Paul Jewell made four changes from Saturday’s defeat with Arran Lee-Barrett, Lee Bowyer, Mark Kennedy and Jimmy Bullard all starting.
It was a wet and windy night but the corporate hospitality was superb and allowed me a rare opportunity to see the boys away from home.
The minute’s applause just before kick off was somewhat emotional and I must admit to a lump in throat and watery eyes, but I know I was not alone.
RIP Gary Speed, a terrific player and by ALL accounts a wonderful man.
Back to the game and Ipswich started really well but a couple of early balls into te box came to nothing with no one there to do the business.
Burnley had the best early chance after some rubbish midfield play from us and Chris McCann’s shot was tipped round the post by Lee-Barrett – great save.
And that was not the last from the Ipswich boy who was overlooked by Jewell last Saturday.
Twice in quick succession he made brilliant stops from Jay Rodriguez as Burnley created the better chances even though we had plenty of the ball.
But Lee-Barrett had little chance when Sam Vokes powered in a Keith Treacy corner, wished we had signed him when we had the chance, for the Clarets’ opening goal just after half an hour.
Tempted as I was to go back in the warm and get a pint I stayed until half-time but Murphy does get an early mark as he is subbed with Jason Scotland replacing him, although doesn’t seem to be anything physically wrong with the Irishman, perhaps he is just tired and that is why he is poor.
Lee-Barrett shows why he was picked with a couple more decent saves as Burnley take pot shot almsot at will.
Have to admit almost missed Burnley’s second goal as McCann knocks in from close range, I’m told Stanislas passed it to him but more shocking defending, and the ref blews his whistle for half-time.
At that point I heard Town fans booing and realised it was actually me. Did think at though as we went in for soup and a roll it may be our turn to come back and win 3-2.
Can only imagine what Jewell said at half-time, probably as abusive as the stuff I was handed by my Clarets ‘mates’ anyway he ditched Bowyer and Kennedy and put on Josh Carson and JET – fair play he went for it.
It was a bit better for a while but that boy Rodriguez, I wished we had signed him last summer, was still looking a threat.
Bullard and Andrews are being overrun, especially by McCann and we look a mess.
Inevitably Rodriguez gets the ball after a throw-in and hits an excellent shot for 4-0.
If I wasn’t doing this I would have gone back to the hotel bar but there was still ten minutes to endure.
It was all Burnley and the final whistle came as a relief.
This was shocking and fair play to all those Town fans who made the trip and are not as fortunate as the likes of me who can stay over at the company’s expense.
I heard the team flew up – they should be made to walk home, or even better travel back on supporters’ coaches.
Player Ratings
Arran Lee-Barrett 7
Some brilliant saves but the goals still came – he needed more help.
Carlos Edwards 5
Exposed by the diamond, alright going forward but shaky defending
Danny Collins 5
Too many sleepless night by the look of it
Ivar Ingarmarsson 5
Not big enough, not good enough
Aaron Cresswell 5
A real trier but struggled
Mark Kennedy 4
Sat at the base of the diamond and was bypassed
Keith Andrews
Outshone by McCann
Lee Bowyer 3
Brought in to add bite but was totally toothless
Jimmy Bullard 5
Not able to influence
Daryl Murphy 5
Weak up front and clearly didn’t do his job at set plays again
Michael Chopra 5
Few chances, if any came his way
Jason Scotland 6
Honest endeavour but little impact
Josh Carson 6
Buzzed around but little impact
Somewhere in ther eis a good player
Manager Rating
Paul Jewell 3
Opponent Rating
Eddie Howe 8
Jewell’s future
I know a lot of Town fans will want Jewell sacked, if he doesn’t resign first but I still say he should be given more time.
I can understand why people want him out but I still feel we need stability at the club and keep chopping and changing managers is not the answer
