Ipswich Town writer Andy Warren hands out his player grades following the Blues’ 3-0 win over Preston.
Bartosz Bialkowski: Saved well with his legs in the opening minute, although it wouldn’t have counted anyway due to an offside flag. Otherwise had a very quiet first half before he made another good save with his legs late on. 7
Jordan Spence: Had very little to do defensively in truth as the Preston attack centred on working Hugill against the two central defenders. Got forward well to provide the ball for McGoldrick’s goal and then linked up superbly with Celina for the third. 7
Luke Chambers: A shaky opening few minutes which saw him struggle under a couple of long balls and with the old-school trickery of Jordan Hugill, but he recovered well and made one very important block shortly after the Blues went 2-0 ahead. 6
REACTION: Mick McCarthy has his say after Blues’ win over Preston
Adam Webster: Made one fantastic clearance with his head in the first half and dealt with Hugill well enough after the initial blows of the opening few minutes. Along with Chambers, kept things tight in a second half where they weren’t overly tested in a display McCarthy described as the best of his Ipswich career. 7
Jonas Knudsen: Like Spence had little to do in the first half as the majority of the Preston attacks came through the middle of the field. That theme continued in the second as the Dane surely enjoyed one of the most comfortable games of his Ipswich career. Did get forward well for a couple of chances. 7
Cole Skuse: His game ended early through injury but, in the half hour he was on the field he wasn’t able to assert any kind of dominance on proceedings. Put himself about well and competed without making any major impact. Hopefully won’t be out for too long. 6
Callum Connolly: A few raised eyebrows when he lined up in the centre of the Ipswich midfield but he did not look over-awed in a position he has played plenty of times with Everton’s young sides. Passed neatly, put his foot in well and took things up a gear following the departure of Skuse before being taken off just after the hour mark. 7
David McGoldrick: Had the Blues’ only real effort at goal prior to the opening goal, and struggled to make things happening in the opening period, but in the second his superb headed goal settled things down and ensured the hosts strolled to victory. 7
STU SAYS: Seven observations from the Blues’ win over Preston
Bersant Celina: Whenever the young Manchester City loanee gets the ball you get the sense something could be about to happen. He picked the ball up in midfield, played a simple pass to Spence and the duo were away, allowing Celina to unleash an unstoppable shot for 3-0. 7
Martyn Waghorn: Another goal for the hard-working front man, who is proving quite the snip after arriving for what is thought to be just £250,000. This time it was from a free-kick, with his versatility and ability to link play proving vital. 7
Joe Garner: Would have fancied a goal against the club he supported as a boy and played for with distinction, but it wasn’t to be. Certainly put himself about, though, as he always does, and by occupying a makeshift Preston defence he created space for his fellow forwards. 7
Kevin Bru (for Skuse, 31): Came in from the cold at Burton last Saturday, played well at Cardiff in midweek and made a real impact today. There was cause for concern when Skuse was taken off, but Bru came on, put his foot on the ball and passed the ball well to link up with Ipswich’s four-man forward line. 7
Grant Ward (for Connolly, 66): Said after the midweek game at Cardiff that he believes his best position is in the middle and got the chance to prove it after replacing Connolly. Was neat and tidy against a Preston side as good as beaten when he came on. 6
Tristan Nydam (for Waghorn, 78): Fresh legs in midfield at a time when others were tiring, he went on and did what was asked of him. His biggest impact came as he was booked for a slightly late but crunching tackle on Marnick Vermijl. 6
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