IPSWICH TOWN 1 LEICESTER CITY 2
Report by Paul Weston
It seemed ages before the International break and since the disappointing result against Forest where we missed a hatful of chances without playing that well. I went into this match with some misgivings (I usually do- after all I am a City fan!). Ipswich had secured a surprise away win at Blackpool which had boosted their confidence and fans were encouraging McCarthy to play a more adventurous formation.
Nigel had a problem with the team formation and dealing with Knockaerts absence due to suspension (a consequence of some very avoidable yellow cards).
Nigel went for a 4-3-3 formation with Hammond getting a rare start. McCarthy went back to his trusted 4-2-2 and left his flair players on the bench.
The match started terribly with City letting in a goal in two minutes. Indecisive defending let McGoldrick in for a long range shot which caught Schmeichel on the hop and it went in by the post. An easily avoidable goal.
This not surprisingly rocked City and for most of the first half they gave their worst performance of the season. The defence looked nervy and straightforward long balls through the middle from Ipswich created mayhem. Konchesky in particular was having a nightmare and a badly hit back pass nearly gifted another goal to Ipswich.
City seemed to fall into the trap of playing like Ipswich. Long balls abounded and there was little passing to feet. The City players were losing the ball in possession, ineffective in the tackle and just could not get their passing game going. Nugent, the scourge of Ipswich, just could not get into the match. There were few chances apart from a header from King that was tipped over.
The first half ended at 1-0 to Ipswich. The City fans were restless. My hope was that we could only improve in the second half and that Ipswich, a workmanlike side, could not raise their game to another level.
No doubt Nugent will get the plaudits for what happened in the second half. However, I would give the accolades to Nigel Pearson who made two interesting substitutions at half time. James came on for King and Miquel for Moore. Wasilewski reverted to right back.
The changes made a huge difference. Everyone moved up a gear- just what had been in the half-time tea? Although Schmeichel had to make a smart save early on, City immediately were breaking up play in midfield with James absolutely superb and we looked much more confident in defence. Miquel picked up where he started in the Fulham match and did not put a foot wrong. His calm distribution and aerial dominance were very impressive.
All of a sudden Ipswich were on the back foot and we started to attack them at pace, with Dyer, Vardy and Drinkwater a real handful. It was scintillating stuff and the Ipswich players were on the rack.
The equalising goal came in the 51st minute came from Nugent (who else!), after a good lay off from Vardy. Wave after wave of City attacks brought the away fans to their feet and in the 57th minute Dyer brilliantly beat the keeper and played in Nugent for a neat finish. 2-1 to City and the away fans drowned the stunned Ipswich fans with their raucous support.
We should have had at least two more goals. Vardy’s shot when unmarked was well saved by the keeper and Dyer, breaking through the middle, shot over the bar. I have nothing but admiration for Lloyd Dyer. If only he could shoot accurately he would be a world beater! However, he always gives City 100% and great pace and that is why he is an essential part of the City team. Nugent also went close with a shot that just went wide of the post for what would have been a hat trick.
Ipswich brought on two subs to try and create something and, in the latter stages, Wood came on for Vardy with Nugent moving left-side and Dyer moving into midfield.
Apart from a Chambers header that went agonisingly close Ipswich huffed and puffed but did not create many chances. City played the game out well but always ready to break out at pace with Konchesky having a much better second half.
So well played City for turning it round in scintillating fashion in the second half and for showing Ipswich what a good side we can be. It was interesting listening to the local radio afterwards to comments from the Ipswich fans. Without exception they reckoned City to be a very good side and to have width and pace- something that they do not have in their side.
We now start to move towards some exciting fixtures in December. Let’s hope we can get another run going and give the City fans lots of Christmas cheer.
City (4-3-3): Schmeichel; Moore (Miquel 46), Wasilewski, Morgan (c), Konchesky; Hammond, Drinkwater, King (James 46); Vardy (Wood 75), Nugent, Dyer. Subs not used: Schlupp, Bakayogo, Taylor-Fletcher, Logan
Goals: Nugent 51, 57
Ipswich (4-4-2): Gerken, Chambers, Berra, Smith, Mings (Hunt 77), Anderson (Taylor 64), Skuse, Tunnicliffe, Tabb (Nouble 64), Murphy, McGoldrick. Subs not used: Loach, Edwards, Hyam, Wordsworth
Goal: McGoldrick 2
Referee: Oliver Langford Attendance:18,227
The views expressed in this report are the opinions of the Trust member nominated to file the report only and do not represent the views of the Foxes Trust organisation