The art of winning when you’re not playing at the peak of your game… a lesson well learned

Ipswich Town sitting jointly at the top of the table; sounds good, doesn’t it?

You would have got long odds for that during the pre-season build-up, but this is no fluke. With all the distractions of last season behind them and the pieces of Roy Keane’s jig-saw puzzle gradually falling into place, Town look to be serious contenders.

But listen – don’t get carried away, promotion isn’t won in August. Yes, agreed; but a good start makes the task a hell of a lot easier…

With fewer players to choose from and fewer options to tinker with, the Cork man’s job is a little easier. Town are growing into their new tactical system, confidence is oozing through the side and confidence gets results.

Alf was disappointed in the attendance, but a lot of damage was done last season when Town could not only win, they couldn’t entertain either. Not so this season. Alf was enthralled from start to finish and attendances will surely rise.

There was a good reception for Jon Stead who had a few good, first-half touches, but he faded badly in the second and his contribution was eclipsed by events.

Ipswich did have the upper hand through most of the first-half. David James produced a spectacular save to keep Town at bay and Tamas Priskin hit a shot too well which crashed off the underside of the bar and back into play with James well beaten.

Jason Scotland on his home debut looked a long way from being match fit and he did not look suited to the lone striker role which was his burden in the first-half, but he was still impressive and possesses a predatory instinct that has been lacking in Town strikers for far too long.

Scotty has all the potential to beam the Town up. A second-half switch playing off front man Priskin suited him better and his well-placed shot to the top corner glancing off the bar after a neat back-flick from Priskin was evidence of this.

However, it took that master of the unexpected David James to open the door for Ipswich. His misjudgement to come for a ball near the edge of his area and resultant fumble allowed Priskin to nip in and tuck away his chance superbly.

What is it with England goalkeeper coaching? They are called up for duty at the top of their game and then positioning, decision-making and handling goes to pot. James, Robinson, Carson, Green and our own Richard Wright have all suffered the yips after a dose of England coaching.

David contributed to the forthcoming DVD Christmas edition of ‘Own goals and gaffs’ for a second time when he spilled Priskin’s shot into the path of Jason Scotland. Jason still had a fair bit to do open his account for the Town and he didn’t disappoint.

Alf had a touch of sympathy for DJ.

He is a genuinely nice bloke and a terrific ambassador for the game, but Alf couldn’t help smiling at the North Stand’s chorus of ‘Two nil and it’s all your fault…’

Harsh, but fair and David manfully took it on the chin. What a contrast to David’s last visit to Portman Road when he was the man of the match with a string of world class saves and received a standing ovation from the Ipswich faithful.

Whilst Ipswich had some assistance in scoring both goals, they had hit the woodwork on three previous occasions and had been relatively untroubled at the back.

Town hadn’t played all that well, but they have learned how to win.