LOVE IT

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LOVE IT

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A fired-up IPSWICH took full advantage of Fulhams shambolic summer to secure a convincing victory in Fulhams first game in the Championship for 40 years.
The visitors started with nine new faces and could only name four players on the bench amid rumours of player registration issues.
And the lack of cohesion and unity showed before the break asMurphys calm sidefoot finish made it -0.
Fulham improved but wasted a couple of half-chances and town eased to victory.
Town also had opportunities after McG made it 2 nil to increase the lead but the fact it only finished 2-0 came as surprise after a first half dominated by the hosts at a sell-out Portman Road Ground.
Did you know?
Nottingham Forest's win was only their second in 13 games against Blackpool
Rampant Forest, buoyed by Pearce's much-anticipated homecoming and the double signing of Britt Assombalonga and Antonio after a difficult week, were too strong for a Blackpool side beset by off-field ownership issues and unrest.
The Tangerines only had eight players registered with less than two weeks to go before the start of the season and they understandably played like strangers.
They did at least show spirit in the opening 20 minutes.
And despite barely getting out of their own half, they had the best chance when Nathan Delfouneso headed wastefully wide from a free-kick.
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Pearce on Forest v Blackpool
But the Reds, with Andy Reid majestically directing play from the centre of midfield, were in control.
They led when Reid's swerving long-range strike came back off the post and was calmly placed into the back of the net by debutant Antonio.
The goal prompted a familiar Pearce fist-pump in celebration and within five minutes the former England Under-21 boss was celebrating again, turning to the crowd and applauding after Burke's fabulous curled shot from the edge of the box.
But with a hammering looking likely, Blackpool improved considerably, playing with greater discipline in midfield, closing Reid down and posing problems in the final third through Delfouneso and Andrea Orlandi.
Orlandi curled an effort just wide after a fine passing move and Forest began to tire and misplace their passes.
Assombalonga had a couple of half-chances but was unable to get a clear opportunity and the goal he so craved.
The home side also failed to make the most of numerous good positions but did not need the security of a third goal.

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Good solid performance in my eyes by far the best we have seen of Jay Tabb he gave all for the team and kept a constant pressure on the Fulham right side winning and retreaving the ball and what a pleasure to see a referee who let the game flow with out constant blowing for minimal contact freekicks

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Good solid performance in my eyes by far the best we have seen of Jay Tabb he gave all for the team and kept a constant pressure on the Fulham right side winning and retreaving the ball and what a pleasure to see a referee who let the game flow with out constant blowing for minimal contact freekicks

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Ayacca a sold out Portman road?

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A solid start to the season and we must have one of the hardest working teams in the league. I don't know what's happened to Hyam in pre-season - I was always a fan but he stepped up about five gears yesterday. It will be interesting to see how both he and Skuse fair against a more experienced battle-hardened midfield.

I thought Mings looked slightly out of his depth and Hewitt and Tabb had dodgy moments in the first half but were great in the second. The rest of the defence were steady; Smith was unfortunate with the own goal and Chambers' turn and cross for Wordsworth was sublime.

I think I had forgotten how much McGoldrick brings to the team and I just hope we don't rush him back. Murphy picked up the mantle last year when Didz was injured and he's carrying it on now which is great to see. I'm surprised Bajner couldn't stand the pace but hopefully he'll pick up match fitness as time goes on.

I found it bemusing that we had a more attacking midfield at 2-0 than 0-0 and it showed, especially after Fulham scored.

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I sat in the upper north stand I thought,all the boys put an awful lot of effort in that obviously some are on a steep learning curve .Tabb after last years performances was outstanding ,Luke Hyam was awesome along with Murphy the defence was cool calm and very very efficient, Mings has a bit to learn ,Elliot has proved he can hack it at this level and will obviously get better (how good will that be ), skusey is a player who just does his bit so easily class act Didzy is back what a player obviously we need some back

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Luke Hyam has finally added attacking play to his game and he showed it. dominated the Midfield and had the game of his life,with Skuse aiding him in totally counteracting the diamond midfield that Fulham played. murphy was Very unselfish, with the stats showing he made Three Key Passes, the most of any player on the pitch (Opta Data) as well as an excellent run and finish past an inexperienced goalkeeper in Jossen, which showed by his poor commanding of his box and his constantly inaccurate goal kicks. In the other net Dean Gerken had a relatively Quiet game, making the one mistake but brilliantly redeeming himself by having his outstretched foot stop Moussa Dembele from pouncing. Bajner was the most disappointing town performance for me, due largely to his lack of time with the ball, with it taking 28 minutes for his first completed pass, however one attack of his late in the first half had a hint of Alan lee in his prime with excellent positioning and a good footballing vision. Mings has stated he is playing his own way and not trying to fill cressy's Boots, which he did alright at, but feel he was slightly lacking defensively, possibly due to inexperience but he was largely solid, with the only problem being his clearances mostly going to fulham a midfield. Young Cameron Burgess was fulham's brightest spark of life with his clearances preventing us getting a cricket score as his fellow centre backs were very inconsistent.

Overalls against a recently relegated and established premier league team it was a performance to remember, and although Fulham did not gel that well due to lack of playtime together, it was great to see our players have good link ups, especially the chambers/Hewitt overlaps and the return of Murphys powerful presence, perfectly linking with Mcgoldricks ability on the ball

COYB!

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This was a tenacious display by Town and in the end it was their tenacity that got them the points with a wholehearted team performance of the very highest order. Murphy was superb as was the bulk of the team.

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