SAM’S MAIN MAN TO GIVE BLUES A LIFT
KIERAN McKenna was full of praise for Sam Morsy after he broke the deadlock in Ipswich’s win at Fleetwood.
The Tractor Boys took the victory with Morsy’s 71st-minute goal and Kayden Jackson sealing matters with a second ten minutes from time.
And the Ipswich boss admitted he was surprised it was the first time the Egypt international had found the net this season.
“He’s been getting into good areas,” said McKenna of his midfield anchor. “We think that’s his best role. Sometimes players have to do what’s best for the team and that’s a case for him after Lee Evans’ injury.
“We like him in that role. He’s got the running power, the timing and the hunger to get beyond people and get into effective areas. I’m surprised that was his first goal of the season but I don’t think it’ll be his last.
“It was a good win because it was a difficult game on a very difficult pitch. It was a big challenge to pick ourselves up after a disappointing result against Morecambe last week and we didn’t feel sorry for ourselves, we improved on a few things and went again.”
Ipswich had dominated the possession in the first half, but failed to make the most of their few openings.
Joe Pigott went closest on the stroke of half-time, with his shot clipping the outside of a post. Pigott had also gone close just before the half-hour mark, lobbing Alex Cairns after the keeper’s weak header, but narrowly clearing the crossbar.
Fleetwood had offered little in attack, but centre-back Tom Clarke almost broke the deadlock shortly after the restart with a fine low volley, with Christian Walton brilliantly pushing it around a post.
With 20 minutes to play, former Cod Army man Wes Burns found space in the box and squared the ball for Morsy to tap home the opener.
And ten minutes from time, Jackson sprang the offside trap and rolled in Ipswich’s second.
McKenna added: “It was very pleasing for the fans who have travelled. We put on a good performance in very difficult circumstances and we got our reward.”
While the win extended Ipswich’s unbeaten run to seven, the defeat left Fleetwood looking uneasily over their shoulders at the relegation battle.
The Cod Army haven’t won in nine games but boss Stephan Crainey insists that, with the effort and commitment his injury-hit squad shows each week, they will turn things around sooner rather than later.
“There are no excuses, we can’t use injuries as an excuse for not winning football games,” he said.