Wayne Rooney’s remarks regarding his “two No 10s” as St Andrew’s delivers a warm reception

No substitute for intensity

Rooney was relatively happy with his starting XI, one he took the unusual step of naming on Thursday. If featured a new set-up and four players returning to the side having either missed out through fitness, suspension or perceived poor form.

And for an hour Blues were either on top or coping when Ipswich were in the ascendancy, John Ruddy required to make only one first half save to tip Nathan Broadhead’s lob over the crossbar. Ipswich came out well at the start of the second period but Blues regained the initiative with a splendid breakaway own goal.

Then with 20 minutes to go Ipswich made four changes in one go, Blues two – and then followed with a third soon after as Ethan Laird was replaced by Manny Longelo. Ipswich had started to take the initiative and then decisively grasped it.

While Ipswich’s replacements brought renewed vigour to the visitors, Dane Scarlett and Marcus Harness caused Rooney’s reshuffle no end of problems, Blues lost intensity. Jordan James had been playing well in the middle of the park, and while Oli Burke missed two good chances, he had at least pressed with real intent.

Longelo and Krystian Bielik, who replaced James, will not enjoy seeing either of Harness’ goals back, neither defended their goal-mouth with the ‘over-my-dead-body’ attitude required when their team was under pressure.

Speaking after the game, Rooney noted that the fire had dimmed when the changes were made, and while he didn’t name names – and he might not even have meant either Bielik or Longelo – the energy had ebbed away from the whole team.

Shape shift

Rooney had promised a change in personnel before the match, he had also fashioned a new formation which when Blues had the ball looked like a 4-2-2-2, or a box midfield, a formation used so successfully by Coventry City last season.

James partnered Ivan Sunjic, Koji Miyoshi and Juninho Bacuna played as a type of right and left No 10, while Stansfield and Burke operated in tandem up front. At times when Blues really were on top Bacuna and Miyoshi sometimes moved even further forward and out wide giving a look of a 4-2-4.

It seemed pretty effective too, Bacuna found loads of space on the left, provided an assist for the second goal but in truth his final ball frequently lacked quality. Miyoshi linked up well with Laird and Stansfield in the first half but became peripheral in the second, perhaps fatigued by his work in the press.

What the system did achieve was double-pivot cover for the back four, whilst still having four attack-minded players further up the pitch. With four lines, defence, defensive midfield, attacking midfield and attack, the whole looked far less disjointed than the three lines of a 4-3-3.

“I felt with the two forwards with pace gave us options in behind,” Rooney said. “Then, with Bacuna and Miyoshi coming more inside, the two No 10s you have a bit more control. With Ethan trying to be an outlet as well and be a forward threat.”

Rooney might have found both a shape and XI players with whom he can go forward.

Laird of the manor

Laird’s return to the starting line-up should not be under-estimated and Rooney admitted afterwards he didn’t really want to bring him off but was concerned about his minutes after two months out with a hamstring problem.

Cody Drameh was moved across to the left to accommodate him at right back and the 21-year-old did well, far better than when he last faced Ipswich, which was at the end of August as a Leeds United player.

Drameh lasted just 20 minutes of that 4-3 win, having come on as a first half sub, he was himself then replaced by Daniel Farke at the break as the Tractor Boys gave him a torrid time.

However here he was solid in defence – ironically until he was moved back to his natural side and was beaten by Scarlett before Harness’ first goal – and in the first half was also dangerous in attack. Even on the left he is a more solid defender than Longelo and the partnership of Laird on one flank and Drameh on the other gave Blues a far more stable base.

Laird’s value in build-up play is also clear for all to see. The vision he had to spread play to the left and instigate the attack for Stansfield’s strike was really high class. If he can stay fit he is going to be a really important player for Rooney.

Warmer welcome

St Andrew’s gave Rooney a chance yesterday. Perhaps determined to make up for the seditious reception the manager was afforded in his first home game, it was just two minutes before his name was being chanted by the Tilton in his second.

When Stansfield scored it was the manager’s name that was sung and even after the end, when disappointment hung in the evening air, Rooney was heralded down the sideline, and instead of leaving the arena being told to return to America, this time he was cheered back down the tunnel.

But it wasn’t just the boss who was given vocal backing, Dion Sanderson’s ridiculously catchy song was also given a good airing – not least seconds after he’d had an uncomfortable moment and had been caught in possession when trying to play out.

The pre-match Keep Right On was as throaty as it has been this season, and it’s difficult not to wonder whether the return of supporters in the lower tier helped create what was a better atmosphere than is often the case.

Not only were there signs that Rooney’s Blues might just be improving, there were also signs that supporters quite liked what they saw.