Let's talk about the Ipswich Town game

[selby]

  After the disappointment of the game being off last night , at least we don't  have to wait long to get on with playing the next game, and on what is usually one of the best surfaces in the league.
  Is it an advantage to not play midweek, I have my doubts but at least we are playing a game at Scunthorpe today where our u23s players on the fringe such as Horton Jones and Amos if fit can actually get a game as well as the lad from Bournemouth.
  We have played some good football at Ipswich in games in the past, and have not always come away with the result we have deserved and the feeling that the team they have now reflects their steady decline as a team  although strengthening in the last transfer window, it looks a last throw at actually achieving something this season and getting in the playoffs, although their good result at Hull last night will have raised hopes of a revival.
  So a hard game for us to try and get back to winning ways, but if we can put it together we have the ability to get back on track and get a result.
  The age old question, What team would you pick?
  Would Coppinger come into your thinking after his heroics at the weekend?
  Is Bostock capable of taking the mantle that Whiteman had as our midfield general?
  Is the second half revival against Hull the signal we are getting our form back?
  Do you still see Ipswich as a team that can be a contender to get up this season?
  Who are their players you fear can cause us problems?
  Lot's to discuss about this game, please have your say.

[Lytham Rover]

Ipswich seem to blow hot and cold

Hot last night to beat Dull

Cold on Saturday? (Hopefully)

[godlike1]

I would hope that if we can get some of our robustness back and not be so easy to score against from crosses then we would be a good shout for a draw at least.

i'm not sure Bostock is as good at defending as BW was so when he has the freedom to splay the ball around like hull let him i'm sure he's great. Getting stuck in when needed is something i'm yet to see from him.

I can see DM going more defensive as he tends to in order to get some sort of footing the game first so would not be surprised to see John back at left back and James pushed to the left further up the pitch or vice versa.

prob put wright out a rb to give halliday a break and have butts rejoing Anderson in the middle.

A top three of Fej, Bogle and Sims

Richards and Copps to come on if we are not keeping the ball very well or lacking creativity.

Complete guess.

[Alan Southstand]

With all due respect, Godlike, Bostock hasn’t been here long enough to form an opinion about anything. From the one game v Dull, at least we do know he is able to massively influence a game, if given the time and space to do so.

Whatever team DM was cooking up to play yesterday, I would think it’ll, more or less, be the same side (but who knows what that was!).

[Bailey Vickerage]

With all due respect, Godlike, Bostock hasn’t been here long enough to form an opinion about anything. From the one game v Dull, at least we do know he is able to massively influence a game, if given the time and space to do so.

Whatever team DM was cooking up to play yesterday, I would think it’ll, more or less, be the same side (but who knows what that was!).

it won’t necessarily be the same side because DM has said on numerous occasions he picks a team based on what he thinks will be the best against the certain opposition so he will pick the team based on Ipswich as a team and deciding what is the best team to play against them.

That’s the main reason we very rarely see the same team play 2 games in a row.

[scawsby steve]

I hope a full week's training will have given the coaching staff the chance to get the defence practicing on defending basic crosses into the box, because if that's not sorted out, we'll beat nobody.

[Rovers91]

I'd play Bostock instead of Gomes and Feji or Lokilo for Taylor. Last season and this season against Ipswich we have managed to play them off the pitch so hopefully again Saturday.

[selby]

  Wilson in defence and of course Norwood up front are the key players for Ipswich according to their fans and were the corner pins of probably their best display of the season at Hull.
   With Norwood showing a bit of form our defence are going to have to be back to their best form if we are going to get back to winning ways.
   

[idler]

Looking at the statistics though Hull barely pushed them defensively. If we push hard up front it should keep their midfield busy and minimise their support for the front players going forward.
In theory anyway.

[rich1471]

  Wilson in defence and of course Norwood up front are the key players for Ipswich according to their fans and were the corner pins of probably their best display of the season at Hull.
   With Norwood showing a bit of form our defence are going to have to be back to their best form if we are going to get back to winning ways.
   

i watched that game , both teams were shocking , it was a poor match to watch

[scawsby steve]

This has now become all about our defence. The Town fans are even talking about it on their forum, how we've conceded 11 goals in 4 games, and how poor our defence must be. Most of them are tipping a 2-0 win for Town, with Norwood grabbing a brace.

How on Earth we've got to this situation I don't know, where a solid defence  can suddenly become so bad that every time a team puts a simple cross into the box, you expect them to score.

It must be down to something like zonal marking going wrong, but whatever it is, it needs to be put right before Saturday.

[DearneValleyRover]

I think Balcombe knocking big Tom’s lights out has caused the problem. Balcombe appears to hesitate in coming for a cross and the defence is unsure if he is or not and wether their faces will be in the way. Sometime on the training ground practicing to get trust and confidence back is required, hopefully not having played midweek it will have given them the opportunity

[Bailey Vickerage]

I think Balcombe knocking big Tom’s lights out has caused the problem. Balcombe appears to hesitate in coming for a cross and the defence is unsure if he is or not and wether their faces will be in the way. Sometime on the training ground practicing to get trust and confidence back is required, hopefully not having played midweek it will have given them the opportunity

I agree and think it has knocked his confidence especially with him being a young keeper he doesn’t seem to be commanding his box as much as he did previously. We’ve seen in the last few games that on set pieces they target balcombe and it’s been working for them. Hopefully the extra few days in training will help get a bit of confidence back.

[Barmby Rover]

Good to see there was a silver lining to the Blackpool game being off. https://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/sport/football/how-doncaster-rovers-used-extra-time-after-blackpool-wash-out-3147549

[RugbyRover]

Could be demotivated if the rumors of a sellout are true. Lambert getting replaced by Paul Cook apparently.

[scawsby steve]

This has now become all about our defence. The Town fans are even talking about it on their forum, how we've conceded 11 goals in 4 games, and how poor our defence must be. Most of them are tipping a 2-0 win for Town, with Norwood grabbing a brace.
If they defend like they did at the Keepmoat, we'll get another hatful. Don't care how many they think they'll score.

How on Earth we've got to this situation I don't know, where a solid defence  can suddenly become so bad that every time a team puts a simple cross into the box, you expect them to score.

It must be down to something like zonal marking going wrong, but whatever it is, it needs to be put right before Saturday.

You're right, Bobby, so if we can get after them in attack we might be able to stuff them again.

[Chris the Rover]

It will cost Ipswich a lot of money to get rid of Lambert. I believe he’s got a 5 year contract

[NickDRFC]

Buzzing for another match day. Team for me would be:

Balcombe
Halliday Anderson Butler James
Smith Bostock Robertson
Lokilo Bogle Sims

Hoping Okenabirhie is fit for the bench or even a start - he’d be in ahead of Lokilo for me if fit enough. Probably a bit controversial not playing Richards but he’s not really been on his game for me the last couple of weeks, and Smith/Robertson both get forward well and could rotate in the 10 position. Bostock looked a class act against Hull pulling the strings so needs to start for me, whilst the most solid defence we’ve had all season has had Butler & Anderson at the heart of it so seems sensible to have them in there.

Bench of Copps, Richards, Fej/Lokilo, Wright, John, Taylor gives us plenty of options and cover across the field.

[i_ateallthepies]

Agree with all of that, Nick.  Only thing I might change would be Wright for Halliday.  We've been shown to be badly vulnerable down our right in both the Sunderland and Hull games and doubtless that will be tested by today's opposition.  We should give Brad a rest for a game just to get himself ready to go again.

[eastender]

Ipswich's defence has gone the Polar opposite to ours , they haven't conceded in their last 3 games.
It's time to change the Poles around today. 

[NickDRFC]

Agree with all of that, Nick.  Only thing I might change would be Wright for Halliday.  We've been shown to be badly vulnerable down our right in both the Sunderland and Hull games and doubtless that will be tested by today's opposition.  We should give Brad a rest for a game just to get himself ready to go again.

He’s not been at his best so I wouldn’t be too disappointed with that, Wright’s had a few decent cameos at right back as well so is a capable deputy. Doesn’t offer anything like the same threat going forward but given how many goals we’ve been conceding it might tighten us up a bit.

[Jonathan]

I'd play Bostock instead of Gomes and Feji or Lokilo for Taylor. Last season and this season against Ipswich we have managed to play them off the pitch so hopefully again Saturday.

Looks like you picked the team!

[Campsall rover]

Like the look of the starting 11 today. 

[RobTheRover]

Fej left, Omar cental and Josh right. That's some front 3

[i_ateallthepies]

I'd play Bostock instead of Gomes and Feji or Lokilo for Taylor. Last season and this season against Ipswich we have managed to play them off the pitch so hopefully again Saturday.

Looks like you picked the team!

Perhaps Darren Moore read this thread and saw Rovers91's suggestion?

[Bailey Vickerage]

First time I’ve actually got the team prediction correct this season. Nice to see bostock starting and hopefully he can dictate the play like he did last week, only thing I worry about is if they press and have a lot of the ball im still to be convinced that bostock can be a good ball winner but fingers crossed he can prove that today

[Campsall rover]

I'd play Bostock instead of Gomes and Feji or Lokilo for Taylor. Last season and this season against Ipswich we have managed to play them off the pitch so hopefully again Saturday.

Looks like you picked the team!

Perhaps Darren Moore read this thread and saw Rovers91's suggestion?

Rovers 91 isn’t going to get all the credit is he. My team suggestion as well.       

[Campsall rover]

How are we losing this.

Only time Ipswich have looked dangerous is from 3 corners and that free kick.

Same again and more ruthless in front of goal 2nd half.

[Lincoln Rover]

How many paces did he make our wall go back? He seemed to count out over 11 to me

[Padge_DRFC]

Keeper should save that really poor. Foot work almost non existent