Ipswich Town v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Tuesday 4th November
Portman Road - 19:45
Opening Thought - Jamma
If it was a little early to be calling the Blackpool game a must-win, they were 3 points which kept us within spitting distance of the top 6 ahead of a potentially pivotal week at Portman Road. A lot had been made in the build-up to the match of what effect Lee Clark’s arrival could have on the result, especially given Town’s unfortunate habit of coming unstuck against teams with newly appointed managers. In the end, though, the most telling stat was the Seasiders’ solitary Championship win all season and, once the Blues had scored the first goal, there was no looking back against a side short on confidence. It was fitting on the day of Mick McCarthy’s second anniversary that the boys turned in a good, solid team performance, based around a clean sheet. There was also room for some individual brilliance, in the shape of Teddy Bishop’s influential contribution. While Mick’s success has been built primarily on our defensive abilities, there is no doubt that we also possess plenty of talent going forwards, which bodes well for the rest of the season and beyond...
While November may not have seemed the most testing of months when the fixtures came out, our schedule now looks a whole lot more demanding, with our next three matches all against sides in the top 4, and the month rounded off with a trip to surprise package Charlton. This run starts with two successive home games, and an opportunity to get some momentum going at Portman Road again. Many people are not surprised to see Wolves doing so well on their return to this level, after they bounced back strongly from the disappointment of a double-relegation. They have enjoyed some impressive results back in the Championship, including wins against the three relegated clubs as well as promotion contenders Blackburn and Middlesbrough. With the footballing gods decreeing that Mick McCarthy’s 100th game in charge of Ipswich should be against his former club, all of the ingredients are in place for a mouth-watering prospect...
The Opposition Wolverhampton Wanderers
The club was founded in 1877 as St. Luke's and later merged with local cricket and football club The Wanderers to form Wolverhampton Wanderers in August 1879.
Having become professional, the club were nominated to become one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888, they ended the inaugural season in third place, as well as reaching their first FA Cup Final, losing to Preston North End. At the conclusion of the campaign the club relocated to the Molineux.
Wolves lifted the FA Cup for the first time in 1893 and added a second triumph in 1908, two years after having dropped into the Second Division.
After struggling for many years to regain their place in the top division, the club suffered a further relegation in 1923, entering the Third Division (North), which they won at the first attempt.
Eight years later Wolves regained their top-flight status after winning the Second Division title under Major Frank Buckley. With Buckley at the helm the team became established as one of the leading club sides in England in the years leading up to the Second World War, as they finished runners-up in the league twice in succession, as well as reaching the last pre-war FA Cup Final, in which they suffered a shock defeat to Portsmouth.
When league football resumed, Wolves suffered yet another final day failure in the First Division, Just as in 1938, victory in their last match would have won the title but a 1–2 loss to title rivals Liverpool gave them the championship instead.
In1949 Stan Cullis's first season in charge, he led Wolves to a first major honour in 41 years as they beat Leicester to lift the FA Cup, and a year later, only goal average prevented Wolves winning the league title.
The 1950s were by far the most successful period in the club's history, Wolves finally claimed the league championship for the first time in 1953–54. Two further titles were soon won in successive years (1957–58 and 1958–59), as Wolves cemented their position as the premier team in English football.
Although the decade opened with a fourth FA Cup victory and almost the first double of the twentieth century, the 1960s saw Wolves begin to decline. Cullis was sacked in September 1964 in a season that ended with relegation and the club's first spell outside the top division in more than thirty years. This exile would last only two seasons though, as they became promoted in 1967 as runners-up.
The club's return to the English top flight heralded another period of relative success under Bill McGarry, with a fourth place in 1971 qualifying them for the newly created UEFA Cup where they reached the final losing to Tottenham on aggregate.
They lifted silverware though two years later, when they won the League Cup for the first time by beating Manchester City in the final. Despite relegation again in 1976, Wolves bounced back at the first attempt as Second Division champions and, under manager John Barnwell, the turn of the decade saw them finish in the top six and win the 1980 League Cup.
The multi-million pound rebuilding of the Molineux Street Stand in 1979 was to be the catalyst for the club's near-financial ruin during the next decade as difficulties in repaying the loans taken out to fund it led to receivership and relegation in 1982. The club was "saved" from liquidation at the last minute when it was purchased by a consortium fronted by former player Derek Dougan. Initially this takeover, financed by two Saudi brothers, Mahmud and Mohammad Bhatti of the company Allied Properties, brought immediate promotion back to the First Division under manager Graham Hawkins, but the Bhattis' failure to sufficiently invest in the club soon saw things unravel as the team suffered three consecutive relegations under different managers through the football divisions, as well as the almost-constant threat of the club being wound-up.
In 1986 with the club again in receivership a deal saw Wolverhampton City Council purchase the club's stadium and surrounding land, while a local developer paid off the club's outstanding debts in return for planning permission to develop the land adjacent to the stadium. The new season saw Wolves' first-ever campaign in the Fourth Division, the team reached the final of the inaugural play-offs but were denied promotion by Aldershot. However, the final two seasons of the decade saw the team achieve both the Fourth and Third Division championship, and also win the Football League Trophy at Wembley in 1988.
Lifelong fan Sir Jack Hayward purchased the club in 1990 and immediately funded the extensive redevelopment of the by-now dilapidated Molineux into a modern all-seater stadium. With work completed in 1993, Hayward turned his investment into its playing side in an attempt to win promotion to the newly formed Premier League. Yet despite this substantial spending neither Graham Taylor nor Mark McGhee could fulfil this, both leading to the team to play-off defeats at the semi-final stage (in 1995 and 1997 respectively).
It was not until 2003 that Wolves were promoted, when they defeated Sheffield United in the play-off final under Dave Jones to end a nineteen-year absence from the top level. Their stay proved short-lived though, as they were immediately relegated back to the newly retitled Championship.
After former England manager Glenn Hoddle failed to bring a swift return, the rebuilding of the squad by Mick McCarthy rejuvenated the club with an unexpected play-off finish. The club was bought by Steve Morgan in 2007, and two years later it returned to the Premier League as Championship champions. Wolves successfully battled relegation for two seasons before 2011–12 saw McCarthy's dismissal precipitate the drop under his assistant Terry Connor.
Following relegation, Norwegian Ståle Solbakken became the club's first overseas manager but his reign lasted only six months before a poor run of results saw him replaced by Dean Saunders in January 2013, who failed to bring any upturn, culminating in both relegation to League One as well as his own dismissal.
Following this Kenny Jackett was appointed in May 2013 in the retitled position of head coach, and led the team back to the Championship in his first season, setting a new club record points total of 103 in winning League One.
One To Watch – Bakary Sako
One of the few survivors – and success stories – from Wolves’ last stint in the second tier, Bakary Sako remains one of their most important and sought-after players. The Malian-born 26-year-old arrived at the club from St. Etienne in August 2012 and scored on his debut against Northampton in the League Cup before repeating the feat in his first Championship match at Cardiff. Goals were to become a regular feature of Sako’s game but his 10 strikes from midfield weren’t enough to prevent the Old Gold from slipping into League One. Having rejected the advances of a number of Premier League clubs, the former France U21 international carried on where he had left off last season, adding a further 13 goals to help the team secure promotion at the first attempt.
Sako is on course for an even better return in 2014/15, bagging 3 in 3 earlier in the campaign on his way to a tally of 7 goals in 14 league matches. Although impressively prolific for a winger, he offers much more than just goalscoring prowess, with his pace, power and creativity a potent combination for defences to deal with. Having started on the bench for Saturday’s Midlands derby against Birmingham, Sako will be raring to go again ahead of Wolves’ own tasty run of fixtures.
The Gaffer – Kenny Jackett
The son of a professional footballer, Jackett joined his local club Watford at the age of 12, progressing to make his first team debut aged 18 on 26 April 1980 as a substitute in a game at Sunderland.
He became a regular member of the Watford side that won promotion to the First Division and finished runners-up in the league in the early 1980s under manager Graham Taylor. In addition, he played in the club's only appearance in an FA Cup Final, when they lost to Everton in 1984. These successes also led to Jackett appearing in the subsequent UEFA Cup campaign.
However having undergone a series of knee operations, he was forced to prematurely end his playing career in 1990 aged 28. In total he made 428 appearances for the Hornets, scoring 34 goals, placing him sixth in the club's all-time appearance records.
Jackett made his international debut for Wales on 22 September 1982 and won 31 full caps in total.
Upon his playing retirement, Jackett remained at Vicarage Road and, having already undertaken many qualifications, became a member of the club's coaching staff.
In February 1996 he and fellow long-term Watford player Luther Blissett were selected by the returning Graham Taylor to run the first team, while he served as General Manager. At the conclusion of this campaign Jackett was appointed as the club's manager, with Taylor then becoming Director of Football.
Watford had just been relegated to the third tier and, although Jackett oversaw a long unbeaten stretch of results the team were unable to mount a serious promotion challenge, ending in 13th place – Watford's lowest position in the league structure since the 1970s. During the close season he was demoted to the position of first team coach, with Taylor once again becoming manager.
Jackett assisted Taylor in getting Watford promoted in two successive seasons, as well as being part of the coaching staff during their 1999–2000 Premier League season, which ended in relegation.
When Taylor left Watford at the end of the 2000–01 Division One season, Jackett was released on the instruction of incoming manager Gianluca Vialli.
Following his exit from Watford he joined Ian Holloway at Queens Park Rangers as assistant manager and contributed towards their Division Two promotion campaign.
After three years as an assistant Jackett left QPR to replace Brian Flynn as manager of Third Division side Swansea City in April 2004. In his first full season in charge, the team were promoted from League Two, finishing in third place, and also lifted the FAW Premier Cup. As a result of these successes he received a two-year contract extension.
The following season in League One they finished in sixth place, entering the play-offs. The team reached the final and a potential return to the second tier after a 22-year absence but lost on penalties against Barnsley. Jackett did however win silverware for a second consecutive season as the Swans won both the Football League Trophy, as well as defending the FAW Premier Cup. During the close season he completed his UEFA Pro Licence in coaching.
The following season saw to team struggle for consistency and despite initially insisting that he was the right candidate to take the club forward, he surprised his chairman by resigning on 15 February 2007.
Following his exit from Swansea Jackett was soon appointed reserve team manager of Manchester City on 7 March 2007. Later in the year on 6 November 2007 he left the Premier League club to take up the vacant managers position at Millwall.
After a 17th place finish in the 2007–08 season, Jackett led the team to the play-offs in his first full campaign with the Lions, where they lost in the playoff final to Scunthorpe.
In the following season Jackett once again led Millwall to the playoff final, where this time a solitary goal against Swindon Town was enough to return the club to the Championship.
In their first season back in the Championship, Jackett led Millwall to a ninth-place finish. During 2011–12 though, Millwall struggled for most of the season, remaining close to the relegation zone until a strong finish to the season won Jackett the Championship Manager of the Month Award for April 2012, and ensured their survival.
Jackett once again led Millwall to Wembley in the 2012–13 season, when the team reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup where they lost to eventual winners Wigan Athletic. Although the team had occupied a play-off place around Christmas, they suffered a late season slump and only confirmed their Championship status on the final day of the season, ending in 20th place. Three days after the season concluded he resigned, The Millwall board accepted his decision "with reluctance".
On 31 May 2013 Jackett was announced as the new head coach of Wolverhampton Wanderers following the sacking of Dean Saunders. The team went on to record a run of victories which earned Jackett a nomination as the August League One Manager of the Month and which brought the club their best ever start in a league campaign. Jackett was again nominated for the Manager of the Month Award in October.
Under his command, Wolves gained promotion back to the Championship at the first attempt as League One champions and set a new divisional points record by reaching 103 points. At the conclusion of the season, he was announced as joint-winner of the LMA Awards Manager of the Year for League One, having earlier won the monthly award for March 2014.
Past Match - Video Highlights - Trev
A wee delve into the archives here with highlights from FA Cup, 4th Round, 29th January 1977.
Trev's Trivia
Players to play for both clubs
Frank Nouble ITFC 2013 WWFC 2012- 2013
Christophe Berra ITFC 2013-present WWFC 2009-2013
Sylvan Ebanks-Blake ITFC 2013-2014 WWFC 2008-2013
Media Watch - K L Blue
Mick McCarthy’s Two year Anniversary courtesy of the EADT
Could he have done much more?
That’s the debate ahead of Mick McCarthy’s second-year anniversary as Ipswich Town manager tomorrow.
Supporters are seemingly split. A poll held by this newspaper’s website asked how good a job the straight-talking Yorkshireman has done as Blues boss.
The top accolade – ‘brilliant’ – received 40% of the vote, with the second choice on the sliding scale – ‘good’ – returning 56%.
A record of P98 W38 D29 L31 F121 A112 suggests mediocrity. A win percentage of 38% puts him on a par with Jim Magilton and marginally ahead of Roy Keane (35%) and Paul Jewell and (34%).
It’s all about context though. The Blues were rock-bottom of the Championship table and devoid of confidence when McCarthy first arrived on November 1, 2012.
Now, with little more than a quarter of this season gone, they are just five points adrift of leaders Derby.
The very fact that some supporters are a little a disappointed with that is the ultimate compliment.
The first few months of the job were all about firefighting. And the rebuilding process has been undertaken on a severely restricted budget.
True, an emphasis on hard work and organisation hasn’t made for a great deal of entertaining footballing fare. At times the stubborn refusal to play anyone with a smidgen of flair or creativity has been frustrating for the paying punter.
It was needs-must though and there have been encouraging signs that the playing style is evolving.
Don’t underestimate the off-field achievements either. The wage bill has been slashed, the value of the squad has rocketed, while players are no longer walking away at the end of their contracts.
Stability and consistency may not be sexy, but you need to walk before you can run. McCarthy has laid down some solid foundations following a chaotic period in the club’s history – and for that all Blues fans should be grateful.
Stat Time
Head To Head
Ipswich Wins..........27 (38.57%)
Wolves Wins...........25 (35.71%)
Draws...................18 (25.71%)
Ipswich Goals.........91 (ave. 1.30 per match)
Wolves Goals..........81 (ave. 1.16 per match)
Head To Head at Portman Road
Ipswich Wins..........21 (60.00%)
Wolves Wins...........10 (28.57%)
Draws...................4 (11.43%)
Ipswich Goals.........60 (ave. 1.71 per match)
Wolves Goals..........38 (ave. 1.09 per match)
The Predicted Teams
Ipswich Town
Bit hard to call this, Gerkin, Parr, Williams, Bishop & Skuse have all been under some injury clouds, mainly ‘Groin’ strains by the sounds of it so maybe a bit of a lottery until just before the match gets underway.
33 Bialkowski
04 Chambers
05 Smith
06 Berra
03 Mings
50 Williams
17 Bru
19 Hyam
09 Murphy
10 McGoldrick
12 Hunt
Wolves
This was the side that started out last Saturday, perhaps you could offer some guidance here Mr 'GoldandBlack', who also is an honorary Tractor Boy
01 Ikeme
02 Doherty
06 Batth
23 Ebanks-Landell
15 Rowe
11 McDonald
14 Evans
07 Henry
27 Jacobs
20 McAlinden
09 Clarke
Marko’s Caption Competition
I think the Delia pics have run their course now, the old bag can pee off now. New caption player gets the 4 points this week, ‘Supershred’….. Nice one!
"As Delia sits down she forgets the chair is turned upside down"
Supershred 4
Bluemike 3
Hallam 2
Table:
1. Frosty..........., 12
1. Quasar.........., 12
2. Blueblood......, 11
3. Herforder......, 10
3. Bluemike......., 10
4. James..........., 7
5. Floors..........., 6
6. Barmy Billy...., 5
6. Andy M........., 5
7. Supershred..., 4
7. Mr Punch......, 4
7. Jamma........., 4
8. Morph.........., 3
9. Hallamblue,..., 2
9. LnP.............., 2
9. The Don........, 2
10. Charnwood....,1
10. Number 9....., 1
10. Derick.........., 1
Have a try at this one, the kid trying his best Hibs fan act.
Match Referee - Andrew Madley
Final Thought - Frosty
Well obviously I am pleased we got the win at Blackpool, what would be even more pleasing would be another 4, possibly 6 points from the remaining two games before the ‘International window’ makes it’s return.
Not an easy feat this will be (sh*t I sound like Yoda) as there are Wolves and Hornets standing in our way. Luckily our frontmen are in good form and the back four are relatively stable, it’s just our midfield that seems a little unsettled at present.
It’s some League at the moment when hypothetically that we could be somewhere between 3rd and 13th depending on how the results go tomorrow night which the Competition now one third complete. For that matter who would have really predicted that Watford, Bournemouth and Boro would be 1-2-3 on the table. The great thing is we have an opportunity to leap frog the budgies if Boro win at home.
I don’t think it matters a damn if Blackpool are an ordinary side this season, quite often in the past these have been the sort of teams that have tripped us up. The great thing is that we have broken the winless run and I am quietly confident that this augers well for the rest of the month.
Have a great night if you are travelling to PR (I wouldn’t even make it if I left now
) and don’t forget Football and Pie’s go hand in hand.
IPSWICH TOWN 2 WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 1
