SOL DESTROYING Campbell debut ...but he has huge job on his hands
SOUTHEND UNITED 1 IPSWICH TOWN 3
NEW Southend manager Sol Campbell has urged his players to build on the effort and commitment they put in during their defeat to Ipswich.
Former England international Campbell took over at the League One strugglers earlier this week, having lef t Macclesfield in August, and watched on as his new side were hammered 7-1 by Doncaster on Tuesday night.
Campbell’s arrival in the dugout failed to spark a dramatic turnaround in fortunes as Ipswich eased to a victory which sends them back to the top of the League One table.
But, despite starting his reign with a defeat at Roots Hall, Campbell was boosted by aspects of the display.
“There were a lot of positives,” said Campbell.
“We started off well and we should have had a goal because it shouldn’t have been disallowed. Rob Kiernan’s onside and he’s level. But that’s how it goes sometimes when you’re at the bottom. Sometimes you don’t get the rub of the green.”
The Shrimpers remain second from bottom having won just once this season and have lost 12 of their 15 league games.
But Campbell was encouraged as his side kept going right until the end.
“The main thing for us was that we didn’t give up and we got a goal through some good play,” he said.
“They didn’ t throw the towel in and that pleased me a lot.
“They gave everything and if we keep that attitude things w i l l change and we will get the rub of the green. They worked hard, probably the hardest they’ve worked for some time. That’s the level, but we have to build on that now.”
The Shrimpers did have an early Kiernan header ruled out for offside, but Ipswich hit back to open the scoring after eight minutes when James Norwood latched onto Kayden Jackson’s through ball to fire home, with Southend keeper Mark Oxley rooted to his line.
Ipswich doubled their lead in the 70th minute when Jackson’s leftwing cross picked out Norwood, who sent a low, leftfooted shot
SOUTHEND IPSWICH 3 ........ Shots on Target .........9 2 ........Shots off Target .........8 8 ................Corners .................3 12 .................Fouls.................. 14 2 ............... Offsides ................ 0 65.2.. Passing Success ....67.9 353 .......Total Passes ........ 377 49.1 .........Possession ........ 50.9 43.4 . Territorial Adv%...56.6 into the bottom right hand corner from 12 yards.
Six minutes later Town scored again, with Jackson firing home from close range after Nolan’s effort was parried by Oxley.
The Shrimpers netted a consolation effort in the 83rd minute with sub Emile Acquah scoring the first senior goal of his career from close range.
Ipswich boss Paul Lambert said his side deserved the three points after suffering defeat in their previous two league matches.
“I was pleased with how we’ve handled the situation here with the new manager coming in for Southend,” he said.
“It was important that we got the first goal and I thought our front two – James Norwood and Kayden Jackson – were a handful the whole game.
“Norwood is a unique kind of guy. He’s old school but that’s a compliment.
“They played really well together and I’m really happy they both got goals.”