As we fell out of last week’s high-octane victory over Norwich, the thoughts on all our minds centred around what the next two games would bring. How would we back that up? Would the energy-sapping derby game take its toll on what lay immediately ahead?
Much to our disappointment, we soon found out the answer to that in the worst conceivable way. Talk about a crash back down to earth. There is no doubt about it, that 2-0 loss at Portsmouth was potentially damaging. Thankfully, we had one loss-buffer where the defeat is not yet fatal. But we can ill-afford any more defeats now.
Kasey McAteer’s fine finish got Ipswich on level terms against Boro. (Image: PA)
Portsmouth are in a position where they too desperately need the points. Their performance showed that they wanted it more and had the greater fight. They fully deserved their win, and it left us with all the questions once more.
I have been asked if there has ever been such a big gulf in emotions. From the highest of highs to the lowest of lows in the space of three days. For a while, I could not think of too many occasions in my time as a Town supporter. But I found such a moment.
Ironically, the moment came to me when remembering the 30th anniversary of the same day as that defeat at Fratton Park. It was then that Robert Ullathorne scored that own goal after Bryan Gunn took an air swipe at the ball passed back to him. It gifted Town a 2-1 East Anglian derby win and we were ecstatic that day. Three days later, I was part of the blue army that made the long trip up north to Prenton Park, home of Tranmere Rovers. Town took an early lead through Paul Mason before going on to lose 5-2.
Darnell Furlong is fouled by Tommy Conway. (Image: Steve Waller)
Ok, we were not battling for an automatic promotion place at that time. But we were in the top six hoping to seal a play-off place. We ended the season finishing seventh and missed out on the play-offs by two points. That was the last time I recall a win over Norwich being so bitterly followed up by such a poor defeat.
We simply had to park last Tuesday’s defeat and move on swiftly to the weekend. Victories for Millwall and Southampton on Saturday amplified the need to get something from Middlesbrough. I spent much of Saturday night thinking of three previous end of season games against Boro. Two of them being pivotal matches.
Would we have the horror show of a defeat akin to the one at Ayresome Park in May 1981. Older fans will recall two second half goals from Boško Janković to condemn us to a 2-1 defeat after Paul Mariner had given us an interval lead. It cost us the old first division title and the Yugoslavian is still a cult hero amongst fans of Aston Villa.
Jack Taylor battles Aidan Morris for the ball. (Image: Steve Waller)
Or would we be treated to a spectacular win delivered off the back of the best Ipswich hat-trick I have still to witness. Yes, the 4-0 win in April 1988 that came courtesy of a Dalian Atkinson treble. Maybe we would see a stalemate just as we did in April two years ago when Massimo Luongo scored in a 1-1 draw. That game was also the second to be played after a game away at Norwich. It was the latter that we had to settle for.
On the face of it, a point was disappointing. It was yet another game where our second half performance failed to match that of the first. In the end, we did well to come out of it with a point. I do think that it was a must win game for Middlesbrough and a must not lose game for us.
Once again, we had another penalty decision that was the main talking point. In real time, I thought George Hirst was brought down. I stand by that line of thought after seeing multiple replays. It lifted us back to second with a game in hand still with a game less to play. There are worse positions to be in.
But who knows what will occur now at Charlton and then West Brom. The feeling is we need two wins really. I will be at Charlton, and I have never seen us lose away in an EFL game under Kieran McKenna. A win will be the perfect way to keep that run going.
Christian Walton made some crucial saves against Middlesbrough. (Image: Steve Waller)