League 1 - Ipswich Town vs Port Vale Preview & Matchday Thread

[Frosty]

Ipswich Town vs Port Vale FC



Tuesday 18th April 2023 – 19:45

Portman Road









Pre-Match Thoughts - Bluemike



That's how you bounce back from a disappointing result !!! It was imperative we put the Cheltenham result behind us immediately to keep our promotion dream alive and boy did we do just that, and in some style too. Smashing Charlton for Six of the very best in front of a packed out and very loud Portman Road made for a super Saturday for all Town fans and with Sheffield Wednesday making yet another hash of it the day just got better and better, things could well have been very tricky having seen Plymouth win in the Noon kick off to heap the pressure on ourselves and Wednesday but thankfully we absorbed the pressure superbly to do a thorough demolition job on a lacklustre Addicks team.

Right from the kick off Town took the game to Charlton in a stylish, forceful manner, knocking the ball around with great aplomb and with an intensity that clearly meant business. The whirlwind start was very soon rewarded as that man Conor Chaplin was once again on hand to fire home, having received a neat Leif Davis pass he eluded a couple of defenders before finding the net with a crisp shot to leave the keeper beaten all ends up, it was exactly the start Town needed to ease any pre match nerves which in truth just weren't evident. It was to get even better for Town and in particular Chaplin as the super Blues found themselves Two up on the Quarter hour mark, this time a super ball over the top from Nathan Broadhead fell invitingly for Chaplin to smash it beyond the keeper and in doing so put Town into a seemingly unassailable position even at that early stage.

The half continued to be all Town who were pretty much on the front foot all the time although there was a chance for Town old boy MaCauley Bonne to reduce the arrears, however his weak header was too close to Christian Walton when he really should have done better, that was really the only scare Town had in a dominant first half, chances continued to to Town with Broadhead, Hirst & Chaplin all failing to add to the score.

If the First half was One way traffic then god knows what the second was as Town refused to take their foot off the pedal, Broadhead, Hirst & Burgess had all seen chances come and go before striker Hirst missed an absolute sitter to make it Three, having been teed up by Chaplin the big Centre Forward contrived to fire wire wide with the open goal gaping and at least another Town player behind him waiting to tap it home, it really was a glaring miss, Hirst knew it too as he hid his head in his hands.

The game had been so One sided and with the incredible pairing of Sam Morsy & Massimo Luongo dictating everything it was Town who kept on driving forward and were finally rewarded with their Third of the afternoon, of course who else could it be but Conor Chaplin, this time the simplest of touches from a yard out following another assist from Broadhead and the hat-trick was complete, the celebrations in front of the adoring North Stand quite something.

With Town now ringing the changes the subs continued to rip into the brow beaten Charlton defence, Freddie Ladapo had not been on the pitch for more than a couple of minutes before he was running onto an excellent Morsy through ball before firing across the keeper and into the far corner with Chaplin refraining from grabbing a Fourth for himself. Minutes Later Ladapo plundered another as he out battled a couple of defenders before rifling a shot into the roof of the net, by now the crowd were ecstatic and the players were loving every minute of it, Wednesday were getting beaten and the crowd knew it, "The Town are going up" echoed around the stadium and on this evidence who could argue.

A late Red card just added to Charlton's woes and the icing was very much on the cake when in the dying seconds Leif Davis was on hand to pick up the loose ball after Kyle Edwards effort had hit the post, Davis firing home number Six to send everyone into raptures. What a performance, what a result and what a day for all concerned with ITFC, there was no sign of nerves or pressure following Easter Monday's disappointment, if anything we looked even better and I am not sure anyone would have lived with us yesterday, ok Charlton were hardly world beaters but we started like a house on fire and never let up.

With a hat-trick Conor Chaplin will rightly get the MOTM award but for me skipper Sam Morsy was sublime and with the excellent Massimo Luongo beside him we had Two real stars dictating the game, they really should be playing at a higher level, I doubt they will have too long to wait to do just that.

There is little time to sit back and savour the win as we find ourselves in action again, this time it is the turn of Port Vale FC to step into the cauldron that is Portman Road, every game has to be taken on it's merits and this one will be no different, Vale are still looking over their shoulders and will therefore not be quite as easy as Charlton turned out to be. All Town can do is exactly what we have been doing the last Dozen games, that will hopefully be enough to claim another Three points and at the same time heap more pressure on Plymouth & Sheffield Wednesday who both have away games at Shrewsbury Town & Bristol Rovers respectively, without getting complacent or cocky I know which fixture I would rather have and the league table could look very inviting indeed come 10pm Tuesday evening, if results were to go our way we could possibly find ourselves a mere Six points from guaranteed promotion, that is how close we are, we can almost touch it now, there can be not let up or taking the foot off the gas, the prize is there for the taking, it's currently in our hands, let's make sure we keep a firm grasp on it while others falter. COYB'S



The Opposition – Port Vale FC Honours



League


Football League Third Division / Third Division North / League One

Champions: 1929–30, 1953–54
2nd place promotion: 1993–94
Play-off winners: 1988–89

Football League Fourth Division / League Two

Champions: 1958–59[93]
3rd place promotion: 1982–83, 2012–13
4th place promotion: 1969–70, 1985–86
Play-off winners: 2021–22


Cups


Football League Trophy

Winners: 1993, 2001



The Manager – Andy Crosby (Interim)







League Table as at 17th April 2023






Form Guide




Ipswich Town



18 Mar Ipswich Town 2 - 0 Shrewsbury

1 Apr Derby County 0 - 2 Ipswich Town

7 Apr Ipswich Town 4 - 0 Wycombe

10 Apr Cheltenham 1 - 1 Ipswich Town

15 Apr Ipswich Town 6 - 0 Charlton



Port Vale FC




25 Mar Portsmouth 2 - 2 Port Vale

1 Apr Port Vale 0 - 2 Cambridge Utd

7 Apr Accrington 3 - 0 Port Vale

10 Apr Port Vale 0 - 0 Oxford Utd

15 Apr Lincoln City 3 - 2 Port Vale




Head to Head










Match Referee – Robert Lewis







IPSWICH TOWN 2 PORT VALE 0

[Shed on tour]

Just one word for this game, focus! Seen some Town fans, not on this site, keep talking about the Peterborough and Barnsley games and just putting this one down as a given. Hopefully the players won’t have this attitude and I’m sure KM will ensure they don’t. Yes PV have been on a poor run but they are only one of two teams to have won at Home Park this season so have proved they can cause a upset.
Think we might have to be patient and if we are I feel we will get the job done.

Town 2 Vale 0

[Shed on tour]

Vale have just sacked their manager Darrell Clarke. Be interesting to see what the reaction of the players is tomorrow night.

[Bluemike]

Yes odd timing but 2 wins in 18 is a very poor run, they should be safe from the drop with a 6 point cushion, one more win will see them safe, hopefully that doesn't arrive tomorrow, can't see it myself. As you say Shed, keep focused and we'll be fine.

[marko69]

A fitting ref caption:

“What you doing here, Darrell?”

[Charnwood]

It should be a formality given the recent form of both teams but as we all know sometimes it just doesn’t work out that way, let’s just hope tomorrow isn’t one of those days.

I’m not sure whether Kieron McKenna will try to see the season out playing his strongest line up, or given we have 4 games to play in 12 days be tempted to apply some rotation. Personally I’d be happier to see us start full strength and sub players off as and when it feels safe to do so.

Given some of the fixture gaps we had earlier in the season I’m surprised the EFL have so many planned fixtures at the end of the season when results are so critical to so many teams involved in promotion and relegation battles and some of those teams with quite small squads.

I’m hoping for a 3-0 breeze to Town with a brace for Conor Chaplin and 1 for Freddie. Would love to see CC with the League 1 Golden Boot.

[Bluemike]

It could be argued Freddie has earned a start but I think he'll go with the same starting line up.

[marko69]

Yes, if all are fit, he’d be insane to rotate. Keep the starting line-up virtually unchanged. Think the only possible reason for changes is him worrying about injuries ahead of games against supposed “better” opposition…….. but barring no injuries v Charlton, keep same line-up.

[AzzurroMark]

Agree with the general consensus, as in start with the strongest fully fit team possible for Port Vale & each remaining game. No point risking any player with any niggles or fatigue.
We have the luxury of a very strong bench to call on, so if we can gain an early convincing lead in any game, then yes make changes at that stage in the game.

[Bluemike]

Burns took a hefty knock Saturday and was hobbling around for some time afterwards, although he appeared ok when substituted I wonder if he will be risked tomorrow evening.

[Ricco]

Edwards has looked keen for an opportunity, so wouldn't be surprised to se him given a run.

[Dazzz67]

Always concerns me that teams who recently lose a manager can provide some surprising results, technically, and in our current form this should be straight forward. But, an animal is always more dangerous when wounded so we will have to be on it and can afford no slips up, keep the pressure up and hopefully those around us will have 'bad' days and give us a bit more of a gap.

I am looking forward to this though, bit of iFollow footy will hopefully go down well on a Tuesday night.

2 - 0 to the Blues!

[hallamblue]

I’ve got my fingers crossed on this game. Them sacking their manager was probably the worst thing that could happen before the game. I’m expecting a reaction from their players now.

Early goal,again please Town , and finish the job off by hopefully getting the three goals I personally feel is what we need in these last few games.

[shabba]

Gutted that I’ll be in the air for at least the second half of this one! I would agree with the ‘go with the best XI again’ thinking, ideally we would make changes and win - keep players fresh for the big away games coming up but we need to keep the momentum.

At least they haven’t appointed a new manager yet - and likely they couldn’t take charge mowing they did.

Gosh we need another win and hope others drop points as I feel a cushion going into the away games would be nice as it’s going to be tough to take max points from those.

[Frosty]

Andy Crosby interim manager

[arana peligrosa]

Only know the opposition for a Cup shock in the 1990's. Not all up or interested on other achievement or record.

Voted to win but anything can occur. When was the last time the team lost, night in the Oxford mist I'm guessing at but seems a while back.

Barnsley, Sheffield and PAFC all got away games, they'll be some dropped points in amongst it for sure. We can take a certain advantage here.

Every chance we could go top dependant on other scores. Just need to retain momentum and not get complacent after the Charlton victory.

A 3 - 1 home win, possibly 2 - 0. All things are subject to change.

[number 9]

I’ve got my fingers crossed on this game. Them sacking their manager was probably the worst thing that could happen before the game. I’m expecting a reaction from their players now.

Early goal,again please Town , and finish the job off by hopefully getting the three goals I personally feel is what we need in these last few games.

It’s Port Vale ffs! I’m expecting another thumping. 4-0!

[marko69]

Andy Crosby interim manager

And barra “BING”……. another 3pts for ITFC.

[Denny61]

What are the chances of plymouth or Wednesday dropping points tomorrow...

[Mauswara]

What are the chances of plymouth or Wednesday dropping points tomorrow...

They'd have to be higher than ours.

[Johnjosh43]

I have a friend who is a Vale fan, and will be there. They are hoping to keep it down to single figures. They turned a2-1 lead against ten man into defeat at the weekend. The red card was a total mystery later overturned.
Kept the momentum and good things happen.

[hallamblue]

Unsurprisingly so eh.

I think this could prove a difficult game because they’ll park the bus and be happy to Nick a point . Never easy playing against this approach, but we must get an early goal - as always!

Come on Town

[hallamblue]

I’ve got my fingers crossed on this game. Them sacking their manager was probably the worst thing that could happen before the game. I’m expecting a reaction from their players now.

Early goal,again please Town , and finish the job off by hopefully getting the three goals I personally feel is what we need in these last few games.

It’s Port Vale ffs! I’m expecting another thumping. 4-0!

You might be disappointed.

[marko69]

I’ve got my fingers crossed on this game. Them sacking their manager was probably the worst thing that could happen before the game. I’m expecting a reaction from their players now.

Early goal,again please Town , and finish the job off by hopefully getting the three goals I personally feel is what we need in these last few games.

It’s Port Vale ffs! I’m expecting another thumping. 4-0!

You might be disappointed.

I'll go with 9 on this, Hallam and say 3-0 minimum. Reckon KMcK will have them fired up with teamtalks hitting home that only 1 point from this game will be extremely harmful to auto promo expectations. Fired up, at hopefully a noisy Portman Road ---------->> big win.

£10 on the draw @ 15/2

[number 9]

I’ve got my fingers crossed on this game. Them sacking their manager was probably the worst thing that could happen before the game. I’m expecting a reaction from their players now.

Early goal,again please Town , and finish the job off by hopefully getting the three goals I personally feel is what we need in these last few games.

It’s Port Vale ffs! I’m expecting another thumping. 4-0!

You might be disappointed.

I hope not, Hallam. As Marko says, with the home crowd behind us I think we should win comfortably. We have no new injuries as far as I know, so the starting line up should be strong. Even if PV park the bus, we have players like Hirst and Broadhead who are more than capable of breaking down defences. Also, Chappy is on fire and I wouldn't be surprised if he scores at least one more.

[hallamblue]

Well I’ll be there along with Mike giving them a big vocal support , and I’ll shout a bit louder for you ok

COYBs x

[Cabanas Blue]

Freddie starts Hirst on the bench COYB.

[Bluemike]

As I said, Ladapo has earned the start

[number 9]

As I said, Ladapo has earned the start

If he keeps scoring, he should start.

[number 9]

In the words of Larry the Cable Guy,

“Get ‘Er Done!!”

COYB!!!