League Cup - Ipswich Town vs Bristol Rovers Preview & Matchday Thread

[Frosty]

Ipswich Town v Bristol Rovers FC


Wednesday 9th August 2023 – 19:45

Portman Road







Pre-Match Thoughts - Mike



What a start to life back in the Championship ! If anyone was under any illusions we would take the step up in our stride and sweep all before us aside then a trip to Sunderland's stadium of Light is no better way to keep our feet firmly grounded as that was a tough tough afternoons work.

To come away from what could prove to be one of our hardest tests of the season with the victory and Three points is a fantastic way to kick off the new campaign and it did indeed prove that we can do more than just compete in this toughest of divisions.

It has to be said that for the first Twenty minutes it was very tough indeed, we barely laid a glove on Sunderland as they came out of the blocks firing on all cylinders, we hardly touched the ball in truth, nor did we really make a pass such was their fast start, Hladky had a couple of nervy moments while the defence in front of his were hell bent on giving the ball away in and around our own box, our Midfield was getting swamped and our strikers were little more than spectators.

Despite the ferocious start by the home team Hlady in the Town goal was not tested and we gradually began to get a footing in the game, so much so it was Town who carved out the better of the early chances, Leif Davis coming closest to scoring as his effort was hacked off the line, not long after Chaplin saw his shot take a deflection to send it just wide of the post with the keeper beaten. Let's not kid ourselves though Sunderland still looked very much in the ascendancy for large spells and missed an absolute sitter themselves as Hladky's save fell invitingly for Bellingham who should have scored.

With half time approaching Town got that crucial breakthrough courtesy of Sunderland old boy Nathan Broadhead, who stuck out a leg to send the ball into the net following a shot from Leif Davis to send the Town faithful into raptures, on balance of play it was probably harsh on the Black cats but on chances created it was a deserved goal for Town which sent us into the break a goal ahead.

The second half went a long way to confirming to any Town fans who needed convincing that we can be players in this division as for Twenty Five minutes we dominated the game and looked by far the better side. The crucial second goal came in the Fifty Third Minute and what a beauty it was, a superb through ball from Broadhead sent Hirst through and he smashed it home with power and precision to send the Town support wild with delight. As if that wasn't enough moments later Conor Chaplin launched an incredible effort for the half way line and over the keeper who had come off his line, agonisingly for Town it crashed back off the bar and into the path of Hirst who looked certain to score only to be blatantly fouled inside the box, it was a penalty and red card all day long but the ref was not interested, that surely would have been the chance to put the game right out of sight of Sunderland.

With Twenty Minutes of the game to go the home side were reduced to Ten men as Hume was sent off for his second bookable offence but instead of giving Town the advantage it seemed to galvanise the home side into action and the onslaught began. When they pulled one back with a few Minutes left i have to say I feared the worst, they were piling on the pressure and surging forward at will, it looked for all the world like we would concede but bodies were being thrown in front of everything and we were hanging on.

Thirteen Minutes of added time !!!!! I mean WTF, it does not help my Blood Pressure one bit !!! We were doomed to concede. Still defenders got themselves in front of shots and crosses, Hladky was working overtime as the clock resembled a bloody sun dial. Incredibly we should have wrapped it up as Ladapo surged forward in acres of space, now I love Freddie but what the heck was he thinking, with Dom Ball surging into the area completely unmarked our number Nine chose to fire high wide and handsome, I was not impressed I have to say.

With seconds remaining it was Vaclav Hladky who proved to be the unsung hero with a vital double save, first with his foot right down by the post and then from the rebound he somehow palmed the effort away, fantastic from our stand in keeper. Moments later the Referee blew his whistle to send everyone on the Blue side crazy.

Once the dust had settled we could take it all in, it was just the start we craved, a win at one of the toughest places to go against a very good side, it demonstrated clearly just how steep the step up in quality is, we are not going to have things our own way by any means and I suspect there will be many more afternoons like that to come, thankfully this Town team have belief in abundance, not to mention a fair bit of quality ourselves and we will very much be up for the challenge.

The one thing that did stand out for me was that it was us that seemed to be wilting in the end, I expected our fitness levels to come through but it was Sunderland who at the final whistle looked the fitter of the Two sides and that was with Ten men so that was without doubt a bit of an eye opener for sure. We got the job done though and that is the main thing, Stoke at home on Saturday will be a cracker and the place will be rocking, it promises to be another very tough test for Town only this time we will have the benefit of nigh on Thirty Thousand fans willing us to win, but first we have a bit of cup action to take care of.

Already we turn our attentions away from Championship action as we welcome Bristol Rovers FC to Portman Road for a First Round Carabao Cup tie. As is always the case with most teams from the top Two divisions this particular competition lags behind all others in terms of importance, often it is viewed as something of a hindrance. That said it does have it;'s own merits and offers up the opportunity for Kieran McKenna to get some minutes into the legs of fringe players so in that sense it can have it's own rewards and serves quite an important purpose.

I can see the likes of Jackson, Edwards, Aluko, Leigh, Slicker, Baggott, Carr etc all possibly getting game time, I don't see McKenna taking too many risks with injuries to our key players, especially with the odd One or Two still not fully fit, but knowing him as we all do he will be focused on winning the game for sure which could bring the likes of Harness, Edmundson, Evans and Hutchinson into the equation too.

The Gas had a decent if somewhat frustrating opening day as the went to Portsmouth and so nearly came away with a crucial win and with it the Three points, only a Pompey goal in the dying moments robbed them of victory and I suspect it feels more like a defeat than the decent result that in truth it was.

We know only too well how difficult an opponent Rovers can be, the drab 0-0 draw down in Bristol last season being a classic case in point so taking this for granted is indeed foolish, quite how serious Rovers are taking this game is anyone's guess but if they go full strength they definitely have the offensive players to cause any makeshift Town defence problems.

Unless they have recently changed the rules I believe there has to be a winner on the night which will hopefully work in Town's favour being the home team. One thing is certain it will be great to be back at Portman Road for the first time since that epic day back in May when we put Exeter City to the sword to return to the Championship, a new pitch and improved stadium will be nice to see, and of course a win to get our home form up and running, winning breeds confidence and that is what the boys will be striving to do which will set us all up nicely for a full house and massive game against Stoke City on Saturday. it's a Town win for me. COYB'S


The Opposition – Bristol Rovers FC Honours



Leagues



Southern League Division One: Champions: 1

1904–05

Football League Third Division South: Champions: 1

1952–53

Football League Third Division: Champions: 1

1989–90

Football League Two play-offs: Winners: 1

2007

Conference Premier play-offs: Winners: 1
2015


Cups


Football League Third Division South Cup: Winners: 1

1934–35

Football League Trophy: Runners-up : 2
1989–90, 2006–07

Watney Cup: Winners : 1
1972

Gloucestershire Cup: Winners: 32

1888–89, 1902–03, 1904–05, 1913–14, 1924–25, 1927–28, 1934–35, 1935–36, 1937–38, 1947–48, 1948–49, 1950–51, 1953–54, 1954–55, 1955–56, 1958–59, 1962–63, 1963–64, 1964–65, 1965–66, 1967–68, 1973–74, 1974–75, 1981–82, 1982–83, 1983–84, 1984–85, 1988–89, 1989–90, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95



The Manager – Joey Barton








Head to Head







Match Referee – David Rock







IPSWICH TOWN 1 BRISTOL ROVERS 0

[shabba]

Annoyingly there doesn’t seem to be any option to watch this on tv. It’s not being covered by town tv, and isn’t on Rovers iFollow either.

I’d imagine there is a camera there to capture footage for the highlights - but no actual stream?

[Bluemike]

I'm surprised TownTV aren't showing it, would have thought that was the whole point in having your own channel, to show all games.

[shabba]

Broadcasting rights issue they said I believe. (Sky)

[Bluemike]

They have the monopoly on every damn thing.

[shabba]

Lineup I'd like to see:

Slicker

Clarke* (45mins then swap for Ball)
Edmundson
Baggott
Leigh

Evans
Humpreys

Jackson
Taylor*
Hutchinson*

Ladapo*


Tricky as essentially Ball needs minutes, but so does Clarke just not a full match. Central midfield also tricky as I'd like minutes for Taylor and Humpreys but they dont pair together really as they both are the more forward option, and Ball/Morsy/Evans are the sitters. If you then want to play Taylor and Humpreys its either a formation change or you play one in the 10 (Chaplin role) - which they both can do IMO.

Those marked * I'd not give the full 90 to as likely to be involved off the bench at the weekend. You still have Edwards to get on the pitch too, but could use Omari on the right, Edwards on the left and then Jackson off the bench in replace of Ladapo.

[Bluemike]

I have a feeling Aluko will definitely be in there somewhere too.

[arana peligrosa]

This is the League Cup tournament right. They keep changing the damn name of it near every year it's tough to follow track. I don't find much inspiration in fighting or challenging for a Reindeer but you got to overlook these stupid sponsors and focus on the action itself.

Voted to win almost by default. Just can't see them giving us much problems even when we field a weakened squad. Don't have much time for Barton, believe he's something of a jackass but he'll surely try to motivate his team and (they'll) make the trip over believing they can take a result from it.

[Bluemike]

Straight to penalties if level after 90 minutes, or should I say 103 lol

[number 9]

I’ve got Hull v Doncaster on ESPN+. It looks like a couple hundred at best in attendance! Lol!

[number 9]

This is the League Cup tournament right. They keep changing the damn name of it near every year it's tough to follow track. I don't find much inspiration in fighting or challenging for a Reindeer but you got to overlook these stupid sponsors and focus on the action itself.

Voted to win almost by default. Just can't see them giving us much problems even when we field a weakened squad. Don't have much time for Barton, believe he's something of a jackass but he'll surely try to motivate his team and (they'll) make the trip over believing they can take a result from it.

Sorry to break the news, but I think it’s a moose not a Reindeer. Btw, you know Santa Claus doesn’t exist, right?

[hallamblue]

I'm surprised TownTV aren't showing it, would have thought that was the whole point in having your own channel, to show all games.

Apparently it’s got something to do with competition rules.. Christ let’s just make up a rule that stops people enjoying something shall we! It’s just bloody anal….

[marko69]

I'm surprised TownTV aren't showing it, would have thought that was the whole point in having your own channel, to show all games.

Apparently it’s got something to do with competition rules.. Christ let’s just make up a rule that stops people enjoying something shall we! It’s just bloody anal….

Prostate exams are not enjoyable. Can vouch for that.

[Bluemike]

Lmfao

[trimleyblue]

This is the League Cup tournament right. They keep changing the damn name of it near every year it's tough to follow track. I don't find much inspiration in fighting or challenging for a Reindeer but you got to overlook these stupid sponsors and focus on the action itself.

Voted to win almost by default. Just can't see them giving us much problems even when we field a weakened squad. Don't have much time for Barton, believe he's something of a jackass but he'll surely try to motivate his team and (they'll) make the trip over believing they can take a result from it.

Sorry to break the news, but I think it’s a moose not a Reindeer. Btw, you know Santa Claus doesn’t exist, right?

Not a moose or a reindeer, but a water buffalo

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carabao

Presumably a Red Bull "tribute" drink.

[Bluemike]

Just under 13,000 sold so fat, club expecting around 15k, to be honest that's not bad all things considered.

[Cabanas Blue]

No Edwards in the squad injured or off somewhere I would think.

[AzzurroMark]

Town XI: 4-2-3-1: Slicker; Ball, Edmundson, Baggott, Leigh; Evans, Taylor; Jackson, Hutchinson, Harness; Ladapo

Substitutes: Hayes, Clarke, Chaplin, Aluko, Hirst, Humphreys, Bradshaw, Carr, Ayinde

Wholesale changes as anticipated, but should have enough in that first 11!

[AzzurroMark]

No Edwards in the squad injured or off somewhere I would think.

Hmm, certainly looks like he might well be off. It's a shame as he shows flashes of genius and offers something different. Maybe we are making space for the Palace lad?

[AzzurroMark]

On that basis, the local newspapers seem to be very quiet on what turns out to be big news stories. Everyone and his dog knew the rumours of Hirst being in town, with photos to back it up, however not a peep in the EADT!

Similarly tonight in the EADT live match feed, an analysis of the selected team, not even a mention or a question on Edward's absence! (Edit: that's not a dig at the newspaper, in fact more like praise for not blowing any deals).

[AzzurroMark]

Hello
Is there anybody in there?
Just nod if you can hear me
Is there anyone at home?

[Bluemike]

Just got to the ground, seems a decent crowd to me. I think tonight shoes Edwards could well be off, welcome to Portman Road Rak-Sakyi

[Charnwood]

Just under 13,000 sold so fat, club expecting around 15k, to be honest that's not bad all things considered.

Less than 11,000 at both Sunderland and Sheffield Wednesday last night so anything close to 15,000 would be brilliant.

[number 9]

I’m baffled this game isn’t available on TownTV! Yes, it’s been explained to me, but what a waste of marketing revenue. Most people already are indifferent to the competition, and the franchise wizards keep shooing themselves in the foot.

The same thing is happening with baseball in the U.S., how can these so called entrepreneurs ignore the obvious revenue stream they could & would acquire. I know it’s not TownTV, it’s the monopolies that are dictated this.

Put me in charge of marketing for gods sake! I’ll make your company millions.

[AzzurroMark]

Sounds like a sluggish start for Town!

[AzzurroMark]

1-0 Taylor.

[Cabanas Blue]

Lovely goal playing well

[number 9]

Oh well, he’s rubbish isn’t he?

[BLUEBLOOD]

HT 1-0 lots of good play but only 1 goal so far .

[Cabanas Blue]

It should have been dun and dusted by now, I thought Edmundson played better on the right playing some nice pases out from the back early on.