Ipswich Town fan Russell Claydon believes a nightmare week can be put to bed
WHAT a difference a week makes.
Seven days ago we were toasting that late winner at Watford, but those smiles have soon been turned upside down after two disastrous games in the north west.
Most teams caught cold by lower-league opposition in the League Cup can point to second-string teams, but not us.
We suffered the embarrassment of an extra-time second round exit at Carlisle United with our strongest available side.
It was meant to be their chance of redemption after the 6-0 humbling at Blackpool. But it only showed them up even more.
Those in the 390 following who made the 600-mile round trip from Suffolk are the ones I feel for.
The most frustrating thing was we had it in the bag; but for two one-on-ones being squandered, we would and should have been 3-0 up and cruising.
But it was the weak mentally so evident last season that was so worrying, across both games.
We had been well in the match at Blackpool, but capitulated in the second half.
There is talk of a new crisis already, but we have to be sensible and see four points from a tricky run against Blackburn, Watford and Blackpool is far from a disastrous start.
And with the transfer window having several hours left to run, there is time for new arrivals to boost a small squad.
Jewell is in the last year of his contract and knows he is fighting for his future at the club, but he will not be judged on a couple of bad results in August.
The problem for the fans is we’ve seen these big scorelines too many times already; Southampton, Peterborough, Norwich, they roll off the tongue.
But Blackpool’s manager’s words, that we were the best side they had faced, should bring a crumb of comfort that it was a freak result. In Tom Ince they had a player who was simply unplayable on the day.
I expect Senegal midfielder Guirane N’Daw to add some much-needed strength and height in the middle of the park and the bids for Peterborough’s Geroge Boyd and Paul Taylor are, at least, a real sign of intent.
Jordan Rhodes and Huddersfield Town come to Portman Road on Saturday, with patience already wearing thin in the stands.
With the international break following, we must make sure we quickly draw a line under our nightmare week.
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Weather for Sudbury
Wednesday 22 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
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