12:30pm Thursday 2nd September 2010
IPSWICH TOWN away in The Championship is never a fixture that has provided us with much cheer over the last few years.
The best we’ve managed was a fortunate 0-0 draw last season, but there was no such luck at Portman Road on Saturday as City succumbed to a 2-0 defeat.
Our defensive woes really are quite worrying and again on Saturday it was more a case of us gifting them the goals rather than being comprehensively outplayed.
David James was partially at fault after a mix-up with Liam Fontaine for the first goal and he then parried the ball in setting up Ipswich’s second.
We weren’t without our chances however, the best of which fell to new striker Brett Pitman was scuffed the ball when through one on one.
The transfer window has now closed and Keith Millen hasn’t been able to add any further to the squad.
That said, the loan window opens next week and Millen has suggested that he will delve into that market with a midfield playmaker and left sided player of any description surely the priorities.
The departure of Paul Hartley back to Scotland has left a creative hole in the middle of the park for City.
We are overloaded with defensive or holding midfielders such as Cisse, Skuse, Johnson and Elliott but lack someone with the ability to go forward and really create chances.
The ‘left side’ has been an issue for some time with left back Jamie McAllister out of form and no natural left footer in midfield.
I will concede that quality left sided midfielders do not grow on trees but we’ve never replaced the effective Michael McIndoe.
We will see what the loan window brings but there is reason to be more optimistic with players returning from injury and the international break will give us time to regroup and come back fitter and stronger for the game against Scunthorpe on September 11.
We’re only four games into the season but our first win can’t come quick enough.
Do you agree with Will’s views? Have your say below.
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.gazetteseries.co.uk
http://www.gazetteseries.co.uk/trade_directory/