adminAshley Young on 3-0 defeat to Charlton Athletic
Ipswich Town defender Ashley Young has stressed that his side need to react much better when they fall behind in games.
The Blues dominated the first half against Charlton Athletic, but managed just one shot on target, the same as their opponents. After the break, the Addicks took control, scoring three times in the space of just 12 minutes to seal the points.
Asked whether it was a frustrating night for him, Young said: “Of course it is, especially after the first half with the way we played and controlled the game.
“We’re disappointed to come off like that. When the first goal goes in, I think we need a better reset to not concede any more goals in the manner that we did.
“Of course, it’s disappointing tonight.”
Asked whether their reaction was a surprise, Young replied: “I don’t think it’s surprising. At times it’s happening. We need to find a way of eradicating that.
“I know what the squad is here, it’s a fantastic squad that can definitely do that, but we just need to find that.
“I think it’s one of those where we go a goal down and we quickly want to go and get a goal back because we know we’re good enough to do that. That’s when, at times, teams have punished us. That was the same again tonight.
“It’s mistakes, but we’re in it as a team. Everyone’s together and I’ve got no doubt that we’ll dust ourselves down and go again on Saturday.”
Kieran McKenna did roll the dice with his team selection, making seven changes from the team that were beaten 2-1 away at Middlesbrough last Friday.
Some will argue that it was too much, and that the Blues weren’t at their best as a result, but Young argued that it shouldn’t matter.
“When you’ve got a squad like ours, even if we make 11 changes, we know we’ve got boys who will go out on that pitch and give the same as the rest of the boys in the squad,” he explained.
“It’s a squad game, you can’t use the same 11 players throughout the whole season, it’s not possible.
“There will be things talked about, the changes, but we’ve got players who will step up to the plate and play well. There’s competition for places, I see that competition day in, day out on the training pitch.
“I have faith in every person in this squad.”
The reaction from the fans was fierce at full time, likely the loudest chorus of boos heard under McKenna’s tenure.
Young was keen to stress positives from the first half, but admitted that the dressing room feels equally as frustrated after such a tough night.
“I think when you see us after the first half, I don’t know how many shots we had tonight (30 in total), it could be a totally different game if one of them goes in in the first half. It’s not to be.
“We know what it’s going to be like this season, they are going to try and nullify us, play five at the back, and at times drop all 11 behind the ball. It’s up to us to break them down.
“Of course the fans are frustrated, but it’s a frustrated dressing room as well. Everybody knows we can do more. It could have been a totally different game if one of those shots goes in.
“I know we’ll have the right reaction come Saturday, and be able to go and put on a performance where I know we can get three points.”
Now, all eyes turn to West Brom on Saturday (12:30pm KO). There will be a sense of expectation that Ipswich bounce back after successive defeats, but Young believes this is natural given their status in the Championship.
“I think there’s pressure on every game,” he said. “When a club comes out of the Premier League, there’s always going to be pressure surrounding the club.
“I think we’re the team everyone wants to beat. We’re one of the teams that have come out of the Premier League. You saw the way Charlton were celebrating after the game, like they had won a cup final. I think, for many teams, that’s what it will be like.
“It’s down to us to concentrate on what it is we want to do and how to win the games. We know teams will put a lot of men behind the ball, it’s down to us to break them down and get the wins.”
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