Pre-match ponderings
Our East End opponents today were founded in 1885 as Millwall Rovers, by the workers of a canning factory in the Millwall area of the Isle of Dogs. Originally, they were nicknamed ‘The Dockers’ as a reflection of the employment role of many of the club's supporters. This name didn’t sit well, however, so after being referred to as ‘The Lions of the South’ in the media, having knocked Football League leaders Aston Villa out of the 1899–1900 FA Cup, they appropriated that epithet as their chosen nickname. This led presumably to their ground being called ‘The Den‘, though their East Stand is still called ‘The Dockers Stand’ in recognition of their origins.
In previous ‘head to heads’, 59 in total, the score stands at 23 wins for Ipswich, 21 wins to Millwall, with 15 matches ending in a draw. The reverse fixture this season at the Den in October ended in a goalless draw. They are a tough team, and this game could go either way, exacerbated by our depleted numbers this week and unsettling decisions in the last couple of games. Davis and Kipre are suspended: Burns, Nunez and Young are out through injury, and this is Philogene’s first outing back after injury, so he takes up a position on the bench. Town sit one place above Millwall at third in the table with the same number of points but a better goal difference. And a game in hand, of course, but that is unquantifiable.
Millwall's supporters have often been represented negatively, which includes films that fictionalise their notoriety as trouble-makers. The supporters are famous for chanting "No one likes us, we don't care". I know this was very much evident in the 1970s – 80s, but I’m not sure how true it is today. I prefer to think the best until I’m proven wrong.
On the train
Quickly looked to see if the trains were running – they often aren’t at the moment. Only one line into East Anglia and it is often a ‘moveable feast’ apparently! Considered driving over; thought about parking; decided not.
On the bus to the station, I met a man, and 'tribe' recognition greeting signs were exchanged. He pointed at the Ipswich flask I was carrying with a thumbs up, and I pointed at the badge on his chest, and we grinned inanely. Then, with a double take, we both said, “Is it?” And it was – we worked together a hundred years ago! So I had the pleasure of Adrian’s company on the train and lots of memories of working for the Health Authority and watching Ipswich Town over the years.
The foundation
Today’s match is the designated Annual Foundation fixture.
“The Foundation currently engages with around 9,000 young people and vulnerable adults across 34 diverse and innovative programmes, with this fixture providing a crucial opportunity to showcase and raise awareness of the support the Foundation provides.
There will be an increased Foundation presence in the FanZone and in the stadium bowl, including the pitch walk at half time, which will see one participant from each of the Foundation’s programmes highlighted”.
They were roundly applauded all around the ground.
Hurrah for the Foundation, the work they do in the community and with those less able.
First half
The first half belonged to Town. They came out all guns blazing, and there were too many nearly goals and near misses to detail.
Within minutes, a cross from Johnson was just out of the reach of McAteer.
Neil found a way through the crowd in front of goal, but his shot went just wide.
Millwall were defending successfully by getting bodies back – many times at least 8 defenders in the box, so there was no clear path – shots went into the pack and rebounded, went over the top and just wide or were saved by the keeper if they did get through. The feeling was a goal was just waiting in the wings to be claimed by Ipswich.
Mehmeti broke into the box but couldn’t get a shot away, then Neil saw his shot blocked, and when it rebounded, Azón managed a great scissor kick that was somehow saved by a brilliant reaction from Patterson...
This continued as the first half went on, with a few breakaways by the Lions and a shot over the top by Crama - but Portman Road erupted on 41 minutes when a Matusiwa pass found Jack Clarke just on the edge of the area. He worked the ball out to the left, then back to the right - then turned and powered it into the left-hand side of the goal.
Brilliantly taken goal, his 14th this season, which places him third in the pecking order of goal scorers in the Championship. Only one minute was added, so the whistle was blown soon after.
Ipswich 1-0 Millwall.
Second half
Millwall’s Manager, Alex Neil, changed his formation to 4-4-2 and brought on young Serbian international striker Ivanovic. This, with perhaps advice in the break, worked to galvanise the Lions’ game into a different level of play, and they came out roaring in the second half.
Millwall found an equaliser just five minutes after the break. Neghli barged Furlong off the ball, ran on, then swung the ball into the middle for Coburn to bury into the net.
The visitors thought they had a second a few minutes later from an Azeez corner, but fortunately, a goal doesn’t count if you push the keeper into the net before the ball. Luckily, the referee spotted this manoeuvre and a foul was given. There were several tussles with O’Shea, seemingly Cooper's target, and a corner that was taken with the back of his shirt being tightly held. There was also an incident that looked hilarious (forgive me) when I think Greaves got an arm in the throat waiting for a cross from the corner, and he and three defenders all toppled down together in a heap like skittles. I’m really not sure what happened, but no consequences followed.
Town were still pressing and came close with two chances around 60 minutes. Furlong headed a Clarke corner just wide of the post, and Neil’s strike was also deflected narrowly wide.
As seems to be the case with a draw on the scoreboard, in a close match, we had to hold our breaths through several Millwall corners and a free kick in the dying moments - I lost count as one seemed to follow another. They had a huge late chance as Walton punched out a save to stop an Azeez effort, only for a rebound struck by Ivanovic to rattle the crossbar. A last-minute corner for Ipswich rounded off the game to no avail, and a collective sigh could be heard as the whistle was blown, seconds later.
Men of the match
Mentionable, though they all played their part – Neil is starting to look much more confident and part of the team: McAteer made several good passes and crosses into the box: Azon with several nearly goals – the first one only being unsuccessful due to a brilliant save.
There seemed to be some sort of grudge match going on between O’Shea and Cooper, the latter of whom, at one point, dumped Dara on his back in the box and later on the touchline and persistently pulled his shirt. Greaves played his part well but was lucky not to be booked for holding.
Last but not least – Matusiwa for being Matusiwa.
Millwall’s Man of the Match: Anthony Patterson – On loan from Sunderland, he kept them in the match without a doubt. I believe he has the second-cleanest sheet record in the Championship.
Town's Man of the Match: Jack Clarke – Excellent all-round play and a stunning goal.
Post-match pondering
Without Nunez, Burns, Kipre and Davis, I was worried they would struggle more.
I overheard someone say Town didn’t turn up in the second half – a harsh and erroneous remark in my opinion. It was more a case of Millwall turning up the heat rather than Town taking their foot off the pedal, if you’ll forgive the mixed metaphors. It was an exciting game, even if the result was not the desired one, and no one can say they didn't give it their all.
The general consensus from supporters seemed to be that, as it wasn't a win, a draw was not too much of a disaster all in all, as other results went our way. Although many are scouring the table and results and making predictions, there are also those who are not sure they want to return straight back up to the Premiership after the experiences of last season. Some have even said it's more fun in the Championship! I'm not sure I get that one!
The difficulty is that Ipswich has been a big Club, a great Club, which is again steadily growing under the current owner Gamechanger 20 Ltd, together with the leading light of our CEO Mark Ashton and Keiran McKenna's managerial acumen. A new training ground is nearing completion, incorporating a new ‘super sports’ facility; the stadium has been upgraded to Premier League standards, and the capacity has been increased. All this costs money, and Premier League football is the means to that end, and to maintaining it. It will be exciting if we can rise to the challenge this time.
Managed to catch Andy the Supervisor before I left the ground to flag up an issue that several in my row have mentioned; that it would be useful to have a simple handrail at the bottom of the steps. He was friendly, assessed the problem and agreed it was a sensible idea. He has promised to deal with it. I’ve found all the staff in the stadium to be really nice and helpful. Three cheers for Andy the Supervisor and all others working there.
On the train
Met James, a young Jack Clarke look-alike (without the hairband) who was very knowledgeable about the game and plays for a local team on a Sunday. He explained that all players should know the left-footed and right-footedness of teammates; the intricacy of positioning the ball with this in mind when passing can be pivotal for onward play. Walton, for example, is left-footed, and this plays a part in his sending the ball straight back out if he receives it on the wrong side. I shall watch from now on to see if he juggles it before kicking it long.
The Blues are now without a game for 16 days before they host Birmingham City at Portman Road on Easter Monday. Will the international friendlies break be a good thing or a bad thing?
We shall see.
