Ipswich vs Norwich (El Tractico) Playoff Semi Leg 1

[TractorBoys]

We made it, then.

It's creeping upto Saturday.

We're underdogs, I know that. But I'd be disappointed if we don't take some kind of result from the home leg, PR has been somewhat of a fortress this season.

2-2

 

[D_Murph#9]

I'm sort of more optimistic 2:0 Murphy and Sears

 

[Markface]

I'd be happy with a draw to be honest. We should manage a decent win at home, so it's really just avoiding a heavy defeat here.

1-1

 

[Munkiki]

Why is it still only Thursday? Damn.

Pretty nervous about this. While we won both league games, we didn't play particularly well in either of them, we didn't need to but that's irrelevant. I imagine Town will be well up for this.

 

[Veggie Legs]

To be honest, I'll be happy if we're still in the tie going into the second leg. I'd definitely take a draw and I think that's what it's going to be. We've improved a lot since the first derby and, although we were pretty awful in the second one, I reckon we'll give Norwich a much better game on Saturday.

The only outcome I really couldn't bear would be losing both legs, especially if we don't even score. Norwich are the favourites for the tie for a reason, and I won't be too gutted if we lose this over two legs, but losing four derbies in one season is too much.

 

[Mr Elmo]

I can feel your pain. It would be similar to us playing Forest in the playoffs, Christ I wouldn't be able to endure that at all. PO's are bad enough as it is.

As for the game I would expect it to be tight and nervy considering the magnitude, and think you'll draw to leave an intriguing 2nd leg.

1-1

 

[Tom_ITFC]

This game is ridiculous, I have had very low expectations all week and yet right now, I've never been more nervous!

 

[Destruction]

2-1 Norwich I think, be good if Ipswich could take a lead into the second leg though for us neutrals.

 

[Hooray]

Is it just me, or does it not really feel like this game is soon upon us? Usually there's a build up for weeks ahead of these East Anglian derby games, but because it only became official less than a week ago, the hype hasn't really had a chance to build up fully. Obviously the local media have been firing out various articles left, right and centre, and the fans have talked about it since Saturday, but as I sit here now it just doesn't feel like one of the biggest East Anglian derbies of all time is taking place in about 12 hours time. Strange really.

I think if it was a one-off game, I'd be a bit nervous, but the likelihood is that nothing will be decided tomorrow, and the match at Carrow Road will probably begin with the teams level or with a one goal lead either way. I don't think we'll get beaten tomorrow, but I just wonder whether we may be cautious and accept that a draw would be a decent result. I hope we don't though - if we play as we can then we can take a two goal lead to Carrow Road, and that would be a lovely situation, knowing that one goal pretty much kills the tie off in the second leg. I think the main thing is we need to defend well over the 180 minutes, as I think goals will just naturally come. I'd be surprised if we don't score at least three over the two games.

My biggest concern is that we are an absolutely tragic team when it comes to Cup ties, and I know this isn't strictly a Cup match, but it certainly isn't a league game!

 

[SUTSS]

I feel sick.

 

[yellow]

This sort of thing is awful. We're not even major rivals with Exeter yet losing to them was horrible.

Feel for whichever side loses the tie.

 

[tiltontrev]

God knows what it must be like, a derby is stomach churning, the play offs are stomach churning, a play off derby my arse would be twitching ten to the dozen!!!

I've backed Ipswich to get promoted and I fancy them to get off to a good start today, 3-1.

 

[mistermagic]

Not long now.

Release the fury!

 

[JJH]

Incredible double save from Ruddy there.

 

[mistermagic]

Good pace to the game. Norwich are looking more like scoring but Ruddy is the goalkeeper who has been tested so far.

 

[Markface]

HOWSON

 

[JJH]

Cool finish that.

Jerome did fantastically to pick him out.

 

[JJH]

Paul Anderson - ex-City!

Ruddy possibly could do better.

Scenes at Portman Road!

 

[Stee]

No more than Ipswich deserve! 1-1 it is, ... a good game

 

[JJH]

Good save at the end by the Ipswich keeper (can't spell his bastard name )

Very good atmosphere, as you'd imagine.

 

[Markface]

1-1 result would be decent given the pressure being piled on us.

 

[Super_horns]

1-1.

About right and think Norwich would take that.

 

[JJH]

Nervy second half - but 1-1 probably fair.

 

[TractorBoys]

1-1 right result and I'll take that going down the road.

Thought Norwich were poor in final third and we were the first to most second balls/crosses - unfortunately our finishing in terms of headers wasn't there. On another day we score 1 or 2 more from the crosses and set pieces we have.

Nothing has really changed. Norwich slight favourites just like before this game but if they play like that again next week I fancy us to beat them.

Nervy times. Great atmosphere.

 

[Munkiki]

Well, that was shit. Had a lot of the ball but didn't do much with it, rarely troubled their 'keeper. They had the better chances, fortunately they're not very good and most were squandered. We look suspect at the back which is a concern - Russ in particular made several mistakes, one of which led to the equaliser.

Really could have done with some sort of lead, we're so much better away than at home. Don't know why people think the second leg being at Carrow Road is an advantage for us - our record there is probably the main reason we didn't get automatic promotion and are in the play-offs. Can't see anything but Town going through to the final now.

 

[Hooray]

To leave Portman Road with a draw after that performance is a relief really. We weren't good. Didn't create enough, and looked too suspect at the back. Norwich MOTM for me was Steven Whittaker though.

Fancy us to finish the job at home next week, but we may need to play better than that. Hoolahan must start that game.

And if we end up getting promoted and start next season with Russ Martin at centre back, you may as well put an R next to our name in the league table before a ball is even kicked. Play him at right back or not at all. Ryan Bennett and Michael Turner are both far superior central defenders.

 

[Munkiki]

Still find it amazing, and somewhat hilarious, that Russ made Team of the Year ahead of Berra (or any CB for that matter).

 

[tiltontrev]

Enjoyed the first half, second half was a bit dull. Redmond looks exactly like he did at Blues, lots of tricks without really doing anything..

Norwich in the driving seat but I'm sticking with my Ipswich prediction.

 

[SUTSS]

I'll take that. Much better result for us than for Ipswich. Felt we were the better team but really lacked something in the final third (Grabban's movement).

 

[Destruction]

Bit soft for a derby, only real flash point was when Varney threatened to deck the mole that tripped him up.