League 1 - Ipswich Town vs Fleetwood Town Preview & Matchday Thread

[Frosty]

Ipswich Town v Fleetwood Town




Friday 2nd December 2022 – 19:45


Portman Road








Pre-Match Thoughts - Mike



Following on from our week of Cup Football Town return to the nitty gritty of League One action with the visit of Fleetwood Town, thanks to the powers that be we again find ourselves playing at an obscure time and day, much to the annoyance of myself as I have prior engagements that evening which cannot be changed. The Cod Army currently find themselves in Seventeenth place in the League One table, Eight points from the drop and exactly the same gap to the top Six so clearly their season can still go either way.

Draws with the likes of Portsmouth, Bristol Rovers & Oxford Utd indicates that on their day Fleetwood can grind out useful results and we know only too well how Town sometimes struggle to break down the "park the Bus" type of team at Portman Road, I think it is fair to say that the time has come where Town have found out the formula to get these games won and excuses are wearing thin with dropped points and missed opportunities at home. playing on the Friday night gives Town the perfect chance to go into the weekend top of the pile and that alone puts added pressure on the likes of Plymouth and Sheff Wed, Plymouth will already be feeling a bit of pressure having let a lead slip against bottom of the table Burton in the dying seconds last time out, we need to get the win as a sign of intent that we are going to last the pace, and in fact step it up even more.

Our run of injuries show's no signs of abating any time soon with Marcus Harness the latest to join the long term sick list, for me this is a bitter blow given his performances and goalscoring efforts, in fact I would say we will miss him more than any of the others, including Lee Evans, thankfully we have a fair bit of strength in depth and those filling in will have to step up to the plate and perform, on a brighter note Gassan Ahadme is back to full fitness and opened his Town account in the FA Cup game Sunday evening.

Buxton was always going to be a game we should have been more than capable of strolling through and so it proved even though we didn't really hit any great heights. Thankfully Kieran McKenna took it seriously and went with a strong line up, preferring first team regulars over kids, although some did get some game time as the match wore on. The anticipation of an exciting Third round draw was extinguished as we were paired with Rotherham who are probably about as dull and boring as it gets, the only upside is that we are at home and should we perform to the best of our ability the game is definitely winnable which would see us into the Fourth round and another chance of a glamour tie, it also gives us the chance to see just how we do match up with a lower half Championship side, personally I believe we will do ok and not be inferior by any means, winning it is another thing but hey, why not.

For now though it is all about the League which is clearly by far the most important thing so all our focus needs to be on Fleetwood Friday evening. Trying to second guess McKenna's stating line up is always tricky what with the rotation cobblers so in that respect having a few unavailable may just make it a little less mysterious. Whoever we put out I can see Town getting the job done and claiming the Three points to send a message to our promotion rivals, anything else will be bitterly disappointing and cast a few doubts over our long term aspirations. Fear not, Town to win and me finding it impossible to let my phone out of my hand all evening. COYB'S.




The Opposition – Fleetwood Town - Honours


League


Football League Two

Play-off winners – 2013–14

Conference National
Champions – 2011–12

Conference North
Runners-up (and play-off winners) – 2009–10

Northern Premier League Premier Division
Champions – 2007–08

Northern Premier League First Division
Champions – 1987–88
Runners-up (promoted) – 2005–06

North West Counties Football League Premier Division
Champions – 2004–05

North West Counties Football League First Division
Champions – 1983–84, 1998–99

Lancashire Combination
Champions – 1923–24
Runners-up – 1933–34, 1934–35


Cup


Northern Premier League Challenge Cup
Winners – 1971, 2007
Runners-up – 1989

Northern Premier League President's Cup
Winners – 1990
Runners-up – 1991

North West Counties Football League First Division Trophy
Winners – 1999

FA Vase
Runners-up – 1984–85


The Manager – Scott Brown







League Table as at 30.11.2022






Form Guide





Ipswich Town




21 Oct Ipswich Town 1 - 0 Derby County

25 Oct Port Vale 2 - 3 Ipswich Town

29 Oct Charlton 4 - 4 Ipswich Town

12 Nov Ipswich Town 1 - 1 Cheltenham

19 Nov Exeter City 0 - 2 Ipswich Town





Fleetwood Town




25 Oct Fleetwood 1 - 1 Forest Green

29 Oct Fleetwood 3 - 0 Accrington

1 Nov Oxford Utd 1 - 1 Fleetwood

12 Nov Bristol Rovers 2 - 2 Fleetwood

19 Nov Fleetwood 1 - 2 Bolton




Head to Head







Match Referee – Sam Purkiss







IPSWICH TOWN 2 FLEETWOOD TOWN 0

[rossi]

So long as it's just your phone you don't want to let out of your hand Mike

As you say, if we fail to pick up 3 points here it may well cause a few to doubt our prospects for the rest of the season, and rightly so. But I expect us to come out on top for this one - not easily, but on top nonetheless. 2-1

[Bluemike]

So long as it's just your phone you don't want to let out of your hand Mike

As you say, if we fail to pick up 3 points here it may well cause a few to doubt our prospects for the rest of the season, and rightly so. But I expect us to come out on top for this one - not easily, but on top nonetheless. 2-1

I have Two hands

[arana peligrosa]

Didn't realize this event will be staged on a Friday although guess just overlooked it from previous notice what with all other stuff going on and underway. This a golden opportunity for three points isn't it. All the players need do is focus and play to their strengths and the rest will take care of itself.

We have to take this chance and the team should win / have too much for their opponents. So long as the players don't let the occasion or pressure get to them in front of an expectant home crowd we'll do it and get victory. This really should be as straight forward as it seems but a certain level of trepidation stems from somewhere. Guess it's to be expected what with being at or near the top and promotion getting nearer by each game. Got to be calm and ready for these things.

ITFC 3 FTFC 1

[AzzurroMark]

I 'm with you Mike on the Friday fixtures! That is two game now (Derby the other) which I had pencilled in for the Saturday, only to have the fixture moved (I work late on a Friday).
Getting withdrawal symptoms as last game I got to was Bristol Rovers, next one looks like being Plymouth in January (if I can get a ticket).
I guess televised games is a sign of success, so perhaps I shouldn't grumble too much!

[AzzurroMark]

The latest injury update certainly makes for brighter reading. Nice to hear Aluko is back in training and doing well.

https://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/23163141.i ... d-players/

[Bluemike]

Yes indeed, it's not all doom and gloom by any means

[Dazzz67]

Cheers for the write up Frosty (and thoughts from Mike), and after reading that injury update it has certainly eased my thoughts on how the run in to the NY will go. I thought we would struggle (and still might) against Fleetwood and suspected a draw or a loss, but now I think we should win it. Can't beat a half time pep talk from KM!

With things looking better and the January window almost upon us I am looking forward to the second half of the season now.

2 - 1 to the boys in blue!

[hallamblue]

Get an early goal , and we’ll stuff em like the proverbial turkey for Christmas. Don’t get that early goal, it’ll probably be a draw.

Excellent news on the injury front though…. Hopefully we will kick on in January now

[LizinSpain]

We'd better bloody win as I've flown back this week and going to the game!

[lucy]

My First League Game Tonight Since August. I'm Hoping For A Good Game And 3 Points.

[Cabanas Blue]

Good to see Leigh is fit enough to be on the bench.

[Charnwood]

World Cup off and now into the important stuff like ifollow Town v Fleetwood. Slight problem with no sound feed, anyone else with the same problem or idea how to fix ?

[AzzurroMark]

1-0 what a start. Too early?

[Charnwood]

Just what the doctor ordered goal in 2 mins from another set piece and it’s than man Woolfenden again which will make for a better game.

[Cabanas Blue]

World Cup off and now into the important stuff like ifollow Town v Fleetwood. Slight problem with no sound feed, anyone else with the same problem or idea how to fix ?

Mine is fine here in the Algarve, try tapping the Ifollow top right and you should see home or away .com

[hallamblue]

We’re very sloppy with our passing all over the pitch . Very loose . But then some great passages of play from us.

[hallamblue]

I think Woolfie thinks he’s Messi

[hallamblue]

This ref is bloody crap - AGAIN!

[hallamblue]

Give this lot half an inch and I think they’ll get a goal . We must get that 2nd one . Come on Town

[Charnwood]

Shame we don’t have more to show for a dominant first half. I agree Liz they definitely have a goal in them so the second is really needed to take the edge out of the game.

[Charnwood]

World Cup off and now into the important stuff like ifollow Town v Fleetwood. Slight problem with no sound feed, anyone else with the same problem or idea how to fix ?

Mine is fine here in the Algarve, try tapping the Ifollow top right and you should see home or away .com

Cheers CB, I’m not sure how but I was tapping around and it just clicked in. Whilst we’re on 1000mb fibre which shouldn’t get interrupted by the weather it is a torrential rain night here which may have something to do with it. Help always appreciated.

[Charnwood]

Port Vale 2 up at Plymouth, happy days !

[lucy]

66 Away Fans Considering how far it is and its a Night game I applaud them

[lucy]

Port Vale 2 up at Plymouth, happy days !

That's just got a few Cheers when I shouted it out to People around me

[Charnwood]

How the f*ck did Humphrey’s miss that from 6 yards out in the middle of the goal, and miss the target too.

[Charnwood]

Port Vale 2 up at Plymouth, happy days !

That's just got a few Cheers when I shouted it out to People around me

Shout out to our boys to score a second too Lucy.

[lucy]

Chaplin has been thrown to the Ground at least 3 Times now and still no Yellow for their Player!

[lucy]

Fleetwood nearly Scored

[lucy]

Joe Garner is coming on