By CovSid67
November 20 2005

If 1-1 is the best Ipswich can do against Coventry, I suspect they're in for a season of struggle. Their passing might have been slicker (I've watched Under 10 matches this season where the passing was better than Coventry's!), but they created little, and looked a shadow of previous Ipswich sides. Despite being fairly poor, there were enough chances created by Coventry City to win the match, with Adebola making chances out of nothing on several occasions, then missing chances that were easier to score a couple of times too.

The break-even figure of 21,000 to 23,000 wasn't even close to being reached, with a fairly decent following from Ipswich being the reason an attendance of 18,316 was recorded. Quite how many of the 18,316 came along just to see the new scoreboard I'm unsure, but it was equally as unentertaining as the match (Or maybe there was just nothing worthy of replaying?!).

When the second most interesting thing to happen during the match (After McSheffrey's goal) is wondering if one side of the ground really is on fire, you know you've had a dull 90 minutes.

The third most interesting thing, the revelation of just who the scoreboard sponsor is to be (To be announced soon), is hardly on a par with how the next Harry Potter book might end either....

Coventry City made three player changes to the side that drew with Cardiff, and two tactical changes. The 8-1-1 system was abandoned, while Scowcroft swapped flanks with Jorgensen for this match - with Fulop being asked to hoof every goal-kick to the head of Scowcroft on the left rather than Scowcroft on the right. As tactics go, this is appalling.

Whing replaced Duffy, with his overall contribution being worthy of his selection (Except for one absolute howler that resulted in Ipswich taking the lead after 50 minutes); Doyle was also recalled, and looked far more up fo the contest than usual - though limped off after 51 minutes (Having come out two minutes before the rest of his team-mates after half-time obviously to see if he was OK to continue); with Adebola also returning.

The match started OK for Coventry, with a Heath header just missing the target, Whing flashing a shot wide, and McSheffrey just losing out in a race for the ball with Ipswich keeper Lewis Price. An excellent cross from Whing was then put out for a corner by the chest of an Ipswich defender with Adebola waiting to pounce just behind him.

Nice link up play between McSheffrey and Adebola saw the formers poor touch let him down when the ability to control the ball properly would have left him in a one-on-one with the keeper, while the latter headed a Hall free kick into the keepers arms a few minutes later.

Without a goal to show for their efforts in the first 25 minutes, a noticeable amount of supporters made a surge to the bar areas - with 20 minutes of the first half still to play!

Another surge forward by Whing saw McEveley booked for a crude challenge, with Hughes effort from the resulting free kick hitting the outside of the post before bouncing out to safety.

For all Ipswich's passing they created little, but were denied a goal by a fine last-ditch challenge from Marcus Hall.

A minute later, a fine display of ball juggling be a few Coventry City players was ended when McSheffrey's attempt to lob Price was caught under the keepers crossbar.

The half finished with a powerful Doyle effort stinging Price's hands, with Fulop making what looked a decent save soon after (Though as I always watch from the end of the pitch Coventry should be attacking, it's sometimes difficult to see whether he should be holding onto some of the shots he merely parries).

A nasty challenge on Hall left the Coventry left-back needing treatment, with the Ipswich player responsible, fearing he was about to receive a very deserved yellow card, fell to the floor as if he was equally as injured. The referee bought it, and he escaped a booking.

Having failed to do anything more than supply Price with catching practice during the first half, Ipswich were gifted the lead minutes into the second half. Whing's header out might have been poor, but further attempts to clear the ball were non-existant. Fulop did get something on the ball, but could only help it into the net.

Seconds later Doyle was replaced by Thornton, with his first two contributions to the Coventry cause being to clear potential Ipswich goal chances away, as the Coventry defence once again disappeared - another collapse looked on the cards.

Having been unable to escape their own half since the break, and totally against the run of play, Coventry scored an equaliser. Hughes, who was again heavily criticised by supporters, forced an error from an Ipswich player, with the ball falling to McSheffrey. He had a fair amount to do, but avoided a few Ipswich defenders before firing a fine shot past Price, then ran in front of the CET Stand to indulge in a spot of badge kissing!

Minutes later, and it should have been 2-1. A Hughes free kick was headed into the danger area by Scowcroft, with Heath sending a header just wide. It really did look easier to score.

Kevin Thornton, who again did enough to justify calls for him to stay in the side, set up Whing to cross for Adebola, who from no more than a yard or two out put the ball wide. Again, it did look easier to score.

Morrell was brought on with 15 minutes left, but his minute-for-minute contribution seems to become less and less every week. The decision to bring him to the club all those years ago, rather that Lee Trundle, is starting to look like a real clanger. No harm in asking Swansea if they'r interested in a swap deal - they can only say "no" (Or someting similar!)....

McSheffrey was denied the chance of a one-on-one with Price in the Ipswich goal, after having been adjudged to have use to much muscle getting past an Ipswich defender (Please! As so many others had done all afternoon, he simply slipped over), and was also denied a penalty minutes later. As has been said by many recently, it seems match officials have already branded him a diver before a ball has been kicked....

Ipswich missed a late chance to steal the points, with a late effort bending on its way towards goal, when hitting it straight would probably have beaten Fulop.

The team once again left the pitch to boo's, and no doubt the few non-season ticket holders that are currently turning up won't be back to many more times.

The half-dozen of us that went for the usual after-match beer were unable to find anything new to say after yet another dis-jointed, passionless display - a result that only saw us stay out of the bottom three due to Reading's 70th minute third goal against Hull - with the first half hour's drinking conducted in virtual silence.

With Palace away next, and improving(ish) Norwich at home next weekend, it might just be worthwhile taking a book for next weekends beer....