Premier League - Ipswich Town vs Chelsea FC Preview & Matchday Thread

[marko69]

King Kieron McKenna, The Messiah ——>> at the wheel.

Well done that ONE proper believer in the preview poll.

WHAT A WIN! Superb

[arana peligrosa]

Seems Muric was left out and Walton picked instead. Guess McKenna wanted to try something different after the former's erratic form. Just waiting for final whistle and there it is - first EPL victory at Portman Road since April 2002, goddamn it's been a long enough wait but there you have it.

Felt good to be part of history. Commentary say the players were immense and we were real value for it. A special moment for everyone at the club. At last we've done it.

[MasseyFerguson]

It's crazy really, when you think about it. It's almost as if a young Manager who got us back to back promotions after over 20 years rotting in the championship and, latterly, League 1, knows more about football than some of our more vocal fans.

We have the weakest squad in this league. We should be cannon fodder for most teams in the Premiership. Apart from a couple of matches, we have been very competitive. A few individual errors have cost us in a few games but we are still hanging in there and picking up valuable points.

We have a definite identity. We have a wonderful team spirit. We are within touching distance of lower to mid table safety.

There is a long way to go, for sure, but we are looking increasingly comfortable at this level.

[mendipblue]

WOW, what a brilliant defensive performance. Well done KMck for dropping Muric and changing the system. Liam Delap what a amazing performance. Yessssss

[JamessB]

What a result, well played Town, they all worked their socks off tonight. Delap is a beast. Let’s kick on now and put a little run together.

[Ohiotractorboy]

What a win!! Walton was solid

Chelsea was dogsh*t. They are everything the average American cites as why they won’t follow soccer.

And on PL website, Cole Palmer was voted man of the match. Guess there are more Chelsea fans on there as that is a head scratcher

[ITFC2024]

Walton was brilliant. He deserves the #1. We played so much more sensible tonight…Walton clearing the ball instead of playing out from the back.

Woolfy did really well he even sacrificed his face for a block. Everyone did their part…executing and contributing.

But my word, what an immense player we have in Liam Delap! He’s not going anywhere; it’s obvious by his reaction he loves ITFC!

Go back and read my post, but I said I had a feeling about this one. We were like Jack Russell terriers snapping at their heals and add to that a clean sheet!

Fuckin brilliant! This is the ITFC I love! COYB!

f*ck relegation!

[marko69]

WOW, what a brilliant defensive performance. Well done KMck for dropping Muric and changing the system. Liam Delap what a amazing performance. Yessssss

And Hutchy scoring from playing through the middle. Don't forget that.

[marko69]

What a win!! Walton was solid

Chelsea was dogsh*t. They are everything the average American cites as why they won’t follow soccer.

And on PL website, Cole Palmer was voted man of the match. Guess there are more Chelsea fans on there as that is a head scratcher

Great to see you posting, Ohio.

[JamessB]

Cole Palmer was voted man of the match. Guess there are more Chelsea fans on there as that is a head scratcher

How on earth was Delap not MOM, the mind boggles!

[Cabanas Blue]

Every player was so up for it tonight you could see that from the first minute, a great result and the league table looks so much better.COYB.

[Charnwood]

I’m not sure where that performance came from but it was a great build on Fridays performance at The Emirates and assisted by Chelsea underestimating what we’re made of when resting key players. Maybe McKenna making Walton wait so long before replacing Muric brought the best out of him and there’s no way he won’t hold his place at craven Cottage. Delap was awesome and so were a few others with hardly a weakness obvious in a brilliant team performance where nobody hid and every player game their best.

You know what guys, I really think we could still string a few games together and fo enough to scrape into that 17th place. I certainly haven’t given up yet.

[Bluemike]

Just goes to show when you get things right and actually try something different it can work.

The 3 at the back was always needed, finally!!!!
Burns at wing backs tonight had his best defensive game.
Delap was an absolute colossus and had support today
And finally we had a keeper who instilled confidence in the defence.

Broadhead seems back in favour and makes a huge difference.

We were superb tonight and thoroughly deserved to beat that bunch of cheating girls. We have to keep it going though, we are back in the race but one swallow doesn't make a summer, its looking much brighter right now and the atmosphere was incredible. Well done all.

[Mariner67]

Wow just what we all needed & a great end to the year

[hallamblue]

Absolutely outstanding performance tonight by every last man ( even the one I dont rate), so hats off to them all.

As for Chelsea. I've never seen such a whinging bunch of diving cheats in all my days. .they got what they deserved, nothing!

I really hope McKenna sticks with this formation/ tactic because our players are growing into it.

MOTM for me was Delap. A complete powerhouse and actually led the line very very well tonight.

Ps can I just own up to bring the only one to vote for a Town win tonight. I just felt it was ours and have fine do gor a few days....

[Charnwood]

You know what guys, suddenly I can see a potential 35 points which could just be enough to keep us up. Yes of course I’ve been drinking but who wouldn’t have an extra one after that performance and result. What a way to end 2024.

[Blue Wilf]

Loved that and am buzzing! To a man we were brilliant and Chelsea were awful - a very lazy performance from them and we just wanted it so much more. KM actually changed things and look what happened! Keeper change, system change, play in the break against a technically superior team, keep that team going so no subs until really needed and then make subs to help us hold the points (ie Johnson for Burns) - add that to our mix of fitness, playing for each other and desire and hey presto!! This is all I have been asking for for months! We still have an awfully big mountain to climb and the odds are against but more of the same plus a few additions and you just never know.

My only concern is that the 7 or 8 team mini league is now only a 4 or 5 team mini league and that does not help us. Still, for tonight, who cares - a fab performance and a memorable win. Happy New Year Tractor Boys and Girls! COYB's!!

[hallamblue]

Highlights

https://www.skysports.com/premier-leagu ... highlights

[WarsawBlue]

Very happy for Christian Walton - he deserved that! The defence all looked a bit more 'sensible' tonight - although it's true that the Chelsea strikers weren't having their best day ever!

[Charnwood]

Absolutely outstanding performance tonight by every last man ( even the one I dont rate), so hats off to them all.

As for Chelsea. I've never seen such a whinging bunch of diving cheats in all my days. .they got what they deserved, nothing!

I really hope McKenna sticks with this formation/ tactic because our players are growing into it.

MOTM for me was Delap. A complete powerhouse and actually led the line very very well tonight.

Ps can I just own up to bring the only one to vote for a Town win tonight. I just felt it was ours and have fine do gor a few days....

Nice one Liz, keep predicting so long as they keep listening to you.

[Ricco]

knows more about football than some of our more vocal fans.

Don't know what vocal fans you've seen, but the vocal fans from my point of view have been screaming for McKenna to do what he's done tonight and have been proved right, but there we go, matter of perspective.

A great result and hopefully we stick to our strengths and continue down this path, which has brought us the most success this season, yet has been the least walked.

[Charnwood]

Loved that and am buzzing! To a man we were brilliant and Chelsea were awful - a very lazy performance from them and we just wanted it so much more. KM actually changed things and look what happened! Keeper change, system change, play in the break against a technically superior team, keep that team going so no subs until really needed and then make subs to help us hold the points (ie Johnson for Burns) - add that to our mix of fitness, playing for each other and desire and hey presto!! This is all I have been asking for for months! We still have an awfully big mountain to climb and the odds are against but more of the same plus a few additions and you just never know.

My only concern is that the 7 or 8 team mini league is now only a 4 or 5 team mini league and that does not help us. Still, for tonight, who cares - a fab performance and a memorable win. Happy New Year Tractor Boys and Girls! COYB's!!

Crystal Palace and West Ham could easily fall into the mix Ian. We just need to make sure we do better ageist some of these teams than we did first time round but hopefully we’ve learned a big since then. If we can survive maybe we can do a Forest next season.

[Charnwood]

… and maybe Walton will do to Muric what Hladky did to him last season when he got his opportunity.

[Charnwood]

For me the players were all 8/10 + player ratings tonight with Walton, Wooolfie & Broadhead each not far behind MOTM performer Liam Delap and Omari Hutchinson against his old club.

Surely that must be our best team performance of the season so far by a decent margin.

[hallamblue]

Absolutely outstanding performance tonight by every last man ( even the one I dont rate), so hats off to them all.

As for Chelsea. I've never seen such a whinging bunch of diving cheats in all my days. .they got what they deserved, nothing!

I really hope McKenna sticks with this formation/ tactic because our players are growing into it.

MOTM for me was Delap. A complete powerhouse and actually led the line very very well tonight.

Ps can I just own up to bring the only one to vote for a Town win tonight. I just felt it was ours and have fine do gor a few days....

Nice one Liz, keep predicting so long as they keep listening to you.

lol I notice someone has voted for a Town AFTER the result tonight lol

[marko69]

Absolutely outstanding performance tonight by every last man ( even the one I dont rate), so hats off to them all.

As for Chelsea. I've never seen such a whinging bunch of diving cheats in all my days. .they got what they deserved, nothing!

I really hope McKenna sticks with this formation/ tactic because our players are growing into it.

MOTM for me was Delap. A complete powerhouse and actually led the line very very well tonight.

Ps can I just own up to bring the only one to vote for a Town win tonight. I just felt it was ours and have fine do gor a few days....

Nice one Liz, keep predicting so long as they keep listening to you.

lol I notice someone has voted for a Town AFTER the result tonight lol

Yes, that happens every single Ipswich game, Hallam. Someone not understanding things very well ---->> maybe its Kieron himself!

VERY well done on being the sole "WIN VOTER" ---->> and you were.

[MMJR67]

Wow just what we all needed & a great end to the year

amen to that brother !! what a great match that was for all Ipswich fans.

[Mauswara]

What a way to end a tremendous year of football.

Happy New Year to you all, let's look forward with renewed optimism to what 2025 will bring us.

COYB.

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

It's crazy really, when you think about it. It's almost as if a young Manager who got us back to back promotions after over 20 years rotting in the championship and, latterly, League 1, knows more about football than some of our more vocal fans.

sure he does - after all, he's only played a system that a lot of us were calling for weeks ago

[Bluemike]

knows more about football than some of our more vocal fans.

Don't know what vocal fans you've seen, but the vocal fans from my point of view have been screaming for McKenna to do what he's done tonight and have been proved right, but there we go, matter of perspective.

A great result and hopefully we stick to our strengths and continue down this path, which has brought us the most success this season, yet has been the least walked.

Exactly, some just don't grasp it.