Two points flushed down the toilet signify the end of our PL hopes, and quite probably our chances of finishing in the top 3.

After reading Aaron Hughes say in The Journal this morning how important it was that they make a fast start in games like today’s, it was galling to watch us make a lethargic, overconfident start to the game. We allowed Ipswich to dictate the tempo, and for the umpteenth time this season showed little urgency until we gave our now standard soft goal away.

There is a truism in footy that teams win nowt unless they can defend. We can’t defend, and will win nowt. We are still learning this cruel lesson - apparently having not learned the lesson from our failure in ’95 and two successive FA Cup final defeats. We conceded two more horrible goals this afternoon – ably assisted by the blerk with the guide-dog and white stick on the East Stand touchline - and the bald truth is that the pairing of O’Brien and Dabizas is not the answer. Dabz performed heroics in midfield and in their penalty area trying to get us back into it. However, he wouldn’t have needed to if he had simply done his defensive job in the first place.

We never really got to grips with the game in midfield, but imo the biggest problem was reverting to playing with two target men. This meant we effectively abandoned the passing style that has got us to where we are, and we spent far too much time humping long diagonal balls up to AS & CC. Incidentally, CC won virtually nothing in the air.

This tactical error was compounded by substituting two of our better and more creative players on the day – JJ and Solano – in preference to the lumbering Cort, decisions that were understandably roundly booed by a sizeable majority of the crowd.

This was a game of controversial decisions, and a political silence pending watching the replays is probably the sensible approach. However, an Ipswich player looked well offside in the build-up to their 2nd goal – despite this, we had plenty of opportunity to clear the ball before it finished up in the net, but kamikaze defending cost us dearly yet again.

In addition, I actually thought that both of AS’s disallowed goals should have been allowed to stand, but I’d like to see them again before protesting to loudly. Shearer missing that penalty with the last kick of the game was inconceivable - but seemingly entirely in keeping with our entire approach to this critical game.

Solano worked hard and did pretty well before his truly bizarre substitution. Robert was a little inconsistent, but did some good things including scoring one and making one – not too shabby. MOTM for me was Sylvain Distin, who I thought was absolutely outstanding - both defensively and supporting the attack

-- Anonymous, March 16, 2002

Answers

Clarky, i think we seriously have to win at Arsenal. If not this could be a more frustrating season than 95. Yet agian the Toon contrive to build our hopes high only to drop them unceremoniously down again. I'm gutted.

Do know any good Nurses mate?

-- Anonymous, March 16, 2002

Thanks for the update Mr C. From the webcast, it did seem strange that Solano was subbed. I agree with your coments about the style of play. Sadly, it seems that 2 big men up front is not the way togo and I wondered why he didn't bring Little Kevin on for Cort, oving Robert up fron and seeing what LKD could do on the left (where SGE seems to want him to play). Either that or as was discussed on here and move LKD up with Al.

That said, YBR could rightly turn round and say that we could have won it had Al's spot kick gone in. From the balance of play, it sounded as tho we could have won it, especially in the first half. But in reality, it showed our lack of depth and ability to change, alongside some defensive mistakes. You highlighted Dabs, but the webcsat seemed to have O'Brien as the villain this time. It sounded as tho he was having a 'mare. Good to hear that Distin did well, in what he sees as not his favoured place. I hope the transfer discussions bear fruit as he will only get better with experience. Whether that should be on the left or in the middle remains to be seen.

It really is going to be a struggle. Chewsee are on a roll (3 conseuctive 4-0s) and we are struggling. Hopefully their bubble will burst and we'll raise our game now that LKD's back and Bellamy is close. Then we'll be able to play our attacking stuff. Interestingly, will Jenas keep Speed out of the team when he's fit???

-- Anonymous, March 16, 2002

O'Brien was poor today Screacher, but I also thought Dabz was poor defensively despite chasing all over the field trying to get us back into it.

You can't fault Dab's whole-hearted committment, but he sold O'Brien down the river several times today, and this pairing just isn't doing the business.

We were saying some time ago that we had good defensive players who just needed the chance to play together. Well, they've had a good run now, and I really don't believe this pairing is the answer to a longstanding problem.

-- Anonymous, March 16, 2002

Defence on the whole was poor with Distin probably being the best of them but he wasn't exactly playing like he did the last few matches either.

The whole team was just not up for it today. There was a lot of huffing and puffing but it didn't really amount to anything. I may be wrong but maybe Chelsea winning on Wednesday is beginning to make the players look over their shoulders a bit thus playing a small part in the performance of the players today.

-- Anonymous, March 16, 2002

Thanks for the match reports, folks. Reality is definitely a b*tch sometimes.

-- Anonymous, March 16, 2002

Only sometimes Ciara? You can't have been spending enough time it I reckon. :-)

-- Anonymous, March 17, 2002

O'Brien reminded me of Barton against Troyes yesterday.

There was one point where he tried to be clever on the right hand side and instead of playing it safe out for a throw in he tried to turn the attacker, and lost the ball. Thankfully they wasted the possession.

-- Anonymous, March 17, 2002

...O'Brien's been watching Dabizas for too long! ;o{)

Actually, with the possible exception of Distin, the back 4 were incredibly sloppy yesterday and lacking in concentration.

-- Anonymous, March 17, 2002

Even then, Distin had some very shaky moments.

-- Anonymous, March 17, 2002

anyone else think that O'Brien's mistake that lead to teh second goal for Ipswich just wouldn;t have happened had Dabz done his job properly and headed the ball away? He completely mis-read it and missed it and his positioning was to blame...?

-- Anonymous, March 17, 2002