Ipswich 0 Saints 1 - Post Match Reaction

[sadoldgit]

Where is the post match thread? I know it was a poor game but we did win.

[Sheaf Saint]

It seems many people would have preferred we had lost, for some reason.

 

A duller game of football you will never see but we controlled the tempo of the game, nullified any threat that Ipswich could offer, and got the winning goal. Can't really ask for more than that from a cold, wintry midweek FA cup replay sandwiched between two tough league games away from home.

 

Could have really done without the injury to Vincent* Wanyama but hopefully it won't be too bad.

 

* That's his name, according to BBC Sport.

[Noodles34]

Thought the BBC coverage was poor, too many mistakes. Hate it when they talked about FF being so good. Very biased toward the Premier League team too, very embarrassing.

[Sour Mash]

Scrapy game, Ipswich were poor, but overall I thought it was another excellent defensive performance from us, pretty much in control at all times.

 

Few slight negatives; Bertrand looked a bit out of place understandably; I didn't think Targett had a great game; Tadic was wasteful when often in a good position.

 

Fonte and Long were good, did exactly what was asked of them.

[Saint-Armstrong]

Report: http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/content.php?554-MATCH-REPORT-Ipswich-Town-0-1-SAINTS

[supersonic]

Job done.

[John Cool]

We came, we saw, we bored them to death!

 

I thought Reed did well and gave his chances of being picked for the Newcastle game a boost.

[dronskisaint]

Just back - Very professional performance, long way off being pretty but second half in particular you could see the gap that Mane's absence has left - there were several situations where the game cried out for a fast striker to run in to the gaps that were there. Both Tadic and Long had opportunities that they should have created better from or scored but ultimately we were never really threatened. Big Vic's pull up and subsequent limp/carry off looked painful and may prove costly but that could happen in any game. Would have liked to see Isgrove but in Ron we trust - we score, we shut shop and it would take a better team than Ipswich to open it again.

 

MOTM difficult because everyone performed their jobs as adequately as they were required but I'd probably plump for Reed...didn't do much wrong and played with great desire and energy - slightly shading it over Jose who was just in control!

[S-Clarke]

Pretty boring all being told, but it was another game whereby we were totally in control and didn't allow the opposition to really get up any sort of head of steam. We didn't have to over work and we weren't too knackered by the end of the game, it was very similar to that of the Utd display, and it was a very disciplined, clever tactical performance - which once again limited the opposition to no hope of getting a chance, let a lone a goal.

 

We are an incredibly drilled outfit and Fonte is the heart of that.

[rick1976.4.38]

just got back

good win,another sound defencive display but feel we are becoming abit like Chelsea,take the lead and then become unexciting to watch.

still,we march on

[shurlock]

We were never really troubled and it was excellently taken, if bizarre goal. Long was my MOTM, though that was often for his solitary work -rather than his partnership with Tadic which didn't really click.

 

The Bertrand experiment, likewise, didn't particularly work -can't us seeing playing 5-3-2 until Toby or Maya returns. A shame as I think a midfield without both Wanyama and Morgan needs the reinforcement that 3 CBs provide.

 

Still not really sold on Reed in front of the defense. It might work when we're soaking up pressure (e.g. Everton) but not when we're looking to dictate play: still not at a level where he can pick up the ball, bring it out of defense and initiate moves (as Morgan and Cork do -and Toby can do in a 5). Far too many balls went backwards -instead of going through the likes of Reed- only to be launched long. Things improved somewhat after Davis came on.

 

All in all, a routine win and some lessons learned ahead of more testing and important games, soured obviously by VW's injury.

Edited 15 January, 2015 by shurlock

[Colinjb]

Apparently Curtis Davis came on for us.

 

Delighted with the win, Shane Long and Fonte were superb.

[Whitey Grandad]

Not a lot to say about it really. Very pleased that we've gone through but disappointed with the injury to Vic.

[John Boy Saint]

Quite a strange game, so strange that when the ball hit the back of the net not even a little yes!! departed my lips The game seemed to meander along insignificantly, it was almost as if we just shut down into energy conservation mode. I know it was only Championship opposition but if we can shut down a game, whilst it might not look pretty it's a handy ability to have in the locker.

[SaintBobby]

Apparently Curtis Davis came on for us.

 

Delighted with the win, Shane Long and Fonte were superb.

 

Did the BBC commentators really say that?

 

I watched in a noisy bar, so was able to miss the terrible BBC expert commentary...

[washsaint]

Harrison Reed looks like a top, top player in the making. Yet another gem.

 

So tonight we had 3 U21 Academy lads starting (Targett, Reed, JWP) and not looking bad at all.

 

Very comfortable and potential banana skin avoided.

 

This is some team.

[Rut]

Flat game. Fizzy result. Bring on Palace.

[70's Mike]

job well done, minimum effort, shame about Victor

[Wiggles31]

Think we won that in 2nd gear really, players never really broke a sweat. Massive blow the injury but fortunately JWP and Cork are back for some depth.

[Lorne Malvo]

Erwin Koeman will be registering soon. Get him in that DM role.

[svetac]

The players were selfish upfront. Many nervous gestures towards a team-mate who has just lost the ball.

[stedje]

We won and we are through. Apart from this, the performance was way below what we should expect from a top Three Premiership side. Defensively we are solid but attackingwise we struggled a lot. It`s probably just me, but can anyone please tell me what Matt Targett`s biggest assets are? A New Luke Shaw? I think not. I know he young, but surely too much hyped and a bit overrated. Hpefully the future will prove me wrong.

[farawaysaint]

We won and we are through. Apart from this, the performance was way below what we should expect from a top Three Premiership side. Defensively we are solid but attackingwise we struggled a lot. It`s probably just me, but can anyone please tell me what Matt Targett`s biggest assets are? A New Luke Shaw? I think not. I know he young, but surely too much hyped and a bit overrated. Hpefully the future will prove me wrong.

 

This was by far the worst game I have seen him play. He was however played out of position and has been consistently brilliant otherwise.

[Cabrone]

Was like the first game but this time we got the right result. Saints put in just enough effort to get past Ipswich and no more. 2 dull games TBH.

 

Palace next which will be tricky but we should have a great chance.

[northam soul]

Well that was boring with just one shot on target again. I must of watched a different game as Reed was pretty awful and Targett was also bad. Kids they may be but if they want a regular place then that wasn't up to it.

Neither Clyne nor Targett really bombed forward which is where our attacking threat has to come from.

Tadic was pretty poor and very wasteful.

Long was great on his own chasing everything as his service was pretty poor at times.

Cork in at Newcastle please with Davis and Ward Prowse as our midfield three.

[alpine_saint]

Would rather have lost without big Vic than win and him get injured...

[John B]

Too much class for Ipswich who never threatened

[thefunkygibbons]

Fonte makes it look easy

[hutch]

That was a pretty dodgy playing surface and conditions. I agree they should all have been bombing forward much more. What's a few more hamstrings?

[Lorne Malvo]

Would rather have lost without big Vic than win and him get injured...

 

[david in sweden]

Scrapy game, Ipswich were poor, but overall I thought it was another excellent defensive performance from us, pretty much in control at all times.

 

Few slight negatives; Bertrand looked a bit out of place understandably; I didn't think Targett had a great game; Tadic was wasteful when often in a good position.

 

Fonte and Long were good, did exactly what was asked of them.

 

exactly my assessment Sour Mash.

[sussexsaint]

Fonte was wonderful and we looked like we were having a stroll in the park.

 

Will do Long the world of good to get the goal and turn in a good performance

 

Injuries are the biggest downside

[farawaysaint]

 

Actually I sympathise with this viewpoint, this has been the most enjoyable year to support Saints in a long time rubbing our results in everyone's faces. Realistically, we have very little chance of repeating this as the large teams are all struggling this year.

 

I don't want it to end and for that we need our best players.

[bilbot79]

Wasn't worth losing Vic for 5 weeks. He'll miss the Liverpool game apparently. Tadic looked like he had a knock too. One thing this team doesn't need is extra mid week games right now.

[CWD]

Poor game but I think a lot of that was down to the conditions. We couldn't seem to get any fluency going forward. We won though and that's the main thing, but it was mostly a case of us being bad but Ipswich being worse.

[lifeintheslowlane]

I think we did what we had to do in a style that didn't take too much out of us, (Victor's injury excepted) in a game we shouldn't have needed to play. Professionally executed at the expense of entertainment.

 

Next...

[disconnect]

Pretty awful game on what looked like quite a poor pitch. Saints were in control and never really threatened apart from the disallowed goal, which was offside, but pretty tight!

 

Thought Long and Fonte both very impressive, obviously much better than Ipswich.

 

Reed looked competent if unspectacular, but Targett had an absolute nightmare. Was played slightly out of position, but never looked comfortable at all.

 

Ward-Prowse and Davis need to get their shooting boots on.

 

Hopefully Cork is fit for the weekend, cos being without Schneiderlin, Wanyama and Alderwereld are massive losses now.

[positivepete]

The pitch was dead and that as much as anything defined the way we played. Portman Road always had a really good playing surface, but not now. We were always in control and it was a very professional job, enjoy this, Saints have never looked so clinical. Yes we were greedy in the area at times, but as I said the players found it difficult to get the ball out of their feet at times, there were also a number of passes hit behind the intended target for the same reason.

 

If Ipswich go up the people I feel sorry for are our groundsman who are committed to replicating the playing surfaces of our Premier League opposition at Staplewood.

[sadoldgit]

Wasn't worth losing Vic for 5 weeks. He'll miss the Liverpool game apparently. Tadic looked like he had a knock too. One thing this team doesn't need is extra mid week games right now.

 

He could have done that in any match. Don't undestand why some people dont want us to progress in the FA Cup.

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

A good result of course but it's a bit of a shame that, despite our lofty league position, we're just not all that entertaining a team to watch at the moment. Some how that amazing Sunderland result seems a long way away now. I'd be surprised if the BBC single us out for special attention again anytime soon.

 

Of our younger players who featured - JWP, Harrison Reed, Matt Targett - they all look competent and competitive and they all slotted into the first team nicely, but where was the display of individual flare you want to see from players of that age? The manager knows his business needless to say, but I was a little disappointed to see Lloyd Isgrove denied a opportunity to show the nation what he can do, because methinks he may just be the type of player to grab a game by the scruff of its neck and make a real impact on it.

 

Never mind we won and we're one step closer to Wembley - so on the next round and I hope the club and Crystal Palace can agree another sensible ticket pricing arrangement so that we fill St Mary's again.

[OldNick]

Disappointing display, but got the result. I would be more disappointed if i was an Ipswich fan as they were next to useless. Our midfield was very in expereinced and they controlled it.

[Greenridge]

He could have done that in any match. Don't undestand why some people dont want us to progress in the FA Cup.

 

I don't expect the ploughed field helped.

[farawaysaint]

I don't expect the ploughed field helped.

 

It was funny watching Vic weight a pass and it go about half the distance he expected.

[John Boy Saint]

It was funny watching Vic weight a pass and it go about half the distance he expected.

 

Even the Ipswich player had the same trouble, the ball slowed within feet of being kicked giving Long a chance to race Bart to it.

[sadoldgit]

Defensively we were ok but we lack options going forward. Long runs his socks off and puts defenders under a lot of pressure but Van Persie he ain't. We are through to the next round which is the important thing, but we need more options up front if we are going to win the thing.

[LostBoys]

I used to do some work in Felixstowe and watched a couple of midweek games there. The pitch last night was far worse than 30 years ago and the wind made it difficult for everybody. I cannot get that 90 minutes back but a win is a win. Disappointed about Big Vic

['00']

Fonte given MOTM by Lawrenson but Terry Butcher said Long should have got it.

[Beckenham Saint]

Fonte given MOTM by Lawrenson but Terry Butcher said Long should have got it.

 

Harrison Reed should have been in with a shout. Was very tidy, energetic throughout. Constantly closing their players down, winning it back and keeping it pretty well.

 

It annoyed me when the commentator said "This is a big night for young Harry Reed" at the start of the game - surely not bigger than his first PL start (and 90 mins) vs Everton, the Hour he got at Arsenal or the 20 minutes at Old Trafford just this Sunday...!

[richard]

It annoyed me when the commentator said "This is a big night for young Harry Reed" at the start of the game - surely not bigger than his first PL start (and 90 mins) vs Everton, the Hour he got at Arsenal or the 20 minutes at Old Trafford just this Sunday...!

 

Yep, this is shaping up to be his breakthrough season. I like what I've seen so far, think he is turning into an important member of the squad.

[Leicestersaint]

After the magnificent display at OT this brought us back to earth - a competent if dull performance. Lots of unforced errors and poor passing but solid at the back. Why on earth can't our midfield players hit shots on target? Davis, VW and JWP all had chances to test the keeper and didn't. I thought Fonte and long were very good and Reed acquitted himself well but some of the other players looked very ordinary last night. Still, we did the job and march on. It was good to see the replays of 1976 and the Stokes' goal.