Jay Emmanuel-Thomas scores his second and Town's fifth on a memorable night against West Ham
‘I have the power to shoot from anywhere’ says full-force JET
By Dave Gooderham
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
12:04 PM
JUST what the doctor ordered – a perfect storm.
The black clouds that circled Portman Road, after a day of transfer frustration were quickly blown away by an unstoppable force as a five-star Town tornado blew apart the Hammers.
Indeed no one inside the ground last night would have predicted a 5-1 home victory over the league leaders.
But it was fully deserved, as Jay Emmanuel-Thomas showed his undeniable talent with a brace – including a contender for Town’s goal of the season – after Michael Chopra, Daryl Murphy and a Lee Martin penalty had seen the Blues race into a 3-1 half-time lead.
That turned into five on a memorable night for Blues fans, who were finally given something to sing about after the disappointment of not seeing new faces brought in on transfer deadline day.
Two of Paul Jewell’s three targets from Portsmouth – believed to be Joel Ward and Stephen Henderson – ruled themselves out of a move due to their high wage demands, while a bid for fans’ number one choice, centre-back Jason Pearce, was flatly turned down.
The failure to land any one of the trio, or have a Plan B before last night’s deadline, can be debated on another day following the demolition of West Ham in front of more than 22,000 fans who braved the freezing temperatures.
And hero Emmanuel-Thomas was left to reflect on a performance that helped win over some doubters and a goal for everyone to savour – after his shot from 30 yards, and at an angle, bewildered ex-Norwich keeper Rob Green.
The 21-year-old said: “I have the power to shoot from anywhere in the opposition’s half. I know I can hit the target more than often, so I just go for it. That was one of my better ones I have ever scored.
“It was great to see the fans happy and on their feet – it was great to have that noise behind us.”
More Ipswich Town news
- TRANSFER LATEST: Ipswich Town have not given up hope of thrashing out a deal with Celtic for Daryl Murphy
- Grant Leadbitter ‘relaxed’ about finding a new club
- POLL: Would re-signing David Norris be a backwards step for Ipswich Town?
- George Burley looking forward to Cypriot challenge
- The myths surrounding Ipswich Town’s season
- Tommy Smith signs new deal at Ipswich but admits: I almost quit
- POLL: Is West Ham’s Sam Baldock the right man to boost Ipswich Town’s attacking options?
- Ryan Stevenson’s praise for midfield rivals Byron Lawrence and Jimmy Bullard
- Grant Leadbitter close to securing move to Middlesbrough
- SIMON CLEGG INTERVIEW: Ipswich Town won’t employ a high-risk strategy
8 comments
At what point did Pearce become "fans’ number one choice". You couldn't make it up....Oh hang on, the Star already has.
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Mr Whislte
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
The same next Saturday please JET.
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JOHN BURLS
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
One good performance this season does not make you able to score from anywhere in the opposition half! From the corner flag?!
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Tom
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Concentrate on your feet JET and forget the tongue and you maybe you will win round the fans.
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Brian Betts
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
lets just stick with the players we have blood youth at every opportunity,&please please please no more dads army loan players,COYB.
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david peters
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
I was really impressed by Hyam and Drury in midfield and Lee-Barret must keep his place in goal.
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SAMUEL DAVIS
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Well done JET. I watched the goals on skysports here in Florida in the sunshine. Apart from the freezing weather, would love to have been at Portman Rd. To you Town fans there, was ir rocking with noise like days of old?
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don wilson
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
That last line says it all. An intolerant crowd duped by years of the revolving door recruitment policy used as the easy way out by useless managers constantly looking for more and yet more signings has so obviously made Portman Road a dispiriting place to play football.
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Rob Steroo
Wednesday, February 1, 2012