Ipswich continue to struggle in front of goal as they draw blank in scoreless draw with Oxford

Ipswich Town were held to their second 0-0 draw this week, but showed much more intent going forward against a high-flying Oxford side who uncharacteristically failed to create.

One player who certainly improved the Ipswich attack in the game was Keanan Bennetts. The Borussia Monchengladbach loanee featured for the first time this year, as he returned from a groin injury he picked up at the end of 2020.

Bennetts looked confident on the ball whenever he received it and was certainly not afraid of taking on Oxford full-back Josh Ruffels, with his quick stepovers mystifying Ruffels and leaving the defender in his wake every time.

The winger was certainly a bright spark in the attack and everything good going forward from Ipswich came from the right wing, with Bennetts using both his left and right foot to keep Ruffels and the Oxford defence guessing.

Another loanee who has been looking to make an impact on the Town attack this season is Troy Parrott. Arguably the biggest chance of the game fell to the 19-year-old in the first half, as the Irishman rifled a shot just wide of the post on the half-turn.

Parrott was played just behind James Norwood on Saturday; a different position that he hasn’t played under Lambert yet. The youngster performed well in the number ten role and was a very good link between the rest of the attackers when the home side countered.

Considering the emphatic form they have been in of late, Oxford will be disappointed with just the point on Saturday. Although The U’s dominated possession, they struggled to create any clear cut chances except one great opportunity late on when Mark Sykes drove a hard pass across the box to find Matt Taylor at the back post. The ball had just too much power on it and Sykes couldn’t quite convert from close range.

Oxford still remain 8th in League One, but they now find themselves three points behind 6th placed Sunderland, who have a superior goal difference to the Us. Meanwhile Ipswich drop to 12th in the table, six points off the Playoffs.

Both teams will be frustrated to not take any momentum into what will be two tough games in midweek for the sides. The Us take on Portsmouth whilst Lambert’s men travel to Hull, both teams are in the top five and if Ipswich or Oxford really want to challenge for playoffs then they are both must win games.

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