Brentford 4-3 Ipswich Town: Terry Hunt on the Blues
Just when I thought I was too mature to be upset by football, along comes a game like that. I was disappointed, just like every other Ipswich fan.
Even a tie would have been a huge confidence booster. We played some pretty nice things at moments, but we eventually let ourselves down. The soft last-gasp victory was really disgusting. More about that later…
It was scant comfort that our drama with a horrific conclusion was picked as Sky Sports’ Game of the Day and shown first on Match of the Day. I’d have much liked a boring as ditchwater 1-0 victory!
Having said that, despite the anguish and disappointment, there were many benefits. We scored three excellent goals, which Lineker and Shearer did not highlight, and could have had at least one more.
Kieran McKenna’s team were significantly better at Brentford.(Image: PA.)Overall, despite injuries, sickness, and a questionable red card, it was far superior to the previous two dismal performances.
However, we are still dealing with razor-thin margins. If Smodics had put us ahead three goals, as he should have, surely Brentford had no chance of coming back?
But we let them off the hook, and like the experienced Premier League team they are, they punished us by taking the lead.
Then, despite being a man short, it appeared like we had secured a point, only to throw it away deep into injury time with the softest, most disappointing goal conceivable.
Our goalie is inevitably receiving a slew of criticism, and he was undoubtedly at fault. But it was a case of “after you” for him and our center halves. Aro Muric, most likely, should have taken action to address the matter.
However, their hesitation summed up our lack of confidence in the back and what appear to be poor communication between Muric and the back four.
Town has surrendered 20 goals in their first nine games (Image: PA).This brings the total number of goals surrendered to 20 in nine games. That must change, or we’ll be seeing Championship football again next season.
Should Muric be dropped so Christian Walton may return? Maybe, but cutting and modifying isn’t always the answer. I know one thing: if Muric plays against Leicester, the Sir Bobby Robson Stand should give him a warm greeting when he runs towards us before the match.
Lady Luck isn’t smiling on us right now. Our injury list becomes growing by the day. Chiedozie Ogbene is expected to be absent for several months, and Sam Morsy and Jack Taylor are already uncertain for next Saturday. This is in addition to Axel Tuanzebe and Jacob Greaves, who had been away for some time.
I don’t want to concern you, but Liam Delap appeared to have a groin problem late on. Is he carrying an injury? Is that why he sat on the bench? What a goal he scored against Brentford, by the way…
Overall, as we approach the end of October, even the most optimistic fan will concede that the situation is troubling. Nine games, no victories and only four points. For the first time under Kieran McKenna, there were three straight defeats.
Liam Delap scored again; he’s adjusted nicely to life in the Premier League!(Image: PA.)Nonetheless, there are some beneficial aspects. Despite a significantly different roster, we were very much in the game on Saturday. George Hirst and Conor Chaplin performed admirably, and Jens Cajuste shined despite his lack of match fitness. Aside from the West Ham and Everton games, we’ve been competitive. But it is very difficult.
I’m sure some people will call Leicester’s game next Saturday a “must-win game.”
Complete rubbish. There is no such thing at this point in the season.
So, what happens if we do not win? Should we just give up? Of course not. I believe it is a major game versus fellow new lads.
I believe it will be a goal-driven thriller. Neither side is particularly good at defending, so another six or seven goals are not out of the question.
Let us only hope that we come out on top in this one; perhaps Lady Luck will shine on us for once.
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