Lewis Travis heads into his own net to give Derby the lead. (Image: PA)
A HELPING HEAD
Town channelled the frustrations of another wasted trip to Portsmouth into a front footed and energised start. It was rewarded with an eighth minute opener.
I still can’t quite work out what Lewis Travis was trying to do when he heads into his own net at a corner. It was the firm finish of a man who looked like he momentarily forgot that he no longer plays for the Blues.
Add it to the list of ex players who have given Ipswich a helping hand this season. Cameron Burgess netted two OGs at Swansea, while Luke Woolfenden’s touch helped Jack Clarke’s shot loop in at Coventry.
Next stop Wrexham. Over to you Nathan Broadhead and Kieffer Moore…
Anis Mehmeti had a hand in both Town goals. (Image: Ross Halls)
NEWS BOYS IMPRESS
We all hoped that Anis Mehmeti would be able to hit the ground running following a fruitful first half of the season at Bristol City. Even so, the scale of his instant impact has been really impressive.
After a lively debut off the bench in difficult circumstances at Sheffield United, the 24-year-old was comfortably Ipswich’s most creative player in the frustrating home draw with Preston. This was yet another excellent performance.
It was his corner that led to the opener. It was his turnover and well-weighted pass that led to Leif Davis’ winner. A gorgeous through ball and fine clipped cross would both have been assists had Wes Burns and Ivan Azon been able to beat the keeper.
When the opposition have the ball, Mehmeti presses with intent and cajoles others around him to do the same. When Town are in possession, he buzzes around in the No.10 role, constantly finding clever pockets of space. And when he gets the ball himself, he always looks capable of making something happen through sharp footwork and perfectly-weighted forward passes.
Keep this up and Kieran McKenna has a real selection headache when Marcelino Nunez returns to fitness.
Meanwhile, Sunderland loanee Dan Neil produced a highly encouraging debut off the bench. His incisive pass from deep to set Chuba Akpom away on the counter was a moment of class.
Ipswich have made two very good January additions.
Kasey McAteer is all smiles following his match-winning assist. (Image: Ross Halls)
WEIGHT LIFTED
It’s not been an easy start to life at Ipswich for Kasey McAteer.
He produced some underwhelming displays early on in a new team, dropped to third in the right wing pecking order once Wes Burns returned from injury and then discovered earlier this week that the club had tried to sign another player for his position in the form of Millwall’s Femi Azeez.
The £11.5m man has, by all accounts, not let his head drop though. And when he was called upon to tap in for the injured Burns (groin) in the second half of this match he delivered.
Sometimes, two players instantly click. That was certainly the case with McAteer and Mehmeti. The two linked up on multiple occasions. It was that combo that led to McAteer standing up the cross for Davis’ winner.
The Republic of Ireland international would have had an assist to his name much sooner if his team-mates had been more clinical this season. Finally getting that first goal involvement can hopefully lessen some weight on his shoulders now. Physical, rapid and hard working, there’s certainly a player there.
Derby skipper Lewis Travis was dismissed in stoppage-time. (Image: Ross Halls)
KARMA
At Portman Road last August, Derby deployed the dark arts, committing niggly fouls and constantly running down the clock in an attempt to see how a win. The boot was on the other foot here. Ipswich were streetwise with the way they managed the game after going 2-1 up and created home frustration when dragging out set-pieces shielding the ball in the corner at the end.
That home frustration boiled over at the end when Travis tried to clamber over the felled Darnell Furlong to grab the ball and get the game moving. Knee to head, yes, but it was inadvertent. Furlong, who seems to love being the pantomime villain, produced some trademark theatrics to make the ref’s mind up. For me, it was a soft second yellow. It was also, however, karma for the nasty kick out at Jens Cajuste that should have seen Travis see red in the reverse fixture.
Kieran McKenna described it has his ‘favourite win of the season’. (Image: Ross Halls)
A BIG WIN
Pride Park continues to be a happy hunting ground. Ipswich have now won 11 out of 20 games played there, including five of the last six.
Joined up attacking play, resilient defending, impact from the subs and some smart game management – there was a lot to like.
It was important the Blues got back to winning ways after dropping points against Sheffield United and Preston.
It was important any angst about the failure to add a striker before transfer deadline day wasn’t allowed to grow.
It was important that the team showed character and unity on the road after some difficult away days and the Sammie Szmodics exit saga.
That’s why Kieran McKenna described this as his ‘favourite win of the season’.
This could be a significant moment.