Ipswich Town went looking for a third successive league win against Derby County, but ended up with a hattrick of a different kind. As Derby left Suffolk with all three points, they became the third top six side to leave Portman Road victorious this season.
Having started the season with such impressive impregnability, Town have shown a rather more fallible side over the last month or so, as the number of defeats have racked up as quickly as the number of wins. Its a situation that manager Roy Keane is all too aware of, as he told the BBC after the match.
"We’ve lost to QPR at home, Coventry, at Watford, at Reading. We’re losing lots of games. We’re winning a lot more than we were last year but we’re losing more as well. As much as we were disappointed with the run last year, a lot of those matches were draws."
Despite the injuries which Town departed Bramall Lane with at the weekend, all injured parties managed to recover in time, meaning that Keanes only change to the side was a tactical one. After a poor performance against Sheffield United, Jason Scotland dropped to the bench to finally allow Connor Wickham the starting role which the player has been pushing for in recent weeks.
The first half proved a bright affair as both sides threatened a goal, although in most cases the threat was provided to the supporters behind the goal. Tamas Priskin offered another active demonstration of his new-found self-confidence, leading the line in the manner of a more accomplished forward. Behind him Grant Leadbitter probed patiently at the Derby defence, whilst Jack Colback took a more pragmatic approach, driving towards the opposition penalty area.
Where Keanes side have often been accused of a more direct approach, on this occasion the ball remained on the ground for long periods of play, as Town knocked the ball around confidently. Whilst Priskins strong running provided a good outlet, his strike partner Wickham struggled to find a foothold in the game, something which continued for the duration of the game.
With the sides still relatively even, and with Derby keeper Fielding joining Marton Fulop in producing some spectacular stops, a Kris Commons free kick took a deflection offf of the Ipswich wall and left Fulop wrong-footed as it found the back of the net.
Yet, rather than the goal providing the Town setback, it appeared to be a change of tactics which disrupted the home side to a greater effect. With his side chasing an equaliser in positive fashion, Keane opted to withdraw Jake Livermore, who had performed solidly if perhaps not as spectacularly as in his earlier games, replacing him with Jason Scotland as Town moved to a three man attack. Rather than provide positive impetus to Towns attempts to get a foothold back in the game, Derby found themselves with an extra man in midfield and possession began to swing in favour of the Rams.
After Commons added a smartly taken second goal, Town sporadically threatened the Derby goal, but the match meandered towards its conclusion.
Having kept his side in the dressing room for an hour after the game, Keane was clearly disappointed with his sides failure to up the tempo when required and haul themselves back into the match.
“We’re a mixed bag at the moment. I think what we’ve got to learn as a group is that when we’re not quite at it, like tonight when I don’t think we were, we have to grind out a result. And we’ve not done that.”
Yet, on this occasion, Keane may well look at his own contribution as being fallible, in light of the impact the second half subsitutions had on the match. Whilst Andros Townsend performed well, clearly buoyed by his managers recent positive comments, and Jason Scotland provided the type of threat which the Portman Road crowd have grown accustomed to, albeit perhaps not in such a withdrawn role, it was the changes to the teams shape which had the biggest impact.
Keane may also have some food for thought in the full-back positions, leading up to Saturdays match at home to Barnsley. Town have had a degree of success in recent matches where the two centre-backs at full back have helped to repell pressure and maintain a Town lead late in the game, ably assisted by the midfielders in front of them. Against Derby, with the onus on the side to attack, the lack of support provided to the wide midfielders proved notable. Similarly, with the midfield pushing forward, Eastman in particular, and Peters in the latter part of the game, found themselves exposed, a situation which eventually led to the second and decisive goal.
With another home match just days away, Town again have the opportunity to put their season back on track. However, having encouraged his side to "push on" earlier in the week and build on two good league victories, Keane will probably feel disappointment at having to begin the process all over again.
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