adminOxford United 1-2 Ipswich Town: Ashley Young’s verdict
Ashley Young felt that Ipswich Town produced a good performance in tonight’s 2-1 defeat at Oxford United.
Mark Harris and Przemysław Płacheta scored either side of a Leif Davis equaliser to end the Blues’ six-game unbeaten run.
The Blues had 73% possession and 18 shots in the game, but were ultimately left to rue a mixture of missed chance and lapses in defensive concentration.
“It’s disappointing with the possession we had and the chances we created,” admitted veteran full-back Young, who came on in the second half.
“When we equalised I thought it was going to be us that would go on and win the game. We had chances to get the second and I think it changes the game if we do do that. Oxford then have to come out and that can create some more space for us to go and hurt them. On another night that would have been the case.
“Even when we were 2-1 down we had great chances to get ourselves back in it. At least that would have been a valuable point. But it’s not to be tonight. You have nights like that, it’s just how you bounce back from that. The games are non stop at the moment, we’ve got another one on Tuesday (at Blackburn) and we’ll go and look to win that one.”
On where the Blues fell short, the 40-year-old said: “I just think we need to be a little bit more clinical in front of goal at times, defend as a team… it’s several things.
“Like I say, it’s just one of those days. On another day we play that game again and definitely go on and win it. It’s just unfortunate.
“Everyone can chip in with goals in this squad, it just wasn’t to be tonight. But we know we’ve got goals all around the squad.”
With this being the third of seven games in a 22-day spell, Young continued: “In the second half we looked like the stronger team, so I don’t think anything’s catching up with us. We’re fitter than any other team in this division.
“We’ve put in some good performances of late and I think tonight was also a good performance, we just didn’t get the goals to win the game.”
Azor Matusiwa’s underhit back pass, when Town were trying to play out the back, led to Oxford breaking the deadlock.
“Az has been one of our standout players for us this season. It happens,” said Young.
“The players all got around him, both out on the pitch and in the dressing room afterwards. You don’t want to see that happen, but it’s one of those things, it’s the way we play. Everyone is going to make mistakes. If you tell me you’ve never made a mistake in your life then I’d call you a liar. It happens. You learn from it. We’re not going to change and ask Az to do anything differently. He got on with the game and carried on playing. I’m sure he’ll be ready to put that one right on Tuesday.”
Asked if Davis’ well-taken volleyed equaliser, from a Marcelino Nunez outswinging corner, had been something straight off the training pitch, Young joked: “If you ask the set-piece coach (Mark Hudson) he’d probably say they did work on it! Set-pieces are vitally important, Huds does so much work, but I’m not too sure that one was worked on!”
This was Young’s first appearance since a late cameo at QPR at the start of November. He hasn’t started since the 3-0 home loss to Charlton on October 21.
Asked if he was itching to feature more, he replied: “Of course I am. I might be 40 years old, but I want to play as much as possible and give as much as I can to this team on the pitch. I know I’ve got a voice in the dressing room, but I want to be out there and taking part.”
Town now prepare for a third away game in eight days. Kieran McKenna’s men take on Blackburn, at Ewood Park, for take two of September’s abandoned game on Tuesday night.
The Blues missed out on a chance to, temporarily at least, go second in the Championship table tonight. Seven teams have the chance to leapfrog them tomorrow with wins.
“Teams are beating everyone in this division, it’s a crazy league, but you’ve just got to focus on yourselves and each game as it comes up,” said Young.
“Tonight’s done. It’s now about recovering as well as we can and getting ready for Tuesday at Blackburn. There are still plenty of games to play.”
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