A look at some of the talking points coming out of Ipswich Town’s 2-0 away loss at Blackburn yesterday.
You really can’t give Jordan Rhodes so much as an inch
Rhodes’ two goals won the game for Blackburn, with the second in particular showing how dangerous he is when given an inch, but it wasn’t just his finishing which caught the eye.
The striker was everywhere, closing down the Town defence, tracking back into midfield, looking to bring others into play and winning defensive headers in his own box.
Whether he would cut it in the Premier League remains to be seen (surely it’s not far away) but in terms of the second tier he is certainly the real deal.
Ipswich found out the hard way…again.
When is it time to press the panic button?
If you take a look at the wonderful world of social media, the #itfc hashtag can present you with a wide range of opinions regarding Ipswich Town’s current predicament.
There are those calling for a bit of patience, those suggesting Town are in danger of throwing their season away already, those considering pressing the panic button and others who did so a fair while ago.
The Blues are still just three points off third, but, given the manner in which Town have picked up just five points from the last 18, is this just a blip or a serious slump?
A major contrast in full-back approach
There couldn’t really have been more of a difference in the two sides’ approach to full-back play yesterday.
On the one hand, you had Adam Henley and Marcus Olsson flying forward at every opportunity for Rovers, supporting their wingers, looking to link with the central midfielders and bombing on to break into the opposition box where possible.
The Ipswich full-backs, Luke Chambers and Jonny Parr, were more subdued and didn’t offer their side much going forward.
Those two players are naturally more defensive of course and perhaps aren’t expected to be involved at the other end of the pitch, but adventurous full-back play added a dimension to Rovers’ which the Blues simply did not have.
Toure brings something to the table but there are still missing pieces
Larsen Toure arrived as a complete unknown in the summer and, after a slight false start due to fitness issues, has proved to be a useful squad addition with an ambition to beat his man and whip in a cross. However, he showed yesterday that he’s not quite the complete package.
Starting in place of the ill Ryan Fraser, he offered Chambers little in the way of cover down the right hand side and was perhaps a little lucky not to see a red card. He was booked early on and was pulled up on a number of occasions for little trips and late tackles before being substituted.
An unhappy hunting ground
Ipswich Town’s wait for three league points at Ewood Park goes on, having not done so since 1991. A superb FA Cup win in 1996 has put some gloss on what has been a dreadful run away at Rovers, which certainly didn’t look like ending yesterday.
Are runs like this a pure coincidence? Probably, but that doesn’t make them any less frustrating.
Oar is surely due a bigger role soon
He’s been eased into life at Portman Road since his free transfer at the end of August, but every time Tommy Oar’s been involved he’s shown plenty of things to like. He made his Championship debut at Ewood Park and in a little over 10 minutes he impressed again, with one particular wriggling run and cross catching the eye.
His involvement will surely increase after the international break, be it from the start or longer spells from the bench.
What got you talking following yesterday’s game?
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