Ryan Fraser, IBO's Man of the Match
Manager: Kieran McKenna
Manager: Will Still
Jay Robinson has just headed Saints equaliser. The ball in the foreground isn't in play, the match ball is in the net on the far right!
|Whilst new gaffer Will Still has constantly talked about players moving on or incoming, his only fresh talent is Jay Robinson from the U21s and the 2 youngsters signed from Germany at the start of the window. Despite this, he has managed to win 2 games in the past week, despite his side not playing well and the horrible EFL referees.
Noises from the Midlands and Russia suggest we will be signing at least one more creative midfielder (or both should anyone meet the Lavia-sized price we have put on Matty F.
In both the Wrexham and Northampton games, Will went for a back three with wingbacks. This is not his preferred formation, but it suggests he is content with our defensive group and wants them all up to speed. It also confirms he is unhappy with the rest of the squad, so he plays just 5 rather than the 6 he intends to use.
Ipswich were incredibly lucky to get anything from their opening game at Brum, but less so when exiting the League Cup at lowly Bromley. With their 2 big stars moving to Chelsea and Forest, the Tractor Boys need new recruits to get them moving ASAP. Hopefully, our Sunday lunchtime game will find them still searching for answers.
|Will made just 2 changes from his Wrexham starters with THB replacing Edwards in the back 3 and Matty coming into midfield. Fraser moved from there to wingback in place of Sugawara.
Ipswich brought back Philogene wide left, with Ogbene dropping to the bench. Despite their leavers, the front 4 looked decent, and they still had O’Shea and Davis at the back. Kieran McKenna has approximately £50M to spend before the window shuts, so now could be the best time to play there.
The Ref was Bobby Madley, younger brother of Premier League Ref Andy. Sky’s commentary team were Gary Weaver and Andy Hinchcliffe. Not often you see games these days where both teams play in their home kit!
Ipswich began on the front foot and got forward, but their initial efforts resulted in a Saints goal kick. Then, in a horrible replay of Russball, we contrived to concede an awful goal. Baz played it left to Josh, who was closed down by Smodics. Despite the intervention, the ball reached Welington, who was also being pressed. He fired it back to Josh, who wasn’t expecting it, and Hirst came from behind the German to take the ball. He headed towards our area before cutting it back towards Clarke in the middle. Jack stuck out a leg, lifted the ball past Clarke, but against the retreating THB and past Baz. 1-0 Ipswich: utter shite!
With the Home crowd buzzing, Ipswich looked to capitalise and, too often under previous managers, Saints have fallen out of games when starting so badly. Still’s Saints seem to be made of sterner stuff. Going behind to both Brighton and Wrexham had not impacted us badly, and again on Sunday, we did not collapse.
We won our first corner from which JR crossed, but Palmer collected the ball in a crowded penalty area. Ipswich’s forwards continued to press us at the back, but when AA tried to close down their keeper, he was body checked by O’Shea. Anywhere else on the pitch that is a free kick, but not in Championship penalty areas apparently.
Matty was becoming increasingly effective in the middle, and on 18m he found Welington overlapping. JR did not see the Brazilian and caused him to mishit his shot. Ipswich had begun chasing us down, but as they tired under the hot sun, it was Saints who were dominating the ball.
On 25m, play was halted as Smodics went down hurt. Players took drinks while he was treated, and the number 23 was able to rejoin the game when it restarted.
Soon after, Jack took the ball off Ipswich and fed it to Matty, who drove forward. He played the ball to Fraser, wide right, who returned it and moved forward down the wing. Matty slid him in, and when he looked up, we had 3 driving into the box. Wee Man picked out young JR in the centre of the box, and his textbook downward header beat Palmer on his line. 1-1.
We saw more questionable refereeing when Downes was brought down and then penalised for handball. Ipswich began to get back into the game as HT approached, but their attacks brought no rewards. The best chance came when Davis crossed a free kick from their right, which Philogene fired over at the far post.
On 39m, Hirst drove forward but hit his shot right at Baz. The keeper launched the ball downfield, and Palmer raced out of his area to clear. He completely missed it, but before AA could pounce, a blue shirt saved the stopper’s blushes.
Two yellow cards were dished out in quick succession. The first was for Welington’s foul on Clarke. Moments later, Taylor tried to run by THB on the other side of the pitch, and the defender went over. The Ref blew up for a free kick. It looked soft, but the midfielder lost his shit and was booked.
We then saw AA bundled over in the box again, and nothing given before +3m was announced. Matusiwa earned his booking for a shove on JR, and that was that; 1-1 and all to play for.
|Ipswich started quickly again, and their first serious attack saw Smodics cut in from the left and fire a low drive beyond Baz. The keeper must have feared the worst, but angst turned to delight as the shot bounced off the far post and right back into his arms.
Minutes later, Smodics embarrassed Josh on the other side of the box, but Philogene could not convert the chance. Up the other end, another foul on JR by Matusiwa gave us a free kick, and Matty fired over the bar.
On 54m, a Saints move broke down and Smodics was away, racing towards our goal. Welington showed a good turn of pace to run him down and recover the ball. Will then chose to replace the carded Brazilian, and Manning replaced him on the left.
Ipswich then enjoyed a period of dominance, winning a bunch of corners but this ended when (not for the first time) a corner from their left was overhit and sailed harmlessly over everyone and out for a goal kick. Up the other end, JR sought to add to his tally, but his low drive was turned away by the keeper.
Matty’s corner was headed out for a throw from which Fraser was able to put over another cross, which Palmer fielded. On 69m, Still took off both Matty and JR, sending on Matsuki and Archer as straight swaps. Ipswich countered with 3 changes, Ogbene, Chaplin and Cajuste replacing Clarke, Philogene and Taylor. Former Skate Chaplin’s every touch was booed heartily by our fans.
Ipswich played a ball forward, and Jack tried to head it back to Baz, but set up a leg race between the keeper and Smodics instead. Thankfully, Baz got his hands to the ball before being clattered but the agricultural home fans were baying for a penalty. The Ref got that decision right, though.
When Jack conceded another corner, the Ref spotted a foul on Baz as the ball was whipped in, which further incensed the Yokels. Ipswich’s next chance fell to Davis, but he couldn’t hit the target.
Dibling had been waiting to come on, but when the next break in play arrived, our Wee Man was down hurt, so Will made a double switch, Sugawara for the limping Scot and Tyler for AA. Our fans greeted the youngster with “He’s One of Our Own!” as Archer now assumed the No.9 role.
The commentators joked that Matusiwa might follow AA down the tunnel as they’d spent much of the game kicking each other. They were correct as Ipswich’s final changes saw the Dutchman and Johnson replaced by Humphreys and 40-year-old Ashley Young.
Chaplin and Ogbene worked a late chance for the hosts but Cap’n Jack’s great block saw the ball come back to Chaplin who was unable to test Baz. The 4th Official showed 5 added minutes, and, given the nature of recent games between these two, it was reasonable to expect late drama.
The only chance of note was a Chaplin header which went over, but late on, there was a confrontation between Shea Charles and Ashley Young, reminiscent of young stag v the old master during the Autumn rut. The Ref showed our man a yellow card, which probably took into account earlier indiscretions.
So that was it, a 1-1 draw. Neither side really did enough to win, but Ipswich are almost certainly going to get stronger, so a point here is probably a point gained. For the 3rd Saturday running Saints have gone behind but fought back and that is well worth celebrating.
We now have the luxury of a week before Stoke visit SMS. It would be nice if we could start ironing out those defensive glitches and get our forwards putting the ball past, not at, the keeper…
|There was no outstanding performer at Portman Road. AA led the line well but hardly had a sniff of a goal. Cap’n Jack was our best defender, and Baz did OK between the sticks. Matty and JR both did some good things further up the pitch, the latter notching a first Championship goal for us.
However, I was more impressed with how our Wee Man coped at Right Wingback. He dealt adequately with the dual threat of Philogene and Davis down their left and contributed plenty as we got forward. His lovely cross for JR’s goal was the icing on the cake. Well played RYAN FRASER.
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