Arijanet Muric has committed more errors leading to an opposition goal (4) than any other player in the Premier League this seasonArijanet Muric has committed more errors leading to an opposition goal (4) than any other player in the Premier League this season (Image: PA)
Cut out the mistakes
This has become less of an issue over time but is still prominent in the way that they play. No, Town aren’t as bad as Southampton, who seemingly shoot themselves in the foot every week, but it’s an area that they can improve.
By my count, 11 of the 27 goals that Ipswich have conceded can be put down to individual mistakes. That’s either someone giving the ball away cheaply, missing a crucial tackle or fouling someone in the box to concede a penalty. Unfortunately, it’s happened too often.
At the start of the season, Leif Davis gave away a penalty at Manchester City before Arijanet Muric was caught on his line twice in the same game. Jacob Greaves’ poor pass against Aston Villa preceded Axel Tuanzebe losing possession too easily ahead of Southampton’s opener. Ben Johnson’s overhit back-pass put the Blues into a tough position at West Ham.
From there, we had Harry Clarke giving away a penalty at Brentford before Muric was caught on his line, with Sam Morsy and Wes Burns sloppy for Leicester’s equaliser. Sammie Szmodics gave away a penalty at Nottingham Forest and Muric was caught out again in the defeat to Bournemouth.
Those 11 errors came in eight different games, with the Blues drawing three and losing five. If they had been able to cut even some of them out, their points total would probably have them outside of the relegation zone.
It’s harsh to look at things that way because the players are still learning and adapting to the pace and physicality of the Premier League, but this is the reality. If you make a mistake, expect to be punished for it. Most sides at this level are ruthless, which is what Town need to be to.
Town will feel like they should have scored more goals this seasonOnly Southampton (11) have scored fewer goals than Town (14) after 15 games (Image: Ross Halls)
Be clinical
Ipswich rank bottom of the Premier League for xG (14.2) and touches in the opposition box (272). In terms of shots on target per match, only Southampton (3.0) sit below Town (3.3), while the Blues also rank towards the bottom of the division for big chances (28).
That’s all okay. You don’t have to create loads to win games. Nottingham Forest, for example, are in a similar position when you look at the stats. Although their rock-solid defence helps them a lot, they are also clinical.
Ipswich are usually a fun team to watch. They play an open, expansive style and enjoy hitting opponents on the counter. That being said, we’ve often lamented the lack of a final touch to cap off a move.
Delap has six goals to his name but could easily have more. He hit the post against Brighton and Brentford, forced Andre Onana into two excellent saves in the draw against Manchester United and came close in a number of other games.
Szmodics, who’s scored three times, could be on five. He missed great opportunities against Southampton and Brentford. Omari Hutchinson almost bagged against Brighton. There are quite a few examples.
This isn’t to say that these players are performing badly. All of them have been impressive, unfortunate even, but top Premier League sides would stick away many of the chances that they have missed. That’s one of the hardest things to do at this level.
If you aren’t a team that’s going to create openings on a regular basis, you have to take your chances when they fall your way.
The Blues need to be more dangerous from set piecesThe Blues need to be more dangerous from set pieces (Image: Steve Waller)
Capitalise from set pieces
When asked about the importance of set pieces ahead of the defeat to Bournemouth, Town forward Chaplin admitted: “They are massive, it doesn’t matter at what level of football, honestly. It doesn’t matter. They are such big moments. We did really, really well last year in scoring a lot.”
Manager Kieran McKenna said the same thing in the summer, stressing that Ipswich need to be clinical from corners and free-kicks given that their opportunities will be limited from open play.
It hasn’t really worked out for them so far and it’s hard to put a finger on why that’s been the case.
They have come incredibly close. Dara O’Shea, Cameron Burgess and Jacob Greaves have all threatened on a number of occasions but, for one reason or another, have narrowly missed out on a goal. Leif Davis, Kalvin Phillips and Szmodics have all been accurate with their deliveries, too.
Arsenal, for example, have shown how important they can be. Just look at their 2-0 win against Man United last week, where were looked blunt in open play but lethal from corners. Ipswich have to make the most of those opportunities as well.
Ipswich will look to strengthen their squad in the January transfer windowIpswich will look to strengthen their squad in the January transfer window (Image: PA)
Squad depth concerns
This, on the surface, is a much harder fix. Ipswich came up from the Championship and spent more than £100 million on 12 different players. This included a number of senior internationals and a Champions League winner.
It’s not just as easy as going out and spending money to sign whoever you want. You have to abide by profit and sustainability regulations (PSR) and convince players to buy into the project and join the club, often over a Premier League rival. It’s easier said than done.
That being said, for all the good work, it does feel like Town are a step or two behind the other teams at this level. It’s important to remember that it’s not just about the starting lineup, which often consists of quite a few players who featured for them in League One. It's also about the substitutes.
Sunday’s defeat to Bournemouth is a good example. It felt like McKenna held off from making substitutions because of a lack of clear quality on the bench. That saw a handful of players – notably Delap – running on fumes by the time they were withdrawn.
He was replaced by Ali Al-Hamadi, who’s a certainly a talented player, but also a 22-year-old who was playing League Two football at the start of the year. Fellow substitute Jack Clarke is still adapting to a new role. Wes Burns has struggled at the top level and Jens Cajuste is clearly managing a knee injury. In the end, McKenna only brought four players off the bench.
To contrast, Bournemouth went early with their subs. One of them – Enes Unal – scored their equaliser. Another – Dango Ouattara – provided the assist and then bagged the winner. Philip Billing and David Brooks also impressed. The Cherries were able to make like-for-like changes in terms of ability and profile.
Ultimately, that’s the difference. It remains to be seen how much the Blues can do in January to improve their situation.
Chiedozie Ogbene is set to miss the rest of the campaign with an Achilles injuryChiedozie Ogbene is set to miss the rest of the campaign with an Achilles injury (Image: PA)
A rub of the green
This is something Ipswich can’t fix themselves. It’s clear that they need a bit of luck on their side.
You can argue that they got it in the Championship. The odd fortunate deflection, a few late mistakes from the opposition. It hasn’t followed them into the Premier League.
On the pitch, things haven’t gone their way. They have seen good chances hit the post or be cleared off the line. VAR has also intervened in the worst possible moments too. The Blues will feel aggrieved that decisions against Man City, Everton, Brentford and Leicester City went against them. They picked up just one point from those four games.
Injuries have also been an issue. Chiedozie Ogbene is probably out for the season, Tuanzebe is set to miss a large chunk of the campaign - having almost cut off his thumb in a freak accident a few weeks before his hamstring injury - and George Hirst won’t return before the new year.
Jacob Greaves, Ben Johnson, Kalvin Phillips and others have all missed games. A handful of them are yet to return to full fitness, others seem shattered heading into a busy Christmas period, but McKenna doesn’t have the options to take them out of the firing line.
Following back-to-back promotions, it felt like Ipswich needed a big dose of fortune to mix it with the best teams in the country. That hasn’t happened, and now they find themselves in a tough spot. There’s still time for that to change, but it won't be easy.