I thought the team played very well today, we played sharp, incisive football at a very high tempo and we harried and harrased Ipswich when they were in possession, it was just like the good old days under MON, you could not fault the team for work rate or effort, and both Ipswich's keepers made some excellent saves.
I also agree with Joey's comments, Ipswich were desperate to hang onto a share of the spoils, we controlled the tempo, possession and territory aspects of the game, it was an excellent team performance that deserved more than the single point.
On the whole we looked more solid as a team defensively, without hindering our attacking play. The whole back 5 played well today and seemed to be developing an understanding. Gilbert looks like he will be head and shoulders above Stewart, his distribution is generally very good and although he is prone to the odd lapse or mistake, he is a lot stronger defensively then Stewart ever was, also he put in one cross yesterday that Guppy would have been proud of. McCarthy was exceptional yesterday and Douglas seems to be gaining more confidence especially when coming off his line. Maybury and Johansson both had good games and it is nice to see us have a back 4 that are all extremely comfortable in possession.
Midfield played very well, Sylla wasnt as effective as he can be but certainly put in a decent shift and did well considering he was carrying a knock. Williams was excellent, so comfortable in possesion and rarely gives the ball away, was always probing and looking to create. Joey looks a different player, more composed when he has the ball, energetic, breaks up play well and always gives 110% very unlucky with an excellent long ranger which was well saved in first minute. Tiatto was excellent, energetic and committed and was always available, still prone to giving away needless free kicks.
Up front another good display by Connolly and De Vries who constantly harried and hustled the Ipswich back line, it was just one of those days where the ball would just not go in the back of the net. But both gave 110% and there interplay looked very good. The toll of 3 games in a week, plus the heavy rain looked like it had took an effect on De Vries as he appeared to look a little leggy and tired in the second half.
Overall another positive display, a clean sheet and a dominating performance against one of the better teams, we took the game by the scruff of the neck from the first minute and were very unfortunate not to win. The palyers and managers comments on the radio after the match, prove the change in focus and attitude, they were all bitterly disappointed not to have taken 3 points, it hurt the players and CL had said it had felt like a defeat. That is what we want to hear.
The only criticism was the poor quality of our set pieces, especially corners we dont really appear to pose any goalscoring threat. Also I was a little disappointed that we didnt put the young substitute keeper under more pressure when he first came on, I felt we allowed to get himself into the game, when maybe we should have peppered him with shots and crosses for ten minutes especially in very difficult conditions, we allowed him to settle too easily and his confidence to grow.
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