Chris Brammer
Thursday, February 14, 2013
9:42 AM
Two former Blues strikers have backed Michael Chopra to play an important role between now and the end of the season at Portman Road.
Despite a rapid improvement under Mick McCarthy – the Blues having taken 28 points from a possible 54 since his arrival – Ipswich are on course to record their lowest tally of goals in the second tier since first reaching that level in 1954.
Chopra has endured well-documented off-field issues this season but, having scored 57 Championship goals in the previous four seasons, the former Cardiff striker could prove to be a valuable asset as fifth-bottom Town chase that fabled 50-point safety target.
Marcus Stewart, who played a pivotal role as Town qualified for Europe during their first season back in the Premier League in 2000-01, believes Chopra will be able to put his personal problems to one side, provided he catches the eye of McCarthy.
Mathie, meanwhile, insists the striker’s goalscoring instincts could be crucial if the Blues begin playing to his strengths.
“At the moment, we are not getting enough balls down the sides or fed into the penalty area where Michael is good with his back to goal,” said Mathie.
“There were too many high balls played from back-to-front at Blackburn and that is okay when you are a 6ft 2ins centre forward but the likes of Chopra and David McGoldrick need service on the deck.”
Stewart, a hero of Town’s rise to the Premier League in 2000, added: “As a footballer, that’s the only time you get a release from these pressures.
“Everyone has their problems but I found that playing games and working in training took my mind off things.
“I have worked under Mick and he is one of the best man-managers I have played under but if your not doing it, you won’t be in the team.”
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16 comments
Yes. That is all.
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Andrew Mehen
Friday, February 15, 2013
Yer very good, I nearly fell for it. Chopra, solving our goal scoring problems. Who writes this stuff, Billy Hunt?
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floridaboy1
Friday, February 15, 2013
it's 'if you're not doing it" not 'your'....yes I know it's being picky! Ged Canary Scott is hilarious...sounds like you're proud of your teams 4 points from 27. If you don't go this year it will be next year! your team has lost its 'we're the new boys and we're gonna show them' attitude and are now being exposed as the over achieving championship side that they are. So, when you go down next year we'll meet you again on our way up. Sleep well ged stereo!
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GorlestonBoy
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Can someone at this paper please tell me what ged scotts post has to do with this article? , this site is rapidly becoming a joke , i have had many posts refused by the moderator for absolute nonsense reasons , and this guy repeats the same irrelevant claptrap day in day out , and the very selective moderator looks the other way
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KEVIN FRANCIS
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Michael Chopra solve Ipswich's scoring problem ? I wouldn't bet on it !!!!
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whymarkmariner
Thursday, February 14, 2013
HOLD ON A MO AMIGOS ,, THEIR'S JUST ONE LITTLE PROBLEM ( £250, 000 ) AND M.E WANT IT BACK ,,,,THAT'S PROBABLY WHY HE IS STILL HERE ???
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MIGUEL100
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Some common sense comments! For the past few years we have had 5'9" strikers & yet we persist in lumping high balls up to them, whe almost always they are against 6'2" centre halves. We have had & still have very good strikers if we play the ball on the ground from back to front. The wingers need to run up with the strikers so if the ball is played accross goal, there is someone the other side! We need to push forward, be positive & keep the ball on the ground! Don't the goal keeping coaches count how often we get the ball if it is kicked up to a bunched-up group of players! 9 times out of 10 it comes straight back! Keep someone on the other wing & have options to kick out to! Be more creative in set-pieces & corners- don't always lump it into the middle!
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Felixstowe-Smith
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Old Timer, taken the words out of my mouth. But why on earth couldn't MM see his potential? Too late now.
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JOHN BURLS
Thursday, February 14, 2013
No joke Ged, say something different! "Lol"
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threenewknees
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Talking of "bad apples" lol Well if all that money in his pockets do not weigh him down too much!!! What a joke town are becoming and Norwich are only 40 mile away and playing PREMIER league teams and thats NO joke but FACT!!!
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ged scott
Thursday, February 14, 2013
I agree with Old Timer.
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Charley Bolding-Smith
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Yorkshire Jewell would presumably rather pay him off and see him play for Peterborough or Bristol City... but then I suppose so would the rest of us.
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Rob Steroo
Thursday, February 14, 2013
It would be a retrograde step to recall Chopra. His goalscring ratio before coming here was not great & seems to have got worse. He has been indulged by being lent a huge amount of money - placed in a clinic & sent to the USA for special pre season training. He has repaid our faith by going AWOL to nightclubs - being banned from driving - not to mention his gambling problems. He has had his chances - & if the same amount of consideration had been given to Jason Scotland I contend the club woud be in a better position than its current plight.
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Old Timer
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Nobody can answer our lack of goals without the service from our midfield, Martin and Edwards have to be replaced.
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Cyril Baker
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Nobody can answer our lack of goals without the service from our midfield, Martin and Edwards have to be replaced.
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Cyril Baker
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Simple answer is he is a bad apple and we have to get rid, he will never solve anyones scoring problems but will bring plenty of problems. Lets us sell him ASAP or even cut the losses and give him away if anyone will take him.
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finchk702
Thursday, February 14, 2013