Five thunks from Norwich

1-  Whoever gets promoted out fo this division will have done so by default.  Jeeeez.

2- The first twenty minutes was terrific, but we’ve nobody but ourselves to blame if we don’t take advantage of such spells.  It’s no coincidence that we’ve not tonked anyone for a while.

3- Jordan… really doesn’t help himself, does he? 

4- Collins John looks a lot of fun.  That pace will be useful away from home…

5- An astonishing refereeing performance.  Not that we’ve anyone else but ourselves to blame but… really.  The shove on Smith seemed to take place in slow motion.  How did he miss it?

Preston Thunks

1- Some days it just doesn’t bounce for you.  Had Doris scored his early chance, Preston’s impotence in attack suggests we’d have won comfortably - not until the last twenty minutes did a victory seem anything but inevitable. 

2- This is the Jobi McAnuff we thought we’d bought in the summer.  Funny how defenders knowing exactly what he’s going to try to do every time he gets the ball in a wide position - cut between two markers - doesn’t help them prevent him doing it.

3- The Duke didn’t have the best service, but this was a return to the lumpy displays of earlier in the season.   Collins John needs to work, as an option in such situations if nothing else.

4- JJ looking like a midfielder at last - rather than “just” someone with a happy knack of attacking the box at the right time.  Good stuff from the teenager.

5- Who was the mysterious man in a suit at half time, ambling awkwardly around like someone at the wrong wedding, or (ig’s suggestion) an art teacher occasionally peering over the shoulder of a bored pupil…?

That thing what Matt usually does:

1. It’s all about the first goal. After a refreshing, revitalising couple of weeks, it’s disappointing to fall back into bad habits. For all that our first half play was positive and energetic, we neglected some of the basics; it doesn’t matter how well you’ve played if you’re two-nil down at half-time.

2. News just in: It’s not all about the first goal. The comeback was complete within a minute of it becoming a vague possibility…and, from there on, all a thoroughly entertaining game lacked was a conclusive finish.

3. The midfield options suddenly look rather attractive. After a shaky return to the first team, Al Bangura looks increasingly capable of living up to his billing: busy and assertive and aggressive, an ideal partner for John Eustace in these kind of fixtures…

4. …And for all that John-Joe O’Toole  still has to learn as a midfielder, it’s very much to be hoped that none of it detracts from his ability to ghost into the heart of the penalty area at convenient moments. He’s already scored more than Tamas Priskin.

5. Lee Cook with a sensible haircut. It doesn’t seem quite right. He’ll be tracking back and tackling next….

Five thunks from Leicester

1- What a complete turnaround in terms of defensive resilience.  Wolves in the cup was just seventeen days ago…

2- Doris.  Inhuman.

3- The Rookery really is rather fun on nights like this.

4- That Ben Alnwick looks a bit useful.

5- That O’Toole misses Charlton is kinda convenient;  Saturday’s Eustace/Bangura axis was surely due a rerun in any event.

Five thunks from Portman Road

1- Was there ever a more evil, bloody-minded and unplayable midfield than Eustace and Bangura?  Don’t.  F***ing.  Mess.

2- Dan Shittu.  Bang.  Bang.  Wallop.  Bang. Cramp?  Never heard of it.  Bang.

3- Steve Kabba, a magnificent cameo.  Would still be ferrying balls into no man’s land  up the right wing now, given half a chance.

4- Stephen Bywater.  The ability to kick a ball ought to be a fairly basic prerequisite for a footballer, even a keeper.  Few players have an opinion of themselves so far out of kilter with reality.

5- The cherry on the icing on today’s ample cake was the sound of snivelling observations from Suffolk’s finest on the way out of the ground.  In the face of defeat, fans of “footballing sides” so often seek refuge in perceived aesthetics, as if they should have been awarded goals for artistic impression.  The points being missed in this instance were that our midfield (see point 1) never allowed Ipswich to play their pretty football, and that we put together the best move of the game for the Duke’s goal.  Ipswich couldn’t mix it up, and that they’ve only won once on the road this season is no coincidence.

Five thunks from Wolves

1- John Eustace.  A signing after ig’s own heart - he was eulogising 20 minutes in, and the new man had barely touched the ball.  He made a difference in any event - shouting, organising, and stabilising the whole side in a way that made last weekend’s shambles a distant memory.  The team has a leader, at last.

2- Leigh Bromby.  Wow, that throw.  Distance, trajectory AND accuracy… Doris is going to love that.  Defended well also - won a large number of headers for a smallish centreback.

3- Steve Kabba.  Steve bloody Kabba.  Terrace hero.  Who’d have thought it?  The “tackle” out on our right flank at the end of the first half is a highlight of the season already.

4- How much tamer did Wolves look as a consequence of our having a bit of spine, at last?

5- And a clean sheet to boot.  Big hurrahs all round.  More, please.

Five thunks from the cupitulation to Wolves

1- Another kick up the backside, Aidy?  If our arses are that sore no wonder we’re struggling so badly.

2- A surprising number of tolerable performances - Ellington did well, Sadler looked the part, decent corners included, Kabba and Bangura worked hard and Smith looked terrific when he came on…

3- …. but boy do we need some help at the back.  And much as we’re all Mali fans on Tuesday, it’s going to take more than Danny Shittu to sort this out.

4- Matt Jarvis looks like one that got away - far more threat than from our left winger.  Andy Keogh would need to score a brace a week to justify those boots though…

5-  Three-one next week then?  Good…

Five thunks from Charlton

1- Well that was quite good fun really.  Wouldn’t have been fun in the Premiership… we’d have been two down and game over at half time.

2- Kelly Youga has looked like the worst left back in the history of creation in two games against us this season (see also Scunny (A)).  Smudger gave him a hard time - would have been fun to have Ainsworth coming off the bench though.

3- Al Bangura, cult status henceforth assured.  But his impact on our options shouldn’t be overlooked - the ability to put Al in front of the defence allowing the rest of the midfield to charge forward is a powerful one.

4- Callum Davenport looked the part, even if you can see how (like Danny S) he might be exposed at the highest level.  Hope his injury isn’t as bad as it appears (no thanks to the contribution of the charming Bougherra)

5- Encouragingly adroit movement and finish from the Duke.  Vicarage Road may well benefit from the unusual patience the crowd has offered.

Five Thunks from Palace

1- Well that was much better. It’s been a while since we’ve dominated a side at home as we did in the second half.

2- Had Danny’s rampage through at 2-0 been crowned it would have been the highlight of the season. A monstrous goodbye from the big man.

3- A wonderful bit of insight on each side with regard to McAnuff -  Palace exposing his (and Jordan’s) defensive indiscipline by doubling up attacking their right flank in the first half, McAnuff in turn taking full advantage of Matt Lawrence’s inability to tackle with his left foot repeatedly in the second. 

4- An astonishing double penalty miss by Mr.Mason.  If such decisions even themselves out, then let’s hope the balance comes when it matters - unlike here.

5- James Scowcroft and Clinton Morrison - a right couple of pantomime dames.  Is there a mouthier forward line in the division?

Five Thunks.

1- What a jolly splendid sunset over the Rous Stand.

2- I’ve bought a new pair of shoes.  They’re very nice.

3- I’m sleeping on the sofa again tonight, to accommodate visiting inlaws.  Will this earn enough brownie points to fund an away trip at some point in the future?  Will it buggery.

4- If you must think about football, try pitchinvasion.net.  It’s really very good.

5- Oh sodding hell.  QPR were shocking.  Absolutely shocking.  Worst defence we’ve seen all season.  Except Sheffield Wednesday (H) for twenty minutes.  And probably Gillingham.  Oh, and our lamentable nonsense in the first half.  Hope we don’t play anyone else with pace up front when Danny’s away with Nigeria.  For two thirds of the pitch we were OK.  But anyone, anyone is going to look comfortable when you give them a three-nil lead.