Jack Taylor scored in Ipswich Town’s 3-0 win against Blackburn Rovers
Ipswich Town midfielder was impressed by the way his side managed to break down a resilient Blackburn Rovers outfit, beating them 3-0 at Portman Road.
The Blues struggled in the reverse fixture at Ewood Park, as well as the abandoned clash back in September, but had few issues dispatching Valerien Ismael’s side at Portman Road.
“It was a tough opponent who we struggled against in the away fixture,” Taylor said. “They are a tight man-to-man team who make it feel like you’re not playing great sometimes.
“Delighted with how we started, especially in the first half. We showed our best intensity. Thankfully we were 2-0 up at the break.
“We could have played better in the second half and put the game to bed a bit earlier, but three points is all that matters.
“We had a couple of breakout chances, chances where we could have put the game to bed a bit earlier, but we still won 3-0 at home. Another clean sheet, which is another stepping stone for the lads.
“It’s another good day at the office.”
Eiran Cashin’s early own goal preceded a strike from Taylor, who fired in from point-blank range to make it 2-0 with his first of the season.
“I was delighted,” 27-year-old revealed. “I said that one would drop to me in the box from a set piece.
The midfielder fired home from a corner to put his side 2-0 up (Image: Steve Waller)
“It’s not the best goal of my career, but I’m just delighted.”
Team-mate and close friend Sam Szmodics wrapped up the win at the very end, coming off the bench to finally score on Suffolk soil.
As Taylor points out, however, it isn’t his first goal at Portman Road, having found the back of the net while playing for Peterborough United in February 2020.
“It’s another one!” he chuckled. “It’s his first goal at Portman Road in a Town shirt.
“I’m delighted for him. It’s another one where I don’t think he can really miss, but I’m delighted for him.
“It was always just a matter of time for him. We know he’s a great goalscorer, a great finisher. Hopefully this kickstarts his little goalscoring run.
“He’s used to scoring goals, isn’t he? He got the Golden Boot two years ago, so I don’t think he’s over the top about it.
“He’ll be delighted that he got his first goal at Portman Road because it was probably lingering over him a little bit.
“I think he’ll be happy.”
The clean sheet – a ninth of the season – also feels incredibly important, with Ipswich looking water-tight defensively.
“We know we can score goals from all round the pitch,” Taylor stated. “If we start by getting a clean sheet, we’ll most likely win the game. Defend first.
Sam Szmodics wrapped up the win with a strike against his former club (Image: Steve Waller)
“But in the first half today, I thought we showed our best intensity and they couldn’t really deal with us. They had a couple of breakout chances in the second half, but I felt we dealt with it quite well.”
The aforementioned game against Blackburn at Ewood Park has proved to be a bit of a nadir. Since that 1-1 draw, Ipswich’s record stands at seven wins, one draw and one defeat in nine matches in all competitions.
It feels like they needed to take step backwards to finally go on a run.
“We knew we weren’t at it that day,” Taylor admitted. “That came at the end of a week where we played away three games in a row, but we can’t use that as an excuse, we still have to go out there and perform.
“It was nowhere near good enough on the night, but we walked away with a point and, by the end of the season, it could look like a good point.
“Sometimes you need those days in the season to give yourself a little kick up the backside, to get going.”
The result was obviously significant for the Blues, who are looking to keep up with Coventry City and Middlesbrough at the top of the table. Both won this weekend, so matching that felt vital.
Taylor isn’t focused on the league table despite wins for Coventry City and Middlesbrough (Image: Ross Halls)
For Taylor, it means little at the moment.
“Coventry were so far ahead, but we take it game by game,” he explained. “I know every team says it, but we literally do.
“There’s no point checking the table now because it could be completely different by this time next week. It’s better to take it game by game, you can’t affect anything that’s going on anywhere else.
“As long as we keep on picking up points, especially at home, getting three points again, we’ll hopefully be up there by the end of the season.”
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