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Ipswich Town 1-1 Swansea City
Match Report by Richard of Warwick
I had hoped that we would see something closer to the 'Sousa System' show itself after this International break. The feeling that something new, different and encouraging was evolving was added to by the the news blackout that descended over the camp in these two weeks. With the squad cocooned in a dark place for a fortnight I was hoping that something bright and colorful would emerge.
So did it fly?
Well, the early signs were very encouraging. For four minutes we kept the ball, moved it quickly and crisply, and made them look second best. After five minutes they got the ball near our box for the first time and the cheer that arose from their ranks was a compliment to how much we had bossed the early exchanges. And then after seven minutes, perhaps drawn forward by a slither of self-belief, Ipswich were done by a good long ball from Rangel which back-spun and stopped obligingly behind their defensive line. Beattie was first to it and had time to move it right before hammering it hard and low across and through the keeper. 1-0 up. This was just reward for our very good start.
And in fact this was spot on with the only leak from the camp in the break - the Butler 'get at them early, keep the crowd quiet, score and their heads will go down' line. We had discussed that earlier wondering whether it was:
A. True
B. False
C. Bluff
D. Double-bluff
E. Triple-bluff
Actually, we couldn't quite work out what a triple bluff really was so settled on it being Irish Blarney.
In fact the correct answer was A.
But then the game departed from the script a little, and although we continued in the same vain, we started to give the ball away cheaply too. To be fair to Ipswich their heads did not go down and Jamie Peters was in particular looking dangerous and asking questions. Their equaliser came through Peters who found too much space and time on our left and was able to pick out Counago for a side foot finish. Counago scoring was in the script though dammit.
At the half the view of many was that this was a game that could go either way. We had been the better team by some margin but they looked just as likely, or even more likely, to score. Our flashes of brilliance had been interspersed with sloppy mistakes and few players were without fault. Some, like Bessone, were alternately fantastic and abysmal. One minute attacking and defending very well and looking class, the next diving in and being left on the floor. But he is merely an example and stalwarts including the usually dependable Britton and Tate were also guilty of lapses.
But had we seen a re-birth? No, I don't think so. The defense, although disrupted by the absence of Monk, was solid enough although a bit shaky at set pieces. So same old, same old there. The midfield was a five with Leon and Orlandi central and Pratley with freedom to roam and support forward. Dyer was as is now usual closely marked (it took 10 seconds before he was kicked for the first time of many) and Gower could not go outside Rosenior so always looked inside for support.
And now to the nub of the issue. Beattie up front had his most influential game in open play in a Swans shirt to date. But he looked painfully isolated and lacking in support for long periods.
Pratley ran and worked all game although his runs never looked that incisive or well timed. And, even more tellingly, I could not see where the killer pass was going to come from. Leon does not have it, and Orlandi looked more comfortable dribbling and moving the ball. That said, Orlandi did play the lofted 'stopper' well on a number of occasions but where is the pace to take advantage of it?
Perhaps Lopez replacing Orlandi was designed to supply those passes. I saw it more as a defensive move to shore up and keep what we held. I am not sure if Dyer took a knock but was surprised he was replaced when it seemed clear that Gower was cream crackered. And as Gower continued, looking more and more dispirited as time went by, why did we not see VdG? Defensive minded again?
So the second half played out with Dorus making some comfortable but necessary saves and us creating little threat to be honest. What has changed I hear you ask? Good question.
So did it fly? No.
Did it flutter? Yes.
Will it survive the winter? Yes, I think so. Unless that is, we flutter to deceive ;-)
Match Quotes - Green 'Un
IPSWICH Town boss Roy Keane believed that his beleaguered side should have chalked up their first win of the season this afternoon.
But Town had to be content with a frustrating 1-1 home draw against Swansea City, to leave them still waiting for their first win after 12 games.
"It wasn't bad. We had good chances in the second half, so I thought we should have won the game," insisted Keane.
"My defenders thought their lad (Beattie) was offside for their goal, but then they would do! But I thought we responded well and the fans got behind us."
Keane left out Richard Wright from the squad - the Town No. 1 was not even on the bench as new recruit Asmir Begovic was handed his debut.
"If you know Richard (Wright) like I do, then you'll know that his reaction will be first class. He'll be in training on Monday,"
insisted Keane.
The Irishman also revealed that the deal to bring a new loan player to Portman Road, early next week, had fallen through.
Swansea manager Paulo Sousa was happy his side's point. He insisted:
"I'm proud of my players. Ipswich have a fantastic squad and they will not be in this position for long. They can be near the top at the end of the season, so I'm happy with the draw.
"I thought we controlled the game in the first half, and could have scored more goals, but we were not as direct as I would have hoped in the second half."
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