The East Anglian Derby between Ipswich Town and Norwich City lived up to it’s high expectations and here are three things we can learn from their most recent meeting.
Luke Chambers gave Ipswich an 89th-minute lead, heading home Martyn Waghorn’s corner. However Timm Klose levelled late in added time to rescue a point for the Canaries.
With both sides taking a share of the spoils, the two rivals remain locked on the same points (45). Ipswich Town’s greater goal-difference the only thing holding them higher than the Norfolk side. So here are three things we can take from yesteday’s Old Farm Derby.
Swearing at your fans will not solve a fractured relationship
When the Blues took the lead in the 89th minute, Town boss Mick McCarthy was caught by the Sky Sports television cameras pumping his fist in an apparent ‘up yours’ gesture before bellowing “f*** off” in what appeared to be the direction of the contingency of travelling Ipswich supporters.
McCarthy has since issued an apology, insisting it was pure emotion of the moment.
Tension between the supporters and McCarthy has been hostile for a while now, with chants of “Mick McCarthy, your football is s**t” being sung by followers of the Town over the past twelve months. However the Yorkshireman’s most recent actions may have left the relationship irrepairable as he enters the final few months of his contract at Portman Road.
The Blues are the set-piece kings
The lead-up to Town’s goal came due to Knudsen’s effort being deflected out for a corner. Chambers’ towering header in the 89th minute proved to be the Tractor Boys’ fifteenth goal from set-pieces.
Perhaps the Canaries were not prepared enough for what seems to be Town’s speciality. Or maybe Town utilised their threats to the maximum potential.
Town need to defend as a team in crucial moments
Timm Klose’s late header left Town fans bitterly frustrated having been seconds away from a first derby victory since 2009. But it was the manner in which the Blues conceded that left many supporters agitated.
Jonas Knudsen failed to gain any distance with his clearing header, the ball flew deflected off the Dane’s head and behind. Adam Webster then went to close down Grant Hanley. However, miscommunication between Town’s defender and ‘keeper allowed Hanley to deliver into the box, where Klose rose to head home.
Had there been have been greater communication perhaps that goal would not have happened. If Knudsen had positioned himself better then he could have made greater contact with Maddison’s searching ball. If Webster had reacted faster then maybe Hanley would not have put the cross into the box.
But a matter of “ifs” is not good enough when it comes to football. The two sides remain locked on points and in similar League positions, however the point could have so easily been three for the boys in Blue.
