JOE: I’VE REVVED UP THE TRACTOR
Gloomy? No, we’re a happy bunch says Ipswich goal-hero Garner
JOE GARNER’S debut goal injected fresh hope and belief into Ipswich fans after a worrying summer.
A dismal end to last season, a 6-1 pre-season thrashing at Charlton, and the loss of young star Andre Dozzell to a possible cruciate ligament injury in the first half saw Town go into the break in bleak mood.
But Garner’s 99th league strike five minutes into the second half completely changed the atmosphere inside Portman Road. Town suddenly looked dangerous and the fans left thinking the bookies may have got it wrong in making their side one of the favourites to go down.
“To win the first game at home was important, everyone goes home happy,” said 29-year-old Garner, a £1million summer signing from Rangers.
“As a striker it’s always nice to score goals but we are a team and it was good to get the win and that gives everyone more confidence. It was a great cross and I was glad to get on the end of it and score.”
Garner admitted the hammering at the Valley had played on Ipswich minds, but the under-fire squad was determined to put things right.
He said: “We spoke about that loss during training in the week but it was important to remember that was pre-season and this was now. We reacted well and that’s all credit to the gaffer and the lads.”
In the first half only a series of good saves by home keeper Bartosz Bialkowski denied Harry Redknapp’s Birmingham. Bialkowski dropped on to a Michael Morrison downward header on the line, pushed away a Che Adams effort and thwarted an angled effort from Emilio Nsue.
Adams curled a 14-yard shot wide after a lovely touch by Jacques Maghoma as City had the better of the first half, while David Davis had a good opportunity moments before Town broke away and scored.
While Redknapp bemoaned the lack of depth in his squad, new signing Marc Roberts insisted City would respond positively. “It’s a game of fine margins,” said the recent £3.5m buy from Barnsley.
“We missed a couple of chances and in this league it is going to hurt. If David had scored that goal it could have been a very different game.”