Ipswich Town v Brighton & Hove Albion
Tuesday 14th Janurary 2025 – 19:30
Portman Road
Pre-match Thoughts - Mike
Everyone connected to Town enjoyed a weekend free from all the stresses and strains that come with the Premier League relegation battle and that was exactly how it panned out as Town duly their place in the Fourth round draw courtesy of a comfortable and comprehensive victory against League One strugglers Bristol Rovers at a pretty full Portman Road. Town boss Kieran McKenna took the opportunity to change virtually his whole team and give the fringe players some game time while affording the regulars the luxury of a well needed rest.
It's fair to say the contest as a whole was pretty flat, one-sided, uneventful and dare I say it boring. It was over as a contest by half time as Town helped themselves to a Three goal lead with strikes from Kelvin Phillips, Jack Clarke & Jack Taylor, for long spells we were pretty much unopposed as Rovers barely got into our half, the only time I can remember them doing so in the opening Forty Five did at least allow Muric the chance to gift our opponents a goal with yet more lazy play, some things never change no matter who the opposition is.
There were One or Two in Town shirts who did themselves no harm with their efforts, Connor Townsend for me showed he would be a more than able defensive option to Leif Davis, Phillips & Clarke both looked lively while Massimo Luongo also got through plenty of work. New signing Ben Godfrey also looked very composed and assured in all that he did and was largely untroubled throughout. Being perfectly honest though all Town's players should have shone because the level of opposition was pretty dire and if you are going to find it tough against them then I would question your place in the squad.
The second half did throw up a few more chances that were either wasted, blocked or saved, at the same time Rovers did get a bit more joy territorially without ever really threatening the Town goal. The best of the second half efforts fell to Ali Al-Hamadi from the penalty spot and it is fair to say he choked as he out the spot kick wide of the post by quite some distance. I really feel for AAH as he could have done with that goal if only for his confidence which does look fragile at best, we all know he's some way off Premier League level and that probably needs to be recognised by the fans a bit more, it's chalk and cheese to signing a player for Millions of pounds and who has Premier League experience, only to see him mess up most weeks.
One thing I kept asking myself was this, were we really at this level Two seasons ago ? "That night" down at Bristol Rovers where we were held to a goalless draw must have been a real low point and as we all know it was from that point that we went on this amazing journey to be where we are now but I have to say I did not realise until I saw Rovers on Saturday just how woeful it was. I don't think I could deal with going back to that level any time soon.
With our place secured in the Fourth Round and a trip to Coventry City as the prize we can now turn our attention to the small matter of Premier League survival as we welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to Portman Road on a very rare Thursday night. It is the first of Two very important home games in the space of Four days with Manchester City coming to Town on Sunday, being perfectly honest you would think the Champions would have too much for us even with their recent troubles but they do seem to have steadied the ship somewhat and look to be getting back on track which for me makes the Brighton game even more important because we really do need points from these Two home games and Brighton probably serves up the best chance to do so.
It has to be acknowledged that the Seagulls are no mugs either and can play a bit themselves, yes we held them to a goalless draw at their place back in September which was a commendable and backs to the wall battling performance but generally speaking they are One of the better footballing sides in the division and will give us a stern test. Brighton are currently sitting in mid division after a little bit of a dodgy run, although they did hold Arsenal and villa but failed to beat West ham, Palace & Leicester so they are certainly not unbeatable.
I think Town will revert back to most of what we regard as the recognised starting Eleven for this One as Kieran McKenna will know better than anyone the importance of our home games from here on in. Ben Godfrey could be the only change on the Right side of defence, as it stands there doesn't appear to be any more new signings arriving in time for this One, Jaden Philogene looks less likely than Lord Lucan to make an appearance and God knows what is going on with that One.
It is a tough game for sure but I have this feeling Town can do it, Two good performances in our last Two League games, renewed belief and a loud Town backing has all the ingredients for a tense and exciting night. I have a feeling it could just go our way. narrow Town win for me. COYB'S.
The Opposition - Brighton & Hove Albion - Honours
League
Second Division / Championship
Runners-up: 1978–79, 2016–17
Third Division South / Second Division / League One
Champions: 1957–58, 2001–02, 2010–11
Fourth Division / Third Division
Champions: 1964–65, 2000–01
Southern League
Champions: 1909–10
Cup
FA Cup
Runners-up: 1982–83
FA Charity Shield
Winners: 1910
Sussex Senior Challenge Cup
Winners (15): 1942–43, 1987–88, 1991–92, 1993–94, 1994–95, 1999–00, 2003–04, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2012–13, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2021–22
The Manager – Fabian Hürzeler
League Table as at 14.01.2025
Form Guide
Ipswich Town
14 Dec Wolverhampton 1 - 2 Ipswich Town
21 Dec Ipswich Town 0 - 4 Newcastle Utd
27 Dec Arsenal 1 - 0 Ipswich Town
30 Dec Ipswich Town 2 - 0 Chelsea
5 Jan Fulham 2 - 2 Ipswich Town
Brighton & Hove Albion FC
15 Dec Brighton 1 - 3 Crystal Palace
21 Dec West Ham Utd 1 - 1 Brighton
27 Dec Brighton 0 - 0 Brentford
30 Dec Aston Villa 2 - 2 Brighton
4 Jan Brighton 1 - 1 Arsenal
Head to Head
Match Referee – Tony Harrington
IPSWICH TOWN 2 BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 1
