Matty D
22nd August 2004, 15:58
Nowhere near good enough.
A Peterborough side that will finish in the bottom half of the table beat us comfortably without needing to get out of third gear.
We didn’t compete in the centre of midfield, Tabb and Salako, who both looked tired, pulled inside to compensate, and Posh’s wing-backs got complete freedom to run at Dobbo and Frampton who couldn’t possibly cope. The defence looked as nervous and unsure as before, and Nelson had another game he’ll rather forget. When we did get the ball back we just sent it long, where it came straight back at us.
The positives? Well the support was fantastic - although outsinging Posh doesn’t seem to be any great achievement, to do it so comprehensively when 3-0 down is encouraging. Peters and Rhodes went someway to improving things, both looking pacy and hungry, and putting Peterborough under some rare pressure, but Ipswich looks like a rugby score waiting to happen now, rather than a potential upset.
We’re only getting a few basics wrong – squandering possession, getting dragged out of formation and failing to communicate with each other – but they’re important basics, and its up to the experienced pros like Talbot, Fitz and Salako to lead by example. We give the ball away far too cheaply for a side that look dodgy when under pressure. The only way to buy the defence time to improve as a unit is to keep the ball ourselves. Playing it to feet we’ll also get the best out of Tabb, Burton and Rankin.
If a central midfield of Talbot and Hargreaves can’t win the ball and keep it, it has to change; this is where we’re losing games. Rhodes and Peters are pushing Tabb and Salako hard for their places on the wing, and (assuming we’ve no alternative to Talbot in the holding role) Tabb may have to take on Hargreaves creative central midfield role. With the exception of O’Connor or Hillier replacing Dobbo, and Julian being considered if Nelson can’t get his act together, the defence almost picks itself, and we just have to hope that the heat can be taken off them while they try and get better acquainted. Sort the rest out, keep the ball on the deck and Burton and Rankin will do the job up front.
I think we should probably throw in a few ‘fringe’ players on Tuesday, mostly to give Tabb, Burton etc. some rest. Probably worth giving Julian a game as well – as another mauling is the last thing Nelson’s confidence needs right now, and in the unlikely event we pull off a shock result it might give Julian the boost that (at least as I see it) could see him back in the side. Tuner desperately needs more games to settle in, but I guess Charlton won’t let him play, so Myers’ fitness will decide whether we have to throw some trainees in, in defence.
Nelson 4 – kicking still woeful, should have done better with the first goal
Dobbo 4 – if he’s not fit he shouldn’t be playing, although if he is fit that’s even more worrying!
Frampton 5 – rabbit in headlights
Fitz 5 – never imposed himself
Turner 5 – some good tackles, but didn’t defend crosses well.
Talbot 4 – anonymous
Hargreaves 5 – little better
Tabb 4 – has to curb his instinct to chase the ball into the centre if we’re getting done down the flanks
Salako 4 – did he play?
Burton 5 – jaded, but little to work off. Won a few flick-ons, but we never look like profiting from them.
Rankin 6 – OK.
Peters 7 – looked hungry if a bit raw
Rhodes 7 – gave us some momentum down the left, touch let him down a few times
O’Connor 6 – did little wrong, but not going to turn the game
A Peterborough side that will finish in the bottom half of the table beat us comfortably without needing to get out of third gear.
We didn’t compete in the centre of midfield, Tabb and Salako, who both looked tired, pulled inside to compensate, and Posh’s wing-backs got complete freedom to run at Dobbo and Frampton who couldn’t possibly cope. The defence looked as nervous and unsure as before, and Nelson had another game he’ll rather forget. When we did get the ball back we just sent it long, where it came straight back at us.
The positives? Well the support was fantastic - although outsinging Posh doesn’t seem to be any great achievement, to do it so comprehensively when 3-0 down is encouraging. Peters and Rhodes went someway to improving things, both looking pacy and hungry, and putting Peterborough under some rare pressure, but Ipswich looks like a rugby score waiting to happen now, rather than a potential upset.
We’re only getting a few basics wrong – squandering possession, getting dragged out of formation and failing to communicate with each other – but they’re important basics, and its up to the experienced pros like Talbot, Fitz and Salako to lead by example. We give the ball away far too cheaply for a side that look dodgy when under pressure. The only way to buy the defence time to improve as a unit is to keep the ball ourselves. Playing it to feet we’ll also get the best out of Tabb, Burton and Rankin.
If a central midfield of Talbot and Hargreaves can’t win the ball and keep it, it has to change; this is where we’re losing games. Rhodes and Peters are pushing Tabb and Salako hard for their places on the wing, and (assuming we’ve no alternative to Talbot in the holding role) Tabb may have to take on Hargreaves creative central midfield role. With the exception of O’Connor or Hillier replacing Dobbo, and Julian being considered if Nelson can’t get his act together, the defence almost picks itself, and we just have to hope that the heat can be taken off them while they try and get better acquainted. Sort the rest out, keep the ball on the deck and Burton and Rankin will do the job up front.
I think we should probably throw in a few ‘fringe’ players on Tuesday, mostly to give Tabb, Burton etc. some rest. Probably worth giving Julian a game as well – as another mauling is the last thing Nelson’s confidence needs right now, and in the unlikely event we pull off a shock result it might give Julian the boost that (at least as I see it) could see him back in the side. Tuner desperately needs more games to settle in, but I guess Charlton won’t let him play, so Myers’ fitness will decide whether we have to throw some trainees in, in defence.
Nelson 4 – kicking still woeful, should have done better with the first goal
Dobbo 4 – if he’s not fit he shouldn’t be playing, although if he is fit that’s even more worrying!
Frampton 5 – rabbit in headlights
Fitz 5 – never imposed himself
Turner 5 – some good tackles, but didn’t defend crosses well.
Talbot 4 – anonymous
Hargreaves 5 – little better
Tabb 4 – has to curb his instinct to chase the ball into the centre if we’re getting done down the flanks
Salako 4 – did he play?
Burton 5 – jaded, but little to work off. Won a few flick-ons, but we never look like profiting from them.
Rankin 6 – OK.
Peters 7 – looked hungry if a bit raw
Rhodes 7 – gave us some momentum down the left, touch let him down a few times
O’Connor 6 – did little wrong, but not going to turn the game