Holmes_and_Watson

According to the beeb, we had 60% of the possession. We only managed 6 shots and 3 of those were on target. Our usual issue of not being able to put games to bed drops us points again. We simply didn't create enough to get 2 goals ahead. The passing game, off the back of our possession, had some moemnets, but we weren't really worrying them consistently. By contrast, they looked the most likely at half time as Baz was the keeper under most pressure. SR and Martin's set up means that our promotion hinges on getting more out of the possession we have. Martin has said as much. Today, we tried a number of longer, riskier through balls that didn't work, giving them possession and pressure. Our shorter passing was occassionally disjointed too. We simply didn;t have too many end products from our play. Our goal was well worked, and Fraser made an impact. But we don;t drive on from a lead. We allow teams to reset for a repeat, rahter than press an advantage. Partly, because we've one way of playing really. Should Baz have stopped it. I think so. Should Bednarek have madea better challenge for the ball? I think so? But both had really good games up until then. At this level, with our quality, Martin has to be able to get us working as a unit at the other end of the park. The more we allow teams back into games, the more we'll end up with situations like this. And the less likely our promotion will be. Unfortunately, Mara's introduction robbed us oof Adams' more phsyical abilityies. With Aribo also off, we didn;t ahve anyone to hold things up. And that didn't help us. We also missed Downes today too. There were positives today. But the big let down casts a big shadow over them

Direct down the middle. Bedders loses out on the header. The shot seems to go under Baz. Aaaarrrgh. Typical, they found his secret weakness....shot stopping.

Oh pants!!!!1

Fraser getting a booking. Good he's not hurt.

Bednarek passing out is good. Smallbone already taking up loads of spaces on the pitch. I've missed seeing that (even though CHarles and Downes have done really well) As I type, he's at the other end of the pitch winning a tackle.

8 mins!

Watford commentary team moaning aobut our players going down. When they've clearly been hit. Earlier in the game, Watford were the ones going down needlessly.

Stu gets booked for not going off at the nearest side. Watford's petulence just winds everyone up. Stu and Aribo off. Fraser gets studs on his ankle. Let's hope that's not serious. We really need him.

Ince's shot goes under our defender, but Baz is there and it's right at him. Ball sticks to Aribo like a fridge magnet to ...well, a fridge... 🙂

Manning getting treatments. Martin telling Aribo and Mara "Just remember, they have Hoedt. Don;t bring shame to your families by conceding to a team with him in it."

Our longer range direct passing hasn;t been great. Not for the first game. With a couple of midfield absences, maybe that's what we're trying to do more of. But we give possession away needlessly. KWP should really have just cleared that. Sometimes, when you've got a possession based game, you 're loathe to give the ball way under any circumstance. But sometimes, it needs clearing.

Adams off for Mara. Glad he got his goal. He did well today. 10-15 mins of Mara, in a game that will hopefully have lots of space for him.

Charles gives one away. I think Baz had that covered, but blocked anyway. Charles still very young, and developing so even with a couple of those today, there's been a load more pluses.

Watford looking to exploit that full back gap we have. But we had someone on the edge of the box and they didn;t, for the cut back.

(Want Away) Mara coming on...

Good to see Baz having a chat with Bednarek. Bedders looking to motivate the others.

We just picked the wrong option on that passing move out. We could have been clear down that flank. Instead, it comes in and we had to get back. Game is stretched. Fraser away and just blasts it. Shot on target.

Ipswich 2-0 up. Bah!

Stu's cross was high and easy for their keeper. But excellent link up between Che and Fraser and then Fraser and Stu, who was just over reaching when it came to getting the ball in. It's that instinctive progression of Martin's possession system that's really going to make a difference.

Watford making subs. Let's see how we cope with them changing things around.

Cunning from Bazunu. His punt doesn;t go to one of us for a change. But Watford promptly kick it out, giving us possession anyway. HB did well to hold up and block a shot there.

AA gets it to Aribo. It looks as though he's going to drive forward, but then checks himself, then does drive forward. He does get a ball over, so he's done okay. But meanwhile in the box, Che has had to check his position, when Aribo holds up. Just one example of why it's tough for a Saints striker. We've no clear way of delivering quality service into them. Arbo involved a minute later, much deeper. His pass is misplaced, but he's so much more mobile. Hopefully, he'll get even fitter as it's made such a difference.

Oooft Leiciester 4-0 up.

It's that dangerous period for us, with ous 1 up. We've done okay with it so far., with them giving away a few fouls. I'd like to think Fraser will help with that. He's so attacking and direct, it wiull hopefully drag us forward. Meanwhile...Baz with a nice, cool pass out. Other goalkeepers might flap with at least one of the one he's dealt with effortlessly today.

Another good move. Aribo in the middle, managing to do two things in quick succession (looks comfortable there). We get the ball out well to KWP and it didn;t make it in where we had bodies waiting to put it in.