Two ‘very dubious’ goals ruined West Bromwich Albion’s hopes of enjoying their first pre-season victory.
Those were the words of Ipswich Town manager Jim Magilton, who appreciated that his side were lucky to claim a win thanks to Kevin Lisbie’s controversial last-minute winner at Portman Road on Saturday.
Albion striker Ishmael Miller grabbed the opening goal of the game with an excellent long-range shot but the Championship side equalised after Suffolk referee Mike Thorpe awarded a debatable penalty just before half-time.
Tommy Miller converted the spot-kick with Lisbie scoring in the final seconds, despite clearly impeding Carl Hoefkens before he slotted the ball past Albion’s new goalkeeper Scott Carson.
Tony Mowbray, who went with a five-man midfield, admitted he was experimenting with a view to the opening game of the Premier League campaign. He was pleased with the work-out but admitted Albion’s performance deteriorated after the break.
“It’s about getting the players fit and this was the first time I’d given any thought to a formation rather than getting players out on the pitch,” he said. “It worked well in the first half, we were fluid and we could have scored more goals. We were dominant in the first half but we got poorer and poorer and Ipswich got stronger - they probably deserved their winner.
“As for our formation, Everton finished fifth last season with five in midfield and one up front. We will look at the players and pick the best formation but I would hope we’ve got five new players by then so that may change.”
