CHRIS LAKEY Ipswich boss Jim Magilton accused his players of forgetting the importance of the occasion after a disastrous opening period at Carrow Road.

CHRIS LAKEY

By CHRIS LAKEY

Ipswich boss Jim Magilton accused his players of forgetting the importance of the occasion after a disastrous opening period at Carrow Road yesterday.

Town were behind after just five minutes, and it could have been more by half-time, but a half-time pep talk did the trick as honours were shared after David Wright's equaliser - fairly according to Magilton.

“Credit is due to Norwich,” he said. “I think they started the game quicker than we did and realised the importance of the game.

“I think a few of our lads thought they could turn up, get on the ball and play, and in all games, especially derby games, the first 20 minutes are the most frenetic and you have to earn the right and we didn't.

“But once we settled into a groove I thought we were better, not where we want to be, but better.”

It's rare that opposing managers agree on the outcome of a match, but Magilton was in accordance with Peter Grant yesterday.

“I think Norwich started the game better than we did,” he said. “It took us 20 minutes to get into any sort of rhythm. Credit where credit is due, I think they put us under a lot of pressure, hustled us out of possession and deserved their lead, but once we got into our rhythm, actually dominated possession, I thought we were better.

“I think we were desperate for half-time to come, or I was, to get them in and have a little chat with them. I think we started the second half a lot brighter and when we actually controlled the ball and controlled possession we were very comfortable.

“I think we deserved to get back in the game, I thought it was a great overlap - he (Wright) showed great endeavour to get in there and probably deserved his little bit of luck with the ricochet. It was a good finish, so I think on the balance, Norwich, they came back into it, Huckerby was bright for 15, 20 minutes and had a little spell, when we controlled the ball, and then the last 10, 15 he came back into it again.

“We were well aware of their threats, I just didn't think we took enough care of the ball, which is very disappointing.”

Huckerby had given Wright a torrid time in the first half, but the former Canaries loan man was able to savour an equaliser h=just a few weeks after the death of his father.

“He was desperate to keep playing and we respected those wishes,” added Magilton. “He is a fantastic lad and he is going to be a big asset for the club. He has had a tough time, he still wanted to play, he wasn't making any excuses so I was delighted for him.

“It was a poor goal for us but it was probably the way the game was going for us. Ally made a poor decision in the first place going for the header and Huckerby has had a free run. It is a poor defensive goal from us.”