Ipswich 2 Millwall 0

As a definition of Roy Keanes Ipswich, this game was quite an accurate portrayal. Steady and solid, but with a nagging feeling that better finishing might have killed the match off a lot earlier and made the scoreline reflective of the chances created.
Whilst Tuesdays League Cup victory against Northampton was important in getting back to winning ways, inevitably it was soon forgotten as Towns poor recent league form was brought sharply into perspective. Whilst talk of “must win games” are only ever relevant at the latter stages of the season, a victory was much needed as Town had found a rather rapid descent into the bottom half of the table in recent weeks.
Keane named the same back four as had completed the match against Northampton Town in midweek, with Tom Eastman retaining his position at right back. With Town once again employing four centre-backs across the back four, they often found themselves exposed by the Millwall wide players. Yet, the strategy appeared to work, as that deficiency aided the side in central areas, with cross after cross being comfortably dealt with by the back line.
The Manager was pleased with the performance of his defensive unit in particular. Speaking to the BBC he said “After a disappointing three games on the spin losing, we had to get back to basics and that is being hard to beat, which we seemed to have at the start of the season. We’ve had to defend very well in the last 20-25 minutes. The clean sheet gives us a chance. In the last three games, we’ve been two goals down before you know it so it was important to get a clean sheet, we did the basics well today. Credit to the players who have come in, we’re short at left back and weve got no recognised right back, but Tom gives that extra little bit of height. We’ve got four centrebacks playing today, these boys are doing a good job for the club playing out of position. I think they will sleep well tonight, because they were put under a lot of pressure”.
With Tamas Priskin managing to retain his place in the starting line-up, Town looked to their front two to build on the platform the defence provided.
And they didn’t disappoint. For the second game in succession, Town managed to find a first half goal, something of a rarity so far this season. What has not been a rarity is goals at Portman Road from Jason Scotland. In only his sixth league game at home, Scotland found the back of the net for the fifth time, capitalising on a mistake by Millwalls Paul Robinson to finish emphatically once again.
With further good chances falling to Damien Delaney and Grant Leadbitter, the Blues could have made the game safe by half-time, but Millwall were allowed a significant proportion of the possession, without managing to trouble Martin Fulop unduly.
Town started the brighter side in the second half and should have wrapped the game up as both Jack Colback and Jason Scotland were put through on goal, either side of Grant Leadbitter extending the lead from the penalty spot.
As with the first goal, Priskin was again heavily involved, with a smart turn inside the box leaving Millwalls Danny Shittu grabbing at his shirt to pull him down. Priskin enjoyed a bright and energetic performance, offering a different option to Scotlands more deep-lying position.
Keane was pleased with the strike pairing and the options it is providing him “Tamas and Jason again did well, the two up front gave us a platform. Jasons a different type of striker. The strikers at the club will have strengths and weaknesses, hes more of a poacher. He will be pleased with his finish and will probably feel he should have had another goal in the second half.”
As Town switched the forwards for the last 25 minutes, introducing Wickham to play as more of a lone forward, with Ronan Murray playing virtually in a midfield role, so they found themselves under pressure in the final ten minutes as Millwall threatened to find the goal which would have put them back into the match. However, the back four once again held firm, with Jake Livermore hitting the post late in the game with a great opportunity to add to the scoring and finally kill the game off.
Next weekends trip to Sheffield United looks set to provide Keane with plenty of choices where his side are concerned. After a front two pairing have helped earn the side five goals and back to back wins, the 4-1-4-1 formation which proved so successful earlier in the season may well find itself banished for a few more weeks, particularly given the Yorkshire sides parlous current position. Tamas Priskin has produced two of his better performance in a Town shirt within a week, which must surely put pressure on his manager to keep him in the side.
Similarly, the midfield offers alternative options, with both Spurs loanees Townsend and Livermore failing to make the starting line up. After a bright substitute appearance and an apparent ankle injury to David Norris, the latter will feel he has improved his chances of making next Saturdays team.
But Keane is unduly troubled by the choices to be made “Ive got a tough decision over next weekend for my starting eleven”, he said. “but its nice problems”.