Under-fire Ipswich boss has strong message for fans, pundits and rivals Portsmouth, Wigan, Sunderland and Plymouth
Sunderland’s League One campaign rolls on this midweek with a trip to Crewe Alexandra
By Joe Ramage
Published 18th Oct 2021, 12:15 BST
Updated 18th Oct 2021, 12:25 BST
Lee Johnson’s side had to dig in to earn a positive three points over Gillingham on Saturday, coming from behind before playing out the final 23 minutes with 10 men.
It came after midfielder Elliot Embleton was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Jack Tucker following Tom Flanagan’s header which gave the Black Cats the lead.
But the Wearsiders were able to stand firm to hold onto the three points and remain fourth in the League One table.
Johnson’s side travel to Crewe on Tuesday and the Sunderland head coach will have something of a selection headache with Embleton's suspension adding to a number of first team players who are missing through injury.
But ahead of the Black Cats trip to Gresty Road we look at what’s been happening around League One over the last 24 hours.
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But the Wearsiders were able to stand firm to hold onto the three points and remain fourth in the League One table.
5. Plymouth loanee off the mark
Plymouth Argyle’s loan midfielder Jordan Garrick is off the mark for the Pilgrims grabbing his first goal for the club in Saturday’s win over Oxford United. Ryan Lowe’s side remain top of League On after coming from behind to defeat the U’s and the Swansea City man is pleased to have taken the burden off his teammates. “I can’t even describe how I feel. The atmosphere was great, and I am happy to contribute to the team really,” he said. “I am buzzing. I have been working hard in training and I am keen to be able to chip in. It’s important because it takes the pressure off the other strikers. I knew as soon as I cut inside that I was going to score. That’s my signature move and that’s my kind of finish. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images) Photo: Alex Davidson
John Coleman didn’t hold back in his assessment of Accrington Stanley’s defeat at Cheltenham insisting his side’s away form has got to change. Stanley have taken just four points on their travels this season and it was another disappointing day on the road on Saturday. “Our away form is horrendous and it’s got to change,” he said. “We looked a shadow of the team that beat Ipswich a fortnight ago. That day we won every individual battle, on Saturday we didn’t. If they had a compilation of comedy goals this season we’re right at the top of it. We’re top of the mistakes for unforced errors leading to goals. We’ve got lads who defend well but at key moments they go to sleep. Saturday was no exception. After they scored we were terrible. We didn’t show any kind of fight to get back in the game. We didn’t lay a glove on them after they scored.” (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images) Photo: George Wood
Under pressure Ipswich Town boss Paul Cook says the league table doesn't matter ahead of a crunch clash with his old club Portsmouth this week. The Tractor Boys are 15th in League One having won just three of their opening 12 games of the season but Cook believes his side will be much higher up the table come the end of the season when the table does matter. He told Suffolk News: "If people want to look at league tables now, good luck. I watch punditry now, every manager is getting questioned and I feel sad about where the game is going. I feel sad that people want to tell you where your season is going (to end) after 12 games because I can guarantee our supporters I don't know where we're going to finish but I know it's going to be a hell of a lot higher than where are today. Unless the EFL start changing the rules, I don't think anyone can be promoted in October, not even Wigan, Sunderland, Plymouth who are flying. But we'll just keep doing our best to catch them." (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images) Photo: Pete Norton
Portsmouth's disappointing start to the season continued on Saturday when they were heavily beaten by League One rivals Rotherham United. It was Pompey’s fifth defeat of the season as Danny Cowley’s side sit four points off a play-off spot in mid-table. And the Pompey boss admits his side need a response when they welcome an Ipswich Town side who have also made an underwhelming start to the campaign. He told The News: ‘We have to suck up the disappointment, we have to suck up the feeling of letting people down, we have to try to respond. You have to stand for something. We're playing Tuesday night. We can’t affect what has happened, but you can influence what’s coming tomorrow and that’s what we’ll do.” (Photo by Jacques Feeney/Getty Images) Photo: Jacques Feeney