I will begin by quoting comments about Ipswich from the East Anglian DailyTimes:
“In recent weeks, against Swindon we were hopeless, against Peterborough and Sunderland at home we hardly laid a glove on them.
“Peterborough, away, after going ahead, we were outplayed. At Crewe we just about deserved a point and against Northampton just over a week ago - well the less said the better. Football, hey?
“The Tigers - top three and just relegated from the Championship last season. A team with plenty of quality - and we could have won by three or four."
They also reported that the Ipswich manager rated Hull as “Championship quality" despite them not managing a single shot on target.
In fact Ipswich themselves managed only 2 shots on target so where would the other 2 or 3 goals have come from? Passing is another fair indicator and their 64% is not impressive alongside the 75% or so average attained by decent teams. And of course their readers are not reminded that Hull are on a terrible run.
The journalist effectively admits his confusion without recognising that his view of the performance against Hull takes insufficient account of current form. We know that they are not the best side we have seen against Rovers and neither Rovers, nor Hull showed Championship quality in that match; neither has shown it lately.
Lincoln looked good for the league above, Sunderland have that quality of player in some positions and Rovers have seemed encouragingly close earlier in the season, but obviously without the benefit of having seen the Hull/Ipswich match, the EADT view of their team could be more than a slight misleading reading of the evidence.
So we are left with a match between one team, some of whose fans might believe have finally brought home a major scalp, and Rovers who are trying to recapture Championship-worthy form.
I think Ipswich, long-hungry for a bit of success, could well draw encouragement and confidence from their win which might well give them an edge, because like other “big clubs" in League 1 they must have some decent players and suffer as Sunderland have done from extreme nervousness borne of fear of displeasing their supporters.
So, that great football pundit concept, “Belief", may well have been generated and when all said and done, it may not require too much of it to provide Rovers with a serious test given the way we have been playing.
The fence is an inviting place, so that’s where I’ll sit. 2-2 and Bogle/Sims/Anderson with no. 1.
DPLv Ipswich Town
posted on 27/2/21
3.1 victory, feji 1st goal.
posted on 27/2/21
1-1 bogle with the goal
posted on 27/2/21
With 74% of the possession the failure to create a viable shot on goal until the half was almost over had to be seen to be believed. Because we do not move the ball quick enough the opposition can concentrate on being in and around our players and can be sure that they will crowd us out, especially once the penalty areas is reached.
And of course we cannot defend set-pieces.
posted on 27/2/21
...they seem to be trying to play it around more quickly in the first few minutes fo the second half.
posted on 27/2/21
I do not know how any team can win when they miss chances like the Rovers did today. If one just looked at the statistics, one would have thought the Rovers would have won (just like the WBA vs. BHA in the Premier League today where one would have thought BHA would have won). The lack of intensity in Rovers play, even in the last ten minutes when chasing a goal, is really worrying. At least the commentator said the Rovers cannot score if Balcombe and the defenders keep playing the ball to one another.
I thought DM’s substitutions very strange, and it was obvious Sims was not pleased. My first subs would have been Okenabirhie and Richards off, with Taylor and Copps coming on. Then I do not think we would need another substitution as we would have taken the lead. I thought Smith was a little off his usual skills, but so was Richards.
Both Okenabirhie and Bogle were poor today, with Bogle probably having the worst miss. He seemed so much better against Hull. Bostock seems to be a reasonable acquisition with real potential to replace some of Whiteman.
I thought Balcombe could have done better with both goals. For the first he seemed to telegraph he was moving to his right and so no wonder they went for his top left corner. The ball was in the air for a long time before crossing the line, and if Balccmbe had not seeming to be going the wrong way at first, would have had time to get across. It was a good strike, but it was savable.
posted on 27/2/21
I really don’t know what to say. Playing as they did, always out from the back in meaningless sterile patterns, backwards, sideways, backwards, often all the way back from the edge of the Ipswich box, it is amazing that they had so many actual shots on goal.
It is almost as though they think that if they keep passing the ball they will score goals and win, as though the “system” will deliver goals and victory automatically without them having to exert themselves unduly.
The organisation around set pieces is appalling. They obviously do not know what they should be doing as the number of goals conceded shows. That is borne out by the fact that the commentary team tell us that they can hear the Goalkeeping/Set piece coach shouting out his instructions from the dug-out.
Sometimes, you feel sorry for your team after they have lost. I don’t think Tom Anderson deserved it, but I don’t feel much sympathy for the rest of them. Wins have to be earned.
posted on 1/3/21
Just a little change of subject, did any of you hear Chris Wilder's comments on the Beeb? OK, we have a love:hate relationship with the Blunts, but this was a manager who told it what like it was for his team. One of the most honest statements I've ever heard a manager say.
Only a miracle will save them, and he knows that will not happen. It is sad as they have Sharp, Stevens, and Lundstram who all played for our beloved Rovers.
posted on 1/3/21
We now we know why things might not having been going so well lately! DM gone to the Weddies. Andy Butler appointed manager!
posted on 1/3/21
Its a bold move by the board. You cant say following Rovers isnt interesting! Financially probably a very sound move. I think AB could well succeed! Lets wish him well.
posted on 1/3/21
The official line is the approach was Friday. However Im pretty sure he and his agent will have known of the interest since the start of the year. There were rumours.