Cardif City v Ipswich Town
Sat 24 Nov 2007 - 12pm
Paul Parry’s first-half strike was enough to earn Cardiff City a valuable 1-0 victory over Ipswich Town and ease the pressure on under fire boss Dave Jones.
It was a vital win for Jones who has been under scrutiny following Cardiff’s record of only one win in their last 11 matches. A result was required against Ipswich who had failed to register an away win this season and Parry duly delivered for his boss in 31st minute with the only goal of the game.
Jones’s had stressed the need to stick together in his pre-match notes. His players took heed, a huddle before kick off demonstrating the significance of a result against an Ipswich side placed 6th in the Championship in stark contrast to their own perilous position just a point above the relegation zone.
The visitors may not have travelled well this season but they were riding high after dismantling Bristol City 6-0 in the last defence of their 100 per cent home record.
Jones rang the changes for Cardiff dropping Robbie Fowler from the squad and overhauling half the defence, Glenn Loovens and Chris Gunter replacing Roger Johnson and Kevin McNaughton respectively. Steve Thompson was paired with Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink in attack for his second start of the season.
Cardiff’s intent was clear from the off. A raucous penalty appeal in the 5th minute earned Loovens a yellow card and the tempo set by his team mates appeared to rattle Ipswich in the early stages.
A surging run from Thompson drew a scything tackle from the Tractor Boys’ captain Jason De Vos in a desperate bid to slow the pace being set by Cardiff. Joe Ledley promptly demonstrated that home side were prepared to mix it as well, joining De Vos in the book minutes later for a crunching challenge on the Ipswich right back Dan Harding.
But Cardiff almost had a nightmare start. Within 15 seconds of Cardiff’s kick-off former Bluebird Alan Lee broke free down the left and chipped Kasper Schmeichel. Only the woodwork saved the young keeper’s blushes. Schmeichel’s loan from Manchester City has been extended until January and his presence will be key if Jones is to save his job but on this occasion the Dane was caught out completely.
The Cardiff boss is also pinning hopes on the development of Chris Gunter and the young Wales International rewarded his manager’s faith in him with an energetic performance. He did everything asked of him with determination and maturity beyond his years and his composure and positioning enabled Paul Parry ahead of him the freedom to roam.
Almost every Cardiff attack came through Parry although the best chance of the opening exchanges belonged to Hasselbaink. His curling free-kick dipped narrowly over the bar in the 20th minute.
Cardiff failed to make their early pressure pay though. Despite spending most of the first 45 in the Ipswich half they were unable to make the breakthrough they deserved. It’s been the story of their season so far.
On the half hour mark Ipswich seemed to be seizing the initiative. Parry over-hit a cross, Gunter attempted a woeful 40-yard pass and Cardiff started to crumble.
But, from a throw within their own half, Stephen McPhail unleashed Parry on a surging counter attack which ended with a goal that Parry and his boss will remember for some time.
As Parry neared the edge of the box on the right wing he jinxed back inside and released a left foot curler. It sailed around the outstretched arm of former Bluebird Neil Alexander and rippled the back of the net at the far post.
Ipswich’s Danny Haynes replacing Pablo Counago was the only highlight of a dire start to the second half. Swirling rain dampened the performance of the players from both sides who lacked invention in the final third.
Joe Ledley was forced off by a knock in the 64th minute. Two international games for Wales appeared to have taken their toll on the midfielder who disappeared down the tunnel for treatment.
His replacement, Peter Whittingham, flashed a free-kick across the face of goal in the 78th minute but the Cardiff attack failed to capitalise on it and finish off the game.
Owen Garvan, so often Ipswich’s playmaker at home, was effectively taken out of play by the Cardiff midfield to the extent that he was replaced in the 70th minute. Ipswich boss Jim Magilton brought on Billy Clarke in an attempt to find a way back into the game. But Clarke’s only contribution of note was to test the hands of Schmeichel well after the referee had blown for a clear offside. For the record Schmeichel saved it, much to the joy of the home fans.
Ipswich’s performance was summed up by the fact that it came to centre-back Alex Bruce to take the initiative. He almost caused Cardiff some problems with an excellent run in the last ten minutes which resulted in a searching cross. Schmeichel was easily equal to it but it sparked a period of sustained pressure from the visitors.
Jones final substitution enraged Cardiff’s Steve Thompson. The Scotsman was replaced by centre back Johnson as Jones’s looked to settle for a 1-0 win and bolster the defence for the dying moments of the game.
But Johnson headed for the other end of the pitch and took his place alongside Hasselbaink. Whatever the plan, Cardiff survived the late push from Ipswich to earn what could be a significant three points and a win that buys Jones a touch more time in the Ninian Park hot seat.
Cardiff (4-4-2): Schmeical, Capaldi, Rae, Purse, Loovens, McPhail, Parry, Ledley (Whittingham 64’), Thompson (Johnson 87’), Hasselbaink, Gunter. Subs Not Used: Oakes, McNaughton, MacLean,
Yellows: Loovens, Ledley
Goals: Parry 31’
Ipswich (4-4-2): Alexander, De Vos (Capt), Lee, Miller, Bruce, Harding, Walters, Wright, Garvan (Clarke 70’), Williams, Counago (Haynes 58’). Subs Not Used: Supple, Wilnis, Legwinski.
Yellows: Miller, De Vos, Williams, Haynes
Referee: Mr A Bates
Attendance: 15,173
It was a vital win for Jones who has been under scrutiny following Cardiff’s record of only one win in their last 11 matches. A result was required against Ipswich who had failed to register an away win this season and Parry duly delivered for his boss in 31st minute with the only goal of the game.
Jones’s had stressed the need to stick together in his pre-match notes. His players took heed, a huddle before kick off demonstrating the significance of a result against an Ipswich side placed 6th in the Championship in stark contrast to their own perilous position just a point above the relegation zone.
The visitors may not have travelled well this season but they were riding high after dismantling Bristol City 6-0 in the last defence of their 100 per cent home record.
Jones rang the changes for Cardiff dropping Robbie Fowler from the squad and overhauling half the defence, Glenn Loovens and Chris Gunter replacing Roger Johnson and Kevin McNaughton respectively. Steve Thompson was paired with Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink in attack for his second start of the season.
Cardiff’s intent was clear from the off. A raucous penalty appeal in the 5th minute earned Loovens a yellow card and the tempo set by his team mates appeared to rattle Ipswich in the early stages.
A surging run from Thompson drew a scything tackle from the Tractor Boys’ captain Jason De Vos in a desperate bid to slow the pace being set by Cardiff. Joe Ledley promptly demonstrated that home side were prepared to mix it as well, joining De Vos in the book minutes later for a crunching challenge on the Ipswich right back Dan Harding.
But Cardiff almost had a nightmare start. Within 15 seconds of Cardiff’s kick-off former Bluebird Alan Lee broke free down the left and chipped Kasper Schmeichel. Only the woodwork saved the young keeper’s blushes. Schmeichel’s loan from Manchester City has been extended until January and his presence will be key if Jones is to save his job but on this occasion the Dane was caught out completely.
The Cardiff boss is also pinning hopes on the development of Chris Gunter and the young Wales International rewarded his manager’s faith in him with an energetic performance. He did everything asked of him with determination and maturity beyond his years and his composure and positioning enabled Paul Parry ahead of him the freedom to roam.
Almost every Cardiff attack came through Parry although the best chance of the opening exchanges belonged to Hasselbaink. His curling free-kick dipped narrowly over the bar in the 20th minute.
Cardiff failed to make their early pressure pay though. Despite spending most of the first 45 in the Ipswich half they were unable to make the breakthrough they deserved. It’s been the story of their season so far.
On the half hour mark Ipswich seemed to be seizing the initiative. Parry over-hit a cross, Gunter attempted a woeful 40-yard pass and Cardiff started to crumble.
But, from a throw within their own half, Stephen McPhail unleashed Parry on a surging counter attack which ended with a goal that Parry and his boss will remember for some time.
As Parry neared the edge of the box on the right wing he jinxed back inside and released a left foot curler. It sailed around the outstretched arm of former Bluebird Neil Alexander and rippled the back of the net at the far post.
Ipswich’s Danny Haynes replacing Pablo Counago was the only highlight of a dire start to the second half. Swirling rain dampened the performance of the players from both sides who lacked invention in the final third.
Joe Ledley was forced off by a knock in the 64th minute. Two international games for Wales appeared to have taken their toll on the midfielder who disappeared down the tunnel for treatment.
His replacement, Peter Whittingham, flashed a free-kick across the face of goal in the 78th minute but the Cardiff attack failed to capitalise on it and finish off the game.
Owen Garvan, so often Ipswich’s playmaker at home, was effectively taken out of play by the Cardiff midfield to the extent that he was replaced in the 70th minute. Ipswich boss Jim Magilton brought on Billy Clarke in an attempt to find a way back into the game. But Clarke’s only contribution of note was to test the hands of Schmeichel well after the referee had blown for a clear offside. For the record Schmeichel saved it, much to the joy of the home fans.
Ipswich’s performance was summed up by the fact that it came to centre-back Alex Bruce to take the initiative. He almost caused Cardiff some problems with an excellent run in the last ten minutes which resulted in a searching cross. Schmeichel was easily equal to it but it sparked a period of sustained pressure from the visitors.
Jones final substitution enraged Cardiff’s Steve Thompson. The Scotsman was replaced by centre back Johnson as Jones’s looked to settle for a 1-0 win and bolster the defence for the dying moments of the game.
But Johnson headed for the other end of the pitch and took his place alongside Hasselbaink. Whatever the plan, Cardiff survived the late push from Ipswich to earn what could be a significant three points and a win that buys Jones a touch more time in the Ninian Park hot seat.
Cardiff (4-4-2): Schmeical, Capaldi, Rae, Purse, Loovens, McPhail, Parry, Ledley (Whittingham 64’), Thompson (Johnson 87’), Hasselbaink, Gunter. Subs Not Used: Oakes, McNaughton, MacLean,
Yellows: Loovens, Ledley
Goals: Parry 31’
Ipswich (4-4-2): Alexander, De Vos (Capt), Lee, Miller, Bruce, Harding, Walters, Wright, Garvan (Clarke 70’), Williams, Counago (Haynes 58’). Subs Not Used: Supple, Wilnis, Legwinski.
Yellows: Miller, De Vos, Williams, Haynes
Referee: Mr A Bates
Attendance: 15,173
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