This years Carling Cup run has turned out to be more spirited than in previous years. But, sadly, we are still yet to progress far enough for the competition to go beyond the point when people start to really care about the results.
It says something about a competition when, despite playing against a higher standard of opposition, despite the prospect of progressing to a later round against bigger and better opposition, the manager chooses to rotate his squad and use it as an opportunity to give some other players a run out.
It says even more about a competition that we as fans agree with this approach.
Promotion has always been the most important issue at Portman Road. That has been the case every season since we suffered relegation in 2002. But, despite being knocked out of a cup competition and suffering a heavy defeat in the process, most were grateful that there was no extra time and that the players fitness was therefore not tested further ahead of Saturdays match with Crystal Palace.
In fact, it seems the bigger impact of this match was not being knocked out of one of the two major cup competitions. It was the injuries suffered to two of the starting line-up who would have been expected to start regularly.
Ben Thatcher and Moritz Volz picked up injuries which threaten their immediate involvement in the league programme. Added to David Wright suffering injury, Town could have a short-term full back crisis. Again. With these three being the only experienced and designated full-back options at the club, it could have a significant impact on the next couple of games.
The game itself was actually a very positive exercise for Town, despite the negativity associated with the result. Against a much stronger Wigan side, themselves making minor changes, Ipswich more than coped for a large proportion of the game and, but for better finishing, could have put themselves well and truly in the driving seat. As it was, that better quality of finishing was evident in the Wigan side, who took the chances they had to win the game by a much more comfortable margin than both sides performances merited.
Defensively, there is still much to learn. As a unit, they failed to defend set-pieces resulting in all but one of Wigans goals. Its a common flaw in the side, but is only going to be improved by increased familiarity and discipline amongst the defence. In this respect, perhaps the changes to the side dont necessarily help, yet we cant expect to be able to put out the same back four for every single game this season.
In midfield, Ivan Campo continues to show his class, with his fitness inevitably improving game on game. His was a performance that perhaps suggests he is truly ready to dictate a game from the midfield. Yet, two games in a week also suggests it probably wont happen against Palace. It would be hard on Shumulikoski to lose his place in any event, after stellar performances in the two previous away games.
Tommy Miller was bright and energetic, having a positive impact on the performance which was perhaps missing at Southampton and thus resulting in him being dropped at Sheffield Wednesday. On this basis, he stands a good chance of retaining his place against Palace, particularly as he seems to be able to fulfill an attacking midfield role that only one other member of the playing staff seems capable of doing.
That one other is David Norris, who increasingly looks like a player who has been a regular in the side for years, rather than a week. He is looking to be a very sound investment by Magilton, even taking into account the large fee. In fact, the fee is having quite the opposite effect; demonstrating the kind of instant quality that is available when paying the right money. His role in the side is yet to be defined though, purely because we are fast approaching a situation where our two best players, Norris and Walters, want to play in the same position.
Walters continued presence up front is good, but still leaves that nagging feeling that we are missing that something different down the right flank which he provides. A 5 man midfield accomodates both, but at home this is surely not a regular option. A smartly taken goal added to a generally all-round good performance, showing that he too is getting closer and closer to replicating the performances of last season.
Kevin Lisbie deserves a mention for his relentless attempts to get involved in the game. It still feels like the rest of the team are trying to find a way to play with him, but he makes himself available which helps in this respect. He may not find a permanent role in the first team, unless a goalscoring return demands it, but as an alternative option up front he has value.
So, another year and another missing League Cup run. In the past, even if ultimate success wasnt likely, the cups were a vital source of revenue for the club which, in turn, would help to finance transfer fees or ward off potential sales. But now, in the Marcus Evans era, this is no longer such a concern either.
It remains that the only important run for Town, and equally for owner Marcus Evans, is the run of form which takes them to the Premiership. And the next round is with Palace on Saturday.
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