Ipswich 3-2 Saints - Match Thread

[Convict Colony]

1 minute ago, obelisk said:

So who is going to hand Ipswich a way back into this game? Hard to believe this lot are challenging for top of the table but isn't that what we said back in September?

93min equaliser inbound

[Saint NL]

Well on top.

Obviously they'll change things up in the second half, can Martin see it and respond accordingly?

Stuart Armstrong has been superb, when he plays like this he's Premier league quality.

Even Che has done well. Need to keep this up. The ref is getting a lot of stick from the locals, so hopefully he doesn't crumble.

68% possession away against the team that were top of the table, that's impressive.

[saintant]

Very good half of football from us. We have outclassed Ipswich and left them chasing shadows. Unfortunately we only lead by a goal so must keep it going. The next goal is going to be crucial. Thought Baz should have done better with their goal. Aribo has been superb.

[Saint Matty 76]

Build up in that 1st goal is exceptional

[trousers]

Just now, obelisk said:

So who is going to hand Ipswich a way back into this game?

I know I'm sounding like a scratched record but the timing of our 2nd half subs will be crucial. I think Russ is one of those managers that sometimes likes to make subs because they can rather than because we need to. Keep this 11 going for as long as possible IMO

[Farmer Saint]

Just wondering, but was that first half because of Martin and his team selection and tactics, or in spite of him? Asking for a friend. 

[SNSUN]

Che's equaliser was so quick after their goal I didn't even have time to cuss Russ.

[Turkish]

3 minutes ago, Convict Colony said:

He's disgusting to watch aesthetically but the ball is glued to him and his telescopic legs

He’s a funny one. Technically he’s really good but he looks quite awkward and lethargic at times. Been very good today and had been the last few times he’s started. Again strange he seems to be in and out the side. 

[SaintsBarry74]

Great rebound, need to keep the pressure. Baz again our weak link, poor at their goal. Need to put in a shift to prevent them from getting a shot past our shit keeper.

[Patches O Houlihan]

3 minutes ago, trousers said:

I know I'm sounding like a scratched record but the timing of our 2nd half subs will be crucial. I think Russ is one of those managers that sometimes likes to make subs because they can rather than because we need to. Keep this 11 going for as long as possible IMO

Stu is playing like a demon. But there will come a time when he's all out of gas; and he's done a lot of high speed running that half. I think he'll be replaced by Rothwell on 65 mins. Hopefully with the game won already...

[macca155]

That's 20 goals for Armstrong, that will boost his confidence.

Great to see him flourish.

[obelisk]

Rather strangely I feel a bit more comfy at 1-2 than 1-3. Is it that complacency factor?

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Martin will be pleased with that.

The usual bags of possession. Created a decent number of chances, if not lots of near ones. And clinical with the ones we got on target for a change.

Stephens very mobile, picking up KWP's attacking position, supporting the midfield and also picking up some of Smallbone's attacking tasks. That will be pretty knackering, so he may be one of the ones to come off later. After Ipswich's goal, I think we've settled into the changes well.

Also without Will, we've given up some of that trying to create passing angles through the middle. Honestly, it's not been clicking for a little while. Stephens isn;pt the best at it either, so with him playing, RM has made a fair enough call in by passing it. Besides, they've not played a high line, so we've been able to get the ball out more directly to the flanks anyway.

Aribo manages himself really well. I moan about the times he passes back. I'm wondering if he looks at the forward pass, realises he'd have to race forward to get on the end of a return for not much advantage, and picks another option. Because he has been mobile. He has raced into good positions. And his strength paid off in weighted passes, holding players off for assists and tackles at the back.

With an experienced line up, Fraser and Stu have linked up well. Well enough that Ipswich were worried about it, allowing Stu to instead pick out AA on the other flank for the goal.

Good to see Che do what he always does, and get hsi head down and try. So a good reward for that. Again, this set up suits him a bit more anyway. He's got Aribo, Downes and Stephens to provide steel behind him, and AA and Fraser scaring their full backs. Leaving Stu to pick out osme nice passes, and pick up the bit and pieces.

Stamina will be interestign second half. Both teams have put a lot in, and rely on their work rate. Subs could well make quite a bit of difference today. Outr bench is strong, but we went backwards last time out with it.

[obelisk]

1 minute ago, Patches O Houlihan said:

Stu is playing like a demon. But there will come a time when he's all out of gas; and he's done a lot of high speed running that half. I think he'll be replaced by Rothwell on 65 mins. Hopefully with the game won already...

Rothwell for Stu was what was missing on Friday.

[macca155]

2 minutes ago, Turkish said:

He’s a funny one. Technically he’s really good but he looks quite awkward and lethargic at times. Been very good today and had been the last few times he’s started. Again strange he seems to be in and out the side. 

The pass to Che for the goal was sublime. More of that please .

[Patches O Houlihan]

4 minutes ago, Farmer Saint said:

Just wondering, but was that first half because of Martin and his team selection and tactics, or in spite of him? Asking for a friend. 

You do get the impression they were set up to attack and defend KWP, and now they are defending Aribo who is an entirely different kettle of fish. Plus we have more height in the back four to meet their aerial threat. It's working so far 🤞

 

[saintant]

I suspect Ipswich will try to press us higher up the pitch in the second half. They've largely allowed us to play out from the back with no real pressure from them so I expect that to change. If so we need to be prepared to go long at times rather than inviting pressure.

[Edmonton Saint]

Anyone have a stream that’ll work on a iPhone? I’m stuck at work and want to watch the 2nd half sneakily in the office 

[Wade Garrett]

1 hour ago, Convict Colony said:

FYI

No point keeping him just to tread water.

[tdmickey3]

Get the 3rd and be sensible with the subs

Do not let Manning on

[Wade Garrett]

Really good half of football.  Need to put them to the sword though.

[Lighthouse]

1 minute ago, SaintsBarry74 said:

Great rebound, need to keep the pressure. Baz again our weak link, poor at their goal. Need to put in a shift to prevent them from getting a shot past our shit keeper.

So you’re just going to ignore his distribution, playing through their forward line when they press forward and finding our players up the pitch? The fact that both our goals started with him collecting the ball and distributing it forward quickly, whilst Ipswich were still up the field is irrelevant to you? You don’t think the shot against him being an unmarked howitzer from inside the box has any bearing on the goal?

[Midfield_General]

Good first half but we're going to need another goal. 

[obelisk]

Here we go then. I'd suggest that the possibility of auto promotion gets resolved here.

[Farmer Saint]

1 minute ago, Lighthouse said:

So you’re just going to ignore his distribution, playing through their forward line when they press forward and finding our players up the pitch? The fact that both our goals started with him collecting the ball and distributing it forward quickly, whilst Ipswich were still up the field is irrelevant to you? You don’t think the shot against him being an unmarked howitzer from inside the box has any bearing on the goal?

Stop talking so much sense. 

[Saint Matty 76]

Get Bree off the pitch

[31cc]

2 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

So you’re just going to ignore his distribution, playing through their forward line when they press forward and finding our players up the pitch? The fact that both our goals started with him collecting the ball and distributing it forward quickly, whilst Ipswich were still up the field is irrelevant to you? You don’t think the shot against him being an unmarked howitzer from inside the box has any bearing on the goal?

Yes, but apart from that what has Bazunu ever done for us?

 

[obelisk]

Trying to play tippy tappy there gives Ipswich hope.

[Mr X]

Ipswich will move up a gear! 

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Ball not falling for Bree a few times there. They chose not to take advantage a couple of times.

[Saint NL]

There's Che at his best, hitting the corner flag from a shot

[Lighthouse]

Not quite a throw in from Che’s shot - he’s improving.

[RedArmy]

Morsy wrestling Downes to the ground when he’s on a yellow is brave. 

[Saint_clark]

Downes 😂

[adrian lord]

You could see Che flinching at the responsibility of the position he found himself.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Adams gave a stern look back as the ball was pinged forward far too hard. Seconds later we battle and win in the middle. AA and Che part of the attack, and swithc over. Adams not shot not cross bothers no one. Momentum made him try, when a trade mark cut back more of an option.

Wilcox thing as posted above. Disputing a buy out clause. Wilcox has resigned apparently.

[SNSUN]

To matters on the pitch... yes that would be good thanks Sky.

[adrian lord]

Back room aggro with United…

[Saint NL]

Ipswich are rattled, we really need a goal soon

[Turkish]

3 minutes ago, RedArmy said:

Morsy wrestling Downes to the ground when he’s on a yellow is brave. 

Must have been listening to Russell

[Saint Fan CaM]

So close from Bednarek - we need a goal.

[Saint_clark]

Just now, Saint NL said:

Ipswich are rattled, we really need a goal soon

How many times this season have we needed to take advantage of dominance and regretted not doing it later on. 

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Ooooh... nearly from Bree's freekick in there.

[Miltonaggro]

Great effort and save. 

[Saint NL]

Couple of good chances in this little spell. 

[adrian lord]

Save

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Bit of curl on AA's effort there. ah, big deflection.

[obelisk]

A third goal from Saints here is required.Otherwise it'll be more points thrown away I suspect.

[Saint Fan CaM]

Saints with some sustained pressure but no goal…yet.

[RedArmy]

Hopefully KWP has got half an hour in him.