Rather than “the emperors new clothes”, Saturdays result was a more a case of “the emperors old clothes”.
The Paul Jewell era recorded its first victory, but rather than the era being defined by change, it reflected a reward for the values of persistence.
Lee Martin became the next Roy Keane failure to be successfully re-united with his old teammates, his six-month exile at Charlton Athletic being brought to an end as Paul Jewell gave the winger a further opportunity to prove his value to the side.
It was an opportunity Martin appreciated, reflecting what he saw as a change in mentality at the club. Speaking to the BBC after the game, Martin said “I never felt properly welcome and part of a team. But now it’s a fresh start, whatever happened before is gone. For me, the personal touch was coming straight back in and the gaffer giving me an opportunity.
“I was surprised because I only came back in on Thursday. But I think that gave me a massive boost, because I couldn’t stop smiling!”.
Martin was not the only one experiencing redemption as, for the third game in succession, the previously estranged Tamas Priskin and Colin Healy retained their places and went on to provide valued contributions towards the victory as they each provided an assist to cap overall positive performances.
Town fell behind early in the game with Doncasters excellent Billy Sharp the early goalscorer. The striker further threatened to add to his tally, striking the post and seeing another chance ruled out by the linesmans flag.
As in many previous league matches, Town struggled to find much invention, a series of long balls to Priskin and Wickham failing to produce much in the way of end product.
Jewell switched formations, withdrawing Wickham to a five-man midfield to improve matters. An excellent cross from Martin provided Priskin with Towns best opening, but the forward headed wide of the target.
The half time whistle allowed Jewell to adjust his formation further, with Town re-emerging for the second half with Wickham and Martin having switched flanks. It paid instant dividends, as within minutes, Wickhams header into space allowed Priskin to flick the ball into the path of Norris, the captain volleying the ball into the net.
Minutes later, Town took the lead, as a deep cross from Healy found the onrushing Wickham who powerfully headed into the net. It was the 17 year olds first goal of the season, and proved further evidence of the young forwards improving form over the last few weeks.
Almost immediately, Doncaster levelled as Coppingers low cross was poorly dealt with by the Town defence, Fulop in particular leaving his goal line but failing to make contact, allowing Sharp to score once again, this time with a diving header.
However, of all the changes made by Jewell, perhaps the most pertinent was that which saw Carlos Edwards employed at right back, a position not unfamiliar to the player earlier in his career, but one which he had never filled in a Town shirt. It proved to be a masterstroke, with the Trinidadian having perhaps his most effective game since his move from Sunderland.
Edwards proved decisive and intelligent defensively, but added an attacking threat from full-back position, something which had been hitherto unseen so far this season. It was from one such foray that Edwards struck the winning goal, driving home powerfully, albeit deflected, from fully thirty yards.
Doncaster never recovered and Towns play showed that missing level of expansiveness. Creating several good opportunities Ipswich, and in particular Priskin, should have added further to the lead but, in the end, the result and performance gave enough of a shot in the arm to this Town side.
Speaking after the game about the change of position for Edwards, Jewell said “Carlos has played at right-back for Trinidad and has played there a few times with his other clubs. They’re a difficult team to play against, Doncaster, because they have that system, and they are very smooth in the way they move.
“I want my full-backs to get forward at the right time and, even a couple of times before the goal, I’ve thought ‘Go on, have that bit of belief’, and this time he’s hit it and it’s gone in!”
With perhaps the biggest game in the clubs recent history now fast approaching, Jewells embryonic side begins to pick itself.
With Martin cup-tied for the League Cup Semi-Final with Arsenal, Jewells biggest, and perhaps only, decision is to be made at right-back. Jaime Peters would appear set for a recall having performed so well in the first leg, but Edwards performance would perhaps suggest that he may retain his place, leaving Peters to take his place amongst a five man midfield.
With the opportunity to play in front of a sell-out crowd at The Emirates, several of the other players have risen to the occasion in recent weeks to ensure they are a part of it.
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