Marks out of ten.... Stockdale - 6 (made a couple of important saves but distribution poor on occassion) Edwards - 5 (caught out of position a few times though better when Carson came on in front of him) Delaney - 3 (looked very nervous and seems to have little confidence) Sonko - 8 (confident, great in the air and not bad on the ground either - MotM) Cresswell - 6 (played well but still don't think he closes down quickly enough) Leadtwat - 2 (awful, didn't want to be there, little effort and no vocals whatsoever) Andrews - 7 (looked solid, gave the ball away a few times but industrious and dangerous) Kennedy - 6 (solid if not spectacular) JET - 5 (jury still out and injured second half) Murphy - 7 (won a lot in the air and looked sharp) Chopra - 6 (didn't really have the service and therefore little chance to show his quality) Subs: Carson - 6 (worked well and switched sides throughout) Bullard - 7 (not because he was amazing but the positive effect that he had on the team and support was worth it) Scotland - 7 (impressed, found space, worked pretty hard and scored a good goal)
Thanks mate. Happy with the 3 new players contribution - I thought Sonko would be a million times better than what we have at the back ! Lets hope Ingimarrson is back, sooner the better. I'd like to see Edwards on a wing again........
Think Rushmere's got it pretty much spot on, although I would take into account that Edwards was up against a very good winger for Leeds.
Agree with Rushmere, especially the point about Cresswell not closing down, him and Delaney stood off and let Leeds players get closer to goal and get shots / crosses off. First half was completely disjointed, an annonymous Leadbitter was a major factor in this. Sending off evened things up a bit and Leeds sat back. Scotland showed he has quality and perhaps could make a good partner for Chops.
Other than Sonko and Stockdale I wouldnt really give anyone above average marks. We played alot better than against Peterborough and Southampton but we were still very very poor in the first half and could easily have been 3 or 4 down. Second half we improved a bit and were helped by playing against 10 men but now we have Bullard back all we do is pass to him and hope he can create something. We all know his quality but its almost as if everyone else is scared of the ball. 3 points is 3 points and I am happy that we got them but it was nowhere near a decent display - hopefully part of the problem is jelling the team together and with a bit more cohesion we will be fine.
This is something I already posted on the "Ipswich Town versus Leeds United thread" and covers player performance to an extent. Plus, like Rushmere, I've given my views on each player (at the foot) but, not scored them out of 10. I'd sum it up as a long long way to go but, starting to show what might be if we can get any sense of momentum going from now on ........ A game of clichés to be honest, starting with; 'it was a game of two halves'. LUFC were the superior side in the first 45 minutes without doubt and deservedly went in at the break with the lead. Their disappointment must surely have been their inability to capitalise on this and only have the single goal to show for their efforts. The second half was of course categorised by the sending off, which changed things but, even before then ITFC were looking a much better proposition. The substitutions worked well and you have to hand it to Jason Scotland; his goal was magnificent and he set up the second and he was a real worry for Leeds to handle. From an Ipswich perspective you have to be honest and say we beat a team of 10 men. Nonetheless after recent results, a 'win is a win' and Leeds are always a good scalp and we desperately needed the 3 points. Their fans get a lot of criticism but, I thought they created a great atmosphere on Saturday and played their part. I wish a few other clubs would bring as many as they do. Despite our nervous first half display and inability to create anything, there were some bright spots over 90. The new signings are starting to show their quality. Cresswell is still impressing. The JET jury is still out for me but, hopefully in a more balanced side he will find his place. That said, Carson is a very worthy alternative and I'm happy seeing him out there. Sonko was just what the doctor ordered and looks like a quality signing, just where we needed it, a proper 'stitch in time'. Andrews now has 3 from 3 which by any standards is a good record. Murphy is hard working and looks to worry the defences and create space - he's a presence. If he carries on like this then Chopra will surely find more opportunity than he has been able to since the opening game. Bullard did very little but he definitely 'lifted the spirits' and we know what he is capable of once fit. That said, his two free kicks were horrors! Leadboots got substituted - the brightest of the bright spots!!! I've not been Scotland's biggest fan but you have to hand it to him. He made the difference and I have never seen him look so sharp - I take it all back! Well done Jason, even as a substitute you have to be my man of the match for your huge contribution, without which, we quite simply would not have won. A short break is going to really suit us now, especially off the back of a win. PJ has some time (he needs it!) to really get to grips with things and there may yet be more personnel joining. It's going to be a real struggle and mid table is the best we can aim for right now but, at least the Saints and Posh games came at the right end of the season and hopefully wont be repeated! On our day this side could be very very good. But even the best chefs can **** up good ingredients! Lets see what PJ is really made of now. (No budgies'; Delia does not qualify, I said best chefs not mere cooks!) Onwards and upwards but, I don't think we'll do an Icarus and reach the giddy heights this season. COYB Stockdale - did what was required, needs to release the ball much quicker to get us going again Edwards - had a tough job against a worthy opponent - looked OK going forward but frail in defence Delaney - nervous and lost too often Sonko - great debut - nothing spectacular but very solid and just what we need. He cleans up. Alan Hunter style! Cresswell - busy all day - I do like him. Someone at RB doing the same would be just great. Leadbitter- very poor again and rightly subbed - the goal was his fault initially; didn't go for an obvious 50/50 then backed off Andrews - looked solid and is a real threat going forward Kennedy - just did ok - reliable JET - needs more time, not a great performance but he won us a penalty Murphy - good in the air and busy - things will happen around him as he pulls defensive about to create spaces Chopra - not as sharp as you'd like but in fairness didn't have too many opportunities coming his way Subs: Carson - worked hard and provided some options and linked well with Edwards when he came on. Bullard - did nothing in fairness but got the crowd going - a couple of awful free kicks to row Z Scotland - my man of the match, even as a sub. Created space and worried the Leeds defence, scored a great goal and created the other.
