Ipswich Town - Bringing Back The Glory Days

Results have been very good recently. You're now in a position where you can make a real statement of intent.

Another excellent month of results. The new contract is very much deserved!

So far so good. Usually the start of the season gives a good indicator of things to come, this will be a great race to the end!

The months move along quickly when you’re not dealing with the stupid Leasing.Com Trophy. Still, we are in the fight at the right end of the table; but we are in for a very tough 5 games in October.


03/10/20

We embark on our next Championship fixture at home to Huddersfield Town. They currently sit one place above us in 5th, so will be a very tough game between two sides in form.

Ipswich will once again be with Luke McCowan, but he has just returned to training so could be available for the next game. Other than that they have a full squad to navigate between as they look to overtake Huddersfield in the table.

Huddersfield themselves are in excellent form; and have the exact same results this year as Ipswich, but have scored two more goals so sit higher up the league. They will be without Ramadan Sobhi and Elias Kachunga as Danny Cowley looks to put some distance between Huddersfield and ourselves.




Well that was unexpected. To be fair we absolutely battered them all game long. KVY has had much more of an influence this season as he did last, despite getting 6 yellows already this season. Andre looks a great loan, so does Mlakar.


10/20/10


Ipswich Town have been hit by a massive body blow in their surprising push for promotion, as Kane Vincent Young has suffered a torn calf muscle and will be out without the star full back for 3-4 months.

George Burley is said to be devastated by the news, and is calling upon Janoi Donacien to step up in KVY’s shoes for the foreseeable future.

So upsetting for KVY specifically, because he’s been playing exceptionally well this season and his value has skyrocketed to 5mill. We won’t see him back until at least February, maybe just after. So Donacien is going to have to fill in for the next few months, and annoyingly I can’t recall anyone so it’ll have to be Luke Chambers being the back up right back for the club.................. Or so I thought.


13/10/20

It has been announced today that Ipswich Town have signed right back Lewis Coyle on a free transfer after his release by Leeds United. Coyle had previously been playing with Fleetwood Town in League One, but has made the step up to the Championship with Ipswich Town.

As soon as heard the news about KVY I knew I had to act quickly, because I couldn’t do 4 months of defensive full back Janoi Donacien playing in a supporting wing back role. I checked the free agents as I knew that was the only way I could get someone. Trialed 22 players not expecting anything to come out of it, but then this kid turns up at Playford Road with a HIGHER CURRENT ABILITY THAT KVY. How on earth has this kid not been snapped up. 24-years-old, he’s worth £4.9mill, has 3 star ability and 4.5 star potential. Bloody freak. Don’t know who to play now when KVY is fit. This guys slots in instantly. Oh, and he’s more aggressive that KVY who has 27 yellow cards in 2 seasons!




17/10/20

The international break has come to and end we are back into Championship football, and our first game back is one of our hardest of the season as travel away to recently relegated Sheffield United. Oh and I’m doing a 6 month coaching course for a continental B licence. Should be fun.

For Sheff Utd, they have unperformed slightly so far the season, as they currently sit 5 points behind us in 10th place, but with their obvious quality and with Chris Wilder still in charge, they should climb back up. For this game they will be without Oscar Lozano, and possibly John Lundstrum who has a twisted ankle.

For Ipswich, they’ve had a slight injury problem in the club. As we know KVY is our for the next few months with a torn calf muscle, Will Keane will miss this game from a bruised thigh, as Will Bartosz Bialkowski who has pulled his groin. Kurzweg has been struggling for a few eeeks with an ankle injury as well. Luke Woolfenden will also require a late fitness test after injuring his foot in training a week ago. We should see a debut for new signing Lewie Coyle as well.




Expected it to be worse than that in all fairness, too many injuries to try and play through. Also Coyle got a knock so don’t know if he’ll be fit for midweek vs Cardiff.



20/10/20

Up next for Ipswich Town is Cardiff City, another side on the verge of the play offs. That’ll be 4 games in a row this month against teams all pushing for the top 6. Question is, can Ipswich repeat what they were able to do against Cardiff in this game?

Ipswich, with no KVY, will also be without Teddy Bishop for this game after his pulled his ankle ligament in training; and will be out till the end of the month. Myles Kenlock will also be suspended for this game causing problems for Ipswich’s already rotated defence. There will be very late fitness tests for: Will Keane, Luke Woolfenden, Peter Kurzweg and Lewie Coyle.

Cardiff have picked up 3 wins from their last 5 games, and will be looking to push themselves closer to Ipswich Town and the play offs with a win tonight. They will have to do it possibly without Joe Bennett, who is doubtful with a twisted ankle.




Always going to be tough with a rotated defence, with two of them just coming back from injuries and one who isn’t even a left back. We need to find some consistent line ups but suspensions and injuries are killing us.



24/10/20

The games get tougher and tougher, and it doesn’t help that 4 of our 7 defenders are unavailable for this next game away to 5th in the league Brentford.

Brentford are in a fairly inconsistent form having lost 2 of their last 4 games, picking up only 1 win in that time. Today they will have to do without Ollie Watkins who has a torn thigh muscle, and Hebron Dalsgaard has a pulled groin so is a doubt.

Ipswich have a disciplinary and injury problem right now. Alongside Teddy Bishop and Vincent Young, Ipswich will now be with Janoi Donacien, who was sent off after 5 minutes of coming in against Cardiff, Luke Chambers and Konstantinos Mavropanos. All three suspended, so who knows who’ll be playing next to Woolfenden today.




Not as bad as I was expecting with a kid filling in at the back, and a 17 year old on the bench as our only other defender. Marcondes killed us off in this game and it is now 3 defeats in a row. We need a result against Millwall at the end of the month now. Oh and Kenlocks out for a month. Great.



31/10/20

The final game of the month sees us travel away to Millwall, as we look to stop the rot of 3 defeats in a row and try and push ourselves back into a play off spot. Just before the game, we received the news that our youth facilities had finished its upgrade, and is now at a Excellent Level. We are now 2 levels away from the best facilities in the country, 1 level from having the best Junior Coacing, and about 3 levels away from having the best youth recruitment.

Millwall have just lost 3-1 to Arsenal in the Carabao Cup 4th round, so will be slightly more fatigued than Ipswich for this game. For this game, they will be without Connor Mahoney and Boris Sekulic, who have both picked up serious injuries and will be our for a while.

Ipswich have just tied Andre Dozzell down to a new three year deal, and will be rewarded with a start today, but the players not taking part will be Vincent-Young, Bishop, Kenlock and Woolfenden, who is suspended for today’s tie.




That may not look like much, but that is a massive win for us this season. With all the rotation at the back, to see a victory away from home without 3 key first teamers in there, is perfect. Andre Green gets his 3rd of the game, and for the first time in a while, we finished a game without one of our defenders getting a yellow. No suspensions pending!!!



There was literally no one else that would have won this award for October. We won two games this month mainly because of Andre Green’s 3 goals in the two wins. He’s been consistently very good for us this season, already got more goals than he did last year in 38 games for Preston.




Tough month against very tough opposition. 2 wins and 3 defeats, at least 2 enforced changes to the back 4 every game. Tough to deal with, but hopefully we can have some more consistency in the final few months of 2020.






Justice - if I can keep the core of this squad fit and available each week, we look in a good position to maintain mid table at least.

ScottT - thanks mate, I’m in shock as much as everyone else. New contract came out of no where, but considering at times last season we were on the verge of the sack, I’ll take another 3 years. Shame it’s under Marcus!

MJK46 - it’s going to be very tight at the top that’s for sure.

The month started excellently defeating an in-form Huddersfield side with ease, but following the news of a long-term injury to Vincent-Young and then a number of other issues through injury and suspension, it came as no surprise that you lost your next three games. It was certainly a makeshift back-line you pieced together for those games. However, two victories mean an extra six points towards the total and a couple go extra steps towards survival.

Lewie Coyle is certainly a very good signing. He's been impressive at Fleetwood and certainly has a bright future ahead of him. I believe he made his move permanent to Fleetwood today, irl. Smart business for both of you.

Great signing snapping up Coyle. I liked him for us but he's never going to displace our senior right back. He'll do a great job in the Championship though!

A mixed month. The injury to Vincent-Young will have hurt enormously but Coyle is an incredibly experienced signing to bring in, particularly for free. You're doing well in a very tough and competitive league. One or two gameweeks swinging your way could make all the difference.

Still early so the mixed month shouldn't be too worrisome

Just caught up on all of this, late to the party but your graphics are immense and make this so slick and easy to read. You've done well and looking like having a good first season back in the Championship too.

Super start to life in the Championship from when I last saw. Lewis Coyle is a fantastic signing and a great personality to have in the dressing room, too!

After a few days break we are back for the November update. All is looking well so far with Ipswich Town back in the Championship, and with only 4 games this month, can we keep ourselves in the hunt for an unlikely play off spot.


07/11/20

Our first game of the month sees us host Preston North End, as we look to close the gap to 6th place. The away side sit in 14th, and will be looking to pull themselves away from the drop zone.

Ipswich will once again be without Vincent Young and Myles Kenlock, but other than that they have a full squad to choose from. How key could a strong, fit squad be when they approach the tough months of the season.

Preston find themselves settled into a mid table position, but will be looking over their shoulder at teams near the bottom of the league. For this game; they will be without Paul Huntington and Tom Barkhuizen who are a few days from returning to fitness.




Solid way to start the month for us. Flynn Downes getting a rare goal is good to see, Woolfy’s back to dominating at corners, and Mlakar is setting a very good marker for 20 goals this season.



21/11/20

The international break has come to and end we are back into Championship football, and our first game back is a trip to Birmingham. The hosts are having an excellent season and sit one place above us in 6th place.

Birmingham are having a great season so far, but will go into this play off clash with Ipswich Town with a fair few players missing. Kristian Pedersen and Marc Roberts are both suspended, whilst Cheick Keita and Kadeem Harris are both injured.

For Ipswich, they are still without KVY, but Myles Kenlock has returned to first team training which is a massive boost for the club. Jan Mlakar had a small knock during the international break, so time will tell if he is fit for this game.




I’ll definitely take that result. Taking a point from a play off rival in their back garden is very good. Another goal for Andre Green as well, becoming a very good winger for us.



24/11/20

Up next for Ipswich Town is Sheffield Wednesday, who have had a horrible time this season and sit in 23rd place. This is a good opportunity for Ipswich to get another 3 points on the board as the head into December.

Ipswich, with no KVY, will also be without Myles Kenlock for this game as he’s out with a tight calf, and Flynn Downes is the latest to fall to the suspension list. Rotation will be necessary after only a short break, but who will come into the side for this game?

Sheffield Wednesday sacked their manager David Moyes a day before the game, so will be without a manager for this tie. They will also be without Joe Wildsmith and Barry Bannan who are both injured for this game.




Another three points, but far from comfortable. The fact we went in at half time at 3-0 up made me think we were going to come back out and batter them; but they played out of their skins second half, and we were lucky to get the win in the end.



28/11/20

The final game of the month sees us host 21st place Middlesbrough. Another side severely underperforming this season, and is another chance for us to pick up 3 points.

Ipswich have a fully fit side bar KVY to choose from for this game, as Myles Kenlock has returned to full fitness just in time for this game. Flynn Downes is back from suspension, and will most likely return to the starting XI

Middlesbrough have had a torrid season, sat 2 points and 1 place above the drop zone. For this game they only player they will be without is Marc Bola, who is suspended for today’s match.




At the start of the season i’d have been happy with that result, but considering where we are and where they are, I’m very disappointed that we couldn’t get the win in that game.



There was no stand out performer for this month, so I’ve decided to give it to Andre Dozzell; as he had the highest average rating over the 4 games this month. Did get himself 1 assist in their as well, and is really improving as the season goes on.




No defeat this month sees us move up to 5th in the league, 7 points behind West Brom in 2nd. That is the highest position will can finish this season as Watford have absolutely stormed the the league with 1 defeat in 19 games.






ScottT - KVY is a massive miss for 3 months. Coyle was pot luck finding him unsigned in the free agents field. He’s looked good so far, question is can he keep his form going?

joshleedsfan - thanks mate, saw him sat their and thought it was too easy an opportunity to pass. Even if he dozens to displace KVY, he’s worth 5mill now so we could make a lot of money on him.

Justice - very much a mixed month. Knew this one was our toughest of the season, so to get 6 points does help massively. Just a few more easy home ties could make the difference for us this season.

MJK46 - your right, lets keep plugging away and see what happens.

Imagine - thanks mate much appreciated, League One stressed me to high heaven by losing some very easy games, but I’m shocked how well we’ve adapted back into the Championship.

Jack - Thanks man, not sure how this team is performing so well already, but I'm not going to argue! Coyle has been really consistent covering for KVY, gives me a decision to make when he returns from fitness.

Wow, another fantastic month sees you into the PO's. Some extremely tough fixtures coming up with S'ton, Watford and Stoke though.

Two quick updates in one day as we look to move into 2021 in a good position in the league, but we have 6 challenging games to pick through before we get there. Including the first 3 teams sat 1st, 3rd and 4th in the league.


05/12/20

First game of the month sees us face Stoke City away from home. The team sits two places above us in 3rd, and will be hoping to move further away from us in the league. Just before the game kicked off, the draw for the 3rd Round was made, and we have been drawn away to.................. Arsenal! Was hoping for a cup run, shame.

Stoke are in an inconsistent run of form right now, with 2 wins from 3, but are still in a good position above us in the league. For this game, they will be without Vittorio Parigini and Antonio Barreca who are injury doubts.

Ipswich will once again be without Vincent Young, but may also be without Daniel Iversen who has a tight groin, and will need a late fitness test to see if he is fit enough for this tie away at Stoke.




Expected nothing less from this game, Stoke are another level above us technically and they made us pay. Assombalonga cost more than our entire team, so that’s not fair either. Another goal for Mlakar is good, annoyingly we have to face top of the league Watford at home in a few days.



08/12/20

The games are coming thick and fast and they’re not getting easier. Today we host top of the table Watford, who have lost 1 of their first 20 games this season.

For Ipswich, they are still without KVY, but will be blessed by the return of Daniel Iversen to the first team as they face their toughest test of the season yet.

Watford will be without three players for today’s game, Craig Dawson, Dominguez Quina and key player Erik Lamela. They will be looking to keep their impressive start to the season going as they travel to Portman Road.




So close to an excellent result for us, and we actually dominated the game with more shots on target and more possession. Another goal from Mlakar, plus a surprise game for Alan Judge who has found game time limited this year.



12/12/20

Up next for Ipswich Town is Southampton, who now sit in 5th position in the league. Because of recent results we have slipped further down the league, and a tough game against Southampton could see us fall further.

Southampton are in a bit of a rut like us right now, with 1 win in 5 games. They will be looking to get back to winning ways, and this could be the game where they do that. For this game they will be without Harrison Reed who has some broken ribs.

Ipswich are without Vincent Young for this game, but he has just returned to light fitness training which is massive for the club. Other than that we have a full squad available for this huge tie in and around the play offs.




Another defeat, but I expected it against a side that has kept every single player from the Premier League. Slowly falling down the table now, but it was always going to be hard once we learnt we had to play the 3 best teams in the league one after the other.



19/12/20

The fourth game of the month sees us host Hull City, who have been floating around the bottom of the league for the entire season. Ipswich will be looking to end their run of 3 straight defeats.

Ipswich are still without KVY, but have also been hit by the news that Andre Green will be out until the new year with an ankle problem, which causes a big problem on the left hand side of the attack.

Hull City have been struggling this season, and with McCann sacked earlier in the season, they will be looking to step it up more underneath Kovalyov. For this game, they will be without Will Mannion and Jackson Irvine.




Exactly what we needed to get ourselves back into winning ways. Wasn’t comfortable but it doesn’t always need to be. Pushes us closer to the play offs as well, so it’s massive for our quest for shock promotion.



26/12/20

The games keep coming and the games are still getting tougher. This time we travel to pre season favourites Cardiff City, as we both look to make a surge back into the play off spots.

Cardiff have been inconsistent of late, picking up on 2 wins from 5 games, but do have home advantage in this play off hopeful clash. For this game they will be without Aden Flint and possibly Sean Morrison, two key defenders in their pursuit of promotion.

Ipswich have been handed a small injury crisis, as alongside KVY, Chambers and Green, Kayden Jackson has been ruled out for the next week with an ankle problem, and Daniel Iversen will require a late fitness test for the game.




Great result. Not a win but picking up a draw away to a play off rival is massive in this tough set of fixtures. Keeps us in the hunt if we can keep winning our home games.



28/12/20

One game to go in 2020, and somehow despite the underwhelming month we are still only 2 points outside the play offs. If we can pick up a win against mid table Millwall then it could see us jump up a few places.

Ipswich will welcome back goalkeeper Daniel Iversen to the team for this game against Millwall, whilst Luke Chambers has returned to full fitness. Andre Green is on the verge of a return, but it will be touch-and-go if he’ll be ready for Arsenal in the Cup.

Millwall, managed by Paul Lambert, are currently sat 16th in the league going into this game. They are only 7 points outside of the relegation zone, and will be looking over their shoulder over the next few games. They will be without Boris Sekulic today.




Perfect way to end the year. We needed that victory after all the tough tests we had to deal with this month. Even with rotation we still got the job done, on to 2021 we go!



For the second time this season, Jan Mlakar has won Ipswich’s Player of the Month award for December. It’s been a difficult month for the club with so many tough games to work with, but Mlakar has shown his skill and ability with 3 goals and 1 assist.




It’s been a tough month for Ipswich Town, as they fall from 5th to 8th in the league. The unlikely play off push however is still well and truly alive, as we sit just 1 point outside the play offs. Watford were running away with it, but they’ve picked up a few draws this month and West Brom are catching them up. It’s now just a 2 horse race for the title, as they are both so far ahead of the rest of the pack.




We sent A LOT of players out on loan in July and August, and some of the players have really stepped it up in their quest for first team football. Zak Brown has been the standout player for us this year, getting 18 goals and 6 assists at Vanarama National League North side Kings Lynn. He’s been on fire for them all season so far, long may it continue. Some other key players for me to focus on this season is Idris El Mizouni, who was playing pretty well for Carlisle before he broke his toe in November. James Norwood has been smashing the goals in for Wycombe in League One as well, getting 8 goals for them alongside Freddie Sears.




Our youth teams have been gutted this season with a lot of players going out on loan this year. Our U23’s has been diminished the most, as they are struggling along in their league. They currently sit 7th in the English U23 Division 3 South, and at one point we’re bottom with 1 point from 9 games. Regen Lewis Thorne has been the most consistent player for them this season, getting 10 goals from 24 games. There will be the occasional first teamer that plays to get their fitness back, just like Janoi Donacien in the screenshot below.

In germs if the U18s, they haven’t faired much better because they are unable to field a full team on occasion. They sit 6th in the English U18 Division 2 North (why?). The key performers have been the two strikers Ola Bello and Michael Bareck, which is annoying because there is no pictures of them on the internet anywhere, so hopefully they drop off our three others step up a lot for the end of season graphic!






Jack - probably one of our toughest months of the season, especially Watford and Southampton. Hopefully we can get into the new year looking in a good position.

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We are hearing exclusively that George Burley is the favourite for the Newcastle United job that came available today. Steve Bruce was sacked by Mike Ashley; with the club sat 18th in the Premier League. Ashley has been keeping his eye on Burley since Ipswich were promoted to the Championship, and the surprise season that he has led the fans on so far has caught his eye.

There is no comment so far from Ipswich Town about the rumours, but surely the temptation of immediate Premier League management would be too much for some one to turn down...... stay tuned for more when we get it.

Well that was unexpected. I understand that Burley has been performing above expectations so far this season, but to be recognised by such a big club in Newcastle is massive. The pressure that Burley would be under would be immense, but it does give him a direct route back into the Championship. The question is what does Burley do? Stay and build a dynasty with Ipswich, or jump at the chance to manage in the Prem with Newcastle? Next update will have the answer.

Very interesting developments here! Newcastle have struggled in recent years and surprisingly Ashley still hasn't sold up it seems. I wonder if that will impact Burley's decision.

A rough couple of defeats in that last month will have given the players a reality check there. Will they have the mental character to bounce back and get the club in the playoffs once again? If we get the chance to find out that is, although I can't see you leaving.