Kayden Jackson Sent Off As Town's Promotion Push Stalls

By Derek Davis

23rd Feb 2020 | Local Sport

Ipswich Town 0 Oxford United 1

Portman Road

In essence, football is a simple game.

If you don't take your chances you will not win games.

If you leave opposition strikers acres of space and loads of time in your own box, you are going to lose games.

If you don't win your home matches then you are not getting promoted.

That was Ipswich Town as they squandered at least five good openings in the first half, then allowed Matty Taylor the time and space to control a James Henry cross, steady himself, then smash in from eight yards untroubled, a minute before the break.

The half-time reaction from the Portman Road faithful was muted. The full time reaction was vitriolic with much bile spewing from the North Stand reflecting the depth of despair more and more fans are feeling.

Manager Paul Lambert shrugged off the abuse and refused to blame his players for their inept showing.

Lambert said: "I won't never ever go out there and chastise them and throw them under the bus as they say.

"It's my team, I stick with them and we go again next week.

"We have to go and try and win games. We've still got a lot of games, seven at home. We have to win.

"We'll need to win a lot of games, which is possible because the way we are dominating games. It's not as if we're thinking 'where's it coming from?' That's not the case. Every time we start the game, every time we have the ball we look like we can score. It's just about that little bit of composure in the box.

"Hopefully that will come."

Fair enough, with 11 games to go – seven at home, it is possible but the evidence shows Ipswich are fragile at the back, lack real width and creativity in midfield and have no bite in attack.

Coupled with the failure to make Portman Road a fortress, then you can understand the cynicism.

Then there is a dearth of genuine goal-scorers, not helped by Kayden Jackson petulant kick on Elliot Moore, which saw him red carded in the 90th minute and a three-match ban. Town could appeal, but risk an extra game's suspension if they lose.

With James Norwood needing an operation which could keep him out for up to six weeks, a lot will fall on Will Keane and Freddie Sears but they would need to play in a system which suits them and will not people able to do it alone, meaning the rest of the team will need to weigh in with goals.

Lambert has said he will shoulder responsibility for his team who do what he demands but given the lack of depth in the squad he is working with one hand tied behind his back.

Owner Marcus Evans did not sanction bringing in the players Lambert wanted in the January window, instead he gave his manager a three-year extension to his contract.

We have seen time and time before how the failure to strengthen a team when it is most needed, whether that is near the top or the bottom of a division, leads to Town falling short. It is looking very much like a case of déjà vu all over again.

     

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