Saints 2-1 Ipswich - Post Match Reaction

[Saint137]

Also one last thing....

 

At half time when they did the mascot race, what the fook was their mascot?! It looked like a **** nose or something!

 

Its the Sport Relief Sock, like the Red Nose for Comic Relief...

[John B]

Not got much time to comment on todays game but Jaidi was an absolute beast at the back and just won everything, I can't wait to see him alongside Fonte on Tuesday. Easily our MOTM, Walters, Priksin, Counago, Collback etc none of them got anywhere near him all game.

 

The two full backs had great game, Mills was brilliant in both halfs and should keep his place. Thomas with a quality strike and a few good headers.

 

Those three where stand out for me, no one had a bad game but those three where superb, especially Jaidi.

 

Will be interesting if Thomas Jaidi and Mills play at Brentford dont think Perry will

 

Could be Otsemobor Fonte Seaborne Harding

 

 

The back four against Millwall

[LA77]

Knees up Mother Brown

Knees up Mother Brown

Under the table you must go

Ee-aye, Ee-aye, Ee-aye-oh

If I catch you bending

I'll saw your legs right off

Knees up, knees up

Never get the breeze up

Knees up Mother Brown

[mcjwills]

Also one last thing....

 

At half time when they did the mascot race, what the fook was their mascot?! It looked like a **** nose or something!

 

It was Milo the mascot of the Sport Relief Mile

[Toomer]

Knees up Mother Brown

Knees up Mother Brown

Under the table you must go

Ee-aye, Ee-aye, Ee-aye-oh

If I catch you bending

I'll saw your legs right off

Knees up, knees up

Never get the breeze up

Knees up Mother Brown

 

O my what a rotten song, what a rotten song, what a rotten song

And what a rotten singer tooooooooo:)

[RonManager]

O my what a rotten song, what a rotten song, what a rotten song

And what a rotten singer tooooooooo:)

 

All lose balance and surge down the Milton road terraces.

[Poshie72]

First time I have listened to saints on the radio for along time. Forgot the effect it has on your nervous system. That last 6 minutes or so was a real rollercoaster. Think I spent most of it with my head in my hands praying. excellent result. supporting saints is just getting better and better

[HILL HEAD SAINT]

Lancashires just not cutting it, is he ?

hopefully all cuptied players back next week so there.s no need to put that useless sh**e lancashire anywhere near the first team get rid before transfer window slams shut.

[CanadaSaint]

All lose balance and surge down the Milton road terraces.

 

So it was you then.

 

I never did find my fricking rattle.

 

Barsteward.

[RedAndWhite91]

Great performance. Notably Jaidi, who was solid as concrete at the back, winning everything. Mills had another top game at left back, really impressed, and it's good to see Holmes play well again and prove that he can cut it. Barnard did well and you can tell he battles for everything, and give it time I reckon him and Lambert will link up nicely. Nice to see Gillett back, although he didn't make that much of an impact on the game.

 

Wayne Thomas, what a strike, blatantly only shot cos of the whole ground yelling "SHOOT!" at him. Quality goal.

 

Everyone else had a good game, and it was a great all round performance. Disappointed to concede late on, as it set it up for a nervy finish, but unlike the Saints of old we held on, strongly, and saw it out.

 

Bring on P*mpey next round then!

[RonManager]

So it was you then.

 

I never did find my fricking rattle.

 

Barsteward.

 

I trod on it after you ripped my Crombie.

[Toomer]

All lose balance and surge down the Milton road terraces.

 

Very happy days when we sung more than just 3 or 4 songs.

[Andy_Porter]

Will be interesting if Thomas Jaidi and Mills play at Brentford dont think Perry will

 

Could be Otsemobor Fonte Seaborne Harding

 

 

The back four against Millwall

 

Jaidi at the very least has to, If I was manager I'd play those three and Fonte. I'm sure Harding will understand he's being kept out of the side by a form player.

[Toomer]

I trod on it after you ripped my Crombie.

 

And he put a fag burn in my Sheepskin:)

[RonManager]

And he put a fag burn in my Sheepskin:)

 

Tore the toggles off me loafers, he did.

[70's Mike]

I trod on it after you ripped my Crombie.

 

Spilt beer on my Harrington

 

Wemberlee Wemberlee

[CanadaSaint]

And he put a fag burn in my Sheepskin:)

 

That wasn't my woodbine.

 

And even if it was, it was an accident because I was looking for me rattle.

[Toomer]

That wasn't my woodbine.

 

And even if it was, it was an accident because I was looking for me rattle.

 

Thats what you said when you knocked my red safety helmet off my head.

[supergoose]

God I love Saints!

[Chez]

Fantastic result and I thought on balance of chances we deserved the win. Totally out played in the first half, we looked a different side once we went to 4-3-3 (or if you prefer 4-5-1) and we were on top most of the second. The main reason was that Lallana got on the ball and we snuffed out their midfield play. They went to pieces and I'd look at their substitution of their striker as partly to blame as he was having a good game and stretching us. Having said that all our players stepped up a gear and we competed very hard. The defence was outstanding. The best I have seen us for a long time.

 

Davis 7 solid again, no real amazing saves

Thomas 9 what a goal and a very decent display

Jardi 9 brilliant all game, although it should have been a pen at the end but he had no choice but to dive in.

Perry 8 best game for a while although it was Jardi winning the headers.

Mills 9 Tremendous game. Didn't put a foot wrong defensively. Looks so assured at left back and its a shame he isn't right footed! Chuffed for him as it has been a tough season to date.

James 7 decent game and should not have been subbed. Looked composed although sat next to Wotton that is not hard.

Wotton 7 ran ragged early doors and every pass was a first time and hoofed ball - some worked , many didn't. He won every header though and tracked runners all day. As part of a 5 man midfield it seems to work, As a four, no chance, not good enough. Should not have been subbed.

Holmes 6 Very average if you ask me. Doesn't track back and doesn't beat his man. Tired after 65 minutes and towards the end was on his knees (although stragely he found a second wind during injury time when going forward). Should have been subbed ages before. Not the answer if you ask me.

Lambert 6 average game. Terrible first half where he gave the ball away cheaply, improved in the second. A lot of poor service mind you. No real combination work with Barnard but not a lot to work with and then Barnard moved outside.

Barnard 6 one half decent chance not taken and a fair bit of running, but for me he looked very average. Tackled and won some flick ons, but he has no real pace, didn't hold it up that well and caused very little problems. No service and then moved to right wing. Hoped for more. I'm sure he will improe and he will have moire time against League 1 defenders.

Antonio 7 tremendous impact sub. Another goal perhaps will shut a few of those slating him earlier in the week up. Great outlet and I for one love watching him. I doubt any of those that told him to get rid will hold their hands up though.

Lancashire only on for five minutes but he ****ed up a header that should have cost us the win as it lead directly to a stick on penalty that was somehow not given.

Gillett - didn't do much. Not sure why he was brought on.

 

MOTM: I thought Jardi was tremendous. He won headers all day long and his power was much needed as their two centre backs were huge and a real threat when they came up. Mills pushed him close though.

Edited 23 January, 2010 by Chez

[derry]

As Weston said forget the euphoria we got out of jail free today. The back four plus a lot of hard work from the the two wide midfielders and front two kept us in the game.

 

Apart from the odd pass we didn't pass the ball at all today. Wotton and James were awful. I lost count of the number of times Wotton just lumped the ball to the Ipswich defence who then with the midfield cut us to bits. James and Wotton played like headless chickens, always late, never picking any body up and being passed through by the Ipswich midfield. They both proved conclusively today that they aren't even div one midfielders.

 

We were really lucky that Ipswich lacked a finisher with the crosses into our six yd box.

 

Thomas's goal was fantastic from at least 35 yds against the run of play and our second goal was Lambert free kick low through the wall back off the goalkeeper for Antonio to tap into an empty net. Apart from that we hardly made a chance.

 

The up side is the players who didn't play today and the fact we have hopefully a decent central midfielder coming in this week.

 

Having watched Leeds v Spurs we are nowhere near yet.

[corsacar saint]

Great win,played much better in second half.[Had Lamberts half volley been a foot lower,

we would have been out of sight at 3-0]. Ipswich play pretty football, and should probably have at least got level, between our first goal and half- time. However we somehow held out, and certainly took the game to them in the second half.

I thought Jaidi was immense, and Joseph Mills was the best player on the pitch.

[Leicestersaint]

Well done Saints - great result - and put that in your pipe and smoke it Mr Keane!

[saint1977]

Excellent, not the best first half but with half the first XI injured/banned/cup-tied it was understandable. Second half was excellent and Pardew would have been delighted.

 

Davis 6.5 - Would like to see better command of area but excellent first half save from deflected shot

Thomas 9 - Wonderful goal and HAS to be first choice at RB now!

Mills 8.5 - Thought he was the best of the kids last season and making progress, overlapped well and better defensively second half. Harding might be benched for a bit.

Perry 8 - One of his best for us, read game very well

Jaidi 8.5 - Won everything and worried Ipswich at set pieces

James 6 - OK but wanted him to build on his CM display at MK. Needs to step up and show his ability with Hammond

Wotton 5 - Can't fault effort but needed to slow things up at times, get his head up and stop the long balls but did make some key interventions

Lallana 6 - Bit out of form but we did bypass him first half by being too long ball

Lambert 6.5 - Did well on scraps and held ball up decently at times

Barnard 6.5 - Again, not enough service to make judgement but gosh he worked hard and helped out defence. Enough sharpness and hunger to suggest he'll do well

 

Antonio 8.5 - Great outlet, very strong and quick and alert for second goal

Gillett 6.5 - Worked hard and tidy distribution

Lancashire - only on a few minutes so hard to judge

 

Well done to the Ipswich fans - brilliant travelling support. Got my Brentford and MK Dons tickets and at home with a Bateman's Combined Harvest and a pizza so very happy

[Saint Malc]

I thought that we did a very, very proffesional job today and without 6 certain, IMO, starters when playing a league game. *We were never in trouble even in the 5 additional minutes. *What a fantastic club we are building because that is what the owner is trying to develope (from top to bottom) I think?

 

Mills was a revalation (he's not a midfielder though) and will give Harding some competition. *The back four were so impressive today it gives me a warm feeling that they will be the perfect cover for injurys or loss of form.

 

I sit in the Itchen centre and the Northam and Itchen North were really noisey :-)

[Legod Third Coming]

Why can't some of youa ccept this:

 

We win as a TEAM.

 

We lose as a TEAM.

 

We won today with a bloody hard battling performance against a team from the league above who in superb form.

 

Thank feck I can enjoy the game and celebration with other fans who just love to go and support a winning team.

 

Jeez some of you need a ferking reality check.

Edited 23 January, 2010 by Legod Third Coming
calmed down!

[John B]

Why can't some of you c u n t s accept this:

 

We win as a TEAM.

 

We lose as a TEAM.

 

We won today with a bloody hard battling performance against a team from the league above who in superb form.

 

Thank feck I can enjoy the game and celebration with other fans who just love to go and support a winning team.

 

Jeez some of you need a ferking reality check.

 

Well I suggest that you stop reading this forum if you cannot accept other peoples points of view .

 

That said I am not sure how we really played today because of the various views of posters

 

However as one of the better League 1 teams it was not a real surprise to have beaten one of the poorer CCC sides but what interests me is what team Pardew will put out on Tuesday and then on Saturday from the comments made on here Mills Thomas and Jaidi are certain to start but somehow I doubt if all three will start

[Chez]

We were really lucky that Ipswich lacked a finisher with the crosses into our six yd box.

 

...Apart from that we hardly made a chance.

 

to be fair we also got into decent positions and put in some very dangerous crosses as well. Jardi almost got on the end of two great crosses at the back post. Thomas got on the end of another and nearly scored from the rebound. In teh first half Barnard had a fantastic chance but didn't keep the ball down enough and his shot was weak when he should have scored or at leats done better.

 

How many chances did they make? How many saves did Davis make? It was pretty even. They were the better side in the first half but we were much the better side in the second.

[eelpie]

Due to illness I couldn't go. Hope the person who had my ticket enjoyed the game

 

Nice to be in the hat for next round. Sounded good in the second half until the Ipswich goal when we fell apart.

 

No we didn't fall apart, though there were some scary moments. Ipswich were throwing everything at us but we did not panic and blocked the lot - and still took the game to their end when we could.

 

But it was a long five minutes!

 

It was an exciting game and Saints showed class- intelligent Championship form and teamwork.

 

'What's the score, Keano!' Brilliant chant!

 

I met some tractor fans after the game and they said we deserved to win.

 

Get well soon!

[Chez]

what interests me is what team Pardew will put out on Tuesday and then on Saturday from the comments made on here Mills Thomas and Jaidi are certain to start but somehow I doubt if all three will start

 

likewise. Fonte for Perry, just because Fonte wins ball in the air and is comfortable on the ball. But perry and Jardi seem to gel. If Fonte can gel with Jardi they will give us a tremendous base.

 

Harding has not put a foot wrong for about a month. Not a single thing in the previous three games. Mills was tremendous. Mills offers us the pace we need. Harding the extra height. What a great problem. If Mills can keep that level. What a tough choice, but Harding deserves to get his place back...probably.

 

Thomas offers the extra height and for me is a much better right back than he is CB. Much better. Neither him or James has pace. Thomas is better in the air and that can help on set peices, especially if Mills is in rather than Harding.

 

Jardi is a cert. My MOTM today. Amazing headerer of the ball. What a unit.

[Andy_Porter]

They had a **** load of half chances in the first half, there where no real clear cut chances in the first half for either side but Ipswich had more of the ball and had so many nearly chances. We where very lucky to go in one nil up.

 

All changed in the second half when Barnard moved out wide and Lallana went into the middle and bossed the game. When we play good teams we have to play 4-5-1 even if that means leaving Connolly and Barnard on the bench we looked so much better in the second half.

 

Just need to compare the Millwall performance to the Mk Dons performance - 4-5-1 suits are players so much better. If we can get a goal scoring midfielder in before the window closes then it will be even better.

 

Pretty sure Lallana's future is in the middle, best performance in a while today in the second half. Hope he gets a chance to play there on Tuesday.

[Give it to Ron]

As Weston said forget the euphoria we got out of jail free today. The back four plus a lot of hard work from the the two wide midfielders and front two kept us in the game.

 

Apart from the odd pass we didn't pass the ball at all today. Wotton and James were awful. I lost count of the number of times Wotton just lumped the ball to the Ipswich defence who then with the midfield cut us to bits. James and Wotton played like headless chickens, always late, never picking any body up and being passed through by the Ipswich midfield. They both proved conclusively today that they aren't even div one midfielders.

 

We were really lucky that Ipswich lacked a finisher with the crosses into our six yd box.

 

Thomas's goal was fantastic from at least 35 yds against the run of play and our second goal was Lambert free kick low through the wall back off the goalkeeper for Antonio to tap into an empty net. Apart from that we hardly made a chance.

 

The up side is the players who didn't play today and the fact we have hopefully a decent central midfielder coming in this week.

 

Having watched Leeds v Spurs we are nowhere near yet.

 

Daft comment at the end Dave...we are 2 divisions away from Spurs and what 7 months into our rebuilding?

Was it our fault Ipswich couldn't finish their dinner let along a chance and I think you do our defence a massive injustice - we threw ourselves at crosses, blocked them and got bodies in the way and made it difficult.

 

I agree with Wotton and James but given they are what 3 or 4th choice against the very good Garvan etc I am not surprised they got over run.

 

At least we played with width and wingers today with Holmes and Antonio ;-)

Edited 23 January, 2010 by Give it to Ron

[LostBoys]

I thought Jaidi and Thomas were superb today absolutely awesome

[Chez]

No we didn't fall apart, though there were some scary moments. Ipswich were throwing everything at us but we did not panic and blocked the lot - and still took the game to their end when we could.

 

 

not sure about the not panicing bit. The desperate Jardi attempted block was a stick on pen. Where the hell the ref got 5 minutes from I will never know. Rediculous. There was no trainer on in the second half, just subs. Very poor decision from the ref who had a brilliant game. Best ref I have seen for yonks.

[Joesaint]

Fantastic result and I thought on balance of chances we deserved the win. Totally out played in the first half, we looked a different side once we went to 4-3-3 (or if you prefer 4-5-1) and we were on top most of the second. The main reason was that Lallana got on the ball and we snuffed out their midfield play. They went to pieces and I'd look at their substitution of their striker as partly to blame as he was having a good game and stretching us. Having said that all our players stepped up a gear and we competed very hard. The defence was outstanding. The best I have seen us for a long time.

 

Davis 7 solid again, no real amazing saves

Thomas 9 what a goal and a very decent display

Jardi 9 brilliant all game, although it should have been a pen at the end but he had no choice but to dive in.

Perry 8 best game for a while although it was Jardi winning the headers.

Mills 9 Tremendous game. Didn't put a foot wrong defensively. Looks so assured at left back and its a shame he isn't right footed! Chuffed for him as it has been a tough season to date.

James 7 decent game and should not have been subbed. Looked composed although sat next to Wotton that is not hard.

Wotton 7 ran ragged early doors and every pass was a first time and hoofed ball - some worked , many didn't. He won every header though and tracked runners all day. As part of a 5 man midfield it seems to work, As a four, no chance, not good enough. Should not have been subbed.

Holmes 6 Very average if you ask me. Doesn't track back and doesn't beat his man. Tired after 65 minutes and towards the end was on his knees (although stragely he found a second wind during injury time when going forward). Should have been subbed ages before. Not the answer if you ask me.

Lambert 6 average game. Terrible first half where he gave the ball away cheaply, improved in the second. A lot of poor service mind you. No real combination work with Barnard but not a lot to work with and then Barnard moved outside.

Barnard 6 one half decent chance not taken and a fair bit of running, but for me he looked very average. Tackled and won some flick ons, but he has no real pace, didn't hold it up that well and caused very little problems. No service and then moved to right wing. Hoped for more. I'm sure he will improe and he will have moire time against League 1 defenders.

Antonio 7 tremendous impact sub. Another goal perhaps will shut a few of those slating him earlier in the week up. Great outlet and I for one love watching him. I doubt any of those that told him to get rid will hold their hands up though.

Lancashire only on for five minutes but he ****ed up a header that should have cost us the win as it lead directly to a stick on penalty that was somehow not given.

Gillett - didn't do much. Not sure why he was brought on.

 

MOTM: I thought Jardi was tremendous. He won headers all day long and his power was much needed as their two centre backs were huge and a real threat when they came up. Mills pushed him close though.

 

Sorry I think that is very harsh on Holmes I though I was really really good, and help Mills out alot, in fact he was alot better in my opinion. and I though his work rate as well as speed and cross as well as helping out Mills was fantastic. PLEASE PLEASE lets play Holmes more.

 

PS although I though Mills had a good game I still think that Harding is better.

 

COYS

[Saint Malc]

I had one of the Ladbrokes special bets today. Saints to win 2-1 and pompey to lose 2-1. £10 gave a return of over £800.

 

I've got one question.

 

Who the fook are pompey?

[Chez]

They had a **** load of half chances in the first half, there where no real clear cut chances in the first half for either side but Ipswich had more of the ball and had so many nearly chances. We where very lucky to go in one nil up.

 

All changed in the second half when Barnard moved out wide and Lallana went into the middle and bossed the game. When we play good teams we have to play 4-5-1 even if that means leaving Connolly and Barnard on the bench we looked so much better in the second half.

 

Just need to compare the Millwall performance to the Mk Dons performance - 4-5-1 suits are players so much better. If we can get a goal scoring midfielder in before the window closes then it will be even better.

 

Pretty sure Lallana's future is in the middle, best performance in a while today in the second half. Hope he gets a chance to play there on Tuesday.

 

Spot on. I believe we have been saying for three weeks that we desperately need to move back to 4-5-1. Mind you fans on football forums don't know anything about the game compared to managers, apparently.

[Legod Third Coming]

They had a **** load of half chances in the first half, there where no real clear cut chances in the first half for either side but Ipswich had more of the ball and had so many nearly chances. We where very lucky to go in one nil up.

 

All changed in the second half when Barnard moved out wide and Lallana went into the middle and bossed the game. When we play good teams we have to play 4-5-1 even if that means leaving Connolly and Barnard on the bench we looked so much better in the second half.

 

Just need to compare the Millwall performance to the Mk Dons performance - 4-5-1 suits are players so much better. If we can get a goal scoring midfielder in before the window closes then it will be even better.

 

Pretty sure Lallana's future is in the middle, best performance in a while today in the second half. Hope he gets a chance to play there on Tuesday.

 

I believe we should play 4-5-1 full stop. We create chances with that formation and we control the midfield.

 

Even with only one striker, we missed chance after chance with balls cut back from the by-line by Holmes and Antonio.

 

The second half was ours until Wotton and James departed...

[alpine_saint]

hopefully all cuptied players back next week so there.s no need to put that useless sh**e lancashire anywhere near the first team get rid before transfer window slams shut.

 

Steady on, you arent allowed to talk like that on here.

[Andy_Porter]

I believe we should play 4-5-1 full stop. We create chances with that formation and we control the midfield.

 

Even with only one striker, we missed chance after chance with balls cut back from the by-line by Holmes and Antonio.

 

The second half was ours until Wotton and James departed...

 

Spot on, 4-5-1 with one of James and Wotton holding with Schneiderlin and Lallana in front getting into the box at every oppurtunity would probably be more attacking than our 4-4-2 and still provide the defence with more protection.

 

Spot on. I believe we have been saying for three weeks that we desperately need to move back to 4-5-1. Mind you fans on football forums don't know anything about the game compared to managers, apparently.

 

Clearly...

 

I hope signing Barnard won't force Pardews hand into playing 4-4-2 every game. Barnard did look like he could do a job up front alone, in a different way to Lambert but I'm sure he could work up there alone.

 

Get in a quick left winger or an attacking midfielder and we will be set.

[dickyhale]

First game I've missed in ages - gutted.

 

great result though, ipswich are no pushovers, they've really picked up of late.

 

tbf i think the team we have now would do better in the championship than the lot we had last season.

 

I guess that's mainly down to the management though....!

 

unbelievable that we've won this without the likes of fonte/hammond/harding/connolly etc - who are some of our best players.

 

great times at the moment.

 

Some of our best players? Some of the best players in this league you mean?

[doddisalegend]

I was lucky enough to be there today and I don't know what game some on here where watching we we're immense today. The back four where very solid Jiadi was all over Stern John (so much so they subbed Stern John of) remember he's the striker we all wanted to stay in the summer.

 

Mills was excellent played some good stuff with Holmes down the flank. Everyone in the team worked really hard closing down and not giving the Ipswhich players time to play. Yes our midifield struggled at times but their midifield is the best part of their team (according to their own fans) and ours was a makeshift midfield. For all the possession the Ipswhich midfield had at times their strikers were totally toothless. The second half we had them pinned down at thier end for long peroids.

 

Barnard looked alright but never looked like scoring worked hard though and even did a bit of defensive work. MOTM was Jiadi though was a man mountain today. Oh and the disalowed goal was never a goal we where sat right behind the guy who took the throw in and it bounced straight into the goal without touching anyone at all. Overall I'm well chuffed a very good performance Why some on here aren't happy I really can't figure.

[Chez]

Sorry I think that is very harsh on Holmes I though I was really really good, and help Mills out alot, in fact he was alot better in my opinion. and I though his work rate as well as speed and cross as well as helping out Mills was fantastic. PLEASE PLEASE lets play Holmes more.

 

PS although I though Mills had a good game I still think that Harding is better.

 

COYS

 

speed? What speed? Remind me when he took the fullback on or even attempted to do so?

 

Mills had an amazing game considering the lack of cover provided by Holmes. Never seen a man track back so poorly. The only thing he offers is a left foot and a decent first touch. Stop gap at best.

 

Can't argue with your Harding opinion. He has been brilliant recently.

[View From The Top]

The whole back line deserve immense credit.

 

Also, the manager, who changed it and nullified Ipswich and allowed us more options going forward 2nd half.

[Chez]

The whole back line deserve immense credit.

 

Also, the manager, who changed it and nullified Ipswich and allowed us more options going forward 2nd half.

 

could not agree more. Pardew has made some significant tactical changes this season and the large majority have made a positive difference

[shurlock]

I'll be quite interested to see how AP rotates the strikers. Surely Barnard hasn't come to the club to keep the bench warm or give Lambert an occasional rest. My starting assumption is that Barnard will start most games but where? 4-5-1 clearly suits us - is there a role for Barnard in this formation? if so what?

 

We perked up in the 2nd half while Barnard was still on the pitch, so its possible that Lambert and Barnard can play together without disrupting the shape of the team in a way that perhaps hasn't possible with Connolly - obviously its too early to tell. Maybe its me but barnard seemed to play slightly more on the right in the 2nd half. Alternatively could he do a Teddy Sheringham type job just behind Lambert - people say his awareness and timing are some of his strongest attributes.

 

Otherwise Jaidi was my MOM. I truly hope we get two midfielders in before the close of the transfer window- a ballwinner and an AM. Pards is intimating that bodies are tiring, so I expect at least one arrival before Brentford.

[LGTL]

As Weston said forget the euphoria we got out of jail free today. The back four plus a lot of hard work from the the two wide midfielders and front two kept us in the game.

 

Apart from the odd pass we didn't pass the ball at all today. Wotton and James were awful. I lost count of the number of times Wotton just lumped the ball to the Ipswich defence who then with the midfield cut us to bits. James and Wotton played like headless chickens, always late, never picking any body up and being passed through by the Ipswich midfield. They both proved conclusively today that they aren't even div one midfielders.

 

We were really lucky that Ipswich lacked a finisher with the crosses into our six yd box.

 

Thomas's goal was fantastic from at least 35 yds against the run of play and our second goal was Lambert free kick low through the wall back off the goalkeeper for Antonio to tap into an empty net. Apart from that we hardly made a chance.

 

The up side is the players who didn't play today and the fact we have hopefully a decent central midfielder coming in this week.

 

Having watched Leeds v Spurs we are nowhere near yet.

 

So pretty much the whole team then?

[Neil]

Fantastic game to watch, an absorbing contest and a great atmosphere in the ground. (shame the ref was so fussy and whistle-happy)

 

Ipswich looked real quality in the 1st half, and not surprisingly swamped our centre mid and got down the flanks with incredible ease, they put some good balls into the box and I though Jaidi in particular (my MOM) set the tone with his clearance headers. But I thought we stuck at it well despite the pressure we were under, and came back at them well, one particular spell in the 2nd half (c.65m) which was very good when we had a couple of near misses, and that really got the crowd to fever pitch and kept the team going.

 

All in all an excellent afternoon out, and another £90k banked from the prize kitty.

 

Just need to keep juggling the squad well, and definitely need the 3 points at Brentford.

[Chez]

I'll be quite interested to see how AP rotates the strikers. Surely Barnard hasn't come to the club to keep the bench warm or give Lambert an occasional rest. My starting assumption is that Barnard will start most games but where? 4-5-1 clearly suits us - is there a role for Barnard in this formation? if so what?

 

We perked up in the 2nd half while Barnard was still on the pitch, so its possible that Lambert and Barnard can play together without disrupting the shape of the team in a way that perhaps hasn't possible with Connolly - obviously its too early to tell. Maybe its me but barnard seemed to play slightly more on the right in the 2nd half. Alternatively could he do a Teddy Sheringham type job just behind Lambert - people say his awareness and timing are some of his strongest attributes.

 

did you not spot that we went to 4-3-3 in the second half? IMO Barnard might as well have come off at that point. Antonio or Waigo are better options on the right hand side. Barnard wasn't impressive and if fit I'd play Connelly ahead of him. Whether Barnard is capable of leading the line with Connelly (thereby resting Lambert) I'm not sure as he is not very big.

 

I felt a bit sorry fo him really. Signs and immediately is played out of position. I look forward to seeing him against lessor defences as Ipswich centre back pairing were monsters.

Edited 23 January, 2010 by Chez

[Genk]

Felt that Ipswich were the better side in the first half and looked dangerous however the second half was a complete turn around, with us dominating. Survived a nervous finish but we know Saints love to do that to us. Jaidi won everything today with Mills & Holmes looking good down the left. Barnard had an average game, was going to be hard for him having had one training session, barely knowing the other players games. Antonio looked great again coming on adding pace, great player to have in the squad.

 

Keane said a draw would have been fair, I would agree with him but delighted to have got the win.

 

Anybody know if it was us that switched halves at the toss in order to shoot towards the Northam second half?? I like it.