When former Blue Mick Mills suggested recently on Radio Suffolk that three points from our next three games would be a reasonable haul, many of us scoffed at the notion. Well, after Town did not manage to attain a single point from three, those derisory remarks seemed to have vanished without a trace. Mills argued that it is far better to get three draws rather than one win and two losses. As it turned out we lost them all!
Now, let’s be honest, Ipswich did not play badly in those two away defeats which ended with a solitary goal for the home side but we left with nothing. Sandwiched in between all that was the Peterborough game at Portman Road, which continued our dismal home form. I firmly believe however that had it not been for that diabolical mistake from Will Norris, the Blues would have clawed their way back but just like Luke Chambers at the start of the campaign against Sunderland, an individual error was the principal cause of our demise.
In fairness to Town, in the first half against Sunderland, we totally dominated proceedings with 60 % of the possession. What is worrying, however, is our distinct lack of a cutting edge, and this was apparent once again in the northeast. We rarely looking a threat going forward and yet, we know all our strikers have a goal or two in them, so the fact that all of them are shooting blanks at the same time is a worrying development.
I have argued on many occasions that I think this squad is good enough but it is difficult to put your finger on what exactly is going wrong. A lack of creativity in midfield? A lack of confidence upfront? Or could the blame be apportioned to our defensive frailties? Sadly, I fear that all three are playing their part at the moment, and a failure to get a single point from our last three encounters is simply not good enough!
First things first, and we have to start scoring again and fast. We also have to cut out those horrendous individual errors and keep Tomas Holy in goal. He was excellent on Saturday and blameless for that winning strike which any keeper would have struggled to save. His effortless kicking is not just impressive for the distance he gets, but the fact that more often than not he finds a blue shirt and his distribution generally is far superior to Will Norris, who dawdles too long when he has the ball in his hands.
I still believe Wycombe in second can be caught and we are still only five points off them – even after our more recent barren spell. The good news is the team is still playing well but we have to get back to winning ways and quickly. Anything less than victory at Wimbledon tomorrow would be very damaging I fear.
F.W. – editor of Vital Ipswich
