Jim Magilton's Blue & White Army

Birmingham 2 Tractor Boys 2

Another superb match in the Championship and Town were very unlucky not to leave with all three points. Alan Lee's best game since first joining the club. Excellent displays from Noble and Walton in midfield.

Lee scored with a crisp and precise left shot and Simon Walton with a long range effort that took a slight deflection.

Birmingham did score a couple of goals, but I like to concentrate on highlights . Seriously, David Dunn is still a very good player.

We had lots of chances to win this game. Shots by Noble, Lee and Legwinski (who is settling in nicely) should have been decisive. John Macken did well too.

Birmingham are one of the favourites for promotion and I can see why, they an aggressive (I mean in a fair way, N'Gotty excepted,he thoroughly deserved his red card) and hard working side, with one outstanding player. Nonetheless, we more than held our own against them on their turf - so things bode well.

BTW well done Crystal Palace - good result.

Good news - and hopefully overhaul the Canaries in the coming week or so, on our way up...

Jim (James) Magilton's middle name doesn't begin with 'w' does it, James??!!!!



Mark

quote:

Originally posted by Chillkram:
Jim (James) Magilton's middle name doesn't begin with 'w' does it, James??!!!!



Mark

Great win for QPR you're pulling clear of trouble now.

Tractor Boys 3 Black Cats 1

Our most convincing win of the season. I can't believe this after the way we started the campaign. I'm very pleasantly surprised. We dominated the match from start to finish and were better in every department than a rather physical Sunderland team.

There's no doubting Sunderland are a good side with some class players and great supporters; they'll be in the mix at the end of the season, but our youngsters were simply fantastic. I don't know if it is going to last, so forgive me if I enjoy it while I can.

Mark Noble was the best player on the field.

De Vos own goal (a bit unlucky) put Sunderland ahead, but within two minutes Darren Currie's shot from the free kick beat the Sunderland keeper and we were all square. The free kick resulted from a foul on Mark Noble.

Soon after the break, Noble was in the action again - working some space on the wing, hitting a great cross for Alan Lee to direct in to the net with a precision header.

To cap it all, a long ball sent Alan Lee clear and he rounded the keeper to score. I take back all I said about him without reservation.

I am stil finding this hard to believe. It was our best performance for quite a while and without Simon Walton, Sylvain Legwinski or Fabian Wilnis.

Rotf

BTW - A new location specific version of Monopoly has been released in Ipswich. The people of the town were allowed to vote for the place names on the board. It is the first time that there has been a Monopoly game with no gaol (jail). The chance card reads Go to Norwich. Go directly to Norwich, do not pass go. Do not collect £200. Hope nobody takes offence, but it seemed funny when I heard it.

Having been a s/t (and a s/t for the kids) for the last four seasons and not renewed this year due to
a/ work meaning missing 30% matches
b/ worsening performances etc.
c/ kids enjoying it even less than me
I went to my first match of the season yeasterday.
Went on my own (before had one of my kids in tow), sat (stood actually) middle Lower North, and had one of the best footy days for ages - standing helps (just like the old days - remember before the big wire fence went up?), the atmosphere where I stood was brilliant, the team did really well against a team (in the first half) whose main priority was to kick the cr4p out of anybody in blue (Keane tactics?), and am really looking forward to future matches!
Well done Jim and the lads,
BLUE ARMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Us 1 Tractor Boys 1 (well it should've been - where do they get these refs from).

Good game and impressed by Colchester, I don't begrudge them the win, but if anybody who watched the match can explain what was wrong with our disallowed goal, I'd be interested to know.

Although it finished 1-0, it could have easily been 4-4. Two very good goalkeepers saw to it that it was otherwise.

Perhaps we needed this reality check - I was beginning to get carried away witn our recent run of great results and eying that automatic promotion place.

quote:

Originally posted by ROTF:

quote:

Originally posted by Chillkram:
Jim (James) Magilton's middle name doesn't begin with 'w' does it, James??!!!!



Mark

Great win for QPR you're pulling clear of trouble now.

And another one today ROTF, away at Southampton after being 1-0 down as well. At this rate we'll be challenging for a play off spot! Ah there I go again, getting carried away!

Sorry you lost last night!

Mark

Mark,
Only just saw your amusing post.

James 'not Magilton' M

quote:

Mark,
Only just saw your amusing post. Smile

James 'not Magilton' M

Just wondering!

What's this about Matt Holland on possible loan back to ITFC?

News to me.

I'd like to see us consolidate around the players we have, though Matt was a great player at his peak. If Charlton are loaning out players then I'd take a couple of Darrens (Ambrose and Bent)

I read the news today, oh boy: Holland rejects Valley exit talk.

Are we England in disguise was the chant from behind me. Inept, totally useless, passionless are probably flattering words to describe the way we played. True West Brom were excellent and Kevin Phillips exceptional, but they'll have few easier games this season.

Jim says we'll play better against Preston - we'll need to or I'll need a pocket calculator to keep the score.

Our best player was Lewis Price and he let in five goals.

Sorry Jim. but however you look at it, this is dire - please sort it out.

Hint: the idea is to score some goals, not rely the opponents to score them for us, and to try and stop the opponents scoring in our goal. It seems simple, so why didn't our players understand it?

Dear - Oh - bloomin'- dear...

Hopefully it will be the necessary wake-up call.

James

Couldn't get there tonight, but seemed the lads played so well in the first half that they stayed in the dressing room celebrating and quite forgot there was a second half.

Oh well 2-3 is better than 1-5 and if the pattern continues of scoring one more and letting 2 less in then we're on for a good result at Southend. I hope I can get to that one to see it.

You've got my sympathy ROTF. QPR lost at home tonight to Derby 1-2.

We're only one place apart and it looks as though we are having remarkably similar seasons so far.

Hope it gets better for you soon.

Us gaining revenge at Portman Road aside of course!

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by ROTF:
...seemed the lads played so well in the first half that they stayed in the dressing room celebrating and quite forgot there was a second half.

...Tell me the old, old story...

quote:

Originally posted by ROTF:
Oh well 2-3 is better than 1-5 and if the pattern continues of scoring one more and letting 2 less in then we're on for a good result at Southend.

The pattern did continue 3-1 against the Shrimpers. I know they're struggling a bit, but we played well. Billy Clarke was outstanding and it was only the agility of the Southend 'keeper that denied him a hat-trick.

So if the pattern keeps on then will win the next 4 - (-1) ... doesn't quite work unless -1 goal is an og - in which case 5-0 next Sunday against the Hatters (I am dreaming).

ROTF/James

I bet you chaps were devastated by the Stoke result today!

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by Chillkram:
ROTF/James

I bet you chaps were devastated by the Stoke result today!

Mark

Normally, I don't smile at other peoples' misfortune. But at the moment, any crumb of comfort, so...

James

And another 5-0 - damn that feels good! And keep on dreaming ROTF - what score on Tuesday?

Alan Lee said he didn't feel he played that well - I thought he was fantastic. I'm making no predictions for Tuesday, but if we can keep the form of the last two matches then I'm a happy man.

I'll make no comment about the Budgies - five is a nice round number though.

quote:

Originally posted by ROTF:
I'll make no comment about the Budgies - five is a nice round number though.

ROTF, that's 10 reasons for celebration this weekend for you boys!

And we got a point!

Mark