Ipswich Town vs Burnley Preview & Matchday Thread
Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2015 10:53 pm
Ipswich Town v Burnley
Tuesday 18th August 2015 – 19:45
Portman Road
Opening Thought - Jamma
Despite throwing away 2 points at Brentford on the opening day, I think everyone would agree that it has been a pretty successful week, and a fruitful start to the season. The Blues have followed up a creditable draw at Griffin Park with two come-from-behind 2-1 wins, to see us through to the League Cup 2nd round and up to 7th in the fledgling Championship table. We'd all have taken that before a ball was kicked, wouldn't we?
On Saturday, not only did we play our part in a hugely entertaining game, but we also secured an impressive victory against a much-improved Sheffield Wednesday, who should challenge in 2015/16. The first half was a very open affair, with the counter-attacking abilities of both teams on show. Town started the more brightly of the two, with Cole Skuse and Jonathan Douglas providing the platform for a very potent front four to get forward at every opportunity. But the Owls were probing too, with new signings Alex Lopez, Marco Matias and Lucas Joao looking particularly threatening in attack. Wednesday's opener came as something of a sucker punch, and could have taken the wind out of our sails. But, in a reaction reminiscent of the 1st leg of the play-offs, Ipswich came storming back, with Freddie Sears' cool finish providing an immediate response. The second half didn’t have the same intensity as the first – not helped by Keiren Westwood's efforts to run down the clock – but there was still plenty of frantic goalmouth action, with Christophe Berra particularly unfortunate to see two headers cleared off the line. In the end, it was fellow centre-back Tommy Smith who proved the matchwinner, as he converted from close range. The Tractor Boys and Girls still had to endure an agonising end to the match, with the 2-1 scoreline heading into 4 minutes of stoppage time bringing back memories of the previous week. This time, Mick McCarthy couldn't be accused of sitting back on a lead, finishing the game with four strikers on the field, but we managed to close the match out for a very satisfying 3 points.
Watching our confident display on Saturday, it struck me how many partnerships we now have across the field. Tommy Smith and Christophe Berra know each others’ games inside out by now, and Daryl Murphy and Freddie Sears seem to have struck up an instant understanding since the latter’s arrival in January. While Cole Skuse hasn’t really had a constant presence alongside him in the middle, there were signs that Jonathan Douglas’ game could complement him well. And then there is probably the most exciting ‘partnership’ of all, between our new wingers, Ryan Fraser and Ainsley Maitland-Niles. Both continued their good early season form, interchanging between themselves and providing an attacking outlet with their pace, trickery and intelligent movement. After scoring the second last weekend, Fraser capped off his performance with an assist for the winning goal. It may be a bit premature to say that the addition of some flying wingers could be the final piece of the jigsaw, à la Matt Jarvis and Michael Kightly – now of Burnley – but it certainly gives us an option that we have lacked for years. We are likely to have to call upon all aspects of our game tomorrow night, as we go looking for our third home win in a week.
The Opposition
During May 1882, Burnley Rovers Football Club decided to shift their allegiance from rugby union to football. In 1883, the club moved to Turf Moor and remained there, only their Lancashire rivals Preston North End having occupied the same ground continuously for longer. When it was decided to found the Football League for the 1888–89 season, Burnley were among the 12 founders of that competition.
Burnley were relegated to the Second Division in 1896–97. They responded to this by winning promotion the next season, losing only 2 of their 30 matches along the way before gaining promotion through a play-off series then known as 'Test Matches'. Burnley and Stoke City both entered the last match, to be played between the two teams, needing a draw for promotion (or in Stoke's case to retain their First Division place). A 0–0 draw ensued, reportedly 'The Match without a shot at goal', and the League immediately withdrew the Test Match system in favour of automatic promotion and relegation. Ironically, the League also decided to expand the top division after the Test Match series of 1897–98 and the other two teams also went into the top division for the following year, negating the effect of Burnley and Stoke City's reputed collusion. Burnley were relegated again in 1899–1900 and found themselves at the centre of a controversy when their goalkeeper, Jack Hillman, attempted to bribe their opponents in the last match of the season (Nottingham Forest), resulting in his suspension for the whole of the following season. During the first decade of the 20th century, Burnley continued to play in the Second Division
Burnley changed their colours from green to the claret and sky blue of Aston Villa, the most successful club in England at the time, for the 1910–11 season. The 1912–13 season saw them win promotion to the First Division once more. The next season was one of consolidation in the top flight, but more importantly their first major honour, the FA Cup, won 1–0 in the last final played at Crystal Palace against Liverpool. World War I impacted the 1914–15 season, in which Burnley finished 4th in the First Division, before English football reorganised itself and took a back seat to the needs of the conflict.
Upon resumption of full-time football in 1919–20, Burnley finished second in the First Division, but this was not a peak, merely presaging Burnley's first ever League Championship in 1920–21. Burnley lost their opening three matches that season before going on a 30-match unbeaten run, a record for unbeaten games in a single season that lasted until Arsenal went unbeaten through the whole of the 2003–04 season. Burnley finished third the following season but thereafter followed a steady deterioration of their position, with only 5th place in 1926–27 offering respite from a series of near-relegations which culminated in demotion in 1929–30.
Burnley struggled in English football's second tier, narrowly avoiding a further relegation in 1931–32 by only two points. The years through to the outbreak of the Second World War were characterised by uninspiring league finishes, broken only by an FA Cup semi-final appearance in 1934–35.
In the first season of post-war league football, Burnley gained promotion through a second place finish in the Second Division. Burnley immediately made an impact in the top division, finishing third in 1947–48 as the club began to assemble a team capable of regularly aiming for honours, culminating in the championship-winning team of 1959–1960. The following season, Burnley played in European competition for the first time, lost in an FA Cup semi-final and finished fourth in the league and the highlights of the 1961–62 season were finishing second in the league and a run to the FA Cup Final, which they lost against Tottenham.
They managed to retain their First Division place throughout the decade, finishing 3rd in 1966 and reaching the semi-final of the League Cup in 1968–69. The remainder of the decade was otherwise one of mid-table mediocrity, and relegation followed in 1970–71, ending a long unbroken top flight spell during which, more often than not, they had been in the upper reaches of the League table.
Burnley won the Second Division title in 1972–73. Back in the First Division, the side managed 6th in 1974, as well as reaching another FA Cup semi-final. The following season, the club achieved 10th place. Relegation from the First Division occurred again in 1975–76.
Three nondescript seasons in the Second Division followed before relegation to the Third Division for the first time in 1979–80. Two seasons later, they were promoted as champions. However, this return was short-lived, lasting only one year
Managerial changes continued to be made in an unsuccessful search for success and Burnley were relegated to the fourth level of English football for the first time ever at the end of the 1984–85 season. For the 1986–87 season, the Football League had decided to introduce automatic relegation and promotion between the Fourth Division and the Conference league. After a disastrous season, Burnley went into the last match needing a win against Leyton Orient. A 2–1 win was enough to keep Burnley in Division Four, although even that achievement still relied on a loss by Lincoln City in their last game of the season.
In 1991–92, Burnley were champions in the last ever season of the Fourth Division before the league reorganisation, and two years later they won the new Division Two play-offs and gained promotion to Division One. Relegation followed after one season and in 1997–98 only a last day victory ensured a narrow escape from relegation into Division Three. In 1999–2000, they finished as Division Two runners-up and gained promotion back to Division One.
During the 2000–01 and 2001–02 seasons, Burnley emerged as serious contenders for a promotion play-off place in the Championship. By 2002–03, the side's form had declined despite two seasons of good FA Cup runs.
Burnley made a good start to the 2006–07 season, but their form tailed away badly in mid-season, leaving them threatened by relegation. The 2006–07 squad set a club record for consecutive league games without a win, with their 18th winless game meaning they were one worse than the 17 league game streak of the 1889–1890 season. The winless streak was finally broken in April, and a run of good form thereafter saw Burnley finish comfortably above the relegation places and ensured they remained in the Championship for the 2007–08 season.
The following season, Burnley played poorly, eventually leading to the departure of Steve Cotterill in November 2007. His replacement was Owen Coyle. Coyle lead the team to a total of 62 points for the season, their highest total for eight years. Coyle's first full season in charge ended with the Clarets' highest league finish since 1976, fifth in the Championship, qualifying the club for the play-offs. Burnley beat Reading 3–0 on aggregate in the semi-final, and went on to beat Sheffield United 1–0 in the final at Wembley Stadium, promoting Burnley to the Premier League, a return to the top flight after 33 years.
The town of Burnley became the smallest town to host a Premier League club; this being the club's 52nd season in the top flight of English football. Burnley were relegated after a single season back in the top flight.
Burnley started the new 2010–11 season as one of the favourites for promotion but were inconsistent, finishing the season in eighth place, and therefore remained in the Championship for the following campaign.
On 30 October 2012, former Watford manager Sean Dyche took over as new manager of Burnley.
On 21 April 2014, Burnley were promoted to the Premier League for the 2014–15 season after beating Wigan Athletic 2–0. This was the club's 53rd season in the top flight.
This Premier League session ended after the first season as Burnley were officially guaranteed relegation to the Championship for 2015–16 on 9 May 2015.
One To Watch – Tendayi Darikwa
Burnley's success in their promotion-winning campaign of 2013/14 was largely down to their team being more than the sum of its parts. They may have lost Danny Ings' goals but have more than enough accomplished players at this level to step up to the mark. Ings aside, they have managed to keep hold of the bulk of their squad from their Premier League season and Sean Dyche has complemented this with the addition of some proven Championship players. Another, lesser known signing is 23-year-old defender Tendayi Darikwa.
The Clarets moved to bring in Darikwa following an impressive year at Chesterfield, where he swept the board at the club's end-of-season awards. He signed professional terms at Saltergate in 2010, becoming a regular by 2012/13. After seeing potential in the youngster as a defender, John Sheridan converted him from a right winger to a right-back and he went from strength to strength, as the Spireites won the League 2 title. Darikwa made the position his own and almost followed up his individual awards in 2014/15 with a second consecutive promotion, with Chesterfield getting as far as the play-offs before being knocked out by eventual winners Preston. By this time, he had won many admirers from the Championship and above, and it was no surprise when he was on the move to Turf Moor. He has a tough challenge on his hands to hold down a regular place but, rather like our own promising right-back, more than held his own on the opening day.
The Gaffer - Sean Dyche
Dyche was a youth team player at Nottingham Forest in the late 1980s, while Brian Clough was manager. When he joined Forest, he was 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) and weighed 10 stone, but grew to 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) and 12 stone after a year. He broke his leg early in his career, which Dyche claims held him back. It also left him with a permanent bend in his leg.
He left Forest in early 1990 without making a first team appearance and signed for Chesterfield, where he later became captain. Dyche was part of the team that won the Division Three play-offs in 1995 and reached an FA Cup semi-final in 1997
Dyche left for Bristol City in 1997, helping them win promotion to Division One in his first season. City were relegated the following season, during which Dyche spent time on loan at Luton Town. He moved to Millwall at the end of the campaign, where he won promotion to Division One in 2001 and came close to a Premier League place the following year, losing to eventual promotion winners Birmingham City in the play-offs. In 2002, he began a three-year spell at Watford where he was captain in his final season with the club.
He signed for Northampton Town in 2005, and was involved in their 2005–06 promotion from League Two. He fell out of favour after the appointment of Stuart Gray as manager, and was released at the end of the 2006–07 season.
Having retired following his release from Northampton, Dyche rejoined Watford as under-18s coach in 2007. When Malky Mackay was appointed Watford manager on 6 July 2009, Dyche was promoted to become assistant manager. On 21 June 2011, he was appointed manager, following Mackay's decision to join Cardiff City.
On 28 April 2012, Watford finished 11th in the Championship, their highest league finish since the 2007–08 season. Following a change in club ownership, he was dismissed on 2 July 2012.
On 10 September 2012, Dyche joined the England national under-21 football team as a temporary member of the backroom staff.
On 30 October 2012, Dyche was named as Burnley manager.
Dyche was named Championship manager of the month for September 2013, and led Burnley to their best start to a season since they were founded in 1882. In a season when many other long-standing club records would be broken, a 2-0 win against Wigan Athletic at Turf Moor on 21 April 2014 confirmed the club's promotion to the top level of English football for the first time since 2010.
On 9 May 2015, Burnley were relegated from the Premier League with two games to spare after only one season in the top flight.
Past Match - Video Highlights - Trev
Trev's Trivia
Players to play for both teams
David Unsworth ITFC 2005 loan Burnley 2007-2008
Cameron Stewart ITFC 2014 Burnley 2012-2013 Loan
K L Blue – Media Watch
Interesting Sheffield Wednesday Post Match Comments from both Managers
Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy admitted his heart was in his mouth as his side edged Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 to claim their first win of the Sky Bet Championship season.
A week after witnessing his players lose a two-goal lead in injury time at Brentford, Ipswich deservedly held on for a come-from-behind win.
An entertaining start saw Wednesday take the lead on 19 minutes when Ross Wallace fired into the roof of the net after the impressive Marco Matias had pulled the ball back.
However, the advantage lasted just two minutes when Freddie Sears pounced on indecision among Glenn Loovens and Jeremy Helan to beat Keiren Westwood at his near post.
Ipswich went in front once more - and ultimately the points - eight minutes after the restart when Ryan Fraser showed his own impressive wing play before his cross was parried by Westwood into the path of Tommy Smith, who headed home from close range.
Town centre-back Christophe Berra also saw two headers cleared off the line by Lewis McGugan and Kieran Lee, and Sears came close to grabbing his second and Ipswich's third.
But it was a nail-biting finish for the majority inside Portman Road, when a strong run from Lucas Joao threatened a late equaliser, only for his long-range drive to be turned around the post by Bartosz Bialkowski.
McCarthy said: "Near the end I'm sure my heart was going a little faster than it should, but we were bound to be a little nervy.
"I think it was a good performance. We had to come from behind to beat a very good team, which means we showed all the attributes you need to be a success in this league.
"There were were some great performances and I thought Freddie Sears was outstanding."
Coming into the game on the back of an excellent start to the season, which had heralded two wins and six goals, new Wednesday manager Carlos Carvalhal refused to be too downbeat.
He said: "I am unhappy about the result but I am proud of my players, who fought for the whole 96 minutes, and also our fans, who supported the team during and after the match.
"We knew this would be one of the hardest matches in the Championship but in some parts we controlled the game and we put Ipswich under pressure in the last 15 minutes.
"But my players are learning and if this was played in three months time it would be a different test."
Carvalhal now faces some selection dilemmas after admitting his options from the bench were limited by injuries to Westwood, Sam Hutchinson and Loovens.
Stat Time
Head to Head
Ipswich Town Wins................17 (42.50%)
Burnley Wins.......................13 (32.50%)
Draws................................10 (25.00%)
Ipswich Town Goals...............60 (ave. 1.50/match)
Burnley Goals......................50 (ave. 1.25/match)
Head to Head at Ipswich
Ipswich Town Wins................11 (55.00%)
Burnley Wins........................2 (10.00%)
Draws.................................7 (35.00%)
Ipswich Town Goals................38 (ave. 1.90/match)
Burnley Goals.......................17 (ave. 0.85/match)
The Predicted Teams
Ipswich Town
With no fresh injury concerns, and following an impressive team performance, we could see an unchanged side from Saturday:
33 Bartosz Bialkowski
4 Luke Chambers
5 Tommy Smith
6 Christophe Berra
3 Jonas Knudsen
7 Ainsley Maitland-Niles
8 Cole Skuse
22 Jonathan Douglas
14 Ryan Fraser
9 Daryl Murphy
20 Freddie Sears
Burnley
Sean Dyche might be tempted to shake things up a bit, as the Clarets continue to search for their first league victory of the season.
1 Tom Heaton
27 Tendayi Darikwa
4 Michael Duff
5 Michael Keane
6 Ben Mee
11 Michael Kightly
14 David Jones
21 George Boyd
37 Scott Arfield
10 Jelle Vossen
9 Sam Vokes
Match Referee – Simon Hooper
Final Thought - Frosty
Great to see a 3 pointer for the first home game of the season from Saturday’s fixture against the Owls.
Sadly for everyone on here, I am back helping with the Previews, and sadly for me, I must have arrived back from my holiday which enables me to do this.
A big thanks to James and the lads for getting the first three Previews of the season up, it’s most appreciative as they are actually a bigger under taking than they may appear.
For most of the last few seasons (actually a fair few if I am honest), I have had a fairly ‘come what may/laissez fair’ attitude to the season ahead. This season a have a good feeling that we will be ‘there or there about’.
I have already read a few ‘snippets’ on this forum criticising MM’s tactics or the ability to hold onto a lead. The reality is that late goals are a feature of this division, hell, we snatched a few points ourselves last season when a game looked dead and buried. Personally I don’t believe MM employs only a single strategy out of choice, but perhaps last season identified the most effective way based on the squads playing roster and strengths to get us points which did take us to the playoffs. This season our playing roster appears deeper and more balanced on paper which can only create more tactical options for the team. Maybe it’s because our expectations are higher this season than the ones that have preceded it and that’s not necessarily a bad thing in my opinion as playing with a belief can only be a good thing. It is easy to forget that Brentford finished higher than us last season and Sheffield Wednesday are better side than the one we faced 6 months ago.
I think this fixture against Burnley will be a huge indicator of where we currently sit at this early part of the season as they adapt to life back in the Championship. I think the pick of this round will be the Derby at home to Middlesbrough fixture which will be worth keeping an eye on. If we can gain points from Burnley and back it up against Preston North End on Saturday then we are off to a great start this season.
Have a great late summers night at the football if you are attending.
IPSWICH TOWN 2 BURNLEY 1
