... was that it didn't look like a Paul Lambert team, it looked like a Chris Hughton team. Let's hope it's the first of many victories.
I can't wait for next week to be over and then we can put Lambert into history once and for all irrespective of the result. Terrific manager for us, hope he does well at Villa and hope he leaves the sueing alone. But CH needs no comparisons at all. (And I can understand every word he says).
I don't give a toss about Lambert anymore. I feel more and more that he was the talented 'front' for a really excellent coach and Assistant in Ian Culverhouse, who also, and I remember Lambert admitting this, had a good eye for 'lower league' talent. I watched the clip of our game against Arsenal in '92 a bit ago and was reminded what a great player Cully was for us, and I remembered thinking, when he came to us with Lambert, that he was coming back to a place where he had had his finest years as a player. It may be sentimental, but I wonder how he feels about Lambert's antics over the summer and since.
Now we've found a formation and a midfield that works I'm enjoying some of the football we're playing. I know it's just been one game but I find we're a lot more patient with how we play and keep our shape as a team, so long as we don't play too deep I think we'll do well.
I thought we were immense yesterday and thoroughly deserved the victory. Everyone to a man gave his all for the shirt, so proud of the boys. P.S. I hope Lambert fails miserably at Villa and his career goes down the pan after the way the tosser left us. No room for sentiment regardless of his acheivments with us. We did as much for him as he did for us and he would do well to remember that instead of suing us for 'unfair dismissle' what a knob
I've been hankering for CH to play both E Bennett and Pilks on the wings and I know this has been foiled by injuries in recent weeks, but how good to see both of them playing yesterday and both played vital roles, no more so than some of Bennett's defending to help Martin out. A team display from Ruddy to Holt and everyone played their part - let's hope we can get our first away win next Sat. What will be interesting for me over the coming weeks and months is how much 'tinkering' CH does with the team, assuming there are no injuries to key players. In the words of a well-known song by D:ream - 'Things can only get better!!!'
Just watched MOTD again, as I was wondering why Holt chose to go to the right when scoring and if he had gone to the left as a lot of players would have done, then there's every likeliehood that Mannone woud have saved it.
I suspect it's striker's intuition, developed after years of hard graft at all levels of the game. Holt's an articulate man, but he often can't quite explain why he does something one way rather than another. That's probably when intuition/practical wisdom has taken over. It's a joy to observe in every walk of life.
One of my Arsenal mates sneered at me even though he writes his tweets with a crayon it's a complete travesty that his not in the England set up. Holts got an excellent footballing brain on him and I don't think he get's enough credit for his technical skill but this season I've noticed a lot more people are paying attention to him.
"once I get the lads to run for me theyre br'lliant." I just hope Villa arent "colossal" next week. As for Holt, admire the fact he was following the ball in before it left Tetty's boot. Hes got a footballing brain and is certaintly not just a lump like some pundits make out.
The selfish side of me is pleased that most "pundits" don't appreciate his qualities, but you have to feel sorry for Holty, with proper recognition he would be playing Champion's League football either here, or abroad! Their loss is most definitely our gain!
If Holt scores 30 league goals this season, he still won't get picked for England, especially after his outburst a week or so ago.
Holt has a knack of scoring, people say he's not the fastest, he's not the tallest, yes he is strong, but he seems to read the game very well and gets into position to score... sometimes with very good shots or improvisation. It always seems to take him a few games to get going though doesn't it?
One of the things i am happiest about is Holt proving he can play the lone striker role. So much credit for Hughton for calls he made. Brave leaving out howson and playing turner and they paid off. I think a huge confidence boost for turner getting a clean sheet under his belt. Finally, i don't think enough can be said about bassong. That guy is class
where are all the ipswich chums? i'm waiting for them to come over and say well done chaps. they only come over to gloat when we lose though i guess
They'll all be glued to the radio/internet waiting for the inevitable "Paul Jewell has left the club by mutual consent" statement after their press conference this morning.
