Dreadful. Ok, it started off fine, first half an hour we looked like we should take the points, but then it all went wrong.
Richard Naylor sat this one out, red-card appeal pending he still wasn't used. This paved the way for a start for the towering youngster Aidan Collins. Apart from that, it was the side from the Millwall win.
So the game started pretty positively, despite the one-man-up-front-and-that-mans-Parkin formation. The passing was there, and we had chances right from the off. Darren Currie was the most creative, turning his man inside out at times and getting a shot or two of his own in.
The biggest talking point of the game happened after 20 minutes or so, deep into the Preston half. Sito had made a run on the right and was shaping up to cross when David Nugent lunged in with a very heavy and mistimed tackle, leaving Sito sprawled on the floor. As the ref reached for his book, the Preston forward showed that he was certainly no gent (see what I did there?) by storming up to the poleaxed Sito and hauling him fully off the grass by his shirt. The referee bared his weakness at this crucial point of the game and simply booked him for the challenge. This was the first of several times the official failed to show his authority.
Town continued to push but with no score. Perhaps the best of the Town chances came from Jim Magilton, who picked up a ball on the edge of the area and fired in a stinging shot at the near post. Unfortunately Preston 'keeper Nash pulled off an outstanding diving save to deny Town the opener.
Then after at least two warning shots across the bows of the Tractor Boy's ship, Preston went ahead. Town found themselves all at sea after a corner in the Preston half, and they broke forward, with none other than Nugent slotting home. The unlikeable forward celebrated provocatively in front of the North Stand fans, with no yellow card for incitement, over-celebration or anything else I can think of forthcoming.
The bitter taste caused by a player who the home fans thought should not even have still been on the pitch scoring, was compounded just a few minutes later when the same player doubled their lead. Nugent was given acres of space to get in his shot after skinning Matt Richards with ease.
With Town now looking dishevelled, Joe Royle attempted to freshen the attack by introducing Dean McDonald for Kevin Horlock to partner an ineffectual Sam Parkin up front. But the damage had already been done, Preston sniffed the win and weren't going to let us back in the game easily.
In fact before the half time whistle it got worse, with Preston going three clear at the break after some absolutely pathetic defending, during which for once I can honestly say, I could've done better. Oh yes, we were bad.
The game was effectively over, it would've taken a poor side to throw a 3 goal lead, and Preston were proving to be anything but poor up front.
Just into the second half, Joe pulled Jim and Owen Garvan from the game and threw on Jaime Peters and Jimmy Juan. It didn't really work. Peters was lively down the right as you'd expect, but few goal attempts resulted from any of our forages forward. The all too familiar ["we don't play": JR] long ball was seen 'in force' a few times, a bizarre tactic with a) probably the shortest forward in the division and b) a forward who can only jump an inch off the floor.
We thought we might get at least a consolation goal, no one thought we looked like getting any points out of the game after all, but we couldn't even do that, and in fact let Preston score another before the end. A good goal though, from the bustling centre forward Agyemang who had only just entered play.
I'm having trouble deciding which area of the side was weakest, defence was poor, attack toothless, and midfield slow. The sooner we get De Vos and Naylor back the better. Up front? Parkin needs to chase a bit and get creative if he's to be first choice.
A sad day for Town fans was only mildly improved by Norwich slipping to a third consecutive defeat and into the bottom two in the evening.
Come on, be honest, deep down inside, you're disappointed aren't you? All this "wanting to get knocked out anyway" and the like is just rubbish. It's like saying that you like seeing Town lose, and well you don't, do you?.
But that said, unlike a loss in the league, or even the FA Cup, i'll have forgotten about it by the weekend. As a club in need of any extra revenue it can get, snubbing the competition would be daft, but as a club with a bag full of injuries already we can't afford to let it get in the way.
There, you see there's a positive side to everything.
There were more changes in the starting line up tonight, and the average age had tumbled again to around (erm) 22 or so. It was good to see Lewis Price back to fitness (see, another positive) and keen to take the reins back from Shane Supple, I wonder if Joe was playing his second 'keeper in the game or his first choice? We'll see come Saturday. Aidan Collins was another fresh face, and starting a game for the first time, Jimmy Juan.
Town did start reasonably brightly, but did little to indicate which side was the higher of the two in terms of league status. Both sides had chances, but neither really tested their opposite goalie too much in the first half bar one or two efforts.
A half time stale mate looked inevitable, but just before the half time whistle Yeovil took the lead from a corner, with Way jumping to head the ball home.
Joe Royle made 3 changes for the restart, bringing off Darren Currie, Jimmy Juan and Jaime Peters, replacing them with Ian Westlake, Owen Garvan and Fabian Wilnis.
Although the team now resembled something more akin to what we might expect for a league tie, the performance did not improve greatly. There were perhaps more chances for the Tractor Boys in the second half, the best from Richard Naylor who's shot was cleared off the line. Westy got in a few efforts but could not get them on target.
Yeovil finally put us out of our misery late on when Gall raced forward and tucked the ball away to put the game beyond doubt.
An early cup exit isn't that upsetting, but the performance tonight was certainly a little disappointing. At least the Yeovil fans who made the trip all the way up from the West Country will have an easier journey home, yet another positive.
It's seems that our luck just isn't going with us at the moment with regard to injuries. Two shiny new strikers arrive at the club, and within three games both are crocked. One upside of that was of course, that Joe Royle simply had to start the game with the younger understudies, the Dean Brothers. We're all familiar with the flair and excitement Bowditch can bring to our game, but Dean McDonald was a new face for most who were more than impressed with his league debut. Another youngster back into the starting line-up was Owen Garvan, hoping to have another performance similar to that at the previous home match. And of course Shane Supple, hero at Leicester the week before as stand-in for injured Lewis Price. Thankfully a few oldies in the team like Jim Magilton and Fabian Wilnis meant that the average age was a little above 15 years. It was obvious from the start that the fresh faces had given Town an exciting boost. The game was fast, we played some breath-taking football, passing quickly to-and-fro between defence and at the front men, and yes, through, not over the midfield. The possession we enjoyed was edging on the embarrassing for Wednesday at times. Richard Naylor's opener was early in the game, and via a corner which came in from Darren Currie. It was initially cleared to beyond the box but Jim met the ball and sent it straight back in. Naylor advanced at the far post and rose above his marker to head back across the keeper into the net. Is he a striker? Is he a defender? He's here, he's there... At the back, Naylor and Wilnis aside, Matt Richards was having a great game on the left putting in several really solid challenges, a couple of them as last man. That's exactly the sort of performance we'll be needing more of from him this season. Sito merits a mention too on the opposite side of the park. It was him who crossed the ball for Ian Westlake's goal in the second half. After all the pressure we'd put the visitors under, the goal was a long time in coming but was worth the wait. Westy met the ball and struck it first time into the top corner. First class. So, back to the Dean twins. These two were fantastically creative. McDonald played some tricky little passes and could leave his man for dead at times, the result was very exciting to watch. Then it got better, with the introduction of Jaime Peters, already established as pretty difficult to handle himself, he now added another headache for the Wednesday back line. Although the crowd had plenty of opportunity to get out of their seats, Town were unable to make all this possession pay and after Magic and Currie went off during the changes, the game for Town lost shape a little and the visitors got more of a sniff of the ball. As the game wore on, Sheffield Wednesday threw caution to the wind and got a goal back, very similar to the first Town goal, a good header from in the box. They'd pressed Shane Supple at times and you couldn't begrudge them their consolation. There was too much time after that to make it a comfortable end to the match, and it made it clear how we ought to have killed off the game with at least one extra goal earlier on. It was maybe an indication too that meddling with the side can be a dangerous thing. Thankfully Supple was equal to anything further that came his way, and the three points were in the bag. Plenty of smiles around leaving Portman Road, and much talk of young McDonald on the farm, ee-eye ee-eye oh. Sorry. Inevitable at some point.
The prospects for this match were pretty good, and had the weather been better we might have seen 2 good sides play some nice stuff this afternoon. But as it was the weather was absolutely dreadful and spoiled the chances of pretty football. Leicester started frantically and the Town defence was under pressure and just hanging on at times in the first 15 minutes. The back four had their work cut out, with most of the home side's forward play coming down the right side where Matt Richards was struggling to keep them at bay. Richards seemed below par in these opening stages start but got stronger during the game. Town had their chances in the first half, but it was mainly Leicester playing the neater football. Connolly had 2 clear cut chance before the break, the first being expertly cut out by Richard Naylor, solid throughout the game at the back. The second Connolly seemed to squander himself, the striker choosing to turn inside the defender instead of shooting as he crossed goal. The defining moment of the game came when Lewis Price was substituted through injury after half an hour after a collision during a save. This meant 18 year old Shane Supple made his senior debut, playing the remaining hour of the game. Supple was more than an adequate stand-in for Price, some suggesting he may retain the position for some time. In very tricky conditions he made several important saves, a couple spectacular, and his catching was perfect, but for a late fumble (although I thought at the time he'd had the ball kicked from his hands). Soon after his introduction he had to defend 3 or 4 corners in close succession, but the rest of the team were obviously aware of the situation and provided strong cover. Supple was Man of the match for me. He played an important part in the second clean sheet of the season, perhaps surprising given the problems Joe Royle is faced with at the back. Naylor was solid, and Fabian Wilnis was absolutely superb today and covered Richards well early on in the game when Leicester pressed most. Sito, still perhaps finding his feet in this league completed the line in good fashion, with maybe one or two lapses, but an overall encouraging display. It was a nervous moment though, when Fabian went to ground just before half time clutching his leg. Thankfully he soon got going and emerged for the second half. After half time Town were far more composed, and began to dominate periods of the match and create more chances than they had in the first half. Leicester were never out of the match at any point though, and broke forward and always threatened. The introduction of Darren Currie at half time was an important factor in Town's improved appearance in the second half. He replaced Jaime Peters who was pretty anonymous bar a few forays down the right, most coming to nothing. Currie was ay his creative best, and the source of many good crosses. Ian Westlake had drifted in and out of the game for the first half but grew into the game, and went close with a cocky flicked effort from a Currie cross, which the keeper saved. Midway through the second half Joe introduced fit-again Dean Bowditch into the game. He rather surprisingly replaced Nicky Forster who had been a thorn in Leicester's side all match. Many were unhappy that Sam Parkin was not the player to give way, with his performance perhaps not the best we shall see of him. Parkin had sometimes appeared of the pace, although he did battle well at times and provide some good balls for others. His control was poor at times but it was pretty difficult in the conditions. Bowditch was, as we'd expect, lively and tenacious, being in the thick of it whenever there was any action up front. Maybe we'll see a Bowditch-Forster partnership at sometime as Joe experiments. Both sides pressured late in the game, Leicester perhaps finishing stronger, but Supple and his defence stood strong and Town earned a good away point. We gave the ball away very cheaply at times, and lacked creativity later on in the match, perhaps with holding onto a point in mind. The style wasn't there on a dreadful day for a game of football, but no one can complain at that.
After the ups-and-downs of preseason, the new campaign finally kicked off on a warm August afternoon against a Cardiff side with almost as many new faces in the first team as Town. The Tractor Boys lined up with new boys Sam Parkin and Nicky Forster up front, the injury to Dean Bowditch making Joe Royle's descision on who to play in the front line for him. Also starting for the first time was Owen Garvan, making the step up from the reserves. Lewis Price was the new man in goal, although not his first team debut he was new to being the first choice shot-stopper for the Blues. With all the departures, Benty et al, and the number of young faces amongst the replacements they prompted, I must admit, I was a little pesimistic about the dawn of '05-06'. There was quite a bright start to the match, with Town enjoying most of the posession and getting the first real chance of the match. After Ian Westlake earned a free kick just outside the box, Jim Magilton spotted the 'keeper creeping over to his left, so flicked a slow kick towards the top right of the goal. Unfortunately he placed it just wide although the goalie was beaten. Cardiff were not offering much in the way of attack but were breaking occassionally, with Jerome being their target man up front. He was agressive but not pretty, he put himself about and got tangled a few times where he shouldn't. A thorn in the the side but not getting many attempts on goal. Before the break, Forster had one or two chances without really testing the 'keeper but was creating plenty for others, Sam Parkin included, with the ex-Swindon striker going close a couple of times. Darren Currie had been inventive for the first half and continued in the same vein after the break. He was impressive with his control and looked a difficult player to contain. When he was felled out wide his free kick was not the first good ball he'd put into the box for Forster, who met the ball and lashed it home from close range. This turned out to be the winner, but not after a late scare from Cardiff's Alan Lee who belted a quick shot from all of 6 yards. Fortunately Lewis Price woke up from having little to do all afternoon and served up a fantastic reaction save, Richard Naylor clearing the loose ball. Phew. Some good performances from new and old players alike, but I think the best mention has to go to young Owen Garvan who strutted around the midfield like a player with another 10 years experience on his shoulders. He hardly put a foot wrong for the whole match, his distribution was excellent and seemed committed to every ball. This lad looks like a great prospect, and played as if he'd been in that team for more just than pre-season. Another bright moment was the very much anticipated introduction on Canadian Jaime Peters with a quarter of an hour to go. He injected some pace into a slowing match, probing deep down the right, turning a few players inside out at times. Another one to watch. Jimmy Juan was a very late sub, but hardly had enough time to get started. So all in all I think I left the match in a better frame of mind than when it started, win aside of course. The many debutants made good account of themselves, and left me in positive mood, at least for another couple of days.
Nurse! My Happy pills have worn off! If not that poor a performance, a terrible result never the less.
Although Burnley started the game way down the table they had been pretty free-scoring at home this season, so there was perhaps a hint of what Town needed to do in order to get something out of this match, i.e. score goals.
The only period during which we looked like doing so was the opening half an hour or so before they scored. Dean Bowditch partnered Sam Parkin up front, and had made some good chances notably with the help of Owen Garvan in midfield, when Burnley got a fortuitous goal.
A speculative shot from James O'Connor from way out, took a nasty deflection off a Town defender and looped over Lewis Price into the net. The keeper couldn't be faulted for the goal, it was just one of those lucky moments for Burnley.
Town did not react well to going a goal behind, and the rest of the half was the opposite of what had gone before. This continued into the second half, with Burnley now the side with their tails up and threatening goal. Ipswich on the other hand had gone all shakey at the back, and at the other end chances were few and far between.
Joe Royle decided to make a double substitution to spice things up, taking off skipper Jim Magilton and Dean Bowditch who were replaced with Jaime Peters and Danny Haynes respectively. It did little to improve things.
With 20 minutes-ish left to play, the home side were awarded a free kick from more than 20 yards out. It shouldn't have been too much of a problem but the poorly organised Town wall allowed the powerful low shot from another O'Connor, this time Gareth past and Lewis Price could not stop it becoming 2-0.
Ipswich had not been able to break down a resolute Burnley defence at one nil, so two nil just made a psychological mountain too high to climb. One or two Town efforts happened but were pretty weak and the team looked resigned to losing, and in fact Burnley nicked another one before the end.
With 3 minutes left Chris McCann flicked a header into the net from a very poorly defended corner, Price must have felt let down by the players in front of him.
Nothing like the performance on Saturday against Leeds, the defence a little unsure at crucial times, but Burnley can score and needed to be punished at the other end to get points out of them. This didn't happen with few real chances to trouble their defence. If Town had got the first goal I'm sure the result would've been different, but it was disappointing to see how the mood swung when we conceded.
The visit to this Yorkshire club was always going to prove a difficult match, especially so given Town's recent run of games without a win. Everyone was going to have to be at their best, and as it happened the defence at least were.
I single out the defence not because the rest of the field were below par, but because it was where most of the play took place. Leeds had most of the ball with the Town backline having to soak up relentless pressure at times.
Canadian Jason De Vos was marking his half-century in a Town shirt, and did so finely alongside Richard Naylor who also put in a fine performance. Castro Sito, having escaped a ban after his bogus red card against N****ch was overturned, made up the back four along with Jay McEveley.
Leeds had hit the woodwork and had several opportunities to scare Town before we went ahead somewhat against the run of play. Dean Bowditch showed great persistence down the right, chasing a ball right to the by-line before looping a high cross towards the backpost where Sam Parkin stooped to head home.
The home side continued to keep their foot on the gas though, and 5 minutes or so before the break earned a golden opportunity to restore parity. Jim Magilton stuck out a leg in the penalty area to bring down Shaun Derry, but Richard Cresswell's penalty cannoned off the bar.
The second half restarted with pretty much the same style. Town's chances were restricted and Leeds always looked like they'd get something out of the game, although as the half went on they seemed to become more and more frustrated.
A notable moment for the visitors was the introduction of former FA Youth Cup winner Danny Haynes who made his senior debut ten minutes into the half. He had an enthusiastic half hour and will hopefully become a regular.
With 20 minutes left on the clock the Tractor Boys doubled their fragile lead, and the prospect of three points seemed more likely. Haynes was involved, feeding Owen Garvan who spotted Sam Parkin in space. Parkin touched the ball forward and very neatly slotted just inside the post past the diving keeper from 15 yards.
The Peacock's heads certainly dropped, and with Town happy to sit back and keep their 2 goal cushion safe the game wore on and thankfully ended with a welcome clean sheet and three points for Ipswich.
Parkin will get a huge boost from his brace, and hopefully confidence to take his goal tally higher. Joe Royle will be pleased to see a positive contribution from Haynes.
Another northern fixture for Town beckons on Tuesday night up at Burnley, who although not exactly setting the division alight, are always a difficult team to visit.
So much anticipation from both sets of fans, so much hype, so much build up and excitement. All we've come to expect from our Derby games.
All spoiled by one incompetent buffoon sent presumably from the lower leagues to adjudicate a huge game of football for all concerned. Well done that man - you have had your 15 minutes of fame, all at our cost.
How the hell Sito was sent from the field for such an innocuous incident I'll never fathom. As Lisbie ran through without the ball which was already destined for the arms of Lewis Price, he ran across Sito and down he went like a sack of shit (excuse the French today). Not uncommon in today's game, but I can only guess that the ref had never come across such obvious behaviour from a striker. Of course not - he'd obviously never ref'd a game in his life.
Sito barely changed stride as the two players crossed, any contact was not apparent and there seemed a split second before Lisbie decided to go to ground, obviously realising the ball was beyond him. Outside the area and towards it's left extreme, the lino flagged for a foul from the opposite side of the pitch. The ref then went about staging an over-dramatic dismissal, reminiscent of an attention seeking continental official.
Town had been on top of a lively Norwich side for the first 15 minutes of the match which led up to the incident, and the prospect of a cracking game looked good.
Both sides had pressed forward and tried their luck, with perhaps just one really close chance from Sam Parkin who dived to head powerfully goalwards from a Jay McEverly ball in, Robert Green making a good save at the near post.
Then the game and atmosphere changed with the sending off. Most were busily berating the ref for producing what they thought was going to be a yellow, let alone red card. They were left gobsmacked.
It ruined the match. The visiting Canaries had their feathered tails up and put Town under more pressure for the rest of the half. Nothing fancy from them, but certainly the tables had been turned. Fortunately they're not as good as their recent Premiership status suggests, and the chances that they created were badly squandered, although Lewis Price had a good deal to do with it too.
The officials left the pitch at the break to deafening boos from the home fans, and received the same acknowledgement on their return.
Town had never given up the fight, and arguably bossed the second half of the match, but only after Norwich had scored what turned out to be the winning goal. Even against 10 men, the visitors had not managed a breakthrough and it was down to us to gift them the goal. Darren Huckerby had been brought on at half time, and soon chased down a ball towards the left edge of the penalty area with Lewis Price racing him to it. Although the young goalie made it, he didn't cleanly make contact with the ball to clear, presumably worried about handling outside the box, and unfortunately Huckerby controlled and steadied to shoot. If there's one person you don't want to see facing your unguarded goal regardless of the difficult angle, it's him, and he tucked it away despite the best efforts of the defence to race back.
That said, much later on in the game he missed a far easier opportunity to double the lead but thankfully showed the form more like the other Norwich forwards had displayed.
And ours for that matter. We pressed Norwich well throughout the half, but there was simply no creativity up front, and the shots we got in were coming from further back.
We need to develop more bite. We need to see the original Dean Bowditch back again. We need Sam Parkin to 'click'. We need a fit Nicky Forster. We need ideas.
And most of all we need referees with common sense.
The previous day’s news that Brighton had at last received planning permission for a brand spanking new all-seater stadium was bound to lift the home side’s spirits. They had been living a nomadic existence at the shabby Withdean athletics stadium for too long, in fact a month at that place would’ve been too long, and after a campaign starting back in 1997 the champagne was flowing.
Town striker Nicky Forster was again injured and this gave Dean Bowditch a chance to partner Sam Parkin up front. Forster had picked up a knee injury.
The game was pretty average from the off, neither team looking brilliant, but the Seagulls managed to break the deadlock after just a quarter of an hour. A cross came in from Carole which Dean Hammond met and despite being under pressure from Richard Naylor, managed to steer home with a first time effort.
It was obvious that something needed to be changed for Town, and Joe decided to introduce Jim Magilton in the middle of the park, with Matt Richards giving way. Although Jim was not exactly setting the field alight things did improve, and the Tractor Boys were on level terms again 5 minutes before half time.
Fabian Wilnis had been called back into the starting eleven, and deservedly so after some good performances, and it was the Dutchman who surged up the left to cross into the box where Sam Parkin met the ball in the air, heading home inside the far post.
Now this Sam Parkin chap, he’s certainly caused a stir! How dare he not score at home! Jeez, he is our leading goal scorer and has already earned or rescued a fair few points for us with his 5 goals. So does that mean that he deserves booing when playing at home? No of course not, and the sooner these muppets realise that they are virtually giving the upper hand to the opposition’s defence when they boo or “cheer ironically” at the guy then the sooner his confidence will improve. Talk about piling on the pressure.
Ok, he might not “appear” to be the most exciting player you have ever seen, but a) he’s our leading goal scorer, b) he’s not injured, c) he’s our leading goal scorer, d) he’s a Town player, e) he’s our leading goal scorer… The players have a job to do out on the pitch for 90 minutes, and the fans have a job to do on the terraces, a job that does not involve putting your own players down during a match.
We don’t really hear much abuse during games towards Dean Bowditch, rightly so, but arguably his performances of late have been a tad lacklustre, or certainly not as good as hoped. He got a full game this time to show what he can do, and was quite lively and came close once or twice, and put in an overall improved performance. He’s another player who needs a goal. Boo him at home next Saturday then? ;o)
The second half was far more positive for Town, and yet not at all comfortable. Dean McDonald came on for Adam Proudlock ten minutes in and took up the same position on the right. He was lively and involved, having a few shots at goal. Bowditch and Parkin both had good chances too but missed the target on a couple of occasions.
It was Dean Bowditch who almost snatched a winner late on as he cut inside, his near post effort being well saved. That would’ve been very harsh on Brighton, and overall a draw was fair if disappointing.
Brighton have earned a few good points this season, and given that we came here last match last season needing the points to stand any chance of automatic promotion, but left with again only a point, perhaps it wasn’t that surprising. Improvement all round, but still plenty of room for more. Hopefully Nicky Forster’s absence will be short as he gave us an edge in the last few games he played since his long term injury.
The Tractor Boys hit a low point with this game, I wouldn't say an "all time low", but things haven't seemed this gloomy at Portman Road for many a year. Saturday's game did nothing to inspire hope of any silver lining.
Watford enjoyed a good enough start to the season but are now probably showing their true self, they are a team that Town should expect to beat but on the day we came nowhere near displaying any football that would warrant claim to any points from the game.
The game began with a hint of determination about both teams, either seeming to close down eagerly, but both without any apparent class and passes were going astray, clearances looked hopeful rather than directed. The general mood in the stands was uneasy, no one liked what they saw. It was boring at best.
In fact not much can be said of the match, perhaps one or two performances of note, deputy keeper Shane Supple was of course kept busy and made some excellent stops. He'd been called into the starting line-up as late as during the warm up when Lewis Price was withdrawn. As we'd seen at Leicester, he stepped in without any apparent nerves, and in fact will be unhappy not to have kept a clean sheet.
Watford had been better on the break than us, and this was probably the main difference and ultimately what won them the match early in the second half. A superb save by Supple fell back into the 6 yard box, and with the Town defence awol and not providing any back up, Ashley Young tapped home.
Given how the visitors had been playing I expected them to put all men behind the ball and defend the lead, but they did actually brighten slightly although they never needed to really try.
We never looked like threatening the Watford goal from start to finish, and perhaps our best chance was a shout for a penalty when Dean Bowditch was sandwiched between 2 defenders as he made a - dare I say "exciting" run into the box. Actually, Deano did at least put in some effort when he was introduced.
Dire, poor, shoddy, lazy, just generally crap. On this showing, how we are still mid-table is beyond belief, perhaps that there are plenty of other very mediocre sides in the division is the answer, Norwich included, thankfully. We are only a handful of points off the relegation zone, and why should we expect that we'll be safe come the end of the season? We're not the only fans awaiting a turn in fortune this season, and what if it turns their way, and not ours?
It was a stinker on Sunday down at Reading, and we desperately needed a good home performance tonight to cheer people up. The signs were good in that Joe Royle, having made several changes to the starting line-up, obviously recognised that something needed changing.
Sam Parkin dropped to the bench whilst Nicky Forster retained his place, alongside new guy Adam Proudlock who had at least looked lively on Sunday, not that anyone was going to impress in that side on the day.
Captain Jim sat this one out, and Fabian Wilnis too, with the more youthful replacements of Matt Richards and Owen Garvan stepping up.
Coventry had decided to try and hit us hard from the start, and the signs were bad with the Midlanders making easy work of disposessing Town and getting in most of what few shots either team had.
Garvan was forced off after 25 minutes after a heavy challenge, so that half scuppered Joe's attempt at reshaping things. It did mean that Jimmy Juan got a chance though.
But things took an turn for the better when we scored first, very much against the run of play. Ipswich were awarded a free kick wide of the left of the penalty area, which Darren Currie swung into the box, looking for a touch to help it into the net. It didn't need one. A few players lunged at it but no one, keeper included, managed it, and it bounced into the far side of the goal.
At this point, Town seemed to click into gear and suddenly became more confident, passing better and creating the chances. Nicky Forster almost added a second after picking up the ball following a nice sequence of passes between midfield, but the ball just didn't fall right to get in an unchallenged shot.
Coventry got in a couple of good long range shots from way outside the box which were low and hard, Lewis Price got down well and held onto them.
Five minutes before the break Ipswich got the second goal that, at the time, they deserved. Another free kick came in from Kevin Horlock which Jimmy Juan was able to head home almost unchallenged. So it seemed we're be going in at half time easily ahead, but seconds before the whistle went, Coventry got what must've been their 12th corner. Completely unmarked beyond the back post, McSheffrey lashed the ball home.
This gave the visitors some hope for the second half, and they resumed with purpose and belief. Sam Parkin was introduced at the break, Horlock having been crocked in the first half. Proudlock seemed to be pushed out wider on the right, and didn't seem as effective in the second half, although he did have less of the ball.
We still looked pretty sharp at this point, hungry for another goal which I'm pretty sure would've taken the game for us. It never came, and only ten minutes in it was even-stevens again. Another soft goal too, a cross was met and reversed back into the box where Nalis burried it.
Once again we started to look shakey, but by no means the shambles we saw at Reading. There were chances that could've won it for either Town or Coventry, the best being a Forster effort which appeared to actually cross the line by a foot, but wasn't given.
A better performance maybe, but you could say that Coventry are a whole lot worse than Reading at the moment. You could be positive and credit the performance at face value, most individuals did look far more composed at times, although we went to sleep at the back to gift Coventry a point. I'm undecided.
Checking the results last night, I thought that defeat at the hands of Burnley was not actually 'that bad' considering that they just beat an in-form Wolves away too. Pathetic optimism I know, but you've got to be sometimes.
It didn't last long though. A seemingly bright start to this one soon degenerated into more of the same sloppy stuff that sent us crashing to that embarrassing loss. A very early speculative cross from Jason De Vos was almost bundled home by Darren Currie with just seconds on the clock. It was reassuring and I hoped that yes, it was Crewe and, yes, we would stuff them.
Unfortunately I think there was a touch of the same sentiment from the players themselves, maybe some complacency helped Crewe enjoy most of the rest of the half to themselves, bar one or two other early efforts from Town.
The signs were there, with just about every move forward by Ipswich being matched by an equal break from the visitors who came close on several occasions. It was only a matter of time before either team scored, and it was going to go Crewe's way.
They got their lead from a free kick in a not particularly dangerous position (Burnley anyone?) wide outside the box, and when it was sent in it looked as though at least two Town defenders had a chance to do something with it, but none did. Lewis Price was too in a good position, but looked startled as it came his way, and although he made a token dive it was too late as the ball bounced into the far side of the goal.
Heads did not seem to drop as they had when we conceded to Burnley though, and at least we kept trying to play the game, although Crewe remained lively and buoyed by the goal. We simply looked poor against The Railwaymen who should've increased their lead with several chances before half time. It took a handful of excellent last-ditch tackles at the back to deny some of these, Richard Naylor weighing in with his fair share.
It was a little disappointing to hear boos on the half time whistle. I don't know, they may have deserved it but I can't help thinking that it's another helping hand to the opposition.
On the other hand though, they came out in the second half with more about them, so maybe it had an affect. More likely it was the changes made to the side that perked things up, Sam Parkin was withdrawn and Richard Naylor shifted up front to where he's no stranger of course. I really believed at the time that Joe had at last decided to try playing without Parkin, but apparently he had a 'back injury' which effectively decided for him.
All this meant that Fabian Wilnis took up his position at the back, and he made use of the chance to prove that he should be in the starting line-up by putting in a good, solid performance. He also went close to scoring, twice heading the ball wide.
After an hour, Joe made a double substitution, Bowditch off for Nicky Forster and Jim's tired legs made way for Jimmy Juan. Forster looked sharp from the minute he started, and initally looked fit. It was only a quarter of an hour before he scored the winner, picking up a tidy through ball from Naylor and advancing into the box before shooting into the opposite side of the goal, beyond the diving keeper.
Town looked far better going forward, Dean Bowditch had been lively yet unproductive but continued to hassle alongside Bam Bam. At last we looked more composed, and with that, more likely to score.
We got back on level terms through a free kick, Naylor was fouled as he fed Jim Magilton who's shot went over - not sure what would've happened if that had gone in as the ref seemed to blow up just after Jim hit the ball. Weird. Darren Currie sized up the free kick from 20 yards plus, and despite the wall in front of him curled a fantastic shot right into the top right hand corner. That was good.
After an hour, Joe made a double substitution, Bowditch off for Nicky Forster and Jim's tired legs made way for Jimmy Juan. Forster looked sharp from the minute he started, and initally looked fit. It was only a quarter of an hour before he scored the winner, picking up a tidy through ball from Naylor and advancing into the box before shooting into the opposite side of the goal, beyond the diving keeper.
Forster began to fade as the game wore on, visibly tired, and so too was his makeshift strike-partner Richard Naylor, who quite frankly looked knackered. At least there's two weeks before the next match to address this issue, and hey, Parkin might be fit by then too..
It was an important win in that it not only boosted our position in the league table but the team's confidence, or rather the fan's confidence in the team, as well.
It was poor. All bar one or two short spells of promising stuff from us lot, Reading dominated this game from start to finish.
They should've been 3 goals up before they actually scored. They'd easily created half a dozen chances before then, and an equal amount of corners to boot. The goal they did get was rather fortunate, either a lucky rebound or a gift from Jay McEveley, whichever resulted in a shot finding it's way via either a save or defection (I simply don't care) to Steve Sidwell who rammed it in. I'd rather they'd have scored one of their better worked chances really. The warning signs of near-shots and a disallowed goal had been ignored and Town were behind.
All this came shortly after out-to-prove-himself-at-home striker Sam Parkin had to leave the field with what turned out to be a broken ankle. Great. It never rains but it pours.
Nicky Forster had been dropped to the bench but Parkin's withdrawal saw him brought into action and before the half was out, with things obviously getting embarrassing Kevin Horlock was replaced by Fabian Wilnis, allowing Richard Naylor to switch to striker. Such schizophrenic positioning is surely why he's called "psycho" after all?
Almost instantly things livened up for Town, and the crowd were roused into a bit of noise. After the break it continued, with a couple of chances, the best when McEveley ran down the wing and after riding a couple of heavy challenges managed to cross to Forster who unfortunately shot wide.
Within a minute or so Reading increased their lead, and with it went any hope for the home side. The ball was going for dead near the goal-line but it was deftly cut back into the middle where in-form Leroy Lita was unmarked and side-footed home.
From this point we were pretty much pathetic. How we didn't lose by a greater margin I don't know. The third goal seemed to take ages to come and yet was inevitable. It was probably the best of the bunch, and happened very quickly. Lita was involved again, once more the ball being very deep and cut back for Kevin Doyle to put home.
It was horrible. You had to be there - if you missed this game due to emergency dentistry or loss of limb, you still got off lightly. I enjoyed nothing from the night. My two hour plus journey through icy fog and traffic jams, and the two hour journey back home left me wondering why I bother. I didn't even like Reading's away kit, which looked more like an overwashed Aussie-rules outfit.
Anyone actually going to Cardiff?
Parkin wasn't the problem, it was the long walk from the M6 to the Ricoh that did me in! Ho! You've not heard that before. First impressions of the new home of Coventry were ok, the stadium stands quite well in it's surroundings of shoddy old industrial estates. Looks just like quite a few other Premiership grounds of course, until you get in and realise that it's half empty. Below stairs there's plenty of space though, quite impressed there. Early exchanges showed promise with both sides having efforts on goal, Town first through Richard Naylor and Coventry soon after through Town old-boy James Scowcroft, although I'm sure he was called Jamie back then. Town fielded new boy Gavin Williams on loan from West Ham. The game started to lag though and chances became few, but one bright point was the possession enjoyed by Ipswich, although this did unfortunately mean that a lot of the play seemed to be down the other end. Nicky Forster was partnering Sam Parkin up front, and the former Reading man had an excellent run which deserved at least a shot on goal, but as he wriggled his way into the box after rounding several players he seemed to square the ball into space and it was cleared. Parkin was quite bright and studious, looking more in creative rather than shooting mood. His chances came more in the second half, an all round decent performance maybe boosted by a rousing "He only scores away - he's gonna score today" from the travelling Tractor Boys. Evens at the break was probably fair although if anyone edged it I'd argue it was us. Ian Westlake was replaced by Matt Richards after having an average first half, and Richards was involved in the first goal of the game. Just five minutes in, Richards received the ball out on the left and was given oodles of time to slot in a cross that found the new lad Gavin "not Geraint" Williams, who almost casually knocked the ball home from 8 yards. There followed a period of pressure from Town, it looked like the game was now in our hands and we played with confidence. But it never lasted long, and ten minutes later it was all square again. The Ipswich defence were found not only dillying but dallying too, and a ball which could've easily been cleared rebounded to Gary McSheffrey, and although his shot wasn't the most powerful it was well placed enough to evade a diving Lewis Price. The pressure was now all from the home side, and at this point their fans actually made some noise, proving that the accoustics were pretty good for the apparently otherwise generic design of stadium. It was almost half empty afterall. Thankfully the decent chances that came their way in the next five to ten minutes were squandered, but really, they should've scored again. But then so should we have, so all's fair. The introduction of Darren Currie after the hour livened things up, the midfielder having replaced Jim Magilton. Dean Bowditch got a run-out too for the last ten, Nicky Forster making way. Eventually after another bland spell Town got to passing again, and the last quarter of an hour we seemed to lay seige to the Coventry goal but we just couldn't find the net. Given the pressure and time in front of goal we enjoyed, I was disappointed with a draw from this one. Not at all a bad display at times, but that defence needs to keep focussed for 90 minutes.
Ipswich Town goalkeeper Lewis Price made a fantastic debut this evening for the Welsh national side despite the team losing 1 nil.
The Tractor Boys' number 1 was the only player to shine in an otherwise dismal performance by Wales. Price pulled off a string of first class saves and was only beaten by a penalty, which decided the game.
He drew praise from the BBC Wales commentary team. "Price kept Wales in it, it could've been a 5-0 drubbing". One summariser could not remember seeing a better debut for the national side "even the likes of Ryan Giggs ... we'll have to look after this kid".
Manager John Toshack said he was "embarrassed" after the match. "We never had a player today - apart from the keeper".
So it looks like Pricey has found a few more fans.
We couldn't really afford to lose to Plymouth, the recent lack of wins meant that the visit of a club in the bottom three was a perfect opportunity to get back on track. Defeat would've obviously started people off crying for heads to roll and all that, but thankfully Plymouth never looked a serious threat from start to finish.
They'd seen off the might of recent Premiership drop-outs Norwich not so long back, but judging by their showing in this match that was more a reflection on our local rivals rather than Plymouth.
We hit the visitors with a barrage of pressure right from the word go, with most of the play being in front of the North Stand where Plymouth defended. Nicky Forster was fit again and played alongside Sam Parkin, and early signs were encouraging.
Another player returning to the side was Kevin Horlock, and once again Jay McEveley replaced Fabian Wilnis at the back.
After probably less than ten minutes Plymouth got into the game and started carving out one or two chances of their own, but after a while the game went slightly flat. Town passed well but didn't seem to be creating much.
Things finally perked up after 25 when we went ahead though, Horlock won a corner off a good effort on goal, and when Darren Currie sent in the kick it was initially flicked out but only as far as Jay McEveley 18 yards out. He hit the loose ball first time, and despite him not striking it with huge force enough it found it's way through the mêlée into the bottom corner. He looked like he enjoyed his first goal for the club.
With Town now enjoying most of the play, it we only had to wait another ten minutes for the second. It was again scored off a Currie corner which this time took a flick on, and Jimmy Juan did really well to lurch forward and head the ball home from 8 yards.
We cruised into half time, and expected the second half to be much of the same despite Plymouth having a chance or two. It was to be the visitors though to score next, with them opening their account 5 minutes into the second half from a well taken free kick a lot like Jim Magilton's at Derby the previous week.
For once, and about time too, it did nothing to rattle Town who kept about their passing game, retaining their obvious superiority over the match. 5 minutes later we were two goals in front once again, this time from the penalty spot.
Nicky Forster had burst into the opposition's box on a couple of occasions without result, but this time he was brought down by the keeper deep into the box and the penalty was awarded. There is a possibility that the ball had already gone, it was difficult to tell but he was definitely floored as he raced forward.
Surprisingly Matt Richards stepped up for the kick and despatched it neatly to the left sending the goalie the wrong way. I thought perhaps given the recent unrest over Sam Parkin not scoring at home that he might take it, but it was all apparently sorted before-hand and Richards scored his second in consecutive games.
Talking of Parkin, he was given a far better reception this time with many fans obviously recognising that booing does no good at all, and indeed that it was completely unjustified anyway. We even had a couple of songs including his old Swindon chant of Super Sammy Parkin.
The worst performance of the day easily went to the referee who made some breathtakingly bad decisions throughout the afternoon. Plymouth players had been less than sporting on a few occasions bordering on nasty, but with no control offered from the ref. He'd got worse in the second half with some blatant fouls, notably when Dean Bowditch was flattened late in the second half, going completely unnoticed. These things always follow the same predictable pattern, and yes, as the game went on he decided that a few yellows were needed, so he started booking Town players. Grrrrr. That sort of amateurish adjudication is very frustrating to watch and the crowd were getting angry.
Three points bagged, and despite some reminding us that Plymouth are a bottom three side I still think it was a good result because of the more solid performances all-round. We were looking more composed throughout and need to turn this into some sort of run, building confidence along the way as well as climbing up the table.
Both teams went in to this match at Pride Park desperate for points in order to drag themselves up the table and away from the mess at the bottom. Neither team were in form so a draw may have been inevitable, but three goals a piece was not really on the cards
Joe Royle opted for a positive three up front, Dean McDonald starting the game with Sam Park and Dean Bowditch his fellow strikers. Derby were using their new loanee from Southampton, Dexter Blackstock, who proved to be a pain all night.
A pacey start saw chances either way, things looked good and we might actually see a good match. Both keepers had early involvement, and Derby had a chance headed over the bar by Marcus Tudgay before Town opened the evening's scoring.
Richard Naylor had been in the news during the day having signed a new contract to keep him at Ipswich for the next 3 years, so was obviously in buoyant mood. He joined the action up front when Ipswich were awarded a free kick outside-right of the box, Jim Magilton sent it in where Naylor rose to head home from 12 yards.
Derby continued to match Town for chances, and both teams perhaps should've scored a few that weent astray. We weren't to last out until half time unfortunately, and with about ten minutes to go the home side equalised through that man Blackstock after Emerson Thome headed a cross back into the centre of the 6 yard box.
The ever-familiar panic seemed to descend momentarily at least, and Derby found themselves ahead just a couple of minutes later. Their second came from Marcus Tudgay who headed home a Morten Bisgaard cross from the right.
Ipswich did manage to pick themselves up quickly enough to make it evens come half time. Thome fouled Sam Parkin and up stepped Jim to curl in a cracker of a free-kick past keeper Kevin Poole. The Town captain was having a good game and it was fitting that he got on the scoresheet.
The second half started well too, and Town had a couple of efforts, one from Jimmy Juan and Sam Parkin had the ball in the net but it was offside. Derby broke perfectly from the latter and after a Fabian Wilnis slip up the ball ended up rather fortuitously at Blackstock's feet, who made no mistake scoring.
A minor shake up followed with Fab coming off for Jay McEveley, and Darren Currie replacing Dean McDonald, leaving Jim in grave danger of completing a full 90 minutes.
With Town pushing for the equaliser it gave Derby more chances at the other end, and Blackstock almost wrapped up the points for his new side with less than 15 minutes to go but his shot rattled the bar. That would've been a deserved hat trick for probably the liveliest player on the pitch.
Shortly after Dean Bowditch was replaced with Adam Proudlock, Ipswich did get the all important third goal, Darren Currie sending in a cross to the edge of the penalty area from the right, which was met expertly by the head of Matt Richards. The ball looped into the far side of the net, a brilliant header from such distance.
In fact Town almost won the match with minutes to go, when Sam Parkin met another Currie cross, only to see his goal-bound header tipped over by the backward stretching keeper.
That was a decent performance at one end of the pitch, and perhaps a little shoddy at the other, although Derby's defence is on a par with our own at the moment which does take the shine off it a bit. We at least remain above Norwich, and within 4 points of the playoff spots, but ominously only 4 points from the drop zone.
The inclusion of 17 year old Billy Clarke was a welcome positive talking point before the match. Part of the FA Youth Cup winning side last season, the young striker along with many of his team mates had been much talked about and touted as the possible solution to our newly found dullness, and it certainly worked.
Although deep down you knew that his chance in the starting line up was only given through the mounting injury list, some credit had to go Joe's way for putting faith in him. He was obviously pacey, and despite being dwarfed in every dimension by the QPR defence, was managing to hold his own and cause problems from the off.
QPR physical side, and they seem to make use of their muscle every time we meet them (although I'm sure they're the same whoever they play). The first sign of QPR's tactics for the afternoon came early on when Lewis Price shepherded a ball away for a goal kick. Paul Furlong, league-leader in the bad discipline tables, went in heavy and as he skipped over the prone keeper, he appeared to stamp on his head. The resulting injury required bandaging and Price was down for 2 or 3 minutes (although only 2 minutes were added at the end of the half - anyone else notice that?). The Ref, who proved to be gutless, witless and useless on this afternoon's performance, merely produced a yellow card. It was one of those clear cut, if he did it, he's off, if he didn't (or if the ref didn't see it) then no booking situations. Yellow. sigh...
We caused QPR problems, and actually passed the ball well, right through the midfield, out wide and into the danger area. At one point, we had 4 corners in close succession, forcing QPR goalie Royce into some fine saves, at last one point blank on the line, another was cleared by a defender on the line. In short, we were in control.
Then they scored. They broke away down the right, a quick cross was snapped in and the ball headed home. It was a fine goal for sure, but is there really no justice?! The defence, as usual, could've done a lot better, but were catching some Zzzz's.
The crowd maintained what had been a decent atmosphere, and urged Town on, and the equaliser came just minutes later via a Darren Currie corner. Jason de Vos powerfully headed goalwards at the near post. Right then, scare over, let's finish them off this time.
Then they scored. Another break away before half time, again down the right, and another poorly defended cross was bundled home beyond some comical defenders by none other than Paul Furlong. "He shouldn't even be on the pitch" was the phrase of the moment at half time.
Half time restarted minus the tricky Billy Clarke, and many moans were heard on the subject. He had been one of our better players, and although I suspect Joe would argue that he wasn't big enough for their defence, well, they hadn't grown to that height during the first half, and he hadn't shrunk. Richard Naylor went up front, Matt Richards fell back and Fabian Wilnis pushed in.
We seemed to lose an edge, and the excitement ebbed out of the game, although that was also down to a very obvious playing-for-time tactic from the visitors.
It wasn't our worst half, but the spark had gone and we reverted to recent type. Jim Magilton came on midway, and this improved things, but the saviour was to be in the form of another Youth Team product, Danny Haynes. He played the last ten minutes out wide on the right and looked keen to run at the defence - just what the doctor ordered.
The crowd rose with his enthusiasm and after an early scare when he gave a dangerous ball away in midfield, he created a few openings. All looked inevitably lost though as the game wore on, but as the 4th official indicated 4 minutes of added time the crowd roared the Tractor Boys on and they lifted there game (at which point I usually mutter something along the lines of "why don't they play like this all game").
With just a minute left, Jim spotted young Haynes darting through the middle and chipped through a ball which he headed exquisitely past the keeper and inside the near post. He did some mad dance thing and the crowd lapped it up, a fitting full stop to his debut, and a great advert for the Youth Team.
We need a bit more of that spark, and perhaps not waiting for injuries before exercising the youngsters is the order of the day.
I'd have honestly taken a draw before this one, not that I was that fearful of the perpetual draw specialists coming to Town, but having seen us play dreadfully in the last few games and knowing that Wolves could play ok given the opportunity, and also because of our swelling list of absentees.
Town proved anything but pushovers today though, and in the end were unlucky not to send Wanderers packing with nowt. Nicky Forster and Dean Bowditch started in the long term absence of Sam Parkin, and were joined by Darren Currie in the 4-3-3 formation.
It seemed to work from the off, we were bright and pacey, if a little untidy, but were having a good go at Wolves and Currie was soon creating chances. The visiting goalie, Postma, was being kept busy and was soon proving that he was a quality shot stopper. His kicking left something to be desired though.
Good stuff, but we were not keeping the Wolves at bay at the other end, and the right-sided Seol was very lively, showing great control and not being afraid to hold posession. I was less than impressed with Tom Huddlestone who I thought would be better than this showing.
No goals at the break, but surely we'd sew this one up in the second half? Well, things didn't quite go that way, and although we started in the same vein, Wolves managed a really cakey opener.
Colin Cameron hit a more than hopeful shot from way out, and on it's way it diverted upwards via the foot of Jason De Vos and looped over Lewis Price into the net.
It roused the home support though, who sensed the injustice in the goal, and Town pressed on. It was only ten minutes or so before the equaliser, which came from the penalty spot. The kick was perhaps a little unfair with Forster perhaps brought down in the course of a perfectly good challenge - couldn't see from where I was, but they all count.
Shortly before the goal, Adam Proudlock had replaced Dean Bowditch much to the dismay of the crowd, Deano having a lively enough game. Proudlock though was obviously out to play for his place and got stuck in where asked and was pretty useful.
Late on, we though all was lost as Seol was found completely unmarke in the Town 6-yard box, and with the ball at his feet would surely lash it home. Lash it he did, but right over the bar as the hapless Lewis Price dived hopefully in front of goal. A shame (but not really obviously) as he'd had a superb game causing many problems on their right.
A far better performance today against a side perhaps capable of offering a sterner test. I thought the whole team showed greater attitude throughout, but still plenty of room for improvement.
At last some sort of festive cheer. Off the back of 2 pretty lame defeats, the pressure was on to avoid the empty Christmas stocking turning into
Both teams had shown improvement in recent games before today, so it was a little disappointing that there was little style brought to Portman Road from the visitors, which in turn made it very difficult for Town to display any kind of passing football.
It was clearly the game-plan of Leicester to defend and close down, perhaps venture forward on the break, basically employ spoiling tactics and hope for the best. Maybe they were scared...!
On a freezing cold breezy afternoon, the opportunities to jump up and down or clap your hands to warm up were few and far between. Debutant Ricardo Fuller started up front providing a bit of muscle alongside the pace of Danny Haynes, who returned to the side after shaking off his injury. He was as usual a breath of fresh air, but Fuller was somewhat sluggish early on, obviously finding his feet with his new team mates, although we were struggling to get going as a team from the start.
Leicester managed a few early attempts at goal when they broke forward, but nothing to trouble Shane Supple in goal. A couple of warnings for Town, given shut-up-shop approach they were faced with, conceding early on could've been disastrous.
So the half went on, and on... nothing really happened, Town had most of the possession, or so it seemed at least but just couldn't seem to get the shots in. Fuller had a shout for a penalty turned down, one of those 50-50 challenges anyway.
After half time, things seemed to liven up for both sides. Leicester were no better, but managed a few chances, and Town too were more eager to get shots in. About 7 minutes into the half the mighty Ipswich scored, from a corner (we never score from corners). After an attempt by Darren Currie was saved and pushed out for the corner, Currie sent in a high ball that seemed to get a flick on to Owen Garvan, who struck the ball home from the middle of the box. Fuller had done well to get the original cross into Currie, and was looking all-round a better player in this half.
As time wore on Leicester became more persistent, and despite Town's slight dominance (if there is such a thing) we all started getting that edgy feeling, the same one we had just before Leeds scored their underserved equaliser.
Thankfully, history was not about to be so cruel again, and Town doubled the lead with 5 minutes left, just when the visitors had built up the pressure. And it was new man Ricardo Fuller, capping a good second half performance.
The Ref had not long booked Fuller for virtually nothing, but not rattled at all he ran in to meet another Currie corner at the near post and produced a powerful header beyond the keeper. Again he had created the initial chance for Dean McDonald who was on for a knackered Danny Haynes, that was saved. Unfortunately the booking Fuller received takes him to 5 yellows and a 1 match suspension. He only needed to last until the end of the month and that rule ends, but that's our luck at the moment.
So 3 points earned and well deserved but a hard game to watch, and despite 2 pairs of thermal socks and my Long Johns the cold got in and I had something to go home and moan about.
We've had some good games recently, but not always come away with the win we derserved, this time however, we outplayed our local rivals and left with all three points.
This really was a sweet victory. Revenge if you like for the daylight robbery last year at Portman Road which saw Sito sent off early on, and Norwich leave for Norfolk with a win. Neither team deserved what they took from that match, but this time first prize was ours after a great display.
Shane Supple was forced to sit this one out through ilness, giving Lewis Price his chance to get back into the team. Darren Currie managed to get out of bed on time for this one, having (probably) left home at 2am he arrived on time for the ridiculously early kick off.
There were a few early exchanges and both teams tested their opposition in defence, but the first serious effort came from a Town corner from which Jimmy Juan got in a shot which was blocked. Darren Currie sent in a brilliant volley from distance but Robert Green was equal to it. Currie had another good effort later in the half, again saved.
At the other end, Norwich almost got an opener from our own Matt Richards, who's clearing header thankfully went wide of the goalpost. It was turning into a cracking match, with some committed tackles and close shots, and with Town being on top of their opponents. The first substitution of the match was forced when Ipswich man Gavin Williams had to be withdrawn injured after 25 minutes. The travelling faithful were pleased to see that his replacement was new hero Danny Haynes who's introduction mean't a switch to 4-4-2.
Perhaps with Town's rhythm put out a little by the change of shape, the home side went ahead against the run of play on balance, although they'd had a bright spell leading up to it, with a couple of scares in front of our goal.
New boy Jonatan Johansson had tested Price earlier seeing his effort saved, but made no mistake when put clean through by Safri, who's ball over the top left Johansson with time to think about his clever lob over the exposed Lewis Price. Of course, the home fans went mental, but it was to be shortlived.
Just 5 minutes later Town drew level. Danny Haynes, fearless and quick up front darted across the edge of the Norwich box and felt the wrong end of a heavy and high challenge. Jimmy Juan took the free kick and although the shot was on target, it took a huge deflection off Johansson to put it beyond Green. Excellent.
It was only just evens at the break as Rehman missed from about 4 yards when it looked easier to score. Of course, i've neglected to mention Matt Richards hitting the post at nil nil...
The second half was just as good as the first, and almost all Town again bar some good forays forward by Norwich. The home side were making the most of the chances that came their way, hitting the post on one occassion.
Alan Lee had a good chance to get a second for Town, but his central header from Juan's cross went straight into the 'keeper's arms.
The game was not short of controversial moments, one of which happened as Danny Haynes raced into the penalty area after a bouncing ball. As he nodded it past Green and ran on, the over-rated goalie thumped into him at full pace, at least one fist catching him in the head. As Haynes reeled from his collision the other players pretested the lack of penalty to no avail. Green had gotten away with it.
It wasn't to be the last penalty appeal either. Alan Lee ran the ball to the by-line and as he turned in was chopped down in full flight. No whistle, well, apart from that for a corner.
One of those days it seemed, again, where we'd played well but not got the result. Until the final 2 minutes.
When Alan Lee nodded a cross back towards the centre of the 6 yard box, Danny Haynes stooped to head home, but as he did so the outstretched high boot of Doherty swung towards his face and he appeared to flinch backwards, his arm came up slightly... did it make contact? Did he head it? Or did Doherty kick it straight in? Who cares. 2-1. We beat the scum, 2-1!
I can't fault anyone for their performance today, one or two lapses aside, each and every man rose to the occassion and put in a fantastic game. Owen Garvan was superb in the middle of the park, and Matt Richards shone too. But all the talk will again be of Danny Haynes.
The players all came over at the final whistle to celebrate with the away crowd, withheld until the home lot had gone. The Town fans sang, "Bouncy bouncy la la la....". What a fantastic win.
Where do we start? The result kind of speaks for itself, and in many ways represents our season of disappointment. Last week the result was a blip in the norm, and today it was business as usual.
Both teams had little to play for but pride, and as it happens, 3 points hoisted Plymouth above Town in the final table at 14th. We get 15th then, not bad - terrible. The worst in fact, for 40 years. It's hard to believe all those wonderfull moments, fantastic journeys to epic games in far off lands, ever happened to this club.
[Breathe]
But never mind, snap out of it, it's all over and we have to look to next season. Good things from the game, Nicky Forster kept up his goal-machineism to score in his 4th game in succession. Top scorer on 7 goals for the season - we've had 'keepers who have scored more in a- no I was being positive.
Shane Supple made some more excellent saves, although still showing room for improvement. Another youngster Chris Casement was pretty bright and set up Forster's goal. First timer Liam Trotter got a ten-minute run-out also.
Ian Westlake was back in the side having recovered from his lengthy absence through injury, and fellow sicknote Sam Parkin was back too, but not his razor sharp self when he missed a sitter from a yard or two.
A final farewell was bid by the plucky travelling Tractors to living legend Jim Magilton, who got a half hour warm down to his brilliant Town career. It was another veteran playing out his last game who had the biggest influence on this match, Micky Evans scoring the winner for Plymouth shortly before big Jim took to the field.
At least the everage age of the team should be halved next season.
The story today was not about two cracking goals against a team resigned to finishing even below the mighty Tractor Boys, but about the recognition of two players who have served the club well for a number of years.
Fabian Wilnis was announced Player of the Year after last week's pre-match vote by the fans. He was presented with his award 15 minutes before today's game on the pitch, receiving a warm applause from those who had ventured to their seats early. Well deserved, although several candidates accumulated a fair chunk of the votes, notably Richard Naylor and Jason De Vos. Fab had a decent enough game until he was withdrawn just before half time, apparently nursing an injury.
The dominating point of note for the day was Jim Magilton playing for the last time at Portman Road. He started the match and played a good half before being sub'd at half time. A shame that he wasn't taken off during play, but it was his own descision, insisting that his replacement Jaime Peters was "nervous enough already" and that he get the full 45. We all know that he just didn't want to leave the field blubbing like a baby.
The now former Town skipper will be hugely missed in the side and I'm sure his more than firey personality will leave a hard to fill hole in the dressing room. Jim reappeared after the game heading the lap of honour around the pitch, bringing with him his two young lads to lap up the atmosphere. Plenty were decent enough to stay behind for the send off, with a few banners wishing him well. All the best to the man in his future exploits.
Matchwise, it all seemed kind of secondary today, the first half passing without much in the way of excitiment, Town seemingly having most posession but still pretty shot shy, and Derby making more use of their chances but both teams drawing a blank until after the break. It was a shame that Jim hadn't scored, he'd had a half chance or two and you could see that the rest of the team were willing him to do so.
It didn't take long for the deadlock to be broken in the second half, Nicky Forster received the ball from Owen Garvan about 20 yards out and took a step before shooting high into the net beyond the reach of Derby keeper Lee Camp. It was quick thinking and a good strike, keeping up his excellent scoring run since returning to the side.
About a quarter of an hour later we were two up, this time Darren Currie showed his ball skills by chipping up a pass in front of him and volleying it home from outside the area. Jaime Peters had sent in the ball, and had been lively in his second half appearance out on the right - no sign of nerves at all, Jim.
We should perhaps have put the icing on the cake with a third and certainly had the chances to do so, but what did it matter, the day belonged to Super Jim.
What an embarrasment. If only this game had ended at half time we would've at least gained (not earned) a point, and only had the lack of goals to moan about. But at the final whistle, those who hadn't already left certainly had plenty else to get their whinge-fix from this week.
For a large part of the game, namely the first half I suppose, I didn't think we were that out of shape, we kind of had the right ideas but just could not hold onto the ball. We gave it away cheaply and made nothing of our chances going forward, the latter being all too common recently. Stoke were industrious and perhaps forced a few errors out of us, but on the whole we made them look better than they are - without taking too much away from their win.
Their opener, I thought was from a pretty well worked ball in which was just too far from Shane Supple, and just at that "wrong height", hence Fabian Wilnis heading home from all of 3 inches off the ground. The striker on his back would probably have burried it anyway of course.
The equaliser came not too long after, substitue Danny Haynes being persistent down the wing and cutting a deep ball back which found Jimmy Juan whose drive was blocked before Alan Lee tried to scramble it home. Haynes had continued to rush towards goal and mopped up the rebound.
So it seemed all was not lost. But then we had a dodgy goal (which on reflection could've just been very well timed). One of those that had offside written all over it but no flag. From this point we seemed to buckle, we went to pieces and gave up what little effort had been put in so far.
Stoke missed chances before getting their thrid including an excellent off the line clearance from Richard Naylor after Supple tried fancy stuff in the area and messed up. Some major dithering caused goal 3, but it was well taken, and the fourth just had to be scored by bloody ex-scummer Darel Russell.
Our season died with our playoff hopes but we'd still like some nice football before the end of the season and, well if it's not too much trouble lads, perhaps finishing above Norwich wouldn't be too much to ask? This isn't going to be good for season ticket sales, is it?