Ipswich Town column: We have to be performing better against

I don’t understand how we can perform so well against the likes of Manchester United, Tottenham and Aston Villa but then come up so short against teams like West Ham, Everton and Crystal Palace – all of which are around us in the table. It’s so frustrating.

Tuesday was poor. Really poor.

Perhaps we’re not used to it after going three years unbeaten on a weekday night match, but I was so disappointed.

Ipswich Town fan columnist Joey Sadler

Town have impressed this season and won the hearts of many with their high-tempo, aggressive style of play.

However, that was nowhere to be seen on Tuesday and I can’t work out why.

The Blues have taken more points off the current top half teams than they have the bottom. We seem to be playing a lot better against so called ‘bigger sides’ but coming up short against those around them.

Town goalkeeper Arijanet Muric in action against Crystal Palace on Tuesday night at Portman Road. Picture: Barry Goodwin

And if we are going to stay up, it’s going to be what we do against those around us that matters most, so it is a worrying picture.

I think that’s what frustrates me most, the fact we know we can perform so much better than we have done these last two, but defeats in these games hurt so much more.

One shining light was the performance of Nathan Broadhead.

Blues boss Kieran McKenna. Picture: Barry Goodwin

I was really excited by the signing of Jack Clarke and couldn’t see a world where ‘Broady’ would get too many minutes. But it really hasn’t happened so far and to be honest, he has looked out of his depth at this level.