A week ago, Ipswich Towns defeat at home to Coventry was followed by lengthy debate surrounding the formations employed by manager Roy Keane. Having suffered a third successive defeat, for the first time under Keanes stewardship, attention has quickly shifted to the personnel.
Having opted for a much-requested two man frontline at Watford on Tuesday night, Keane reverted back to the lone forward as had been so prominently utilised to good effect over the first eight games of the season. However, Towns fortunes have differed wildly over those first eight games from the subsequent run of matches which have left the side with four defeats in five matches.
After the match, Keane spoke of a lack of good fortune as perhaps the difference between those two spells “It’s just not happening for us at the moment. I don’t think we’re getting what we deserve. That’s three defeats in a row. At the turning points in games we’re just not getting the breaks.”
It’s a theme which Keane has been consistent with. During that more successful period earlier in the season, Keane was quick to point out that his team were the beneficiaries of such luck.
After the wingless wonders of Tuesday nights defeat against Watford, Jaime Peters, Andros Townsend and Carlos Edwards all found themselves back in the starting line-up, with Brian Murphy perhaps unfortunate to be replaced by fit-again Martin Fulop, having produced a stable performance standing in for the Hungarian in midweek.
In keeping with Towns most consistent feature this season, they once again failed to start the match particularly sharply and found themselves behind to an early David McGoldrick goal after a flowing Forest attacking move down the left-wing.
Whilst Jack Colback was perhaps unfortunate with a strike against the crossbar, it was somewhat in isolation compared to Forests relative dominance. As with the game at Watford , Town looked to have reached half-time with the game still in touch, only for Forests Lewis McGugan to score a long-range free kick the likes of which he will doubtless never repeat in the rest of his career.
It was little surprise to find Connor Wickham appear at half-time, yet it remained somewhat more surprising to learn that the exiting Scotland had only ever been expected to produce a 45 minute performance. Doubts remain about the former Wigan mans fitness, as his full match recent performances appear to have been at something of a cost.
Wickhams impact was as prominent as it had been against Watford , as his physical presence unsettled Forests backline and, particularly later in the game, managed to help his teammates to create decent chances.
But in the context of just five goals in six games, Towns current problems are perhaps rooted in the personnel. It is something Keane clearly feels is closer to the problem than formations.
“We lacked a little bit of experience. You need to be braver when the game is tight. We haven’t scored enough goals since Ive come to the club. We’re always analysing the players and systems and we give different players an opportunity, but eventually one or two players have to take responsibility and put the ball in the back of the net on a regular basis.”
Whilst Scotland , Priskin and Wickham are those chiefly responsible for doing just that, it remains that the rest of the side lack the attacking instinct which is required to support those forwards. Colback found himself in good positions and, as was demonstrated by a respectable five goals in two thirds of last season, may be able to offer something in that respect. However, the likes of David Norris, Grant Leadbitter and Jake Livermore do not bring reputations as attacking midfielders.
Unquestionably, Towns slow start to matches is not helping matters, as early pressure is forcing any midfield threat into defensive duties. It has been a feature of the last three matches that the bulk of Towns chances are only occurring in the latter stages, once the opposition have achieved a significant lead and opted to rest on their position.
Keane has spoken at regular intervals throughout this embryonic season about Towns relative youth and the levels of expectancy that brings. He has been open about the experienced players he failed to secure in the summer, and Town could perhaps be significantly helped by the presence of a Shaun Derry or Lee Carsley to help steer the players in the right direction when under such pressure.
However, Tuesday night brings the visit of lower-league Northampton Town to Portman Road . Keane could not pick a better opportunity to get his side back to winning ways. With the prize being a place in the quarter finals of the League Cup, it could also bring a significant morale boosting effect to the whole club at just the right time.
Yet, after a busy recent league schedule, its likely Keane will look to do so relying on more of those inexperienced players.
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