As strange as it sounds, I thought it was a decent performance today. The scoreline suggests a thrashing, but in reality we were well in the game for long periods, playing some good stuff and creating chances throughout.
The one obvious difference was in the final third: whereas we got into good areas numerous times but failed to find a finish or final ball, when the game became stretched in the second half Ipswich picked us off on the counter attack and took their chances impressively. That said, we were certainly the better side in the first half, competitive in the second half and there was not much between the sides in general play. Ultimately, it was an error by Scott and two superb individual goals that won the game for the hosts.
I thought the midfield trio were really good today and got a grip of the game early on. Danns was superb again and our best player in my view. I also thought Ollie Banks had his best game of the season: he seems to have benefited from playing alongside Potter in much the same way as Harris benefited from Perkins' assistance last season, and his use of the ball is much more consistent now. We looked better balanced with Caprice back at right wing back and Jake's performance suggests he has what it takes to make it at this level. Manny was excellent again at the back and I was impressed with Payne's movement up front. In addition to the goal, he had two or three chances which he could and perhaps should have done better with, but at least he is consistently getting into the right areas.
It is never great to concede four gals, but I am not sure away matches at Ipswich, Coventry and Sunderland have much relevance for our overall objective this season. It is crucial we pick up points next week against Shrewsbury now.
It was also great to see Norwood getting a standing ovation from the SWA when he went off.