Match Report, Ipswich 2 Wolves 1, Portman Road, 4th November 2014

Oh Portman Road under the flood lights after a couple of pints, it’s a joy, and matches against bigger clubs midweek are a season highlight. Certainly in-form Wolves had brought a strong following with them, near on 1000, with back to back promotions in mind, and a run of 13 games with only 1 loss. They only found their voice a few times, with most passion and volume being aimed at the referee, the man black did actually seem to favour Town a few times in the first half. I thought the Town support was a little subdued tonight, for what was a solid and at times exciting Ipswich display. Again the blue waves of attack are coming in 5 minute spells here and there, which buoys the crowd, and perhaps a greater atmosphere will come when we attack for longer sustained periods – I am convinced more attacking play will also attract the lapsed fans back to Temple Portman Road, taking the gate above the 20k mark. I did note some fans praising the atmosphere this evening, localised perhaps?

But I detract from a strong display. You really don’t want to play Ipswich at the moment. Kenny Jacket stated post match that Ipswich got in their faces and were winning all the second ball. "But Ipswich put pressure on us physically and we never exploited the spaces that were out there." And Town seemed to have a good shape to dominate the opposition and break up play. Wolves had the greater possession overall in percentage – perhaps skewed by a typical backs to the wall last 10 minutes – but they were not as effective as Town in going forward and using the ball. In Sako they have a beast of a player, but Berra had his usual imperious display against him, and restricted him to a few chances. Albeit the Wolves man could have done better with a couple of long range shots.

Before the game I have to say the 5 absentees worried me, especially the loss of Williams and Bishop, I expected a more agricultural display with those 2 missing – but the passing and footwork of McGoldrick, Mings, Bru and Hyamt sated the needs of aesthete fans such as myself. Note: Hyam’s passing game has improved greatly this season, and his value as a player is rising fast. The loss of Skuse in my mind was not felt. Hyam and the ridiculously mobile and terrier like Tabb, with Bru more advanced on the midfield 3, feels a much more balanced and effective midfield, compared to when we have Skuse and Hyam together in the same team. I do think Town were a little fortunate in that Wolves were not fully firing on the night, and this helped us. I think the energy of Hunt harrying up front and Tabb flying round the middle unsettled them. And Hyam is seemingly beefier than last season, and a fair but strong tackle from him early doors, meant the exit of a key Wolves player Dave Edwards.

For me Chambo, Smith and Berra sat deeper tonight, and just did the basics very well. Our captain Chambers, he of the fist pump, Chambers, really did not venture forth that much from his unnatural right back role, with Hunt and Bru providing any attacking sorties up the right. These were limited though, and the real threat was coming down the left with Hyam, McGoldrick, Murphy and Mings linking up well.

McGoldrick and Murphy are at the top of their game at the moment, none more so than our 30+ Irish international. His close control and confidence must be a nightmare; and you just knew he was going to score his second despite it needing a quality little chip over the advancing keeper. This took Murphy took onto double figures, and its only early November. McGoldrick’s defence splitting pass to set-up Murphy was beautifully weighted. ‘Goal’ David McGoldrick is of course the original king of close control, and the entrance fee (a reasonable £20 tonight) was worth every penny for those little interplays between McGoldrick and Mings, and often Hyam or Bru. And these exciting passages of play often led to a storming run by Mings or one of his jinks to the byline. What a player Mings is, what an athlete, and his guile and ability to dink into the box, approach the by-line, and despite the ball seemingly heading out of play, to loft in a cross or blast a low ball into the D. I hope he stays for this season and the next. But I would be very surprised if the swaggering Tyrone is not bought in the January window by a Premier league club.

Now I have to take a large plate, a massive set of cutlery, and carve myself a massive slice of humble pie. I stated that the signing of Hunt and Bru would not enhance the squad and support a promotion push. I was wrong, well in the most part. Hunt is an enigma. I would not start him over Williams, but Hunt was good tonight and is better suited to a forward role pushed up and running round like a Irish Peat Bog worker on speed. Wing, central midfield, or wider in a central 3 is not his position. Harrying up front and dropping deeper to pick up ball is his game. I have to agree with Mick Mills post match comment that he is not at the level of Murphy, McGoldrick and Mings in terms of his attacking effectiveness, i.e. shots on target or assists. But as a squad player he is adding value, and he will be key on Saturday if Williams is not fit. He is more effective, than the similarly energetic Anderson who is not threatening the first team. Bru, well he was vying with Hyam for 4th best player on the night behind the Murphs, McGoldrick and Mings pedigree players. There was great energy ofr Bru tonight, frankly we won this game through strong attackers and giving Wolves zero time to build passages of effective passing. And Bru, and Tabb, were key to this. But what was different for me about Bru tonight is he started to show some real class on the ball, nice close control, and good passing. I would like to see his passing completion accuracy, versus some of his earlier performances. As in this game he was very careful, but also adventurous at the right times with his use of the ball. Bru (“BRUUUUUU”… delivered as a ‘boo’ jeer ironically by the Town faithful) is larger than you think and he won a few aerial battles and held his own against a large Wolves team. With Hyam, Bishop and Skuse potentially out against an effective Watford side this Saturday, Bru will be pivotal and he could be staking a claim to a permanent place in a midfield 3.

So a great night, and strong performance. I do think Town shot themselves in the foot with the flukey goal, I was going to blame our stand-in keeper, but a Wolves player approached the looping cross and I think Bialkowski did have to change his position and hence was bamboozled. Worryingly it did seem to knock his confidence and he looked shakey for a period, which really good goalkeepers will not allow. Town did superbly to get the second and take the lead again, that is the sign of a team on form and brimming with confidence. A gripe would be of course that we went a little deep and did not press for a third. The last 10mins were painful as always, but again Wolves were not fully on their game tonight and that helped us to ride the storm. The hapless Sammon did add value in some of his dogged running and corner flag holding as Town ran the clock down. One final niggle is how off the pace and the lack of eagerness and energy displayed by Ambrose, I love Darren and his ability, but not sure he was the right type of player for the harrying role Mick clearly had in mind to close down the game. But onwards and upwards, a night of great close control from our pedigree 3 of Murphy, McGoldrick and Murphy. COYB.

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One of the best games I have seen at Portman Road for several seasons.
Cant believe how well Murph is playing,frankly didn't think he could attain this standard.Terrific workrate;from him and his two over 30 colleagues Hunty and Tabby.
Kevin Bru also has made an outstanding contribution in his last three home games,with good movement on and off the ball;and although Didsy seems to be playing within himself also makes great contribution.
In fact whole team played well;but regret right behind their goal and our g.k was definitely at fault being slow to react.

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We worked very hard when we did not have the ball,which is pleasing to any supporter,the team seem very much together,and you can see real belief amongst the squad.
Murphy was outstanding,in the form of his life,which again is credit to Mick Mcarthy,as he must be enjoying his football,Mings just seems to get better,and it was a pleasure to watch Luke Hyam wear his Ipswich shirt with so much pride.
Wolves were nowhere near a top 6 side,their 2 centre-Halves were really mediocre,and they will do well to be mid table on last nights showing.
Confidence is high,keep it up lads.

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Just to add a note from the match.
A few seasons ago I watched the away match at Blackpool. I had two Holidaymakers come and sit next to me, they were from Scotland and were Celtic fans. They were very happy that Murphy was out on loan and respectively offered the fee for Ipswich to buy him and to transport him to Ipswich. That day he made several scoring opportunities but took the harder option of missing. On that day I said he was goal shy. By that I mean he was, in my view, a very capable player but lacked the confidence or maybe the finess to finish clinically his hard approach work. Thank goodness TC has added both of the missing elements. He is a finisher now, thank you Murphilinho.

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Enjoyable. Mings was a tour-de-force. Smith was imperious in the air in the second half. Hunt & Tabb played splendidly. Sitting behind the curl of Murphy's first goal was a highlight.

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