Preview
The train journey up to the match was cramped to put it bluntly, the two carraige train underlined the desperate need for a bigger train especially with thousands of football supporters relying on public transport that has been unreliable and desperately short of space of late. Nonetheless, despite the influx of scantily clad, mini-skirted girls that were, as a local teacher confirmed, in Year Nine (they were 13 to 14) my trusted comrade remarked whether they were going to the Ipswich game. A subtle claim that earnt many laughs and helped relieve the tension and worry of the match ahead, a loss would be devastating for morale and fan support considering our collapse at the two previous home matches (barring the 4-1 win against Leyton Orient). One friend predicted a Colchester victory I was on the ball with my predictions and the 2-1 scoreline was predicted by yours truly with Counago scoring. We took our seats in the North Stand of Portman Road, renowned for the level of noise generated, despite a low crowd it was a loud occasion and the banter between the fans was commendable and a good advert for East Anglian football, if Colchester consider themselves as such.

The Match
The early proceedings was largely equal, Colchester had obviously come to the adoration of 3,000 odd travelling away supporters and the first ten minutes the U’s found themselves in the driving seat, unnerving Ipswich Town who started with a few youngsters notably Chris Casement and Liam Trotter whilst giving a debut to Ivan Campo who improved as the game progressed. The player that caught my attention early on was Gareth McAuley, a shrewd signing from Jim Magilton this summer, the defender had come in for some criticism in the wake of disappointing performances against Wolves and Preston, nonetheless he seemed motivated and obviously willing to put his body on the line, highlighted by several determined blocks and numerous defensive headers.

However, Ipswich battled forward and with Pablo Counago playing an odd attacking midfielder position that earnt some rightful questioning amongst my fellow travellers, he seemed to fit into the role immediately and his adaptation to a position I have not seen him play in before should be applauded, as was his 30 yard effort that was pushed further in the bottom corner by the young goalkeeper Dean Gerkin, highly rated at Colchester. Counago’s effort sparked wild celebrations, credit to Colchester fans who remained in good voice but the advantage was certainly with Ipswich and they almost doubled their lead afterwards, Walters swung in a deep cross and Kevin Lisbie’s headed goalbounds. From where I sat I was already on my feet, the beginnings of a roar of delight about to escape my throat until Gerkin produced a startling, gravity-defying one hand stop low down to his right. An amazing save which spurred both teams on. The half time whistle sounded, my delight slighted compounded upon the news that the Coke had run out, I compromised with Diet and my usual bag of McCoys to keep the tradition running, not that it had done any wonders against Preston or Wolves, anyway I was hungry and thirsty.

The Second Half began swiftly and Colchester once again dominated the early moments with Wright having to make some determined blocks, notably a diving safe to deny Yeates a goal from a 25 yard free kick. Kevin Lisbie then produced an amazing solo effort turning his marker inside out he managed to position himself ten yards out but his driven effort whistled low past the far post, an embarassing miss which gave the travelling supporters a chance to lighten the descending gloom amongst them heightened with the heavy-handed police who had arrested a few fans. However, four minutes before the hour mark and Lesbie avenged his earlier miss, once again cutting in and bewitching his defensive opponants with some quick footwork and his curling shot deflected off the near post and past Gerkin, his celebrations were limited in respect for his former club that arguably reinvented his previously stagnating career. Nonetheless his goal was classy and it was his third goal for Ipswich strengthening support for Jim Magilton’s transfer nous and proven that despite a few poor signings he generally does well in the market. True enough, Wright, McAuley and Thatcher looked reasonably comfortable throughout and are beginning to establish some sort of passing rhythm. Campo in the heart of midfield generally accustomed to the pace of the game well and his range of passing is another weapon in our creative midfield arsenal and finally Lisbie scored and gave himself a good account playing against his former side, with performances like that and if they can replicate this standard of play throughout, Jim’s signings would easily repay their transfer fees and could indeed be the difference between promotion and another season in the Championship.

Colchester meanwhile played some good football, in the first half they complemented quick, decisive passing with the long-ball tactics Town fans have come to expect from footballing counterparts at Portman Road. At times, Colchester looked like a Championship club in all but name in the manner of their approach, however their defence was easily breached despite lack of Town penetration and their attackers should have made more use of the chances they had. In the final ten minutes it was a fierce tidal wave of Colchester attacks, desperately seeking two goals in limited time, they very nearly succeeded. Gillespie started the purple patch when his effort was saved by Wright, however the ball continued goal-bounds but Naylor made a last ditch goal-line clearance aided by the somewhat fortuitously placed upright. Haynes retorted with a flashing strike powered narrowly wide. Then the final few minutes in which my regular companion was literally biting his knuckle as a set piece was played in and Jackson failed to fully direct goalwards as the ball trickled past the stranded Wright and wide. The final whistle blew, breath out and we departed with a sense of relief yet joy at a good performance and ultimately progression to the next round.

Verdict
The view on Jim Magilton will still differ between sacking him and keeping him but this result and performance was the kind of stuff I expect more from Ipswich Town and for them to replicate in league matches. The quality of opposition obviously differs and that is no disrespect to Colchester who deserve some credit for trying to play football unlike other teams that come here, however with Watford and Reading approaching Jim knows these next two games determines whether we can realistically mount a promotion push with the players we have or whether we need to wait another season. In my opinion we have to wait because the squad has yet to adapt and that is expected, several new signings cannot be expected to fully complement each other within the first month and this has been cruelly highlighted with a tough start to the Championship relieved with two convincing performances against League One opposition in a promising Cup run, a welcome distraction thus far. The need for a striker seems to be evident because last night we failed to convert good chances. Also cover for defence is an option and the loan signing of Volz yet to be finalised is looking to be a good move. Hopefully we can proceed to the Fourth Round of the League Cup and get something out of the approaching games.

I duly paid my £21 whilst my comrade got away with an U16 ticket setting him back a mere £11. The man in front asked for the ticket-seller’s “recommendations” whilst incorporating seats for his holidaying family as far away from the away fans as possible, shielded from the sunlight and apparently the best money could buy. I just wanted a win, I did not get it. So whilst the man is probably relaxing on some remote boat on the Ipswich docks drinking the finest French wine whilst tucking into caviar reflecting on a weekend of entertainment. OK, so I’m being stereotypical but I know of many people who conform to stereotype, he struck me as someone who probably conforms with vigour. Before the match my footballing compatriot predicted 2-0 and I predicted 3-2 both to Ipswich Town, with the benefit of hindsight were naive to say the least because in Wolves was a quality footballing side destined for Premiership football, led by the experienced Mick McCarthy and fronted by an admirable squad that contained players of Premiership standard, and that particular standard was on show at Portman Road today, unfortunately for Ipswich they were on the recieving end not just from the opposition, but from the bile of certain Ipswich supporters.

The Match
Jim Magilton’s starting line-up was confusing, Richard Wright played goal with his usual dedication to the Ipswich cause, the former England international and West Ham keeper was born in Ipswich and it was the very club that started him on the pathway to national success in one of the best leagues in world football. The defence consisted of Bruce, Naylor, McAuley and Thatcher, considering Wright was injured and Smith and Balkestein was left out, the defence seemed OK at first but I am unsure about Naylor and would have perferred a different combination. The midfield was Haynes, Miller, Shumulikoski and Walters with Lisbie and Lee up front. Counago and Garvan should have been playing.

The match started cautiously, both teams exchanged relatively feeble long range efforts and Ipswich were obviously reluctant to truly take the game by the scruff of the neck, in fact Wolves did most of the attacking and their ultilisation of the long ball overpowered our delivery. We are clearly indoctrinated in Jim’s free-flowing attacking football and if we deter from this mentality we obviously cannot adapt. Ipswich are looking to be a very one-dimensional, narrow-minded footballing team that was the undoing of most sides at Portman Road last season, now it is turning around to bite us back. Wolves drew first blood on 20 minutes when Karl Henry and Iwelumo combined to gift Jarvis space out wide, his accurate cross guided into the net by a powerful header from targetman Sylvan Ebanks-Blake. Ipswich’s best chance of an uneventful first half was given to Jon Walters, who is beginning to become a shadow of his former self on the basis of the first few games, he scooped an ambitious lobo onto the top netting.

Full credit to Ipswich after the restart as they came racing out with dedication and the type of football Jim has been credited in bringing to Portman Road. Counago replaced the ineffective Lee to galvanise the attacking juices. Wayne Hennessey proved to be the difference, he denied Counago three times and his handling was decisive in the latter part of the game as was his positioning although he was fortunately aided by a goal-line clearance.

But the momentum was lost when George Elokobi was stretchered off to a smattering of applause around the ground and then Danny Haynes suffered an injury both replaced by Ward and Trotter respectively. Wolves doubled their lead despite lack of chances in the second half through substitute Edwards who slotted home after Henry’s effect was parried by Wright, the celebrations earned a few protestations from a select few in the South Stand who joyfully taunted the 3,000 strong travelling Wolves fans who turned out in good cheer.

For Ipswich things got from bad to worse when Alex Bruce naively went in two footed yet despite minimal contact was sent off. Ipswich Town had tried to endure but with some questionable refereeing and the home supporters gradually getting on their back they crumbled as their numerically disadvantaged state worked in Wolves’ favour. They had a goal cleared off the line, an Edwards volleyed effort wonderfully saved by Wright and Jarvis rattling the far post in injury time. Game over as the capaphony of boos rained down on the Ipswich players, a clearly fustrated teen behind shouted out “Get out Jim!”. Her opinions fell on deaf ears, there is still 43 league games to go but as this rate we are more likely facing a relegation battle than a promotion push.

Verdict

Are we really promotion candidates? Have we really got a team capable of helping us get promoted to the Promised Land of the Premiership? Do we have a manager in Jim Magilton capable of fulfilling these lofty ambitious expectations set by some impatient fans, some fans that see the massive cash injection as the next level in the Ipswich Town evolution or some that simply say it has been far too long out of the footballing elite. The answer on the basis of the first four games of the season is a deafening no. Yet it is still early days, talk of sacking Jim are premature, Jim left out Counago and Garvan which was debatable but it is the players who need to sort themselves out, today they proved they could come out fighting. But it was lack of fortune and Bruce’s naivety which cost any chance of the Blues salvaging something from a very tough game.

Ipswich News
Jim Magilton was obviously very concerned about the loss against Preston, and so he should be, it was one of the worst collective performances I’ve seen a team produce in a long time and on the way to the match I was constantly worrying about our water-tight defence and whether it would be organised against, admittedly, a lesser team yet one who has a reputation for playing attacking football. The was no room for complacency. Shane Supple, the young Irishman, took over goalkeeping duties from new signing Richard Wright, in defence was the young Pim Balkestien at left-back and Chris Casement at right-back with Richard Naylor (in his 11th year at the club) and Alex Bruce partnered in central defence. Our midfield boasted Alan Quinn on the left with Jon Walters returning from watching his wife giving birth taking up the right midfield wing. Young Liam Trotter and Tommy Miller down the centre and our strikeforce contained the prolific (yet equally lazy) Alan Lee and the speedy Danny Haynes in his natural striking position following a renaissance at left midfield.

The Match
Sneaking in the ground with four companions three minutes in I was relieved to find we had not missed an early goal that had complemented the Preston match at the weekend. I could detect the difference between the games from the offset, the ball was being caressed around in typical Town fashion yet there was a focus there, a sense of teamwork that had evaded the players last match, it was a matter of when not if until we scored. Yet there was an early fright as Orient worked an effective corner to former Crystal Palace man Danny Granville who’s free header was hacked off the line by Bruce, returning to the Town starting eleven. Shane Supple could not hide his delight and gave the defender an affectionate tap on the head.

Eventually we broke the deadlock, on twenty minutes, England U19 striker Danny Haynes burst clear down the right channel and finished admirably, the Orient keeper Glenn Morris finding great difficulty keeping the ball out. Two minutes later and Ipswich notched another, a swinging cross was met with a messy punch from Morris, the Orient defence devoid of understanding at the back witnessed a simple volleyed rebound by Tommy Miller, the ball curling into the vacant net from the edge of the area. As Chelsea Dagger was played to the celebrations of the Ipswich audience, I could not help but wonder if I was about to attend a thrashing. Orient had a reputation for attacking football in League One, they had beaten Hereford 2-1 at the weekend with goals from Milligan and Boyd, both making the starting line-up with Adam Boyd possessing a natural talent for goalscoring and he is highly rated but Martin Ling’s side looked out of depth and struggled to muster a frequent attack on the Blues’ defence which on paper was weaker than the one who suffered at the hands of Preston and West Ham United, the latter in pre-season.

At the brink of half-time Ipswich added a third, the livewire Danny Haynes capping a brace as he pressed forwards, sprinting clear of Orient defenders and slotted home past the Orient keeper. Half time sounded and Orient fans who turned out in impressive numbers had nothing to celebrate, yet. The two men in front of me had barely cheered throughout and it became apparent they were Orient fans in disguise, the oldest staring vacantly out towards pitch, the teenager buried his head in the match day programme.

After the break and Ipswich began dictating play in the centre, the midfield effectively bossing their League One counterparts in footballing submission and it was not long until Ipswich scored again. Alan Quinn swung in the corner and Alan Lee scored his first goal of the season with a powerful header. Four goals to the good and the stigma of the weekend fully forgotten following the blitz of goals. Leyton Orient though still gave it their all and the impressive Boyd chipped Shane Supple from 25 yards in arguably the goal of the round. Orient fans had something to cheer about and it was the least they deserved after an admirable turn-out. Haynes and Lisbie, off the bench, exchanged the final strikes and Ipswich secured their first victory of the campaign. As night descended Town fans were in good voice, but the attention was on the upcoming encounter against Burnley.

Verdict
An impressive turnaround and performance from the Tractor Boys who gave a wonderful show to the 10,000 odd spectators, Danny Haynes in particular showed what he can do and why he is linked to Premier League clubs, combining raw pace with an accurate shot to claim my Man of the Match Award but the defence (with a few changes) adjusted well and overall it was a spectacle to watch. I cannot imagine a better performance to show fans that, hopefully, the Preston loss was a one off.

Final Score: Ipswich Town 4-1 Leyton Orient

The Ipswich Signings
Now any Preston fans straying here I apologise for not offering a Preston signings page because I don’t know your signings and I am in no position to conclude whether they are needed but for Ipswich the fans underlined the weak points. A new goalkeeper was an obvious need since Bywater was returned to Derby and Nick Colgan achieved a surprise move to Premier League side Sunderland. Jim Magilton, being the manager who has brought back former Town players such as Miller, Counago, Kuqi et al decided to snap up West Ham goalkeeper (and former Ipswich keeper) Richard Wright who had moved to Arsenal for £6m in 2001 tipped for becoming an international star. He never got the chances at Arsenal or his subsequent move to Everton. Defence was next. Jason De Vos, Ipswich skipper and former Canadian international retired after half a decade of service at Portman Road where his invaluable experience hopefully rubbed off on some of our young players. So to replace him, Jim targeted Leicester City, infamously relegated last season to League One submitted to Ipswich’s continous pressing of star defender Gareth McAuley for an undisclosed deal, McAuley was promptly made captain for the new season. Also, Dutch youngster Pim Balkestien was snapped up for a nominal fee from Heereven. In midfield Bolton’s Ivan Campo is expected to add experience and defensive solidity to a midfield sadly lacking those very qualities and finally up front gaffer Magilton wisely choose Colchester United’s Kevin Lisbie, the former Charlton striker scored 17 goals last season, it will be interesting to see if he can repeat or exceed that figure with an arguably better service.

The Match
To say I expected a victory would be an understatement, Ipswich Town have made the appropriate signings in weak areas. Richard Wright was a dramatic advancement on the usually inept Stephen Bywater who was loaned in from Derby at the turn of the 2008 to replace departing Neil Alexander (who moved to Rangers and started in goal for them in their UEFA Cup Final against Zenit St Petersburg, yes cast your minds back). I travelled with a regular Town companion and season ticket holder amid a few other regular, familiar faces (my anonymous comrade holidaying in Cornwall) so I prepared for what performance awaited me. Balloons, flying confetti apart I was dumbstruck by the opening minute when Ipswich raced ahead, seemingly recapturing the high-octane, free-flowing performances gracefully achieved last year. Danny Haynes, critically acclaimed for his performances at left midfield last season despite regularly appearing as a striker, sprinted down the channel which an orthodox Olympic sprinter would have marvelled at and pulled a delightful cross towards new signing Kevin Lisbie who nodded home his first Ipswich goal in front of 23,000 odd spectators. A perfect start… which was about to be regrettably tarnished.

The three new defenders caused me worries pre-match (Balkstien, McAuley and Academy player Smith) and if they could strike a dependable defensive team, the result was being played out to me in a horror first half as Preston’s Paul McKenna, Richard Chaplow, Simon Whaley and former Liverpool striker Neil Mellor all exploited the unfamiliarity at the back. Preston equalised by an admittably amazing goal. Chris Sedgewick down the wing played the ball square to Preston skipper McKenna 20 yards out down the centre who rifled the ball with venom, flying past Wright’s right hand side and chalking off the hopeful opener. The atmosphere from the Town faithful was noisy and motivating as usual but when the equaliser went in, instead of sending emotion of despair through the crowd, it was used as a resurgant tool to get Town back on track. If only the players shared the same optimism, almost arrogance, as if we were expecting another Town goal to come at Portman Road, a crowd who only last season saw one home defeat in the league. I confess, I was in that category, boy was I in for a shock. More deplorable defensive inepitude, the guy to my left cuddled his girlfriend, either from the cold temperature, driving rain, undying love or shameful Town performance I will never know, probably the latter. Then there was boiling point, neither side had much chances until Preston stung Town with a second. Alan Quinn conceded a foolish free-kick 40 yards out which Billy Jones took incredibly quickly, I am doubting whether the referee actually blew his whistle, nonetheless with the unprepared, farcial defence in unprofessional disarray, Whaley slide in and converted from close range. This time there was no rousing rendition from the Town faithful, not even a peep, only a few shocked cries and a morbid silence bar the partying Preston fans across from where I was sitting.

The second half was nothing but a blur of dominating Ipswich possession, but no clear-cut chance bar a few tepid long range efforts, special mention to youngsters Balkestien and Smith, yet looked like troubling the upper tier of the North Stand than Preston’s goal. Alan Lee, off from the bench spearheaded a 4-3-3 in which he struck a curling shot inches from the top corner, but it was false hope for a crowd expecting better. I will not get into the anti-referee bile you might expect someone like myself to indulge in after a bitter defeat but there were a few penalty shouts and the referee’s obvious ironic distaste for our quick free-kick taking deplorations whilst Preston players were able to get away with it. But come 90 minutes my thoughts were blurred by the full time booing of the stadium, usually I condone such activity, I did not boo but I did not blame the others. By this point the bloke near me had critically slammed all the players, I partially agreed to some of his conclusions, and he finished with a “what a waste of money”. Like a Churchill dog I found myself mentally nodding along to his conclusion.

Verdict
One of the worst Ipswich games I have seen since that first half performance against Charlton Athletic. Thankfully this is the opening game which is not as important as others to come, but Jim needs to learn from petty, amateurish defensive displays complemented by a lack of killer touch and poor crossing in time for Burnely next week. I will be attending the Leyton Orient League Cup tie Tuesday evening and against a club in a lower position and with home advantage we should win. Yet I was thinking that 3:00pm on Saturday.