Ipswich Vs Watford

An away victory. That is one lingering little post halloween demon put to bed. And more importantly the “George Hirst is rubbish” followed it out of the door. We have seen far too much hate around George these last few weeks. George has had an excellent record for us over the last few seasons. He didn’t suddenly become a poor player, he just fell out of form, as the players around him were finding their feet.

Form is temporary, class is permanent.

Hirst plays a selfless position, he isn’t necessarily in the side to score goals. His game is to hold the ball up and bring others into the game. This season we have struggled to find a regular 10 behind him. And Burns long settled wide right position has seen a rotation of SWE, McAteer, Clarke and Philogene. On the left we have seen players that are a little more independent of that central 9 role. Broadhead and Hirst played far closer together than say Philogene or Clarke do with George. We now expect our 9 and 10 to part the waters and allow the left wingers to take a shot anywhere near the box.

Once upon a time we had 2 false 10’s, we now have a proper 10 and 2 wingers?

It has been difficult for Hirst finding his way in a new shape, much like Leif Davis did when he was asked to come inside more. It is funny to see so much nonsense about Kieran McKenna only playing one way, when we are creating a new shape in plain sight.

Town took the field in West London, making one change from the side that beat West Brom. Nunez coming in for Sam Szmodics who has recently had a knee operation. Spanish Striker Ivan Azon was also missing from the match day squad, he had picked up a knock in the week. However, there was a surprising return for Chuba Akpom who was injured in the win against West Brom.

Ipswich exploded into life, taking the bull by the horns. SWE, who has so far shown a tendency to drift inside of the full back, dropped his right shoulder. The Norwegian accelerated around the outside of Esquerdinha in the left back position. Once inside the box, he flicked up a ball that was met by George Hirst. The Ipswich 9 headed into the goal for his 4th of the season.

0 - 1

What a start. Town continued to have the balance of play over the first 20 odd minutes of the game. But in the 21st minute, QPR would restore parity. SWE, who hasn’t fully developed the defensive side of his game, gave Chair too much space. The Ranger’s player cut inside and shot. Walton dived to his left, getting a hand to the ball. Unfortunately he couldn’t divert it out for a corner. His block fell kindly for Burrell who had an easy tap in.

1 - 1

The Ipswich players argued for an offside decision. The officials were having none of it.

Town the fell under a sustained period of pressure, once QPR had got back into it. Fortunately we steadied the ship and started to give the Hoops something to think about as the clock moved towards half time.

QPR can count themselves lucky that they finished half with all 11 men. Kone caught O’Shea with dangerous elbow. For which the Town captain required treatment, the officials must have missed the contact.

Possibly still feeling the effects of the foul, O’shea allowed himself to be dispossessed by Kone. The Irishman did get back to pressure the Ivorian. Fortunately, it was just enough to hamper the player and allow Walton to save his shot.

Town had competed well across the half. But once again, those unnecessary sloppy moments were there.

In a bizarre parity with the first half, Ipswich would score their second goal 68 seconds into the second half. Jaden Philogene was bundled over just outside the QPR box. The referee signalled a free kick. Up stepped the dead ball master Nunez. The former Norwich man has come close a few times this season. But this attempt was to be his breakthrough and first goal for Ipswich. The Chilean executed a square run up and hit a curving ball that snuck inside the far post.

1 - 2

Town were back in front and there they would stay. Yes the nervy moments were still there, but we were the away side. Rangers started committing more and more players forward, leaving space at the back. It was to be their undoing. In the 57th minute Furlong played a ball to Nunez on the halfway line. He moved the ball on to SWE, who carried the ball into the area. Furlong had continued his run, making an overlap in the box and receiving a short pass from the Norwegian. The one time QPR player chipped up a cross across the face of goal. The combative George Hirst met the aerial ball, crashing it into the back of the net.

1 - 3

Rangers, with nothing to lose, tried to battle back into the game. But after a round of changes by the home side, Town would go further into the lead. Hirst made a great pass for Philogene. The exciting left sided player was floored by Morrison. The QPR player was shown a yellow, it could well have been a straight red.

Once again the former Norwich man Nunez lined up an effort. This time he opted to go to the keepers right. Mid flight, the ball clipped Saito in the home side’s wall, taking a slight deflection. It is debatable if the deflection really changed proceedings, as the ball looked like it was always destined for the back of the net.

1 - 4

Good times.

Town ended the game the better of the two sides. Unfortunately both Leif Davis and George Hirst picked up injuries that will probably see them out of Tuesday night’s game against Watford. But there were some real positives in the match. Sindre Walle Egeli had one of his best games for us, his little stutter against Middlesborough seems behind him. He was involved in the creation of both of George Hirst’s goals. We must remember, he is still young and finding his feet in a new country. There is so much more to come from this lad and is it any surprise that his decent game on the right coincided with an improved display from a number 9.

Nunez, a player who has shown so much promise, had a great game on the day. His dead ball contributions are the sort of thing that wins games. But he got through so much good work in the 10 position, once again is it any surprise the 9 had a better game when the 10 is working is well.

I have said it a few times before, but our path back to being a top performing side wont be linear. We will grow, but there will be setbacks and stuttering performances on the way. We have just won 2 on the bounce, let’s try and make it 3 at home to Watford tonight.

The side from Hertfordshire currently sit one place below us in the table. And just like us, Watford have had 3 wins, 2 draws and a loss in their last 5 games. Having scored less and conceded more. Yes, they ran out 3-0 winners against an out of sorts Middlesborough at home Saturday, but they are there for the taking. No doubt the fact that they have a game Friday night at home to Bristol will have an effect on manager Javi Gracia. His team selection and in game substitutions will be made considering the reduced recovery time. It will be a night for us to flex the muscle of our squad and overload the Hornets.

Come on you Blues