ipswich player ratings

[norfolkfox222]

Weale 7

Nielsen 7

Brown 8

Hobbs 7

Berner 7

Nguessen 7

Wellens 8

Oakley 8

Dyer 7

Howard 7

Fryatt 7

Waghorn 6

King 6

Adams 6

Ipswich Fans 0

Leicester Fans 10

Amazing day x

[Bert]

Weale 6 - A clean sheet and never looked troubled, his booking was always coming though.

Neilson 6 - Early on, I thought that he was going to have his pants pulled down and never returned, but he stuck to his task really well and that throw in will certainly come in handy this season.

Berner 8 - Fantastic. Defending meant something to Bruno today, and he came out on top in every battle that he went in.

Hobbs 7 - Solid as anything, never looked troubled.

Brown 7 - I have had my fears over Brown ever since MK Dons last season, but his positioning and defending is brilliant, solid.

N'Guessan 5 - Lazy, out of position a lot, and when he was in position he never took his man on. Either did too much or ran the ball out of play.

Dyer 6 - Deadly pace was a great help against a slow back line, put some dangerous balls into the box.

Oakley 7.5 - Put in a captains performance, the whole game seemed to be ran by him until Ipswich really started to push on.

Wellens 7 - Helped break up play and set us off with some neat short passing, hustled and bustled his way through their midfield to keep up his impressive start to the season.

Howard 7 - Won a lot of the ball, should have had more free-kicks but the ref was a tuwaat, worked hard.

Fryatt 6 - Getting there, had enough breakway chances but very rarely had enough support.

Waghorn 6 - Very strong, needed more time, but gave us a different option to Fryatt.

King 6 - Did well when he came on in both attack and defence.

Adams - Had 15 mins and still looked dangerous.

[Thracian]

Weale 7 (By far the best of his three performances. Made one fairly spectacular save to his right, plus a couple more and generally looked sound).

Neilson 5 (Not impressed at all. He looked laboured even during the first half, got caught out of position, offered insufficient support to the attack and pretty indifferent all round. What Morrison and O'Neill had done wrong I don't know).

Brown 7.25 (Showed a good understanding with Hobbs and was a big reason why the home side looked so unthreatening in attack).

Hobbs 7.5 (Commanding in a centre-back partnership that looked almost wholly in charge against what was made to look like a very ordinary Ipswich attack).

Berner 7 (Excellent first half and perfectly adequate in the second. I can't say that Mattock has been missed one bit so far).

N'Guessen 6 (Disapointing. He didn't get much support from behind. He did try to make things happen and had one decent snapshot but was too often forced to tak opponents on in isolation and from a standing start. Needs runners off and around him to be really dangerous).

Wellens 6.5 (Again showed his promise but, sadly we lost midfield control as the game wore on).

Oakley 6.5 (Excellent start in the centre but hardly noticed later as our ambition died)

Dyer 6.5 (Lively enough at first but was increasingly controlled later on).

Howard 5 (Looked laboured. His close control was indifferent and he found himself too tightly marked to get off a shot. Couldn't have complained at being substituted rather than Fryatt).

Fryatt 6.25 (Missed a couple of goodish chances in the first half but looked a bit fitter and capable of causing problems until his substitution.

Waghorn 6 (Booked for putting the ball in the net after one of several questionable offside decisions against various city players by the linesman. Again threatened to take Ipswich defenders out of their comfort zone during his fairly brief appearance but showed disappointing control on a couple of occasions too).

King 5 (I don't really know where his mind is so far this season but it's about time he refocused and got back to what he does well by passing the ball quickly and accurately and troubling himself to get forward for a pot shot or two. So far he seems to be in cruise control and unsure of his function. Yes he played his part in helping City see out time without memorable concern but it's still hard to remember any particular contribution from him).

Adams 6 (Bubbly once again and reinstilled something of a threat down our left. But the final passes were either poor or went a-begging, City, once again, having no-one to attack the near post, no-one coming short to demand the ball and no-one with the impishness of, say, Campbell to wriggle through defensive numbers).

Pearson 6 (Uninspiring. His substitutions smacked of "what we have we'll hold" when I actually though a greater comitment to attack, and to the speed of our attacks might easily have undone the Ipswich defence because the home side never looked impressive).

Ipswich Fans (Just about the worst I've witnessed. They might all have been sleeping.

There wasn't even a lone stalwart or two to be seen. They all looked like they'd been shopping in the heat and had simply turned up at Portman Road for a sit down).

Sir Bobby Robson tribute: The free booklet was a smashing read and a wonderful gesture, City fans rendition of "There's only one Bobby Robson" did them proud and the minute's applause was so much more suitable than any idea of a minute's silence. I was privileged to interview the guy once - and I mean privileged. I rang him out of the blue on a Friday and he talked to me for half-an-hour expressing his love for football in radiant colours and endless anecdote. Eventually he was interrupted, explained that he had urgent business to attend to so gave me him home telephone number and insisted I ring him again after lunch on Sunday. He duly answered and waxed lyrical for the rest of the afternoon. Lovely man with time for everyone.

[Corky]

Weale- 6

Neilson- 7

Brown- 7.5

Hobbs- 7

Berner- 8

Oakley- 8.5

Wellens- 7

Dyer- 6.5

N'Guessan- 5

Fryatt- 7

Howard- 7

[Stuliasz]

Weale 7 - Solid catching, good kicking, one poor throw gave the ball away but otherwise solid.

Neilson 5.5 - Would be 5 if it wasn't for his throws. Looked uncomfortable on the ball and was caught out of position on numerous occasions

Berner 7.5 - Defended impressively.

Hobbs 7 - Solid defensively but distribution could have been better.

Brown 8 - Defensively superb (with the exception of one poor backpass which the shocking Jon Stead spurned), Tunchev will have to work to win back his place.

N'Guessan 6.5 - Saw a lot of the ball and generally was productive with it but lacked support and was left to do a lot by himself.

Dyer 5.5 - Early signs are worrying for Dyer at this level. Aside from beating his man once, was fairly ineffective.

Wellens 7.5 - Along with Oakley, controlled the midfield, particularly first half.

Oakley 7.5 - Same as above.

Fryatt 6 - If he is going to succeed at this level he needs to put away the chances that were gifted to him today.

Howard 6 - A bit off the pace today with a poor first touch and a lack of sharpness although he was manhandled without punishment for the Ipswich defence for the entire game.

Subs:

Waghorn 6 - Not quite as effective as last week but still caused a few problems.

King 5 - Did he really come on or was his number just read out? I've never known a player to be so anonymous in games.

Adams 6.5 - Lively but crosses could have done with being better.

Ipswich Fans 0 - Unbelieveably quiet. I heard them sing 'come on Ipswich' twice for corners and that was literally it. Do they even have a singing section?

Overall an enjoyable away day and a point I would have grabbed with both hands before the game but you still get the feeling we could have nicked it.

[Heart-Shaped Fox]

Mixed reaction over Neilson then. Maybe he just needs a few matches.

Least we have his throws though.

[Bert]

When's the site back up Sheff?

[Gaffer]

Weale 7.5

Nielsen 6

Brown 7

Hobbs 8

Berner 8.5

Nguessen 6.5

Wellens 7

Oakley 7.5

Dyer 7

Howard 7

Fryatt 7

Waghorn 6.5

King 4

Adams 6

Ipswich Fans support -10

[Gaffer]

Ipswich Fans 0 - Unbelieveably quiet. I heard them sing 'come on Ipswich' twice for corners and that was literally it. Do they even have a singing section?

Overall an enjoyable away day and a point I would have grabbed with both hands before the game but you still get the feeling we could have nicked it.

Apparently the lower tier behind the goal to the right of the city fans is for "hardcore" Tractor Boy fans (you have to be an adult and everything) UNBELIEVABLY quiet, sang twice if that! the stand to the left was even worse, giving everyone a few willy puller signs then sitting down to ANOTHER pastie, everytime there was a chant.

[Stuliasz]

When's the site back up Sheff?

Not sure when. Had a problematic summer so didn't have the time I wanted to work on the site. I'd rather spend what time I have working on the new version than keeping the old one running as it took a lot of time. It will be back at some point though.

[clazkel]

Weale - 7

Nielson - 7

Hobbs - 7.5

Brown - 7.5

Berner - 8

N'Guessan - 6.5

Oakley - 8 (dont understand why King was brought on and Oakley out wide when he was running midfield)

Wellens - 7.5

Dyer - 6.5

Howard - 6.5

Fryatt - 6.5

Waghorn - 6.5

Adams - 7 (should've started or been brought on earlier)

King - 6 (dont understand why he was brought on)

All in all a decent performace, would've settled for a point before the game, but as the game went on i thought we had the upper edge and could win the game, but it wasn't to be. Ipswich fans were disappointing, and i was gutted i had to sit for 90 minutes, apart from the chant '31 quid and we will stand up' (or however it went). The Sir Bobby Robson programme was a great touch. Took ages to get out of Ipswich though

[phillcfc]

Weale 7 - aside from one dodgy throw, had little to do.

Nielsen 6 - didn't look very composed on the ball and caught out of position a couple of times. Give him a few games to settle in.

Brown 7 - very solid, but should have scored early on.

Hobbs 7.5 - won everything and looked comfortable.

Berner 8 MOTM - very reliable and used his experience well.

Nguessen 5 - didnt really made much of an impact and never looked to have the ball under control

Wellens 8 - so comfortable on the ball. Always finds his man and controlled the midfield brilliantly.

Oakley 7 - would have been an 8 if he hadn't been switched to the right. In centre, he dovetails so well with Wellens.

Dyer 7 - Didnt really notice him much, always drifting inside and leaving us lacking options when spreading the play.

Howard 8 - won everything in the air - Ipswich couldnt handle him.

Fryatt 6 - still looks off the pace, went agonisingly close when perhaps should have scored.

Waghorn 6 - not the same impact as he had against Swansea.

King 5 - couldnt get into the game.

Adams 6 - Added a bit of energy and width, but didnt have time to do much.

Ipswich fans 1 - Heard them a couple of times for a second or two.

Leicester fans 5 - Subdued for most of the game although not much to get excited about. "£31, we'll all stand up!...right now what do we do?" "Dunno, let's sit down".

Pearson 7 - opposite to Swansea - we lost momentum and cohesion after the subs. Team was set up well in the 1st half, but we need another option for right wing.

Coach journey 0 - Gash.

[Musty]

Meh, bit of a nothing game...low on quality and entertainment. Positives for us are that we were solid at the back and it will add to the players belief that they can be comfortable at this level. As for Ipswich, those play-off / promotion predictions are clearly based on nothing more than Keane's name alone...looked like a poor team...their fans clearly think so too - could barely summon a chant!

Weale 7 - did what he had to do well

Nielsen 6 - early days but not overly convincing

Brown 7 - fairly solid, should have scored but then gave a chance away with a poor header in his own penalty area

Hobbs 7.5 - looked very comfortable

Berner 7 - energetic performance

N'guessen 7 - was a useful outlet in the first half with his energy and pace, without quite getting the breaks. Had their defenders worried though and was unlucky to be subbed.

Wellens 6 - bit disappointed with my first look at him given the good reviews so far...looked a bit off the pace early on though improved

Oakley 7 - tidy though not much impact in the last third

Dyer 6 - did ok, had his moments though not yet back to his best

Howard 6 - worked hard as always but the chances didnt fall his way

Fryatt 6 - neat footwork to work himself a good opportunity but then failed to take it...otherwise still a bit off the pace, but it will come.

Waghorn 6 - should have been clean through but for an erroneous linesman's flag

King 5 - little impact

Adams 6 - looked up for it but crosses failed to find targets

[Bryn]

Sir Bobby Robson tribute: The free booklet was a smashing read and a wonderful gesture, City fans rendition of "There's only one Bobby Robson" did them proud and the minute's applause was so much more suitable than any idea of a minute's silence. I was privileged to interview the guy once - and I mean privileged. I rang him out of the blue on a Friday and he talked to me for half-an-hour expressing his love for football in radiant colours and endless anecdote. Eventually he was interrupted, explained that he had urgent business to attend to so gave me him home telephone number and insisted I ring him again after lunch on Sunday. He duly answered and waxed lyrical for the rest of the afternoon. Lovely man with time for everyone.

What a wonderful story, not often you'd hear that kinda thing from such famous people.

[chesterfox]

Gutted for Morrison - not really done much wrong at all at right back nor central defence - must be asking himself why?? <_<

[Candidcamera]

N'Guessan is an interesting player because he takes up good positions and knows where the goals may come from. When he went off there was a distinct lack of sharpness. He demands marking and frees up room. In his runs he has perhaps been told not to lose the ball and put the team under more pressure. He lacked support from Neilson but that might develop. Berner was just the right balance of attack and defend and may really come to the fore in the team.

[Guest]

Gutted for Morrison - not really done much wrong at all at right back nor central defence - must be asking himself why?? <_<

Squad rotation

[bigneville]

Gutted for Morrison - not really done much wrong at all at right back nor central defence - must be asking himself why?? <_<

Neilson definetly seems better going forward with the ball. So i'm presuming Pearson wants a full back who can get forward and help out the winger.

Morrison is poor with the ball at this feet in attacking situations, Neilson looks more comfortable.

Although saying that, Neilson didn't have a great game defensively today, but it was his first game for the club, and was up against a potentially quick and tricky winger, I thought he did ok, which should give the team better balance.

Morrison is a centre half, and looks un-comfortable at right back.

[Mansfield Fox]

Weale - Clean sheat, did what he had to do well. ( 7 )

Nielsen - Huge throws, looked comfortable at right back on his debut, Looked good going forward in the 2nd half. ( 7 )

Hobbs - Won everything in the air, stayed strong and defended well. ( 8 )

Brown - Apart from one nervous moment when heading back to Weale, did okay ( 7 )

Berner - Defended well, did everything he had to do correct, got forward well in the 2nd half ( 8 )

N'Guessan - Good in patches, out of postion to often. ( 6 )

Oakley - Excellent! Spreaded the play well, worked well with Wellens. ( 8 )

Wellens - Excellent! Calm on the ball, played some wonderful balls over the top into the channels ( 8 )

Dyer - Did well before going off ( 7 )

Fryatt - Still lacking match fitness, did okay ( 7 )

Howard - Won most things in the air, did well after a number of fouls from Mcauley that wern't given ( 7 )

Waghorn - Did okay ( 6 )

Adams - Some decent crosses towards the end, did well ( 7 )

King - Never really got going ( 6 )

[Collymore]

I thought Berner and Brown were outstanding.

[eastendfox]

Weale 7 - Didn't have a lot to do, did it well enough, not sure about him at corners though

Nielsen 7 - Looked shaky at first but thought he improved with the game and looked fine by the end

Brown 9 - Immense, not only won virtually everything, also never stopped organising the defence. Missed a sitter though

Hobbs 7 - Solid

Berner 8 - A better left back performance than any I ever saw from Mattock

N'Guessan - 6 - Sometimes looked dangerous, sometimes looked like a little boy lost, didn't really deliver though

Oakley 8 - Really bossed midfield until surprisingly moved out to the right

Wellens 7 - Great double act with Oakley, a few of his passes were poor though

Dyer 6 - A couple of moments where he looked like doing something, but I think this is a level too high for him

Howard 6 - Though McAuley has the better of him in the air to be honest, but he gave it everything

Fryatt 6 - Looked like he might make something happen, but didn't get many opportunities

Subs: Waghorn 5 - Didn't do a lot

King 5 - Looked shaky

Adams 6 - Didn's get the ball much, but looked dangerous when he did

[clazkel]

Gutted for Morrison - not really done much wrong at all at right back nor central defence - must be asking himself why?? <_<

Yes i know i feel sorry for Morrison, he always get dropped, when hasn't done anything wrong. I think he deserves a place in the starting 11 on his current form.