Sport Today

I went to see this 'farce' of a game last night, and I was disgusted by the
standard of play.
Although the season is only a couple of games old it horrifies me that a team
such as Ipswich can be top of the league.
This is meant to be English soccer at its best but I'm sad to say that if this is
an example of English soccer at its best then I'll have to start supporting
Argentina - and everyone should know how hard it is for me to say that.

All I can really say is that if these two teams played to this standard last
season then the teams that went down must have been really ***y awful. On this
form I can't see either of the teams staying up in the 'top' flight.

A complete waste of 11 pounds.

Marts

|> I went to see this 'farce' of a game last night, and I was disgusted by the
|> standard of play.
|> Although the season is only a couple of games old it horrifies me that a team
|> such as Ipswich can be top of the league.
|> This is meant to be English soccer at its best but I'm sad to say that if this is
|> an example of English soccer at its best then I'll have to start supporting
|> Argentina - and everyone should know how hard it is for me to say that.
|>
|> All I can really say is that if these two teams played to this standard last
|> season then the teams that went down must have been really ***y awful. On this
|> form I can't see either of the teams staying up in the 'top' flight.
|>
|> A complete waste of 11 pounds.
|>
|> Marts

I find it hard to believe that you were at the same game as I was last night. In
my only slightly biased opinion, the match was entertaining and the standard
of play by Ipswich was high - only Tim Flowers and the wood-work prevented
an avalanche of goals. Maybe Southampton looked like they may struggle this
season, but that was only due to the fact that they were not allowed to play
by the opposition. Town knocked the ball about well, battled hard, looked solid
in defence and, in general, sharp up front. What more can you ask for?

If all the Town's home matches are as entertaining, I will consider my
160 pound season ticket to be a bargain,

Chris

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Chris lives at : BT Laboratories, Martlesham Heath, IPSWICH, IP5 7RE, UK

Martin Hartley writes (18/8/93):-

        What a complete load of rubbish. If you think that, then you clearly know
very little about the game. I have been watching Ipswich since 1974 and I have
seen some really good and some really dire stuff in that time. Although obviously
biased I would be among the first to admit it if I thought watching Ipswich had
been a waste of time and I am in no doubt that the money I spent last night was
well worth it.

        Ipswich hit the uprights twice and Southampton once, the match statistics
showed 14 shots on goal (11 Ipswich and 3 Southampton) in the 1st half alone.
There was plenty of goal mouth action, Tim Flowers proved to me precisely why he
is so highly thought of and Matthew Le Tissier was a real handful. Ipswich showed
real character at the back and Geriant Williams ran the midfield. Marshall and
Kywomya worked well together in only their second league game. The only real
criticsm I would make is that Ipswich did sit back a bit after having scored the
goal and unless they sort that quickly we may have to learn the hard way.

        To describe this as a "farce" is insulting to both Ipswich and
Southampton fans and misleading to those neutrals reading that did not see it.
Perhaps it would be better for all of us if you did start supporting Argentina
and maybe perhaps we at Portman Rd could have a whip round for your air fare.

Dickie

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    | Richard Mossman, RT315, Room G44, SSTF, British Telecom              |
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Ipswich did play this badly - look at their form in the 2nd half of last
season.

Bill

What a pile of shite!! Ipswich created loads of chances, slammed the woodwork
3 times, and Im ***ed if Id want to try and save Warks shot! If we keep
this up all season my 160 squids season ticket will be a bargain!

Soton admittedly looked poor, only Tim Flowers kept them in the game. Felt
sorry for their fans when with 10 mins to go they could muster a last attack.
The Soton fans on CIX say that form like that singles them for the drop.

I wonder exactly what you were expecting for your 11 quid Martin? Ipswich's
whole squad cost around 2 million - less than we've sold Jason Dozzell for.
If you want pure slick football, go where the money is, like Villa Park. If
you just want results, go to Highbury.

Something again to do with our small budget squad. 3 injuries last January
destroyed our defence. A pity really, I enjoy watching our little team
rip the p*ss out of the big money - like Ipswich 2 Man Utd 1 last season.
BTW Martin, was that game to your taste?

PS. Does anyone here at Martlesham actually do any work? :-)
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 Phil Clarke, BT Research Labs, England | The views expressed here are
   CIX: pmclarke   CIS: 100020,1564     | those of Father Christmas
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