For the second time in three matches, the headlines were stolen by Ipswich Towns prodigious 17 year old talent.
Following on from the wonder goal at home to Sheffield United that brought him firmly to the attention of the press, Connor Wickhams reputation grows ever quicker with his first professional hat trick.
Two classy finishes were added to by a late penalty, as Wickham made good on a half-time promise to his manager. Paul Jewell told the BBC after the match “I said to him at half-time, ‘go out and get another goal’ and he said ‘I think I’ll get two more’, and he’s been proved right.
“Obviously, he’s going to get all the headlines, but it’s not just a team effort, it’s a squad effort.”
Jewells Ipswich career so far has been marked by his willingness to retain the same starting eleven, so seeing two changes on the teamsheet was effectively a squad rotation. Jason Scotland replaced Tamas Priskin up front, with the Hungarian perhaps still feeling the effects of the previous weeks international trip to Dubai. Meanwhile, the injured David Norris was replaced by Colin Healy, the Irishman having been unfortunate to lose his place in the side after some excellent performances in the first few games of Jewells reign.
After a strong Town start, with the blues forcing most of the early opportunities, they finally opened the scoring just before the half hour mark, as Rovers Sam Hird managed to send a looping header over his own goalkeeper.
It sparked the goal rush for Town and, before the half was complete, an excellent first time pass from Lee Martin had set up Colin Healy to drill home his first ever goal for Ipswich, before Connor Wickham got in on the act, firing home emphatically after Healy had this time seen his effort saved by Woods in the Doncaster goal.
Town sat on their lead for the early part of the second half but after an hour, Wickham had chested down a Bullard corner and volleyed into the net for his second. Shortly afterwards, McAuley flicked on Bullards free kick into the net and it was five.
All that remained of a match which had become a parade, was for Wickham to collect the match ball, which he duly managed when slotting home the late penalty which his own endeavours had won.
Whilst Wickham takes the majority of the plaudits, in a result of such dominance there were excellent performances all over the pitch. Lee Martin again excelled, despite being substituted for the last thirty minutes, whilst Colin Healy revelled in his return to the side. Even between the posts, Martin Fulop made some fine stops to help preserve the clean sheet.
It was a match where the extended squad was able to get an opportunity; adding to the changes to the starting line-up, the match saw Andy Drury making his first ever appearance in a blue shirt from the subs bench, whilst there was also an opportunity for Jaime Peters to make his first real impression in front of Jewell.
The manager was keen to speak of the need to develop a squad, rather than a first eleven, something which will become increasingly important in the coming weeks. “It’s a team and squad effort that we’re trying to promote here, but within that there will be individuals who get headlines. But we win as one and we lose as one. You saw the effort and workrate that Colin (Healy) has put in today; thats why I said the squad is important”.
Without the ineligible Jimmy Bullard and the injured David Norris, Saturdays match with Hull leaves Town short of midfield numbers. Yet, embracing that very squad dynamic, Town are not without options, with Healy and Peters both demonstrating they are capable of stepping into the first team.
But, with five goals in his last five appearances, the one player who wont be giving up his position any time soon is Connor Wickham.
No comments:
Post a Comment