The Anonymous Widower

A Reply for Kazakh Jock

Kazakh Jock of the Bacon Sandwich episode has asked me a question about Ipswich Town.

What is going on as you get absolutely thumped one week and then come round and beat the second best team in the country !!!! and all within a week.

The words about monkeys and backs come to mind.  But also on Wednesday, Ipswich got the tactics right, even if Fabregas throught Ipswich were playing rugby.

Priskin’s goal was the result of one of numerous balls lofted over Arsenal’s vulnerable backline, a tactic of which Fábregas was dismissive. “I don’t know if it is long ball or it is a rugby kick but it worked for them,” he said. “In England a lot of teams play like that and it works for them, they create chances like that and it is their football. I can only remember two opportunities for them but it was from a long, long ball because, playing football, they could not really get behind us or [get] attacking.

“We just have to put the ball on the floor and try to play football – that is what we do. I still think we played well. We were good enough but just did not put the ball in the back of the net. The result is a bit disappointing because I think we were the much better team. Credit to them because they played well but Arsenal made the football. The other team refused to play football. They were lucky to score in a long ball. But it was one of those nights and now we have to make it at the Emirates in two weeks’ time.”

 Or should I quote Corporal Jones about not liking it up ’em? Or rather Arsenal’s rather suspect defence didn’t!

As I was at both matches, I can also say that one big difference between the two matches was the performance of the diminutive Jaime Peters, who is even shorter than me.  Against Chelski his pace was employed up front and he was probably bullied out of the match, by players almost twice his size.  But against Arsenal, he was at right-back and his quick tackling, interceptions and fast breaks completely subdued Arsenal’s left flank.  Andrey Arshavin was made to look a very ordinary player.

January 14, 2011 - Posted by AnonW | Sport | Arsenal, Chelsea, Football, Ipswich Town