Ipswich Town continued their pre-season with a 1-0 win over Essex rivals Colchester United, but there were plenty of talking points for the Blues supporters following the victory.
Ipswich continued their preparations with a 1-0 win at the Weston Homes Community Stadium thanks to Joe Garner’s headed goal, but there was plenty to talk about at full-time after Town retained the Alderton Trusler Trophy for another season.
1. If it does not work the first time, try something else rather than keep trying.
The game at the Weston Homes Community Stadium saw the Blues dominate on the statistics board, with the Suffolk side registering numerous corners. However each time the Tractor Boys had a set-piece, they would opt to play it short and then attempt a cross into the box. It was a plan the hosts quckly found a solution to.
Had the Blues instead attempted deep crosses directly into the box then they may have had a greater chance of scoring by aiming for their tall central defenders, however instead they repeatedly went for the ‘play it short, lose the ball and watch the opposition break’ option.
2. Bersant Celina can cause problems for the opposition – a never-ending engine in midfield.
While the Blues had an even opening forty-five minutes with their hosts, the game quickly opened up in the second half. The Championship side displayed their class – and a new style of football – as Mick McCarthy’s side demonstrated quick attacking football in the second half to cause John McGreal’s Colchester side problems.
After coming on at the break, Celina displayed his skill quckly by forcing a save from U’s shot-stopper Sam Walker. The 20-year-old on-loan midfielder never stopped running during his appearance, tirelessly chasing down loose balls looking to salvage something as well as trying to force the U’s into a mistake which Town could capitalise on.
3. We’ve got Joe Garner – a man who can and most probably will score goals for Town.
Town’s eventual winner came on 57 minutes, with a familiar face netting his sixth goal in five pre-season matches. Leaping high in a crowded area, Garner watched Myles Kenlock’s cross cut through the air before nodding it beyond Walker.
While the Championship season is nine days away, to see a Town striker notching goals comfortably – even in pre-season – will be pleasing to all Tractor Boys.
4. Strength is Town’s weakness – a weakness that needs addressing.
One noticable weakness from last night’s match was the fact that the Tractor Boys appeared to be pushed around and easily out-muscled by the U’s. While this may symbolise the differences between a possessive Championship and a physical League Two or the differences between the hosts’ experienced starters compared to Town’s youthful starting eleven, surely it can not be a disadvantage to have players who can maintain a passing style of play as well as holding their own?
5. Colchester were prepared for Town’s Alderton Trusler Trophy celebrations.
The U’s stated on their Twitter account that they expected an attendance of between 3500 and 4000 for the annual Alderton Trusler Trophy final. With a strong following from the Town supporters for their annual trip to Colchester, the U’s operations team prepared themselves ahead of a potential pitch invasion from the Tractor Boys.
Ipswich continue their Sky Bet Championship preparations away to Charlton Athletic on Saturday afternoon before kicking off their League campaign at home to Birmingham City on Saturday 5th August.
