Championship - Ipswich Town vs Leeds United Preview & Matchday Thread

[Frosty]

Ipswich Town v Leeds United


Saturday 26th August 2023 – 15:00


Portman Road








Pre-Match Thoughts - Bluemike



Town saw their perfect start to the season continue last weekend with a hard fought win at Loftus Road to see off the challenge of QPR and in doing so rack up our Third win on the bounce. Pretty it wasn't but it was equally as pleasing given that we had to show a different side to our style of play in order to get the job done, there were times we were on the back foot and there were times we looked in control as the game ebbed and flowed but by the close we had done enough to secure the points.

I thought Town started very brightly indeed as we knocked the ball around with confidence to take the game to our hosts and for 20 odd Minutes we looked more than comfortable, gradually as is to be expected rangers got more of a foothold in the game and it is fair to say the last Twenty Minutes of the first half saw them in the ascendancy with the skill and power of Armstrong in particular causing us all manner of problems.

Town had the better of the chances though and prior to Armstrong cracking one off both posts, which as it happened turned out to be a great save by Hladky, Wes Burns missed an absolute sitter of a chance as he headed wide at the far post with the goal gaping, it really should have seen Town go one up, other chances feel to Town with Hirst, Chaplin and Luongo all trying their luck with little joy. The chances that did go QPR's way came from errors by Town at the back with Donacien in particular having a bit of a mare, quite what he was thinking when he literally tapped the ball to their striker was beyond me but thankfully we were not made to pay.

While others were slipping up I thought Luke Woolfenden was again standing firm at the back and looking far more assured once again than we have come to expect over the years and with the ever reliable Sam Morsy in the middle of the park we had the two most influential players on the pitch, aside form Armstrong's flashes of brilliance of course. Reaching half time level had me thinking we really could do something in the second half if we could only step it up and cut out the errors, and so it proved.

I was on the same page as Kieran McKenna as I felt we were the better side over the piece and deserved the win, I found it somewhat surprising just how many Town fans felt we had been lucky to win, yes they had their moments but having watched the game again in it's entirety it confirmed what I though having been their in person, the better team won, not a lot in it but justified for me.

It was that man Conor Chaplin that secured the win with his first strike of the season, just how quick is the guy to react to half chances in the box, there cannot be anyone better in those situations, when watching the goal the defender for all the world looked odds on to hack the ball away but Chaplin was having none of it and made it his to set off wild scenes of celebration behind the goal, it was fantastic and a sign of just how vested into this team the fans are. Both sides had chances in that second period, Hladky pulled off a fab save from an incredible effort by Chair from virtually the half way line, the big keeper just about tipping it over from under the bar while at the other end Massimo Luongo saw his effort cleared away thanks to a fab save from their keeper.

The old adage that it's a good team that wins when not at their best could not be any more relevant than here, it was probably the worst we have played since our return to the Championship and yet we still did enough and deservedly won the game, the steeliness we have added to our game is good to see and adds another string to an already impressive bow. I thought we had some very good individual performances and some that on the day were not quite so good for me Morsy, Woolfy, Davis & Hladky all looked very good but how good is it to win when the likes of Burns, Donacien & Broadhead all had below par days. Without picking on anyone I definitely feel we are better with Harry Clarke in over Janoi Donacien, I think the latter has definitely struggled against Stoke & QPR at times, more so with his positional play as he has been caught out on more than One occasion.

If we want to keep the winning start going we have to take care of another of the so called Championship "big Boys" as Leeds Utd come calling to Portman Road on Saturday, a Premier league side not long ago but they are finding the transition a bit tough right now with Two draws and a defeat from their opening Three games, not the start they were anticipating for sure.

Leeds have cleared out a lot of players for One reason or another while others appear to be wanting to jump ship and as such they are a bit thin on the ground, especially in the attacking department with options appearing to be down to the bare bones, injuries to other key players is not helping either and it could just be a very good time to be facing them.

Under normal circumstances you would look at this and think getting anything from this game would be an absolute bonus but here we are going into it as favourites according to the bookies and rightly so, that is not to say that they won't pose a massive threat because they will, with a large away following urging them on we have to be on our game from the off and prepared which we always are, silencing their fans early doors is key and an early goal would be fab as it would have our tails very much up and with their confidence already fragile it could just see them doubting themselves and not fancying it. I was edging towards a share of the spoils but I see no reason why Town cannot win this one too, providing we up our game from last weekend which we are more than capable of doing. It promises to be a cracker with a sell out crowd and an electric atmosphere. Town win. COYB'S




The Opposition – Leeds United Honours



League

First Division/Premier League
Champions: 1968–69, 1973–74, 1991–92
Runners-up: 1964–65, 1965–66, 1969–70, 1970–71, 1971–72

Second Division/Championship
Champions: 1923–24, 1963–64, 1989–90, 2019–20
Runners-up: 1927–28, 1931–32, 1955–56
Play-off runners-up: 1987, 2006

League One
Runners-up: 2009–10
Play-off runners-up: 2008


Cup


FA Cup
Winners: 1971–72
Runners-up: 1964–65, 1969–70, 1972–73

League Cup
Winners: 1967–68
Runners-up: 1995–96

FA Charity Shield
Winners: 1969, 1992
Runners-up: 1974


European


European Cup
Runners-up: 1974–75

European Cup Winners' Cup
Runners-up: 1972–73




The Manager – Daniel Farke








League Table as at 22nd August 2023








Form Guide





Ipswich Town



6 Aug Sunderland 1 - 2 Ipswich Town

12 Aug Ipswich Town 2 - 0 Stoke City

19 Aug QP Rangers 0 - 1 Ipswich Town






Leeds United




6 Aug Leeds Utd 2 - 2 Cardiff City

12 Aug Birmingham City 1 - 0 Leeds Utd

18 Aug Leeds Utd 1 - 1 West Brom





Head to Head








Match Referee – Robert Madley







IPSWICH TOWN 1 LEEDS UNITED 0

[hallamblue]

I think Leeds will start to settle and “ click” soon do I’m hoping we’re getting them at the right time now .

2-0 to Town

[marko69]

Great having names like Leeds United back at PR. May the Cheltenham Town days be over for forever & ever.

Nice preview of this game and I too edged towards the draw and voted so in this thread. Sort of believe Daniel “For” Farkes (sake) will instil a belief in them to make it very difficult for Kieron & Co. Maybe a Norwich affection effect.
Predicting (like you Hallam) 2-0 Ipswich Town in the prediction league……. So if that doesnt happen, errrm, your fault, doll! ……. But 1-1 draw.

Ref caption:

Player: “Ref?? Youve added 12 minutes already. How much longer?”
Ref: “FIVE MORE!”

For Farkes sake caption:
ITFC staff: “Daniel?? You are on CCTV strutting around with your big german sausage out in the dressing room. Anything to say?”
Daniel Farke: (picture)

[Bluemike]

Ref caption

"Look, one less finger than a Norwich Inbred"

[Dubai Blue]

Love the preview and many thanks as always @Bluemike. Win this and we are going to have a lot of eyes on us, and I think we can.

Will be celebrating wedding anniversary this weekend so no chance to watch but will be keeping up with BBC text....

[Bluemike]

Another sell out

[Andym]

Could be our biggest test so far. I’d be happy with a draw.

[AzzurroMark]

Another sell out

Even the £87 a pop Gold seats are gone. There was just one available seat in the Bobby Robson Hospitality just now and that is absolutely it! Amazing stuff.

[marko69]

Another sell out

Even the £87 a pop Gold seats are gone. There was just one available seat in the Bobby Robson Hospitality just now and that is absolutely it! Amazing stuff.

What cost of living crisis? 87 quid a feckin pop?? Not a chance I'd be paying that.

Sing along ......

SHOVE...... YER GOLD SEATS UP YER AAAAARSE!
SHOVE YER GOOOOLD SEATS UP YER..........

[Charnwood]

Another sell out

Even the £87 a pop Gold seats are gone. There was just one available seat in the Bobby Robson Hospitality just now and that is absolutely it! Amazing stuff.

If there’s 2 going on Boxing Day and it’s the only way I can get a ticket I’ll take both of them even if it has to be my Christmas present .

[Dubai Blue]

I'd be happy to pay that if I were in the country. Jealous of all you who get to the games. Firealarm game will be my only one for this season.

[Bluemike]

https://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/23746414.i ... road-trip/

Leeds just signed a new striker for 10 Million

[shabba]

I think this will be a tough game, I feel we have been on the right side of all the small margins so far this season and that may start to even itself out soon.

Amazing support, I checked and all the available (on sale) home games are pretty much sell outs now. I'll be at the Cardiff game and cannot wait.

What does a gold seat get you? I did the hospitality last year and it was a high figure but actually when you broke down all you got from it then it was v good value. (I did it for my dad and for example he now owns a town shirt fully signed by the promotion winning team, hard to put a price on that!).

Depends how often you go, as I only go a handful of times a year I don't mind paying for better seats, plus I always feel its good value, i.e only £10 extra to get a halfwayline seat over one in the corner, unlike if you see a London musical and the better seats are 2-3x the price. Plus town are playing such good football that its well worth the price. I refused to pay/go when it was long ball rubbish.

Anyway - Suspect we will see Brandon W from the bench, so that'll be interesting. Will go for 1-1.

[Bluemike]

Once a Blue, always a Blue

The Club is encouraging supporters to participate in a minute’s applause during tomorrow’s clash with Leeds United, in memory of young supporter Mason Fountain.

Mason, a passionate fan of the Club, passed away in July, aged just 18, following a long battle with illness.

He was diagnosed with a brain tumour at a young age and fought the illness bravely for 13 years, raising significant funds for charity as he worked to help other young people in a similar position to himself.

A minute’s applause has been planned by supporters, with the Club encouraging those attending the game at Portman Road to join in when the game clock hits 18 minutes, in memory of Mason.

Once a Blue, always a Blue.

[Mauswara]

I think Lady Luck might be on our side.

[Blue Wilf]

Typically they have just signed a new £10m striker from Swansea...

[Cabanas Blue]

JD out tomorrow and Burgess and Hirst both doubts, not good news

[Bluemike]

Manager Kieran McKenna has confirmed Janoi Donacien will miss this weekend’s game with Leeds United after suffering a groin injury at QPR last weekend.

The defender came off midway through the first half at Loftus Road, with the issue now keeping him out of this weekend’s game with Leeds.

Cameron Burgess and George Hirst will both be assessed tomorrow morning, due to ankle and adductor issues respectively.

“Janoi won’t make it for the weekend because of a small groin strain, on top of some other issues he has in that area,” he said. “He’s a possible for Cardiff but won’t be available for tomorrow.

“Cameron Burgess has a little issue with his ankle and George Hirst has an issue with his adductor, so both will have checks in the morning to see if they are available.”

[Bluemike]

Burgess is the one I hope isn't missing tomorrow, dread to think the score if Donkey Edmundson plays. Quite happy for Ladapo to start, Hirst maybe needs a rest anyway, been absolutely knackered a couple of times and Donacien was struggling at times anyway.

[valleyroad]

I think this will be a tough game, I feel we have been on the right side of all the small margins so far this season and that may start to even itself out soon.

Amazing support, I checked and all the available (on sale) home games are pretty much sell outs now. I'll be at the Cardiff game and cannot wait.

What does a gold seat get you? I did the hospitality last year and it was a high figure but actually when you broke down all you got from it then it was v good value. (I did it for my dad and for example he now owns a town shirt fully signed by the promotion winning team, hard to put a price on that!).

Depends how often you go, as I only go a handful of times a year I don't mind paying for better seats, plus I always feel its good value, i.e only £10 extra to get a halfwayline seat over one in the corner, unlike if you see a London musical and the better seats are 2-3x the price. Plus town are playing such good football that its well worth the price. I refused to pay/go when it was long ball rubbish.

Anyway - Suspect we will see Brandon W from the bench, so that'll be interesting. Will go for 1-1.

Yep I agree on that.
Might be again as Leeds aren't firing yet, probably best time to get them.
Again difficult to call. One of these games again which will gauge where Town are potentially at.

[arana peligrosa]

Last week the opposition played real well but only got a point from it. They got one or two dangerous players and I don't expect no easy time from this. They haven't won a game thus far and occupy around an 18 position in the league but they can procure a win at any time and against any opposition, just hope it ain't us tomorrow.

Think we may have one or two pivotal names out our ourselves or unavailable but with the home advantage and enough strength and depth remaining, we got every chance of making it 4 wins out of 4. Even with that, voted to draw. Just think they're much stronger than their lousy start would make you believe.

[Dazzz67]

With a couple of doubtfuls and Leeds bringing in some big guns it is going to be a hard and well fought out game I feel, there will be a few cards in this one lol.

Obviously hoping for a win but feel a draw will be a good result.

1 - 1

COYB!!

[Shed on tour]

Have a bad feeling about this game. Our fantastic run of wins at home has to come to an end at some point and I have therefore gone for a draw. Please Town don’t lose this one as we have friends who live in Wakefield and are Leeds fans. Can see me getting some friendly stick off them if we do.

[Bluemike]

The thing we do need to remember is that we WILL lose at some point, it doesn't define our season whenever it happens, anymore than the Three wins have defined it. This is a very tough game and although I too have gone for the draw I genuinely believe we could win this one too. COYB'S

[Andym]

The thing we do need to remember is that we WILL lose at some point, it doesn't define our season whenever it happens, anymore than the Three wins have defined it. This is a very tough game and although I too have gone for the draw I genuinely believe we could win this one too. COYB'S

Absolutely. The game could go any way but we can't win them all. Hopefully we will play well whatever the outcome, and we need to remember where we are now compared to two years ago. Better funded, better run, better managed, better football. Oh, and better support.

[Cabanas Blue]

Jackson in for Hirst something up with Freddie ? He's on the bench.

[JohnnyB]

Jackson in for Hirst something up with Freddie ? He's on the bench.

Probably tactics. McK may think Leeds defence vulnurable to pace

[Denny61]

I'm going for a 3 .1 win to Leeds. They have serious firepower up front now ..plus Premier ship experience..its best we lose to day..and we will know where we definitely need to strengthen.. if we lose. It will only galvanise us for future games..remember as good a team as man city are ..they lost a few games last season. ..

[marko69]

The Gunners chucked it grand style last season, Denny ---->> that massively helped Citeh in the EPL.

This is what I hate about the "we can't win every game" thinking. I mean yes, from a Guinness Book of Records standpoint, yep,--->> obviously the team cannot win them all.
But it creates posts like "losing will show where the weaknesses are"......, There are no weaknesses at the moment FFS! . Its 3 from 3.

It'll be an extremely difficult game....., but be positive.... Its at Portman Road, go and roar them on. Not losing today. COME ON!

[Bluemike]

Here here Marko