Ipswich’s Disappointing Loss to Southampton
Ipswich’s first league defeat to Southampton since August 2011 could not have come at a more inopportune time. Kieran McKenna’s side were briefly threatening to move out of the relegation zone after Liam Delap equalized, but they remain 19th in the Premier League table, with goals and points in short supply over recent weeks.
The visit of the bottom club was supposed to be the big opportunity to press reset and get back on track in their bid to preserve their top-flight status. However, it proved another disappointing day for Ipswich, who have now shipped 14 goals in four matches.
A Lack of Clinical Finishing
While the hosts controlled possession and carved out the best opportunities, aside from Delap, they appear to have too few players capable of adding a clinical touch to their neat and enterprising build-up play. The England Under-21 forward has scored 41% of the Tractor Boys’ goals in the top flight this term, but unless McKenna can find another effective source of goals, Ipswich will find it difficult to climb to safety.
– Ipswich’s first league defeat to Southampton since August 2011
– Briefly threatened to move out of the relegation zone
– Remain 19th in the Premier League table
– Shipped 14 goals in four matches
– Controlled possession but lacked clinical finishing
– Delap has scored 41% of Ipswich’s goals this season
The loss to Southampton could not have come at a worse time for Ipswich. Despite their brief resurgence, they remain firmly in the relegation zone, and their recent goal-scoring woes have been a major concern. If Kieran McKenna cannot find a way to unlock more scoring threats within his squad, Ipswich will face an uphill battle to preserve their Premier League status.
Take Action: Ipswich must act quickly to address their goal-scoring issues and find a way to climb out of the relegation zone. With a crucial run of fixtures ahead, the Tractor Boys will need to demonstrate a clinical edge in front of goal if they are to secure their top-flight future.
