Well, that was cold. Too cold for the soft southern shandy-drinkers of Ipswich, obviously. For a team that is put forward by the media as the leading light of our fizz-pop league, they let their fans down badly. As wobbly as an MFI wardrobe at the back, toothless in midfield, and lacking any sort of imagination up front (please, let the skunks sign Bent as a replacement for Shearer – ‘cos he’s cac), they were nowhere near the best side we’ve seen this season. All week I’d been expecting a repeat of last year’s game at the SoL – but hoping we made it safe before the last minute.

The first half was fairly uninteresting, and cold. The few chances that did come our way were squandered, but we didn’t really dominate and took 30 minutes to win a corner, so it ended 0-0 and that was probably right – they were crap, and we didn’t punish them for their crapness. Come the second half, and Whitley’s enforced removal (hamstring, apparently) changed the complexion of the game. Westlife gave natural width to the side, and that seemed to spark gorgeous George into life down the opposite flank. Some of the interplay down the left was simply delicious, and the goal was no more than we deserved. Cometh the hour, cometh the little Irish fella. Liam’s corner eventually went in via Elliott’s flick and that was all we’d been waiting for. Brown came on for Stewart, who’d, as last week, suffered from being not strong enough against big, tough (but ultimately poor) centre-halves, and the boy done good. He’ll probably not score an easier goal, set up after yet another sweet and patient left wing move, but it was his first league goal for us, and the celebrations were duly in order.

Bridges has his customary fifteen minutes or so in place of Elliott, and is obviously desperate for a goal, but he still ooozes class. I’m more than a little puzzled as to why Mick Mc prefers Stewart, who tries hard but can’t handle the big defenders, ahead of Bridges, who is clever enough to outwit the big defenders. Or Brown, who simply knocks them out of the way.

For once, I’d agree with the Orange Man of the Match, as Carter was everywhere

In midfield, where the battle was really won for us today. Big disappointment of the day was Hoolio’s booking, which means he’ll miss the trip to Stoke (I think – I don’t profess to understand the rules these days), and Ipswich’s performance, which was poor. If they’re the best that the league has to offer, then we’ve got nothing to worry about.

Well done lads, we saw them off in the proper style.

Keep the faith

Sobs