Ipswich Town v MK Dons 
Saturday 13th August 2022 – 15:00
Portman Road
Mike’s Weekly Comments
Having opened the campaign with a hard fought draw at home to Bolton Wanders last weekend Town took to the road for the first time this season, a trip to Forest Green Rovers being the order of the day, a place we had never been before or indeed know very much about, FGR claimed their rightful place in League one following last seasons excellent achievement in winning the League Two title, so this was unknown territory for Town at a place which had all the makings of a classic upset, their first ever game at this level, a bumper crowd and the chance to take the scalp of One of the favourites for this season's league one crown, add to that confidence was high in the home sides camp after an opening day victory away to fellow new boys to league one Bristol Rovers.
It can only be said that Town started the game very brightly indeed and took the game to the home side virtually from the off, with the backing of a large travelling contingent the early signs were good with Town looking more than up to the task in hand. Early Town chances came and went with Edmundson and Harness failing to trouble the home keeper. Town continued to hold the upper hand and Morsy then Ladapo both had efforts at goal, the latter drawing a good save form the home keeper. Forest green were having moments of their own but nothing to trouble Christian Walton in the Town goal.
As the game moved closer to the interval it was Town who continued to look by far the more likely of the Two teams, next it was Conor Chaplin's turn to try his luck but again the keeper was up to the task, that sparked the home side into life and they were so close to grabbing a surprise lead but thanks to the efforts of Walton Town remained on level terms. It only served as a wake up call as Town charged up the other end and got the goal their dominance deserved, some neat play from Morsy & Davis set up Ladapo who's initial shot was blocked, however the ball fell kindly for Marcus Harness who swept home a lovely shot leaving the keeper stranded, it was no more than Town deserved having been well on top.
Town's scorer tried his luck once more but again the keeper saved, however with the whistle about to sound their was nothing the Forest green defender or Goalie could do as Sam Morsy struck was an absolute beauty into the top corner from distance to double Town's lead on the stroke of half time. Some lovely footwork and lay off from Wes Burns teeing up his skipper who finished with aplomb leaving FGR with a massive uphill task in the second half.
Town started the second half in similar vein with chances coming once more, Ladapo and Evans both trying their luck. Much to the surprise of virtually everyone in Blue thew game suddenly took a turn as the hosts got themselves back into the game, sub Little the architect as he found his way into the box following some poor defensive play by Leif Davis who lost his man, the initial shot was blocked by the impressive Walton but the follow up was turned home by March, suddenly it was game on.
The same player had the ball in the Town net again as the Rovers sensed Blood but thankfully the flag was already up for offside. It was quite a turnaround as Town were now very much on the back foot and hanging on and had it not been for a superb double save from Walton it would have been level. Town had been making changes in an effort to regain control and the arrival of Leigh, Aluko & TJJ seemed to do just that, the onslaught seemed to have been repelled and control restored as the game entered the final Quarter, suddenly chances were coming Town's way again and it was Forest green needing to do the last ditch defending, Kayden Jackson had also entered the fray and was looking very lively and a trouble to the home defence. Town survived a late scare as Cameron Burgess avoided a red card but the ridiculous Nine minutes of Injury time was dealt with very professionally as Town saw it out for a deserved if not somewhat tense first win of the season.
This week saw Town in action Tuesday evening in the Carabao Cup First Round when Colchester United (or should I say ITFC old boys) came to town, to say it didn't go to plan would be something of an understatement. I just don't get it when we change virtually the whole team from the off, yes these players need game time but surely five or six from the start and the rest coming on makes more sense.
It should be an opportunity for fringe players to stake a claim and impress the manager and in that regard they all failed miserably, it begs the question do we have as much strength in depth as we think we have? Personally I believe we do, just not when you throw them all together at once. Quite what Rekeem Harper was thinking is anyone's guess but again it's cost us big time. I just don't see what he brings to the squad and is definitely one I would be moving on ASAP. So that is our interest in this particular cup over and done with for another season, despite the stats showing that yet again we bossed it and contrived to lose the game to a team who had One shot on target, sounds familiar!!
Following Tuesday's cup action Town return to Portman Road looking for their first home League win of the season as MK Dons come to Town. Already it is a big game as a Town win would see us Seven points ahead of the Dons and bearing in mind they were in the play off's last season that is a good thing, if anyone knows how hard it is to make up this kind of deficit it is us so a win would be very important. The Don's have somewhat surprisingly started the League campaign with back to back defeats, firstly Cambridge Utd proved too good at home and then League One favourites Sheffield Wednesday took the points with a single goal victory. Hopefully confidence will be fragile and Town can take advantage, with another good sized crowd behind them and a similar showing as we produced against Bolton it could just be enough, Town still have plenty more improving to do and I can see this being close but ultimately a Town win.
I would like to see Town go with Greg Leigh at Left back for the League game as I feel he is quite a way ahead of Leif Davis and looks far more assured and composed, it is early days where the latter is concerned but for me the 1.6 Million price tag is looking extortionate, hopefully the lad will prove me wrong. Whoever takes to the field on saturday let's all get behind them and get the old ground rocking once more. COYB'S.
The Opposition – MK Dons Honours
League
Football League One
Runners-up: 2014–15
Football League Two / EFL League Two
Champions: 2007–08
Third-place (promotion): 2018–19
Cup
Football League Trophy
Winners: 2007–08
Berks & Bucks Senior Cup
Winners: 2006–07
Runners-up: 2005–06, 2017–18
Portimão Cup
Winners: 2004
The Manager – Liam Manning
League Table
Form Guide
Ipswich Town
30 Jul Ipswich Town 1 - 1 Bolton
6 Aug Forest Green 1 - 2 Ipswich Town
MK Dons
30 Jul Cambridge Utd 1 - 0 Milton Keynes
6 Aug Milton Keynes 0 - 1 Sheffield Wed
Head to Head
Match referee – Carl Brook
IPSWICH TOWN 1 MK DONS 0
3-1 Town.
The formative bottom of the Championship and top of L1 tables look really good!