Last Saturday Town lost away against Blackburn 3-2 and still managed to get to the play offs finishing the season in sixth place.

This was because Derby inexplicably lost against Reading at home (Derby 0 Reading 3). Brentford and Wolves both won and Brentford finished in fifth place.

Town started really well against Blackburn with a great goal from Murphy after around 1 minute! This shook Blackburn but gradually they got some composure and started to play well. Town gave away 2 poor goals then. First was a header from Town old boy Jordan Rhodes. Then just before half time Gestedt won a header from Tommy Smith and Conway picked up the headed flick on to shoot unopposed into the goal. This was a big set back for Town as Blackburn were really playing well.

In the second half things got worse for Town with Blackburn scoring when Town messed up simple derending as Ming’s headed clearance rebounded to Gestedt and Tommy Smith had left him unmarked and able to score easily past Bialokowski. An easy gift goal for Blackburn. At that point it was really strange as Town were losing badly yet still in the play offs with the Derby result in their favour.

Thankfully Town pushed on late in the second half and tried to get the draw they needed to definitely secure the play off place, Teddy Bishop pushed forward with a positive run and won a penalty. Daryl Murphy scored, shooting straight down the middle. It wasn’t enough as Town couldn’t get the equaliser but Sears and Murphy had good chances to score.

Town fans celebrated anyway due to the Derby result that allowed Town to get to the play offs with the derby play off against Norwich the reward for the end of a fairly good season for Town!

Town vs Norwich

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Today (Sat 090515) is the Town vs Norwich first play off at home at Portman Road.

COME ON YOU BLUES!!

There is a full house at Portman Road and the game is on Sky tv.

COME ON YOU BLUES!!

A good win for Town yesterday at home to Forest.
ITFC 2 Nottingham Forest 1

This was Town’s last home game of the season and they needed points to keep up their push for a play off place. They played well in the first half and Sears and Murphy combined well around the 21 minute time (a tribute time to Town fan Chris Reynolds who died recently) to score a good opening goal with a fine shot by Daryl Murphy.

In the second half though Forest came at Town and a defensive error by Berra resulted in him scoring an own goal to level the score. Town had to deal with Forest pressure. Tabb wasn’t playing due to illness and midfield was Bishop, Skuse and Parr. Andersen came on as a substitute and brought more energy to Town who got the winning goal from Freddie Sears. It was slightly lucky as his shot deflected past the Forest keeper, but all goals count!

So well played Town for winning the last home game and this took them to fith in the table. Watford won and Middlesborough lost which meant Watford are actually promoted. That though is the only issue along with Blackpool to be relegated that was confirmed. The final results won’t be decided until the end of the final games next week!

Town’s last game is away at Blackburn and Town really need a win or draw to clinch a play off place. It is possible for them to get a play off place if they lose but they have to then rely on both Brentford and Wolves losing or drawing and goal difference could count! Both Brentford and Wolves won difficult away games to keep up their hopes of getting to the play offs.

It is a hotly contested effort between Town, Derby, Wolves and Brentford for the fifth and sixth play off places. Town are just ahead at the moment but as already said whether they remain there depends on all the games next week. If Town win or draw next week against Blackburn they will be in the play offs and again this is in their own hands to do!

COME ON YOU BLUES…

Goodluck to Town away against Blackburn next Saturday,to win or draw and get to the play offs and maybe even play off against Norwich!

COME ON IPSWICH!

Wolves 1 ITFC 1

An excellent away draw for Town, away at Molineux, at yesterday’s early (1215) Championship opening game.

I watched the game live on Sky tv and it was a tense and exciting game. Town started very well and really closed the Wolves players and pressed high and forced a few early corners. From one of these Tommy Smith pressured Wolves defender and ex Town loanee, Stearman into a headed own goal.

It was a very good start, but it stung Wolves into action and they slowly took a hold of the game with Afobe, Van La Parra, and Dicko gettting more ball and running at Town and putting in crosses and threatening Town. Unfortunately Town couldn’t match them, despite Murphy’s great efforts to hold the long ball up and try and play a pass to team mates moving up to give him support. Town though managed to get to half time still ahead.

Wolves came out in the second half with even more drive. Kevin McDonald for them, started making threatening plays and Town stood off him, and he took full advantage. Why didn’t Town close him down like they had done for the first part of the first half? Someone in the Town team (from the manager to the players) has to see where the opponents threats are coming from and do something to deal with them. Here it was like Town just let McDonald run the game in the second half?!

McDonald then slipped a great ball into the Town penalty area for Wolves’ Van La Parra, who ran on to it and shot at goal. The ball took a deflection but went to Afobe who scored with a good finish with Mings unable to make a block or tackle. Wolves then really set about Town and Dicko was a constant threat.

Thankfully, Christophe Berra had a great game for Town. He made several very important challenges and almost single handedly stopped Wolves scoring! Well not quite, but he played really well and was man of the match at the end.

I’ve already mentioned that Murphy played well and Sears did too and Sears had a couple of decent long range shots and constantly chased the Wolves back line and passes to their keeper.
It wasn’t his day though and he was subbed for Chris Woods who played alright and had a chance on a break away but his shot went wide. Teddy Bishop had played alright when he had the ball but was often chasing shadows as were the other Town midfielders, Tabb and Skuse. Wolves were very pacy and played a lot on the outside then driving in to goal or crossing. They proved a handful for all the Town midfielders and defenders alike, with Berra saving the Town time and time again. Skuse and Parr picked up bookings, having to resort to fouls to stop Wolves’ players getting past them into dangerous areas.

Anderson and Hunt came on for Parr and Tabb late in the second half and both played quite well for Town to see the game out with the 4 minutes of extra time. Town manager Mick McCarthy, did show he wanted to win the game with his 4-4-2 formation and putting Woods on, and maybe he should be praised for that?!

Well done Mick and team! It was a vital away point and overall a reasonable performance and a good result.

WELL PLAYED TOWN!

That point could prove very valuable with only 2 more games to go as Town are 3 points ahead of Wolves and Brentford and stay in the sixth play off place.

Town play Forest at home next Saturday and have Blackburn away the following Saturday and they must get results and points from these games to secure a promotion play of place. These are not easy games but Town have more reason to win them than Forest or Blackburn, neither of whom can get to the play offs and are playing solely to end the season well.

Goodluck Town…Dare to dream of a play off place and be committed to get the results needed to clinch a play off place.

COME ON YOU BLUES!

ITFC 3 Cardiff 1

A fantastic win at home tonight for Town!

I listened to most of the match on Radio Suffolk and it sounded a good game and Town created several chances and played well, against a good side,Cardiff City.

The goal scorers were Sears, SKUSE and Murphy. Yes…SKUSE! After over 150 games he has finally scored a goal and apparently it was a cracker! Otherwise Bishop, Parr and Stephen Hunt played for quite a while before being replaced with Tabb, Andersen and Fryers.

WELL PLAYED TOWN.

This keeps Town in the sixth promotion play off place and has helped increase the Town goal difference for the better. Next up is a crucial away game at promotion play off chasing Wolves. They lost away to Middlesborough, but they are a very strong physical team and Town will need to stand up to them and play well to win or draw. Losing isn’t an option! No pressure there then! LOL!

The good thing is that Town are fighting hard to get the points needed in these last crucial games to get a play off place and they are starting to play better. An away win or draw is certainly feasible if Town play well and keep up this fighting spirit. The manager has praised the team for this and rightly so!

COME ON YOU BLUES…COME ON IPSWICH!!

A good home win for Town yesterday against already relegated Blackpool. It wasn’t easy for Town and Blackpool made it even tougher when they scored first.

Mick McCarthy, not surprisingly, made some changes following the loss away to Huddersfield. Out went Woods, Fryers and Chaplow and in came Mings, Varney, Sears and Bishop. Freddie Sears had a good day, as he scored twice and Town made several other scoring chances, yet it was Berra that scored the winner late on to secure the vital win.

It was a vital win as Derby drew with Brentford and it allowed Town to creep up into the sixth and play off position in the Championship table. They are level with Brentford on points but ahead of them by a one goal difference count.

So it was a vital must win game for Town, and now Town must keep battling for wins in the remaining games to keep in the play off places. WELL PLAYED TOWN!

Now there are just four remaining games and they are all against good teams. The standout game is the game against Wolves who are pushing for a promotion play off place themselves. So it is great there is still all to play for right to the end of the season and that Town’s recent faltering form hasn’t stopped them having a play off chance.

Tue 14 Apr 7:45pm Cardiff City H
Sat 18 Apr 12:15pm Wolverhampton Wanderers A
Sat 25 Apr 3:00pm Nottingham Forest H

Sat 2 May 12:15pm Blackburn Rovers A

So keep fighting the Town! COME ON YOU BLUES and goodluck with the next game, at home against Cardiff.

GO THE TOWN….

XXXX-EDIT-XXXX
I was so disappointed with Town’s away loss at Huddersfield, I was very critical in my last post and felt Town had blown their chance of a play off place and getting promotion.

This win against Blackpool though was vital, as it does give Town a slim chance to still grab a play off place if they play well in their remaining games. Town didn’t dominate Blackpool as they should have, but they showed with the win and performanance, that they are still trying to go for a play off place and that has given me great encouragement. So I shall not yet give up the hope that Town can get a play off place, if they play hard and show the spirit needed to get results in the remaining 4 crucial games…Come on you blues!

ITFC 1 Bournemouth 1
Huddersfield 2 ITFC 1

These last two results see Town tumble to eighth place and out of the play off positions.

Everyone who supports Town are massively disappointed, especially the manager.
I am very disappointed that they have blown such a great opportunity to get promotion this season.

I said in my post after the loss away at Leeds, it would take a miracle for Town to get promotion and I think this is almost certainly the case now. Town have tried to strengthen the team but it hasn’t worked for them. I think they would have to win all their remaining games now to stand any chance of getting to the playoffs. On the form Town currently are in this does not look a remote possibility!

Unfortunately, Watford, Norwich, Bournemouth, Middlesborough, Brentford and Wolves are all playing better than Town.

So Town, thanks for trying hard this season and giving us something to hope for and cheer about. It is nearly time to start thinking about summer holidays and getting a good rest, so we can plan to build a better team for next season. I cannot believe I feel this way, but I have now had enough of this season and want it to end, mainly because I think the Town have run out of steam and are finishing poorly.

The Town midfield needs a good overhaul. I think the defence is solid and if we had a fully fit attack with Murphy, McGoldrick and Sears we are strong, but I think the midfield is our weak area. We need better and more forward minded and playing midfielders for next season. Jay Tabb, though small has been mighty but his best days seem long past now and Skuse works hard but that just isn’t enough for me!

My favourite players of the season have been Murphy, McGoldrick and Berra. They have all played consistently well except McGoldrick hasn’t played enough due to injury. The rest of the team have in general been quite average. Teddy Bishop shows some promise but all of the rest of the team need to improve a lot. Town have though done well with limited resources and most of the loan players have at least tried to help Town. More investment is needed though to help the whole Town structure, and Marcus Evans could try a bit harder in my opinion!

I’d really like to see good football being played by Town and less hoof ball! Freddy Sears has some potential for front play, and I hope he will realise his potential with Town in time. I’d also really like the Town to prove me wrong and put in a good finish and get to the play offs but I do not think this will happen!

COME ON IPSWICH!

Tue 17 Mar ITFC 1 Bolton 0

21 March 2015 Watford 0 ITFC 1

WELL PLAYED TOWN!

Jay Tabb actually scored in the Bolton game! Something of a mishit shot but it went in for a vital goal.
I suggest Tabb practises shooting and taking dead ball/set pieces eg free kicks and corners, during the international break before the next game.

Against Watford, Richard Chaplow scored in extra time with an assist from Freddie Sears…sweet!

Town have a few injuries (Parr, McGoldrick) and Mings is suspended so Elliott Hewitt has been brought back from loan at Colchester to help strengthen the side.

Currently the top 2 leagues are on international break and Town’s next match is:
Fri 3 April 2015 Championship vs AFC Bournemouth (Home)
17:15

This starts the Easter holiday and should be a great game as Bournemouth are currently at the top of the league (73 points and Town 67 points). GO TOWN!

Town’s remaining games are crucial and Town must get wins and points if they are to stay in the play off places. They are currently in sixth position.

Fri 3 Apr 5:15pm AFC Bournemouth H
Mon 6 Apr 3:00pm Huddersfield Town A
Sat 11 Apr 3:00pm Blackpool H
Tue 14 Apr 7:45pm Cardiff City H
Sat 18 Apr 12:15pm Wolverhampton Wanderers A
Sat 25 Apr 3:00pm Nottingham Forest H

Sat 2 May 12:15pm Blackburn Rovers A

COME ON YOU BLUES!

A very bad result for Town today away at Middlesborogh.

I listened to some first half commentary on BBC Radio Suffolk and keeper Dean Gerken was taken off injured after the first Middlesborough goal after 5 minutes.
I feared the worst then but Town equalised a few minutes later with a goal from Daryl Murphy.
It sounded like Town played reasonably in the first half.

I was able to watch the second half on Sky tv and Town were awful!
Patrick Bamford played really well for ‘Boro and skinned Tommy Smith a few times.
Town only had one chance in the second half, a header from Luke Varney which missed the target when it was a good opportunity to score.

All the Town players had poor to average second half performances and the only one who looked to have any energy and drive was Johnny Parr.

As I said before (2 posts previously), with Town on this awful run of form it will be a MIRACLE if Town get a play off place.
It is all very disappointing, as the team seem to have folded and thrown away opportunity after opportunity since after Christmas. When Mick McCarthy came to Town, the defence has improved but recently even they have given away soft goals and Town have missed the Hunt brothers and Didzy sorely.

As Town’s form has continued to be poor, many people (fans and even the manager) have said Town were still in a good position, but that was meaningless when Town’s bad form has continued for so long. They will have to play much better to get results again, as the end of the season is fast approaching. A footbal game lasts 90 minutes (or more) and any winning team has to play well for the whole time and likewise the team have to play well for the whole season to get a reward at the end.

It is so hard to stay positive for me, as a Town fan, when the team have been performing poorly.I had really hoped these last 10 or so games would hve been an exciting time as a Town fan, but without a miracle, this season is heading for mid table mediocrity for Town!

Can you tell I’m very disappointed!? COME ON ITFC….I’d love you to prove me wrong and finish the season with a fighting flourish! So give me something to shout about Town please…COME ON YOU BLUES!!

Town drew 1-1 with Brentford last Saturday.

I didn’t see the game live but saw the highlights on tv (Football League show) and listened to parts on BBC Radio Suffolk. From that it seemed like a good game. The two Town highlights seem to have been one really good finish for a goal for Daryl Murphy and one shockingly bad finish to miss an almost certain goal by Daryl Murphy. Murphy was easily inside the 6 yard box (2m or such?!) and his contact with the outside of his boot took the ball way over the bar! Really one of the worst misses you could ever see at scoring a goal and from an “on-fire” striker! Oh well….

Anyway Town could have and should have won the game but didn’t. At least it was a draw. Now Town have dropped outside the play off places and there are only ten more games to go. The remaining games for Town are pretty tough:

Sat 14 Mar 12:15pm Middlesbrough A
Tue 17 Mar 7:45pm Bolton Wanderers H
Sat 21 Mar 3:00pm Watford A

Fri 3 Apr 5:15pm AFC Bournemouth H
Mon 6 Apr 3:00pm Huddersfield Town A
Sat 11 Apr 3:00pm Blackpool H
Tue 14 Apr 7:45pm Cardiff City H
Sat 18 Apr 12:15pm Wolverhampton Wanderers A
Sat 25 Apr 3:00pm Nottingham Forest H

Sat 2 May 12:15pm Blackburn Rovers A

Mick McCarthy thinks 5 more wins might be enough for Town. On current form, I don’t see 5 wins there for Town. It is clear Town are going to have to improve and get results from these games and winning results. Draws will not be enough.

The old cliche is very true that Town have to do well game by game, taking and focussing on each game one at a time and every game will have to be like a final if Town are to have any hope of getting a play off promotion place.

I hope Town can do this and I feel they have the potential to do it, but it is going to be a huge challenge for them to actually do it. So it is going to be a very interesting and exciting end to the season.

Next game is away against Middlesborough.

COME ON YOU BLUES…..

Town lost away at Leeds tonight. Town’s poor recent results continue.

I listened to the game on Radio Suffolk and Town appear to have given away one soft goal and Murphy who came on as a substitute missed a penalty! Billy Sharpe (of course..) scores again against Town with Freddie Sears getting the Town goal. Overall a draw would have been a fair result but frustratingly Town seem to only have themselves to blame for the loss and not really good play from Leeds. Town cannot keep making major mistakes without consequences.

Town now remain out of the promotion play off places, with another missed opportunity to get some points again tonight.

I really despair at Town presently. They were in a great position at the start of the year but their form has been poor since. There are various factors for this (especially with injuries to key players and most especially to McGoldrick who is badly missed from the team) but Town have made the finish to the season so hard for themselves. If Town do not start getting results they will not get to the play offs. Although it has been a good season for Town, it would be bad for Town not to make the play offs, when at one stage they were in second place and trying for automatic promotion.

I have previously on my blog posts called for Town to dig deep and grind out the results and show the character needed to do this but this hasn’t happened.

I now think it will be a miracle if Town get promotion.
Getting into the play offs is going to be hard now with so many other teams in better form than Town and the dream of winning the play offs and gettting promotion is fading for me. It is such a shame. I’m listening to another fan on the Radio Suffolk saying that the team are a shadow of what they were earlier in the season.

I’ve just heard manager Mick McCarthy on the radio and he is obviously very disappointed also (especially with the defensive errors).

The next two games for Town are tough. First home against Brentford on Saturday and then away at Middlesborough. Really Town have to win both to get back on track. The Town team have the potential to win these games but I’m no longer optimistic. I predicted Town to beat Norwich 3-0 last Saturday, but the nature of the game (with the lack of both quality and character, determination and resolve) and the result shocked me.

Nonetheless I will keep supporting the Town and hope they can stop this bad run of form and get that team character and spirit going, that is needed to get results and a good finish to the season.

COME ON YOU BLUES….