Ipswich Town v Hull City FC 
Tuesday 3rd October 2023 – 19:45
Portman Road
Pre Match Thoughts - Mike
If Saturday’s trip to Huddersfield told us anything its that we are not going to be at our best for Forty Six games, sometimes we will be a little off it or not at the races, that is going to happen to every team throughout the course of the season, just look at Manchester City's result, even they have off days so it is not just Town.
The pleasing thing is despite struggling to apply ourselves in the manner we are accustomed to we still somehow came away with something for our efforts and that is going to be key, its not about having off days but more about how few you have and if there is still some reward at the end of those days.
I think by the full time whistle a draw was possibly just about right on balance of play although the Terriers will almost certainly feel they had enough chances to have won the game, the heroics of Vaclav Hladky in Town's goal was instrumental in ensuring we returned to Suffolk with a point, he really was on top of his game and was clearly Town's MOTM.
Much had be made of the absence of our skipper Sam Morsy and for me there was no doubt we missed his influence and leadership throughout the game, the drive and thrust just wasn't there from Town's Midfield, he controls games with a calmness and add to that the aggressive side to his game it was little surprise that we just weren't the same, Lee Evans came in to replace Morsy but for me they are chalk and cheese and it showed, thankfully we'll have him back now.
I also think Nathan Broadhead was missed and hopefully his injury is none to serious, young Omari Hutchinson is a real handful and did pretty good all things considered, I still maintain he should won us a penalty in the first half which could well have completely changed the game and ultimately the outcome.
I have to say that I feel Harry Clarke is finding things tough at times, there has been good things to come from Clarke too but it's mainly going forward, defensively he is often found wanting and I just feel that Brandon Williams brings more assurance and composure to the defence.
Five away games played and Thirteen points accrued is definitely not to be scoffed at, its a good return, especially when Two of those games have been at Sunderland and Southampton, let's not kid ourselves on Huddersfield either, Neil Warnock had them in a good place just prior to his departure and they were on a mini run of good results, factor in the new manager bounce with an expectant crowd and players intent on impressing Darren Moore and it was not as easy as first impressions may have suggested, with us a little bit off colour its a good point and One we should be pleased with, we have to keep grounded and not let our expectations become silly.
So after the weekend fixtures we find ourselves nicely placed in Second behind the very impressive Leicester City who won convincingly at Blackburn Rovers, personally I'll take our current position all day long, I've seen a few posts online from rival fans dismissing us as being in a false position, time will tell on that One but they may just be in for a surprise where we are concerned. The Championship is as ever so hard to call, Preston North End were thrashed at home while Bristol city and Watford were also beaten on home soil, Leeds got turned over at struggling Southampton too so nothing is easy no matter who you are up against.
This week see's us with a great chance to build on our impressive start with Two home games, albeit against teams up there in the top Six, it's Preston Saturday who have surprised a lot of people with their start but first up is another test against another early season surprise package in Hull City.
The Tigers weren't many peoples pick for a good season and it may well pan out that way but they have started the campaign well with some decent results and will come to Portman Road with confidence high but of course as we all know we can go toe to toe with anyone at home and we too will fancy our chances, with Goals flying in with ridiculous regularity at Portman Road I suppose it is written in the stars that soon enough we will have to dig out a hard fought, ugly single goal win, that could just be the order of the day Tuesday evening under the lights but I'll take that all day long. A narrow Town win for me. COYB'S
The Opposition – Hull City AFC Honours
League
Championship
2nd place promotion: 2012–13
Play-off winners: 2008, 2016
Third Division North / Third Division / League One
Champions: 1932–33, 1948–49, 1965–66, 2020–21
2nd place promotion: 1958–59, 2004–05
3rd place promotion: 1984–85
Fourth Division / League Two
2nd place promotion: 1982–83, 2003–04
Cup
FA Cup
Runners-up: 2013–14
Football League Trophy
Runners-up: 1983–84
Watney Cup
Runners-up: 1973
The Manager – Liam Rosenior
League Table as at 02.10.2023
Form Guide
Ipswich Town
2 Sep Ipswich Town 3 - 2 Cardiff City
16 Sep Sheffield Wed 0 - 1 Ipswich Town
19 Sep Southampton 0 - 1 Ipswich Town
23 Sep Ipswich Town 4 - 3 Blackburn
30 Sep Huddersfield 1 - 1 Ipswich Town
Hull City
2 Sep Leicester City 0 - 1 Hull City
15 Sep Hull City 1 - 1 Coventry City
20 Sep Hull City 0 – 0 Leeds Utd
24 Sep Stoke City 1 - 3 Hull City
30 Sep Hull City 1 - 1 Plymouth
Head to Head
Match Referee – Matthew Donohue
IPSWICH TOWN 1 HULL CITY FC 0
