An eagerly anticipated first home game of the season started badly for Plymouth before it even begun, with boss Ian Holloway taken to hospital in an ambulance with the club calling it ‘a precautionary measure’. It later emerged that he was suffering from abdominal pains. Ian Holloway’s assistant, Tim Breacker and coach Des Bulpin were given the management duties for the afternoons game.
However, Holloway did pick the team to face the Tractor Boys and the Pilgrims lined up in an orthodox 4-4-2 formation with a handful of changes after the win in midweek Carling Cup win against Wycombe. Larrieu came in to replace McCormick in goal with Doumbe, Norris, Buzsaky, Nalis, Halmosi, Fallon and Hayles coming in for Timar, Reid, Summerfield, Laird, Hodges, Ebanks-Blake and Chadwick.
Ipswich, looking to bounce back from their disappointing midweek defeat to MK Dons shuffled the pack, with George O’Callaghan coming in for the out-of-form Gary Roberts – despite him being selected in the Championship Team of the Week, the Irishman having impressed in pre-season and in the reserves final victory in midweek. The formation was different to that of the two previous games with boss Jim Magilton opting to play a 4-4-2 diamond formation. Striker Jonathan Walters who had impressed at right-midfield in the two previous fixtures, reverted back to his natural forward role to partner three goal top scorer, Alan Lee. Spaniard Pablo Counago changed to an attacking midfield role with O’Callaghan coming in to occupy the ‘sitting’ role in front of the defence. The back five of Alexander, Wright, Harding, Bruce and the captain de Vos remained unchanged but Garvan and Miller switched to occupy the left and right side of centre midfield respectively.
Things went from bad to worse for Plymouth, who were looking for their seventh successive league win. Alan Lee headed in from six yards after a wonderful cross from the ever-impressive Jon Walters on the right after just two minutes. For the second successive week, Ipswich were first to score and albeit for a little while, were top of the league. Plymouth restarted the match and were understandably in the hunt for a quick response in the awful weather. However, it didn’t come and despite the pressure applied to Ipswich’s defence – the searching balls were cut out without too much hassle.
As the first half progressed, hesitancy in the Plymouth back-line almost doubled the blues’ lead with Lee and Walters ready to pounce. Town’s position looked strong, as they comfortably moved the ball around on the slick surface in Plymouth’s third. Towards the end of the half, Plymouths play was more direct but chances were swallowed up by the defensive pairing of Bruce and de Vos. The Pilgrims gradually edged their way back into the game but poor use of the ball cost them.
Referee Kevin Friend, who incidentally officiated the same fixture last season, soon brought out his cards with Pablo Counago and Alex Bruce being shown a yellow. Referee Friend, who many feel didn’t have a good game including Town boss Magilton, seemed like he was awarding every decision to Plymouth.
Plymouth’s real chance came from a free-kick taken by Peter Halmosi after Rory Fallon was fouled by Ipswich skipper Jason de Vos. Marcel Seip’s header missed just right of the goal – but it was a glaring miss and should have been one a piece. In the final few moments of the first period the Tractor Boys looked nervous at the back at times and a few holes started to appear in the back-line.
The whistle brought an end to an entertaining yet at times scrappy first half. How would Plymouth respond to the team talk without their charismatic boss, Ian Holloway not there to inspire them to turn it around? And what decisions would Jim Magilton make at half time to calm his players after a frustrating period of non-stop whistle blowing from the referee?
Ipswich kicked off the second half, with there being no substitutions for either side. However, Magilton reverted back to an orthodox 4-4-2 formation with Garvan and Walters switching to the left and right respectively. This seemed a good move as Plymouth began to exploit the lack of width with the diamond formation.
A scrappy second half didn’t have too much action until Sylvan Ebanks-Blake was brought on in place of Rory Fallon. Most of Ipswich’s play came from counter-attacks as Plymouth pressed further. Alex Bruce then got his final warning from the ref, and was soon replaced by veteran Fabian Wilnis as Magilton didn’t want to risk losing his star defender for next weeks home tie against Crystal Palace. Plymouth looked short of ideas, until the turning point in the second half – how ironic it was the Fabian Wilnis was sent off after an inexplicable two-footed lunge on David Norris on halfway – a correct decision. Garvan went to fill the void by Fabian at centre-back. Plymouth upped the tempo and the Blues only outlet was to hoof the ball up the Danny Haynes (who had replaced Alan Lee) to use his pace and run on to.
A soft penalty was then conceded in the final ten minutes by David Wright, which substitute Ebanks-Blake converted. Plymouths tails were up, but could not fashion a decent chance. The game ended, with Ipswich surely having mixed emotions especially after leading for so long and playing well against a good home team.
Best wishes go to Ian Holloway, whom we all wish a speedy recovery.
Player Ratings
Neil Alexander 7
Commanded the box nicely and ordered the backline with a very vocal display.
David Wright 5
Looked uncomfortable at times and conceded a soft penalty.
Dan Harding 7
Bounced back from a horror midweek showing with a good display.
Jason de Vos 8
Man of the match.
Alex Bruce 7
Despite numerous warnings after his needless yellow card, Bruce was his usual self – nothing gets past him.
George O’Callaghan 7
A contender for man of the match, looked like a quality act with his creativity despite him playing in an unfamiliar holding role.
Owen Garvan 7
Controlled the Ipswich midfield as he usual does with his great vision and perfect passes.
Tommy Miller 6
‘The invisible man’ had one of those invisible displays – didn’t do anything wrong but didnt do a lot right either.
Pablo Counago 7
Lined up as the more attacking midfieler and caused the Plymouth defence problems but got frustrated as the game progressed.
Jonathan Walters 7
Another impressive Walters display. One assist, from an inch perfect cross. One of Magilton’s best signings by far if he continues this form.
Alan Lee 7
Scored his fourth of the season, but apart from the early, easy header, didn’t have a lot to do.
Fabian Wilnis 3
Inexplicable red card from the veteran just over three minutes after coming on.
Gary Roberts 5
Didnt have too much of the ball, and when he did, was very ineffective.
Didnt have too much time to make an impact.
Manager Rating
Jim Magilton chose to field a 4-4-2 diamond formation and though was untried before, worked quite well. Took Alex Bruce and Pablo Counago off to prevent a red card which was sensible.
Opponent Rating
Tim Breacker took over after Ian Holloway was taken ill. Done very well after the short notice he had and his substitute scored the equaliser.
