February saw Ipswich Town go unbeaten in League One (W2 D3) and exit the FA Cup with a spirited performance at Championship leaders Burnley. STUART WATSON hands out some monthly awards.
PLAYER OF THE MONTH
For me, there’s one clear winner – Sam Morsy (the only player to have started all six games last month).
He’s shown great discipline, without losing that competitive edge, since picking up a ninth league booking during that below-par first half at Cambridge United.
His verbal altercation with Town fans after the frustrating 0-0 draw at Bristol Rovers, you could argue, showed just how much he cares. His subsequent apology the following day certainly displayed maturity and leadership.
Most importantly of all, he was excellent in the games against Burnley, Sheffield Wednesday, Forest Green and MK Dons. Colleague Andy Warren scored him a minimum 8/10 across those four matches.
Saturday’s self-made winner at Stadium MK epitomised his desire and drive.
Other contenders would be Nathan Broadhead, George Hirst and Conor Chaplin.
GOAL OF THE MONTH
Town scored some really nice goals at important moments in February, so this was a very hard call.
In fourth place, I’ll go for the goal that quickly got the Blues back on level terms at Burnley. It’s a gorgeously-weighted deep pass from Sone Aluko, a frightening turn of pace by Kayden Jackson and good centre-forward movement from Hirst to bundle home.
The fact it ultimately didn’t mean anything (and, whisper it quietly, may have come off the defender last) stops this goal being higher in my rankings though.
In third, it’s Freddie Ladapo’s equaliser soon after the restart at Cambridge. That was a deft first-time finish across the keeper following Kyle Edwards’ burst to the byline.
In second, after much deliberation, I’ve gone for Morsy’s aforementioned winner at MK Dons. He won the ball back himself, strode forwards and hammered the ball inside the side-netting from outside the box. For so many reasons, that was a vital goal. So too, however, was the one I’ve plumped for as winner...
Town were bang in trouble as half-time approached of their home clash with fellow high-fliers Sheffield Wednesday. The Blues trailed 2-0, were wobbling and the mood was turning sour.
Step forward Nathan Broadhead. His quick feet won a free-kick following Hirst’s knock-down. He then whipped the dead ball over the wall and into the very top corner past the despairing dive of keeper Cameron Dawson. A final kiss off the bar made it even more aesthetically pleasing.
We might yet look back on that moment as a major turning point in the season.
ASSIST OF THE MONTH
I’ve already referenced Jackson at Burnley and Edwards at Cambridge.
Assist of the month, however, has to be Broadhead’s mouth-watering first-time pass to set up Conor Chaplin’s early opener in the 4-0 win against Forest Green Rovers. That oozed class.
UNSUNG HERO
Lee Evans getting injured at Cambridge and Massimo Luongo not being fully up to speed, meant that Cameron Humphreys had to start five games in the space of 19 days.
The homegrown 19-year-old emptied the tank at Burnley when up against Jack Cork, Scott Twine and Samuel Bastien, then could hold his head high after facing a Sheffield Wednesday midfield three of Barry Bannan, George Byers and Will Vaulks just a few days later.
Since then, understandably, there have been a few signs of fatigue setting in for a young man learning on the job in his first proper season of senior football.
He was still able to dig deep and help the team secure back-to-back wins (getting an assist against Forest Green) though.
February provided evidence that Humphreys has heart as well as talent.
BEST MOMENT
Not including the goal-of-the-month nods, the nominees are:
- Christian Walton’s full-length penalty save at Cambridge. Crucial. Morsy went bananas.
- Sone Aluko’s mesmeric bit of skill out on the touchline at Burnley. Unbelievable tekkers.
@ipswichtown Sone producing some unbelievable tekkers 🔥 #itfc #fyp #foryou #foryoupage ♬ WHY ARE PPL USING THIS SOUND - 🐢 riley 🦒🇳🇿
- The noise that greeted Leif Davis’ deflected free-kick equaliser against Sheffield Wednesday. Goosebumps.
- Luke Woolfenden’s goalline clearance, off the post, at Bristol Rovers. Loved his subsequent celebration.
- Freddie Ladapo scoring against Forest Green Rovers just as Portman Road started applauding as the clock hit 78 in celebration of Sir Bobby Robson. Heart-warming.
- The players looking across in awe at close to 7,000 travelling Town fans when they came out onto the field at MK Dons. Made me smile.
- Woolfenden’s goalline clearance (and Walton’s follow-up saves) in front of those fans at Stadium MK. How on earth did the ball stay out?
And the winner is... Davis’ equaliser against the Owls.
WORST MOMENT
The nominees are...
- The mega wobble Town went through after conceding a poor goal at Cambridge. Eek.
- Chaplin seeing his penalty saved against Wednesday. Urgh.
- Morsy’s verbal altercation with fans at Bristol Rovers. Here we go again...
- Freddie Ladapo’s gilt-edged miss late on against Forest Green. Whoops.
- Broadhead firing a golden rebound chance over at MK Dons. Could it be one of those days?
Based on which moment made me feel the flattest at the time, I’ll go with Chaplin’s penalty.
VILLAIN OF THE MONTH
The nominees are...
- Michael Smith. The Sheffield Wednesday striker shushed the North Stand collective after opening the scoring at Portman Road.
- Ashley Barnes. The experienced striker caught Woolfenden with a flailing arm ahead of Burnley’s late winner.
- Marvin Johnson. Elbowed Wes Burns in the Town box. Blues got a penalty, but Johnson fleeing the scene of the crime meant he escaped further punishment. His subsequent three-game ban is of little solace to Ipswich.
- Joey Barton. Said he could ‘smell the pressure’ on Kieran McKenna after his side’s 0-0 draw. Pathetic and unnecessary mind games.
The first three incidents happened in the heat of battle, while the latter came a few days after the game. For that reason, Barton takes this unwanted gong.
BIGGEST CLIMBER
All of Town’s four January signings made significant strides when it comes to fitness and sharpness over February.
Harry Clarke is slowly getting to grips with the bespoke right-back role.
Broadhead’s now managed successive starts. His talent is clear. He just needs to produce consistently now.
Hirst, who started four of the six games, is beginning to show why McKenna chased him for so long.
Massimo Luongo, meanwhile, has just produced a couple of eye-catching cameos and, chances are, he’ll feature more prominently in this feature when we look back on March.
I’ll give the ‘biggest climber’ award to Cameron Burgess though. He returned to the defence against Sheffield Wednesday and has helped the team keep three successive clean sheets.
The Scot gives the team increased aerial strength and extra left-sided balance.
BIGGEST FALLER
Richard Keogh got burned for pace at Cambridge United and hasn’t featured since.
Marcus Harness and Ladapo have seen less game-time due to the arrivals of Broadhead and Hirst.
Lee Evans, sadly, is set for another extended spell in the treatment room.
The biggest faller I’d have to say, with a heavy heart, has been Wes Burns. The Welshman just doesn’t seem to be taking on his man like he used to and the end product has been more miss than hit.
Hopefully he can rediscover his talismanic form of old for the run-in.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here