Bore Draws A Blankety Blank

This match was enough for any Town fan to come out with a barrage of expletives because the game was a dire watch throughout. Bottom club Rochdale more than held their own, and once again, if there was to be a winner, it looked more likely to go to the home team. That said, neither side had a single shot on target in the whole game, and after eight games under manager Paul Cook and eight games still, to play, things look decidedly bleak.

His record is in complete contrast to the Cowley brothers, who recorded a fourth successive win away at lowly Wigan Athletic. Under Cook, we have won two, drawn three and lost three. This is NOT play-off form, and perhaps we should be thankful for that! Quite honestly, we are way out of our depth even in this league and what a sad reflection it is on the Ipswich of old. This, without a shadow of a doubt, is the worst squad of players to have ever graced an Ipswich shirt! In fact, as a collective, they have disgraced it!

Where do we go from here? It is hardly worth talking about today’s match, as it was effectively a non-event. Our manager is as honest as they come, but even he is finding it hard to defend this lot. I can count on one hand the players I would keep on for next term, and the only good thing from Cook’s perspective is that a lot of the player’s contracts are up for renewal. This might give him a chance to turn things around, but it needs much more than a quick fix. Those phrases, “We are rotten to the core,” and “Be careful what you wish for,” resonate throughout the club just now.

There is an odd aspect to how Cook expresses himself, have you noticed? One moment, he speaks very deeply and with conviction, and then just as suddenly, his voice ascends into a much higher octave – almost as if there is another person at the microphone. I am not sure why this is, but it is a peculiar characteristic that makes it sound as if his brother has waded in with his thoughts! Maybe the Cowley brothers are not the only family unit in League One!

As I have said before, I quite like Paul Cook and I want him to succeed. He has a massive job on his hands. The squad is not good enough, and this has become blatantly apparent for some time.

Rochdale: Lynch, Osho, O’Connell (captain), Beesley, Keohane, Rathbone, Roberts, Done, Grant (Dooley 65), Shaughnessy, Baah (Newby 66). Unused substitutes: Bazunu, McNulty, McShane, Morley, Vale.

Ipswich Town: Holy, Woolfenden, Nsiala, Chambers (captain), Edwards (Dobra 72), Dozzell, Bishop (Kenlock 85), Judge (Harrop 72), Ward, Parrott (Hawkins 72), Jackson (Drinan 81). Unused: Cornell, McGuinness, Kenlock.

The referee was Robert Lewis from Shrewsbury.