I think people need to have a bit more patience. KMc seems to be addressing our various problems in a logical and ordered manner. 1) We were leaking goals before he came.We now have a much tighter back three/five, with clean sheets almost expected as a matter of course.We’ve become difficult to beat without having to park the bus! 2)We had no defined style of play and lacked tactical adaptability in the course of games.We now have a recognised system and style of play building from the back with emphasis on getting the ball out wide.We have also shown the ability to change things around (Tuesday night aside,as Cheltenham stepped up their game considerably Second half and frustrated us with their time wasting etc, the first half was some of the best football I’ve seen us play for many years and it was only due to very poor finishing that we didn’t go in at half time 2 or 3-0 up.) 3)I’m sure that next on KMc’s list is working with the strikers we have to see if they are capable of putting away the numerous chances we’re creating and if not bring in new players for next Season. I’ve always considered a playoff place to be a bonus this Season and really see the way forward as via the automatic places next Season. I am seeing encouraging progress throughout the Club and team.Rome wasn’t built in a day!!
Yep you can’t score goals without creating chances! That said I don’t have much confidence in our striking personnel. As others have said we know Bonne and Norwood at least should be able to find the net in theory. I don’t understand why Piggott is anywhere near the first team.
Good post and I agree, work in progress, although the number of times ive heard Rome wasnt built in a day about Ipswich over the past 15 years is stupid. I still think we look unbalanced in alot of areas but upheaval of a whole squad was never going to be right in 1 season but I do think we've got the forwards to score more than we are at the moment and we're clearly not getting the best out of them. For me in our current system, Walton, Woolfenden, Donacien, Burns and Morsy looked great and like they can fit into the formation comfortably. The left side of defence doesn't look quite so balanced even though I think they are good players for this level Edmunson definitely doesn't look as commanding or solid on the left side of a back 3 and for me Thompson looks more of a full back than a wing back. It'll be interesting to see what formation McKenna uses after a pre season, I've always like a wing back system but you could keep the same players I've said and still play 4 at the back and a number of different formations aka a flat back 4 of Donacien, Woolfenden, Edmunson and Thomson with Burns as a right midfielder or a right forward. Whilst under McKenna when we've played Morsy and Evans together they have looked decent, Evans hasn't convinced me and neither have any of the others who have come in in his place, so that could be an area to strengthen in the summer. Plus I feel we lack a number 10 who's more of a midfielder than a forward to get some control of the ball in forward areas and provide a link between the midfielders and forwards. I still think if we'd have kept hold of Downes and not sold Fraser a midfield 3 of Morsy, Fraser and Downes would have been a force to he reckoned with in this division and even above.
Lots of good posts here, and one thing for sure is we are all enjoying our footie more. And we have seen a remarkable turn round in the Club fortunes with KM, who clearly knows his stuff and is well liked by the players. Critically, he has tackled our serious defence weaknesses. He knows he has to get the best out of the forwards that we have, and it is the one area remaining that needs proper coaching. We are now creating more chances and just need to hit the back of the net! For me, I cannot see what Piggot has contributed, or, is lkely to do so; lets forget about his 'record'. I once scored a few in minor league football, but that was half a century ago! The Club and the fans support is terrific. Most of us knew that the play-offs were probably a stretch too far after our terrible start. And it is still a possibility. That is the excitement of following Lower League club, with an enviable history.All the top teams have to play each other and will drop points. This Saturday the fixtures look very tasty.
It's a shame we didn't win this match after a first half that can best be described as relentless from us. The passing, movement and throw ins were all done at a rapid pace that gave Cheltenham no time to breathe. Second half was more even and we were left rueing our failure to score during the first half dominance. We certainly need one of our strikers to hit some form. Although the ball didn't stick with Jackson much up front (a common complaint against Kayden) I was surprised at how good he is at winning headers. He also seems to be the best at staying onside.
I thought actually we were very good for about 25 minutes and then we lost our momentum. Second half was very nervy and dodgy. McKenna was right that they need to trust the system and not go chasing the game. If we do all the right things the winning goal is far more likely to eventually come.
