Ipswich Town won 3-1 at AFC Wimbledon in the FA Cup third round yesterday. Stuart Watson reflects on the action.
JOB DONE
League Two hosts AFC Wimbledon can certainly hold their heads high, they were always in this match, but ultimately a strong Ipswich Town team from two divisions higher got the job done.
Kieran McKenna said he'd field a 'really competitive' side and that was the case. Most expected skipper Sam Morsy to be in the starting XI given he's suspended for the next two league games, but it was a surprise to see Luke Woolfenden and Nathan Broadhead go again.
The Blues controlled large spells and it always felt like they had another gear to go up. The game may not have been killed off until the very end, but an upset never really felt on the cards either.
It was nice to get that winning feeling back for the first time since Watford away on December 12.
SET-PIECE GOALS
Set-piece goals played a huge part in Town's promotion and flying start to this season, but the dead ball threat has dried up a little in recent weeks.
It was therefore good to see two the Blues hit the net twice from corners in the first half.
The first was a move we've seen many times before - the low cut-back corner behind the crowded pack in the box. Normally, it's Leif Davis picking out Conor Chaplin. This time, Omari Hutchinson found Nathan Broadhead. After that there was a touch of fortune as Broadhead's first time shot, which wasn't the cleanest, took a couple of deflections on the way into the net. Still, it was a well-worked training ground routine.
The second came after Broadhead's low inswinger from the left looped up in the air off a defender. After that, Axel Tuanzebe showed great bravery to head home with Harry Pell's boot flying near his face.
Ipswich have scored plenty of aesthetically pleasing goals this season. It's important they can bag scruffy ones at set-pieces too though. On the days when you're not quite bang at it they can so often drag you through.
PELL SEES RED
Harry Pell was shown a second yellow card for catching George Edmundson with a flailing arm in the 59th minute. This was the same Pell who had wound up Sam Morsy during a 2-1 defeat at Accrington back in October 2021.
“The way they play is disgusting – one of the players (Pell) just kicked the ball out of the stadium (to waste time) which I’ve never seen before in my career," said the Blues skipper, speaking after that game. That's why there was a wry smile on his face when the long-limbed midfielder was shown his marching orders in this one.
For the second time in a week, Town found themselves playing a decent chunk of the second half against 10-men. Wimbledon, unlike Stoke, didn't have something to hold onto. The finish to this game was more open.
BE MORE CLINICAL
Town missed a hatful of golden chances in the 2-2 home draw against Norwich back on December 16. They subsequently scored just once in the four festive games against Leeds, Leicester, QPR and Stoke - and that was Morsy's double deflection against the Foxes.
It's not like McKenna's men aren't getting into good positions in the final third. They are. That last pass, cross or finish has just not quite been there. It was the same in this game.
Broadhead produced several silky pieces of chest control and tight turns, but he couldn't quite beat the keeper or pick out a team-mate. Omari Hutchinson had some typical skilful moments, but his end product was more miss than hit, while Marcus Harness fired a good chance wide of the post from the heart of the box.
Thankfully, such profligacy didn't prove costly on this occasion. It could have done though. Christian Walton had to make a smart stop to deny Armani Little at 1-2 after Jack Taylor's lapse in concentration. The game was only fully killed off at the death when Wes Burns' low shot/cross proved too hot to handle and Taylor gobbled up the rebound.
FULL-BACK FUDGE
It wasn't that long ago that McKenna was talking about full-back being the area of the squad where he had the best strength in depth. Not anymore.
Janoi Donacien has been sidelined since early November with a groin injury. Leif Davis has missed the last three with a calf strain. Harry Clarke sat out this one after receiving injections for his troublesome Achilles. Brandon Williams has started just three games since late October due to repeated 'knocks' and illness.
It means that, all of a sudden, Town are being forced to play two players out of position at the back.
Tuanzebe has started the last two games at right-back. He looked very narrow in this game, with Wimbledon getting plenty of joy down their left. That may be tactical though. Has there been a conscious decision to morph back towards the wing-back system that saw very few goals conceded in the early stages of McKenna's management? Possibly.
Cameron Humphreys got another go at left-back. Just like in the QPR game, he came on strong in the second half. He saw one back post header clawed out the top corner, saw a crisp goalbound shot diverted onto the post and produced a series of dangerous low crosses.
"We have a backline we're trying to work on and build on," said McKenna. Judging by that comment, we may well see Tuanzebe, Woolfenden, Edmundson and Humphreys line-up again when Sunderland come to Portman Road on Saturday.
STRIKER SITUATION
There's no point mincing my words here, Freddie Ladapo wasn't very good in this game.
You can forgive the low on confidence shooting. The lack of work rate and disinterested body language can't be overlooked though.
It feels to me like this is trending towards the 30-year-old heading for the exit door this month.
Will Town sign a striker this week? McKenna has suggested he may have to wait for a few dominoes to fall before a player of the required quality can be landed.
So, with games against Sunderland and Leicester coming up, what are the in-house options for the next week or two?
Kayden Jackson started at Stoke, while Broadhead has moved up top in the latter stages of the last two games.
"Nathan's played there quite a lot, Conor (Chaplin)'s played there a lot in his career and Wes (Burns) has played there too," said McKenna.
"We try and have forwards on the pitch. The two who have played most commonly behind our central striker, Nathan and Conor, are both strikers by trade. Wes started out the same and almost plays as a right-sided striker for us at times.
"We have options in the building. We'll look at what the best option is for each game."
None of the above, you have to say, provide much of a physical presence. It will be interesting to see if Town do go down the 'false nine' route in the short-term.
JEZZA'S DEBUT
Combative midfielder Lewis Travis, having arrived on loan from Blackburn on Friday afternoon, wasn't registered in time to feature in this game. He'll join up with his new team-mates this week.
Jeremy Sarmiento, who was signed on loan from Brighton last Wednesday, did make his debut as a 57th minute sub though and it was an exciting cameo.
It's pretty clear to see what the Ecuadorian is all about. Every time he gets the ball he wants to take on his marker and make things happen. There was one slick flick with his instep and another driving run through the heart of the pitch.
Encouragingly, like fellow young Premier League loanee Hutchinson, it looks like he's prepared to work hard off the ball too.
THE DRAW
Incredibly, this is the first time since 2010 that Ipswich have made it beyond the third round stage of the FA Cup in successive seasons.
Fourth round ties will take place on the weekend of January 27/28, meaning the scheduled home league game with Rotherham will have to be rearranged.
The draw will be broadcast live on ITV1 around 7.50pm tomorrow night in the build-up to Wigan Athletic v Manchester United. Town will be ball number 11.
Maidstone United are the lowest ranked side left in the competition after they knocked out Stevenage. Norwich are in the hat (but need to go to Bristol Rovers for a replay). Premier League sides Aston Villa, Chelsea, Fulham, Tottenham and Newcastle all through, with the likes of Man City, Man United and Arsenal still to play.
A Premier League big boy away would be my preference. If not, anything at home will do.
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