tonic. I think this is where our squad depth will be key. Tettey picked up a clever yellow card to rule him out of the matches against Wigan and Millwall, so it gives a chance for someone else to come in and fill his mighty shoes for a couple of games. It’s time to rotate and I trust Neil will do just that. We mustn’t think we’ve achieved anything – and fixtures against teams near the foot of the table will be equally tough and keenly contested. We’ll need to be at the races to keep the run going. Though clear we would improve, I didn’t see us being able to mount an automatic promotion charge when Alex Neil came in – how wrong I was. It’s now in our hands - you can’t ask any more than that.
Yesterday highlighted once again that it is imperative this club gets back to the Premier League and increases the capacity of the ground. Yet another full house and with the new tv deal kicking in, it could give us the chance to finally get the stadium our fan base deserves. As a club, I believe we have a stronger mentality on the pitch to stay in the top flight than when we went down. One step backwards, two steps forwards and all that. It was a rough ride before Neil came through the door, but what a revelation he has been.
Now let’s complete the job.
OTBC
