Championship - Ipswich Town vs Coventry City FC Preview & Matchday Thread

[Frosty]

Ipswich Town v Coventry City



Saturday 2nd December 2023 – 15:00

Portman Road








Pre-Match Thoughts - Mike


Any doubts Town fans may have had regarding Town's ability to continue our excellent start to the season were well and truly snuffed out Wednesday evening as Town returned to something approaching what we have come to expect as we dispatched Millwall with minimal fuss courtesy of a very efficient and professional performance that at times, particularly in the first half, was a joy to watch. It was pleasing to see us come out of the blocks with purpose and intent which has been a little bit lacking in recent times and for a change it was us that got the early goal which set the tone for the whole evening, Two goals in the opening Fifteen minutes pretty much got the job done but didn't detract from a very enjoyable game.

Kieran McKenna did a bit of tinkering with the team and it was of little surprise to see Axel Tuanzebe handed a start with Luke Woolfenden the one to miss out, a good call and right decision as Axel strode through much of the game with a cool and head and brought a steadiness to the back Four which is often found to be wanting, I suspect Woolfy may have his work cut out to force his way back in. Seeing Harry Clarke at Right back and Brandon Williams nowhere to be seen again raised more than a few eyebrows and while you often have to take things with a pinch of salt hearing certain things from a reliable source was quite concerning.

I thought all of Town's Three goals were really well worked and finished with aplomb, the first was created by a super ball from Wes Burns, having burst down the right he delivered a superb ball onto the head of George Hirst who did well to cushion his header down for Conor Chaplin to fire home with Bialkowski rooted to the spot. The second was equally as good, more good work by Burns & Chaplin teed it up for Massimo Luongo to take the defted of touches before firing home a cracker with Bart once again stranded. The Third was inevitably set up by Leif Davis as his cross found the head of the advancing Nathan Broadhead who planted his header perfectly into the far corner of the net, all Three goals were so well crafted.

At the other Town Hladky was rarely tested but did have to be alert to get down to his left sharply as a strike took a deflection and was arrowing into the bottom corner, thankfully the big man, who must have seen it late was equal to it and pulled off a very good save. Aside from our goals Wes Burns crashed one off the post, Hirst saw his strike brilliantly tipped over and One or Two other chances also went begging but Town went into the break to the sound of loud applause.

The second half in truth didn't quite hit the heights of the First and with the Fog swirling around the stadium visibility did become a bit difficult at times, chances weren't quite so free flowing but it was Town who continued to look the more likely to score. The plethora of substitutions seemed to spoil Town's flow as the game became a bit ragged although once piece of brilliance from Marcus harness was a joy to watch but on this occasion Bart pulled off a fantastic double save to keep the score respectable. the clean sheet again proved elusive as kevin Nisbett helped himself to a late consolation, but at least it wasn't another moment of slackness from Town, more of a decent finish this time.

The win and Leicester's inability to see off bottom side Sheffield Wednesday see's Town close the gap to a solitary point while Leeds & Southampton continue to chase as they both won. there is no doubt it is Leicester City who are feeling the heat right now and a win for Town Saturday could just see us top of the pile as the Foxes have a really tough game at West Bromwich Albion, and we all know how hard that is.

So it is Coventry City next up for a Town and it will be an improving Sky Blues side that come to Portman Road after back to back wins, much was expected from them in some quarters but they have really found the going tough so far and currently find themselves down in Fifteenth place with Twenty Two points from their Eighteen games, Eight away from the play off's and Nine from the drop zone so their season can go either way. They did however get a real stroke of luck in beating Plymouth Tuesday evening as the ball was clearly out before the cross came in which set up the winning goal, hopefully that is their luck used up for now.

In Godden up front they have a real good player who will be a handful for Town and he will need to be watched, such has been his performances that he is keeping one time Town target Ellis Simms out of the team with the big money signing having to be content with cameo's from the bench. This is a big game for Town as we then enter what many deem to be a possible season defining really tough spell against the likes of Norwich in the derby, Leicester City Twice, Middlesbrough and Leeds all on the horizon, but Town looked back to their best Wednesday and we can go toe to toe with any of them, but first it's Coventry City and a narrow home win for me, and dare I say it, "Top of the league at Portman Road" We can but dream. COYB'S


The Opposition – Coventry City FC Honours




League


Second Division / Championship
Champions: 1966–67

Third Division / League One
Champions: 1963–64, 2019–20

Third Division South
Champions: 1935–36
Runners-up: 1933–34

Fourth Division / League Two
Runners-up: 1958–59
Play-off winners: 2018


Cup


FA Cup
Winners: 1986–87

FA Charity Shield
Runners-up: 1987

EFL Trophy
Winners: 2016–17

Third Division South Cup
Winners: 1935–36



The Manager – Mark Robins







League Table as at 30.11.2023






Form Guide





Ipswich Town



4 Nov Birmingham City 2 - 2 Ipswich Town

7 Nov Rotherham 2 - 2 Ipswich Town

11 Nov Ipswich Town 3 - 2 Swansea City

25 Nov West Brom 2 - 0 Ipswich Town

29 Nov Ipswich Town 3 - 1 Millwall




Coventry City FC




30 Oct Coventry City 0 - 2 West Brom

4 Nov Preston 3 - 2 Coventry City

11 Nov Coventry City 0 - 0 Stoke City

25 Nov Millwall 0 - 3 Coventry City

28 Nov Coventry City 1 - 0 Plymouth




Head to Head







Match Referee – Andrew Kitchen







IPSWICH TOWN 2 COVENTRY CITY 1

[Andym]

Gone for a win, but I think there will be changes or tired legs after Wednesday.

[marko69]

Excellent preview & nice build up to a big game......, and also forced me to go check the Coventry cross in......, yep, that is hopefully their luck used up as you say.

What a month ahead for attending Ipswich fans. It's going to be very entertaining and worth every penny. Extremely jealous. If there is a 6ft 8" ginger dude in the vicinity wearing a Coventry top, around 42 year old looking......, go for a pint with him. He's a good lad is my wee cuz. Well, feckin HUGE cuz, but a gentle giant and a good laugh. Born & bred in Coventry by the way, so he's Engerlish --->> But he's still a good laugh!!

5-0 Ipswich Town.

Caption:

Ref: "No more swearing at me, Mark."
Robins: "Feck You, Ref!"
Ref; "Ok, OFF. That was one gesture too far."

[shabba]

Looking forward to being back at PR as haven't been since the Cardiff game. Suspect some changes but not too many as there is no game the following midweek. I think KM will chose:

Hladky

Williams
Burges
Woolfie
Davis

Morsy
Masimo

Burns
Chaplin
Broadhead

Hirst

Wouldn't be suprised to see Talyor come in for Mas, but not sure he will play Tuanzabe again after he played on Weds.

[arana peligrosa]

Have at it a home game so goals going in left and right, we don't do things simple at Portman Road. Our defense is questionable while at the other end goals often come in abundance. Stands to reason another high scoring event could well come to pass.

Leicester got a tough test with WBA and we can take advantage to move back to top position. McKenna needs to emphasize to the players the opportunity here. We know what formation we'll deploy but probably stronger than the opponents in just about every area of the field. Bottom line we should win but make it tough for ourselves at the same time.

ITFC 3 Coventry City 2

[Bluemike]

Looking forward to being back at PR as haven't been since the Cardiff game. Suspect some changes but not too many as there is no game the following midweek. I think KM will chose:

Hladky

Williams
Burges
Woolfie
Davis

Morsy
Masimo

Burns
Chaplin
Broadhead

Hirst

Wouldn't be suprised to see Talyor come in for Mas, but not sure he will play Tuanzabe again after he played on Weds.

I agree with this team although I would keep Tuanzebe in if at all possible.

Will be very interesting to see if Williams is in today though.

[number 9]

Williams available:

https://www.twtd.co.uk/ipswich-town-new ... ntry-clash

[Bluemike]

That's good to reads but don't believe all these minor knocks thing as being the reason he keeps being omitted.

[Charnwood]

Looking forward to being back at PR as haven't been since the Cardiff game. Suspect some changes but not too many as there is no game the following midweek. I think KM will chose:

Hladky

Williams
Burges
Woolfie
Davis

Morsy
Masimo

Burns
Chaplin
Broadhead

Hirst

Wouldn't be suprised to see Talyor come in for Mas, but not sure he will play Tuanzabe again after he played on Weds.

With Tuanzabe in for Woolfie that would be our strongest starting line up for sure, but with 8 games in December I’m sure there will be some rotation and full use of multiple substitutions to give key players maximum rest.

[Charnwood]

That's good to reads but don't believe all these minor knocks thing as being the reason he keeps being omitted.

I’d love to know what the hell is going on with Williams. Something is definitely not right but I’ve no idea what it is. It could be fitness, health. personal problems, family, disciple etc etc. Who the hell knows what it is but somethings not right for sure.

[lucy]

That's good to reads but don't believe all these minor knocks thing as being the reason he keeps being omitted.

I’d love to know what the hell is going on with Williams. Something is definitely not right but I’ve no idea what it is. It could be fitness, health. personal problems, family, disciple etc etc. Who the hell knows what it is but somethings not right for sure.

McKenna comes into where I work. I asked him last night and he said "illness"

[Cabanas Blue]

Clarke keeps his place Williams on the bench, Leicester winning we need that to be a Draw

[lucy]

FT West Brom 1 Leicester 2

[Charnwood]

FT West Brom 1 Leicester 2

That’s a bummer and screwed my PL prediction too !

[lucy]

FT West Brom 1 Leicester 2

That’s a bummer and screwed my PL prediction too !

5 points for me

[lucy]

1-0 Hurst but Burns has gone down holding his Shoulder

[Charnwood]

Normal service has definitely been resumed.

[lucy]

Luongo 5th Booking so that's him missing the Middlesbrough game.

[Charnwood]

Woolfie not as solid at the back as Axel who it would appear McKenna will be using sparingly.

[lucy]

2-0 Burns Great Goal

[Steve]

Didn't Burns get his head chopped off for trying something similar to that goal just now earlier in the season?

Come on Town, another goal and finish this game off

[Charnwood]

OMG what a fantastic curling goal was that from Wes Burns hit with the outside of his right foot.

Early days but must be a contender for “Goal of the Month”.

[TODD66]

Bit of a game going on at Leeds!!

3-2 so far .

Come on Boro!!

[Charnwood]

Pretty solid first half from the boys with two very good goals from Hirst and Burns.

As Alan Lee just said on Town TV it’s like being in dreamland.

[Steve]

Massimo reached 5th yellow cards, Morsy just two short of missing two games. This is a concern

[Cabanas Blue]

It's amazing how many great goals Town have scored this season, and long may it last.

[Charnwood]

Massimo reached 5th yellow cards, Morsy just two short of missing two games. This is a concern

Does this mean Luongo receives a one match ban ?

[Charnwood]

Massimo reached 5th yellow cards, Morsy just two short of missing two games. This is a concern

Does this mean Luongo receives a one match ban ?

Just heard yes

[Charnwood]

I wish Woolfie wouldn’t keep giving possession away. He’s a bloody liability at time.

[Steve]

Massimo reached 5th yellow cards, Morsy just two short of missing two games. This is a concern

Does this mean Luongo receives a one match ban ?

Just heard yes

Yes it does. I think with Taylor we can handle one of either Morsy or Massimo suspended but still is concerning

After a strong restart from Coventry. Ipswich do seem back in control. Just wanting that other goal for us to hopefully finish this game off