I suppose we were due a goalless draw and a clean sheet is always welcome these
days but it still doesn’t take away the fact that this was a poor game with
little goal mouth incident. I think we’re a bit stale at home, Grayson has
stumbled on this 4-5-1 or 4-3-3 depending on your view and now seems intent on
sticking to it stubbornly. Why not ? The first time we abandoned it we got
thrashed at Swansea, however I think at home the system at times doesn’t serve
us well.
Today, we just seemed to lack the ability to get behind the Ipswich defence and
on the few occasions we did our final ball was shocking. I think Ipswich were
lively and for the first 15 minutes they looked the better side. In almost the
first attack the ball was played over the top, Bromby was watching the clouds
and their man was through, he should have scored. It was very similar to Donny.
Terrible defending. The defending didn’t improve much throughout the half, we
looked very , very shaky.
They’ve got some decent players who are lively, can pass and keep possession.
This frustrated us and with our inability to pass a simple ball at times and a
hapless ref who gave us very little we never really looked like winning the
game
despite lots of possession.
I think the main problems today were that Paynter was too isolated in the
system. Snodgrass had an off day and the lively Gradel was just asked to do too
much. He looked like our only chance of winning today and he went close with 2
early long shots , one of which was saved well by their keeper. Howson wasn’t
sure whether he was in midfield or supporting Paynter and in the end actually
did neither well until he was subbed later on in the second half.
I think Johnson sat in front of the defence is fine when we’re under the cosh
but in a game like this I think it’s a bit of a luxury , like playing 3 central
defenders leaving Kilkenny with all the work to do in midfield. First half he
struggled but to his credit I thought he had a really good second half but with
Becchio replacing Paynter it was like for like , Becchio playing with his back
to goal and not really given any different options. It was crying out for Somma
– he was stripped and ready to come on at 85 minutes but Grayson fannied around
and probably realised that a point wasn’t a bad result because Ipswich actually
pushed forward for the winner with Jason Scotland coming on and looking
dangerous. I think at this stage of the season we might as well go for it,
Grayson can be a bit steady sometimes. I think the Ipswich defence were pretty
decent today. They were big lads and weren’t going to get ruffed up by Paynter
direct approach and although Paynter won a lot in the air first half he never
had the support so was pretty ineffective. I think Somma would have given them
something to think about and would have got beyond them. I’m still convinced
that Somma is our best attacking option even in Grayson’s 4-5-1.
What else is there to say ? Nothing , it was pretty painful to watch:
Kasper – 7. Nowt to do really, one save first half and came and claimed the
ball
well throughout.
Eric – 8. Possible our best player today. Defended well and was our best
attacking option at times in the second half, combining well with Snodgrass on
one attack to be through on goal. His cross let him down though. He could have
scored himself.
McCartney – 7. I think Grayson has been working on his defence, telling him to
get in their first and not back off. He did that ok today but didn’t get
forward
as much .
O’Brien – 7. I thought he did well today. I’ve been a bit worried recently but
I
thought he was much improved today. He had to be with Bromby around in the
first
half.
Bromby – 5. Bambi on ice first half, all over the shop and can’t pass a ball to
save his life. To his credit he improved second half and had a few good
moments.
Not sure he is the answer though.
Johnson – 7. Had a really good first half, just sat at the back, winning
headers
, collecting the ball and playing it off and also playing a couple of long
creative passes. As always with Johnson you have to suffer the other side of
his game. The 5 yard pass that goes astray, the miscontrol of a simple ball and
the over ambition shots. Still he did ok today.
Kilkenny – 7. I thought he struggled first half but was our most creative
player
second. He got stronger and stronger as the game went on.
Snodgrass – 6. Not his usual self today. I think Ipswich made sure there was a
least 2 men on him every time he got the ball. He looked a yard short today.
Gradel – 8. Not his best game but still our most lively player up front.
Paynter – 6. There’s no doubt about it he’s a better player that Becchio – he
wins headers and actually directs them to his own players, he can control a
ball
and lay it off with ease and he is strong in the tackle and challenge without
falling over and losing the ball. Having said that he is the same option as
Becchio and I think we should give Somma a go. I’d like to see us try Paynter
and Somma up front or even Somma and McCormack.
Howson – 5. Not in the game today. Ran a lot but not effective.
Subs:
Bannan – 7. He looks like a right player to me. Lovely left foot, crisp passes
,
good mover. He has to play. Unfortunately the one really good chance he got was
on his wrong foot and he overcooked the cross.
Becchio – 4. Did feck all, fell over and complained he was fouled when actually
he was backing in. God awful player to watch. I was so pleased he was dropped
today.
Grayson – stuck in a rut. Needs to see past the 4-5-1 especially at home.
Crowd – 27,000+ not bad but shite atmosphere.
Ipswich - never threatened us but they had good players - Bullard (He was
pretty
ineffective today but he's always lively and always there to get the ball - my
sort of pkayer) , Kieron Dyer ...
Time for a drink, very disappointed about today.
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