Ipswich vs Charlton Athletic

Friday night up in the North East didn’t go quite as we hoped. Perhaps it is easy to forget that we were playing away at side starting the night in 2nd.

They are there for a reason.

We weren’t bad, just not quite good enough. We earned ourselves a penalty, but sadly we missed it. We scored against them from open play, something we have struggled with away from home this season. And their first goal was a huge stroke of luck, 99 times out of 100 Kipre clears that. Borough had a couple of good spells at the end of the 1st and the start of the 2nd half, but they weren’t head and shoulders above us on the night. Whenever we got on the ball we were far more adept at passing the ball around.

Such is the fickle nature of football fans, that a scapegoat often gets created. A few games back and things were brewing up around Philogene and Clarke. Since they have scored a few in recent encounters, it is now George Hirst coming into focus. It is clear that George is a little out of form and probably frustrated with himself for not grasping the metaphorical 9 shirt with both hands. He still isn’t getting the service he would like. The egg man isn’t yet as productive as Wes Burns was and behind him he has Sammie Szmodics learning a new role. Hirsty is having a tough time, and all the while is doing the hard work, until Ivan Azon gets up to speed with Championship football. When Ivan started at Bristol, he didn’t have the greatest of games. At this point in time, he needs limited minutes, mostly at the later stages against tiring defences. He will probably get a start against Charlton, but Hirst will continue to be in the first 11 for 2 of the 3 weekly games. Hirst did a fine job for us last time at this level, given his age he should be able to do so again.

Form is temporary, class is permanent.

One or two in our side just need a goal to boost their confidence. Look at the wonders it did for Jaden Philogene.

The game at Middlesbrough started slowly with both sides showing each other respect, before building slowly towards a very lively final few minutes. Borough, as the home side, probably had the upper hand. At times they caused some confusion in the Town ranks. However Ipswich always looked a little easier on the eye, passing the ball around well.

For Ipswich, the biggest talking point of the half was the penalty, or rather the missed penalty. The ball deflected to Leif Davis on the left of the Middlesborough area. The attacking full back had got himself goal side of the defender Callum Brittain. Everyone in the stadium could see that the Borough man had a handful of Leif’s shirt and when the Ipswich man went to ground, referee Donohue had no doubt that it was a spot kick.

There was a quite some delay before the kick was taken. Brittain found himself booked for the challenge and George Hirst picked up the ball signalling his intent. Things just never felt right in the lead top to the kick. Sadly, there wasn’t surprise when Hirst hit a weak low shot that keeper Brynn in the Middlesborough goal palmed away easily.

George has taken three penalties this season, scoring his first away at Birmingham. Then missing this effort and one at Bromley in the Carabao Cup. If Jack Clarke had been on the field, he would probably have taken it, but the former Sunderland man not in the starting 11.

Two minutes into injury time and disaster struck for Ipswich. Burgzorg made a low pass across the face of the Town goal. Cedric Kipre, one of the heroes in the Norwich match, attempted a clearance but seemed to get his feet caught. He only succeeded in kicking the ball against his own leg where it rebounded past Palmer and into the Ipswich net.

1-0

After the break, Borough dominated Ipswich. With reward for the play coming in the 55th minute. Strelec took up a great position on the right and crossed low across the face of the Ipswich goal. Palmer could only push the effort out, where it fell kindly for Morgan Whittaker. The much maligned former Plymouth player, drew back his leg and scored his first goal for Borough since his move back in January.

2 - 0

Town never really got a foot hold back in the game, until they made their customary changes. The fresher legs helping Ipswich exert more pressure on the home side as they found it easier and easier to keep hold of the ball.

In the 77th minute, Ipswich scored their first away goal of season from open play. From a corner, Captain O’Shea made an unchallenged run towards the ball, effortlessly diverting its path past the Borough keeper.

2 - 1

With Town pulling back 1 goal, it looked like another could be on the cards. But sadly, even though they finished the game dominating possession, a goal couldn’t be found. Ipswich had looked good in short spells, however Borough had been excellent at the end of the first half and the start of the second.

Charlton tonight. They come to Portman Road off the back of 2-1 win at home against struggling Sheffield Wednesday. They currently sit 9th in the table, with similar recent form to us, in the last 5 games. 3 wins, 1 draw and a loss, which is what we have done, all be it in a different order. We have to be looking at this game as a banker, a home win under the lights at Portman Road. Given that there was only a few days between this and the Borough game, we will likely make changes. One is enforced, midfield general Matusiwa has accumulated 5 yellows and will miss the game. Hirst, the egg man, Szmodics and Cajuste, could all be rested. Azon, McAteer, Akpom, Taylor and Nunez, must be in line for starts.

Come on you Blues,

Adrian in Amsterdam