Hurst happy with point on his Ipswich managerial debut

Posted Sunday, August 05, 2018 by PA

Ipswich manager Paul Hurst felt his side got a deserved point against newly-promoted Blackburn in his first competitive game in charge.

Town grabbed a draw against Rovers following an injury time equaliser by loan signing Tayo Edun.

The youngster – signed from Fulham this week – levelled after Gwion Edwards’ headed opener for the Blues had been cancelled out by first-half goals from Danny Graham and Bradley Dack for Rovers.

The Blues struggled to create chances in the second half, with last season’s top goalscorer Martyn Waghorn – who is the subject of much transfer speculation – not named in the squad.

Asked about how he found his first Championship encounter, Hurst said: “Lots of emotions. In the end, (I was) pleased to get something out of the game. Obviously the later it goes, you’re questioning whether that’s going to be the case.

“Very proud – as I said I would be – of the team at the first game at this level for myself and delighted with the start that we made.

“Then the other side of it, disappointed with the goals we conceded. Soft ones from our point of view and then I think that knocked us. I thought the response was good, at half-time we spoke about being brave and having a go.

“It was far from a great performance but what I would say is there was a lot of character shown by the players and I think they kept going. I think overall we deserved a point.”

Asked about Waghorn and his omission from the squad, Hurst added: “That looks like it’s edging more towards a conclusion. Let’s not kid ourselves we all know what that conclusion will probably be. We’ll see what the next hours, days bring.”

Rovers boss Tony Mowbray was left rueing substitute Kasey Palmer’s missed chance late in the game.

He said: “The dressing room’s very disappointed and frustrated, they’re all discussing what we might have done to prevent that at the end.

“If Kasey [Palmer] had scored the goal where he should have, he scuffed it a little bit, 3-1 and I’m sure it would have been done but this is the Championship. It’s the league it is, no team gives in, everyone keeps going.

“So massive disappointment for us and yet would we have taken it away home from home on a scorching hot day at Portman Road, new manager, crowd up for the game? Probably, and yet we are disappointed.”

The Blackburn boss, who spent nine years at Ipswich as a player, said he was looking for improvements from his newly-promoted side.

“I think it was an OK football match. We have to get to better with the ball ultimately as I’ve said to my team.

“It’s OK playing off Danny Graham and getting Bradley (Dack) on the ball but we have to be better, and we can do it – the evidence of the second goal will show you that.

“The pleasing thing is – and it didn’t surprise me – was the fact we reacted to the adversity of being a goal down because we did that maybe 15-20 times last year when we fell behind, we always found a way to win.

“It’s the same group of players who did it in League One and I know they can do it in this league.”