Exposed And Humiliated

If the thoughts ahead of last Saturday’s game were that anything less than a win would be disappointing, this time around I’m sure I was not alone in being pleased if we could avoid defeat, perhaps just avoid a nasty defeat. We knew Ipswich were desperate for the points, probably still smarting from the two they dropped in the dramatic stoppage time at The Valley, and remembered the dismantling of JJ’s team last time out at Portman Road almost exactly a year ago. But hey, this is football, everything is possible.

In the event, what Holden had flagged as a “fantastic challenge for us” became an embarrassing rout. From the first minute to the last we were torn to shreds, exposed as a team neither capable of competing with the best in the league (and yes, Ipswich were excellent, full of verve and attacking threat) nor prepared to tailor its approach to try to neuter the opposition, even to engage in damage-limitation. When you lose 6-0 there’s normally a goal or two you can pin on the keeper, perhaps a worldie or two from distance. Not the case here.

Whether the bulk of the blame lies with the defence or midfield is a bit chicken and egg. With good passing and movement Ipswich poured through our midfield, asking questions of our defenders, who invariably came up with the wrong answers, epitomised by Hector, who committed himself to stopping the ball across the box and couldn’t make it, then charged forward to their guy with the ball only to have it chipped over him to leave the scorer of the first in the clear again. That’s not to say Inniss didn’t have a dire game too, as for the first time since they were paired together a team fully exploited their weaknesses. And Inniss’ afternoon was summed up by his late dismissal, an almost indecisive challenge from the wrong side which left the ref with no option. His lengthy ban means his season is over.

Neither should the midfield escape blame. Morgan was a virtual bystander as the game went on around him, Fraser was involved in our best moments going forward but was frequently left trailing in the wake of their guys as they headed towards our box. Dobson tried manfully to cover, but was swamped and like Hector ended up making poor decisions. At the other end, while the service to them was poor, Campbell and Rak-Sakyi were sat on by their opposite numbers, usually doubled up on and dispossessed – the notable exception being when the latter beat his man with a deft control and might have won a penalty – which all left Bonne, then Leaburn after him, isolated. Bonne’s one chance was a good one, a delightful cross from the left by Fraser met with a decent header but one not powerful enough or directed far enough away to beat their keeper.

None of this explains why we were so nervous and hesitant from the start. Ipswich won three corners in the first minute and were two up before the 15th minute. It was as if we wanted to play a slow, deliberate game, to perhaps grow into it, and were taken by surprise by a team which wasn’t going to put up with that. Then we were incapable of reacting, either immediately or when we had the chance to regroup at half-time, being still only 2-0 down. As against Bristol Rovers we ended up persevering with something not working for too long, switching to a back 3/5 after their third goal had ended any lingering doubts about the outcome. That is perhaps understandable, given the absence of alternatives available to Holden (there was no like-for-like from the bench for either wide man). But if the switch in formation after their third was an exercise in damage-limitation, that didn’t exactly work either.

Four games to go, starting with MK Dons on Tuesday. They have been grinding out results of late to try to beat the drop (draws against Derby, Portsmouth and Wycombe, plus a win over Morecambe) and will be angry at having dropped two points yesterday, conceding a very late stoppage-time equaliser. With Inniss unavailable presumably either Thomas moves inside and leaves Sessegnon, Egbo, Kane and possibly Clare to contest full-back positions, or Mitchell comes into the reckoning with a back five. Quite honestly it matters little, although hopefully there will be a reaction in the form of determination and character following a drubbing. After all, from 10th and top of the also-rans league we could conceivably find ourselves back to 14th if we lose.