Ipswich (A)
Back in June, totally starved of all things Bolton, I made the same promise to my son, my Dad made to me every summer... "wherever the first away is, we are going!”
Roll on first game of the season and it had to be Ipswich bastard away. In the middle of train strike and highest petrol prices since cars were invented. Ah well, its what we do isn't it.
After a 7:30am pick up, and two bleary eyed Hambleton Whites in tow, we were off. No better feeling in the world, out early doors on the open road off to watch your team in some distant part of the country, and not many come more distant than a rather parched Suffolk.
We landed just after 1pm, but didn’t need any directions to the pub, we just followed the racket. You could tell it was going to be lively day within seconds of being in there. Wanderers fans already in fine voice hours before kick-off.
The flags were up, the beer was flowing and some already battle weary heads were dotted around the beer garden after some long-arse coach journeys. Jagerbombs and shitty blocked toilets seemed to be the theme. Handshakes, cuddles and kisses all round, greeting folk like long lost pals having not seen them for 3 months!
The closer to kick-off we got the louder things got, the atmosphere was brilliant and my little lad absolutely in his element. Very reminiscent of myself stood in a beer garden at Southampton or similar many moons ago. He was loving it.
“Ipswich, a pretty decent opposition, loaded with bench weapons plus, on Saturday, a referee that would have given them his first born if he could.”
On to the match we went. Our fans were electric. You won't get a better or more vociferous away following than that, especially at the arse end of the country. I was quite surprised how quiet the Ipswich fans were to be honest, not that they had much chance with our lot. The song sheet has never been as big either, I would love to know who dreams them up. I remember the days it was literally “We are the one and only Wanderers” for the full 90 minutes. Suppose it’s another testament to how good the vibes are around the Wanderers support at the minute.
On the pitch, it was as good a start as you’re likely to see. We were completely dominant for that first half hour. Dapo and Charles working well and Kieron Lee showing why he’s probably our most composed midfielder. The superb Morley converts a penalty, that the ref took an age to give, brilliantly... Fuck me lads we will have this done and dusted by February!
However, Ipswich and the referee decided enough was enough. Think we are all guilty sometimes in forgetting we are actually playing an opposition, and in Ipswich, a pretty decent opposition, loaded with bench weapons plus, on Saturday, a referee that would have given them his first born if he could.
They finished the first half much the stronger and that pretty much set the stall out for the second half. They had two men on Dapo permanently and Charles for all his desire and enegry was getting no change out of their central defenders. The poor lad ran in himself in to the ground. The changes came as we tried to go a bit more industrial with Bod and Baka upfront, a system that just couldn’t get going really as they continued to dominate the midfield.
Trafford, after a few dodgy moments earlier in the game kept us in it with a worldy save. Who knows how important that save could be come May.
Our last chance came as George Johnston had the chance to chip the ball in to an array of 6ft 5in lumps in the dying seconds but decided to scuff the ball instead and let them breakaway for their final attack.
And that was that. A game of two half halves. Well a quarter and three quarters. Ipswich will without a doubt be up there this season. But so will we. Our defence showed a lot character in that second half, Santos looked like a giant at times. We will put a lot of teams to the sword with that first half display, but it’s against the big boys it will be tricky, but we passed the first test. Just.
My main concern is lack of pace. Without the ‘biscuit knees’ Fossey we have a genuine lack of pace.
The manager’s got a headache in midfield, with Sheehan and Dempsey still to come in, plus the $64 million question in what is Dapo’s best position. He’s too good not to start, but I feel Bod works better with Charles. All great problems to have.
After the game I took the lad for some tea and let the ‘Wyre Whites’ wander in to town, he was already uploading his videos (see below – please subscribe!!) before his burger had even hit table. Bit different to hanging outside the King Bill seeing if it was kicking off on the Normid car park.
I walked in my house at 12:05am. What a fucking journey. Was it worth it? To walk in that ground with my boy singing our heads off, every penny. I’d do it again tomorrow. It’s what we do.