Premier League - Crystal Palace vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

[Frosty]

Crystal Palace v Ipswich Town




Saturday 8th March 2025 – 15:00



Selhurst Park









Pre Match Thoughts - Mike


Once again it was a case of so near and yet so far at the City ground on Monday evening as we crashed out of this seasons FA Cup in the cruellest of ways. Town had done everything in their power to secure a unexpected result against high flying Forest and with it a Quarter Final tie away to Brighton & Hove Albion but it was not to be. After battling through 120 Minutes of Football, which at times wasn't the best advert for the game, we found ourselves in the nerve jangling fiasco of the penalty shoot out and at that point I just kind of had the feeling that once again we would come out of it second best. Nine fantastic penalties followed one after the other to leave us with all our hopes on the shoulders of Jack Taylor and to say he looked scared stiff and sick was an understatement and sadly that is how it proved to be as he fluffed his kick to see us tumble out of the competition.

The game itself saw Town very much second best for large spells with chances at a premium but we dug in and remained relatively solid as we frustrated the hosts and their fans, the defence was standing pretty firm but we were not able to create too many offensive opportunities, despite a welcome return to form from the impressive Sam Morsy most of the others around him were flattering to deceive with much of their best work coming via a defensive nature. Up front their was little from George Hirst and virtually nothing from Nathan Broadhead, Jack Taylor looked lost alongside Morsy while Massimo Luongo tried his best but the early Yellow really did make his position difficult to say the least.

Getting to the break level was pleasing and gave us a chance to regroup a bit which we did as the second half was definitely an improvement on what had gone before. A couple of changes at the back saw the defence looking more like we come to expect and the longer the game went on the better Connor Townsend & Ben Johnson looked, both were having decent games but nobody was coming close to what Luke Woolfenden was serving up, I honestly don't think he put a foot wrong all night and it has to be his best game in a Town shirt for I don't know how long, if only we could see that every week.

Incredibly we somehow took the lead through One of our rare chances with George Hirst getting his head on a ball into the box to send it through a ruck of players and into the net, it was a fantastic moment that gave hope of a cup shock, for a few Minutes it looked possible as we grew in confidence but sadly as is often the case we failed to hold onto the lead and gifted them the equaliser really. I have no idea why Hirst gave away the softest of free Kick out on the touchline with absolutely no danger to our goal whatsoever but sadly the resultant ball into the box was poorly defended and that was our lead wiped out.

With the game edging towards Extra Time it was Forest who looked the more likely but we stood firm and defended most of what they threw at us pretty well. Sure enough extra time it was and despite One or Two chances at either end it was penalties that was to decide the tie. As already mentioned the spot kicks were of the highest quality and had they not been I am convinced Alex Palmer would have got to at least One of the first Three Forest kicks as he guessed the right way every time and was so close to a couple of saves.

To be honest I don't blame Jack Taylor at all, it takes balls to get up and take One at the best of times although I do question why the poor guy had to take one at all, he was clearly suffering with Cramp and surely a Jack Clarke or Connor Townsend could have stepped up first ? Again it was the cruellest of ways to lose and sums our season up, we just cannot seem to catch a break and very little seems to go our way when it matters although when I saw the team I feared the worst but they did ok on the night and I was quite proud of our efforts.

We now revert back to the battle to avoid the drop and next up is a trip to bang in form Crystal Palace who have been chalking up some really good results of late so this is once again going to be a very tough afternoon. Now I don't know about anyone else but I am a great believer in continuity and playing players in form so for me after Monday night I would expect to see Woolfenden, Morsy, Townsend and Johnson all start, will that happen, I very much doubt it, I also think we need to persevere with Broadhead up alongside Liam Delap despite Broady's poor showing he looks the best option of those who are fit.

Every game is massive now and every point we can get is priceless, Connor Townsend is the latest player to come out and say that no way are we done in our quest for survival so let's see if we show the same fight as we did against Forest because that is what is needed although we also need to be more of an attacking force in the remaining games, palace will be without Mateta which helps a bit but they are still a side bang in form with their confidence high, sometimes though that is when it suits us better as they will be going for it, it could just play into our hands if we can get it right in the attacking areas of the team. We really need a shock win from somewhere, could this be it ? You just never know. COYB'S



The Opposition – Crystal Palace - Honours



League


Second Division / First Division / Championship

Champions: 1978–79, 1993–94
Runners-up: 1968–69
Play-off winners (4) : 1989, 1997, 2004, 2013

Third Division / Third Division South

Champions: 1920–21
Runners-up: 1928–29, 1930–31, 1938–39, 1963–64

Fourth Division

Runners-up: 1960–61


Cup


FA Cup

Runners-up: 1989–90, 2015–16

Full Members Cup

Winners: 1990–91



The Manager – Oliver Glasner








League Table as at 05.03.2025






Form Guide




Crystal Palace FC



26 Jan Crystal Palace 1 - 2 Brentford

2 Feb Manchester Utd 0 - 2 Crystal Palace

15 Feb Crystal Palace 1 - 2 Everton

22 Feb Fulham 0 - 2 Crystal Palace

25 Feb Crystal Palace 4 - 1 Aston Villa





Ipswich Town



25 Jan Liverpool 4 - 1 Ipswich Town

1 Feb Ipswich Town 1 - 2 Southampton

15 Feb Aston Villa 1 - 1 Ipswich Town

22 Feb Ipswich Town 1 - 4 Tottenham

26 Feb Manchester Utd 3 - 2 Ipswich Town





Head to Head







Match Referee – Simon Hooper







CRYSTAL PALACE FC 1 IPSWICH TOWN 2

[ITFC2024]

Palmer

Tuanzebe O’Shea Greaves Townsend

Johnson Morsy Cajuste Broadhead

Philogene Delap

[Bluemike]

Tuanzebe is injured I believe

[hallamblue]

Hamstring .....

[ITFC2024]

If Tuanzebe is injured, move O’Shea to RB and bring in Woolfy at CB.

[hallamblue]

He's played well enough to keep a place in that defence for sure. But I wonder if he'll go with Johnson at RB? It depends what tactically line up he's going for really doesn't it. I think we'd be better going for 5 in defence 4 in midfield and 1 up front to start with ....but of course he won't.

[ashfordblue]

Townsend should retain a place in the team, either at LB or RB, he played well against Forest, Philogene should also start more games, but Luongo is useless, so no to him, Wolfie and Greaves in the centre, Cajuste, Morsy, Broadhead, Hirst and Delap, top pairing.

[marko69]

Nice preview and very happy to see Woolfys game not go unnoticed. Thought he was fantastic. Reckon Forest win quite easily in normal time had it not been for his game. Especially first half; Couple of great tackles / blocks.
And speaking of continuity, —->> 100% and you’ve got to believe that Palmer himself will want Luke in that defence on Saturday.
So listen to the players, Messiah!

As a side note to that cup game. Re Taylor and cramp. Who the fk can be held responsible for him taking a kick after that cramp episode? Is that down to Kieron or are there other staff sorting out the spot kickers? Can’t imagine the boss would be in charge of that. But if he is, then I do not know ——>> that’s a MASSIVE fk up.

Onto Palace. This game is exactly the game that could surprise hugely. The reason i say that is because i reckon Ipswich will be pumped in this game. Palace are a banana skin for anyone. But with results like Wolves winning @ Bournemouth, surprises do happen.
Head says a 3-0 Palace win.
But will predict a 1-1 draw.
(Which isn’t good enough; Need the 3pts)

Caption:

Ref: “Oliver, I used to comb my hair to that side as well. But, pressure of the job, lost it. Be aware.”
Oliver: (picture)

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

The way Palace are playing, they're gonna carve our defence wide open at least once.

I was impressed with the fight we showed on Monday, but not with our passing or with our failure to create scoring chances.

This game is crying out for us to play a 3-5-2 with Delap and Hirst both starting. Sadly, that will not happen.

Palace 3 - Town 1

[Charnwood]

Townsend should retain a place in the team, either at LB or RB, he played well against Forest, Philogene should also start more games, but Luongo is useless, so no to him, Wolfie and Greaves in the centre, Cajuste, Morsy, Broadhead, Hirst and Delap, top pairing.

I thought Luongo was one of our better players against Forest on Monday night, didn’t you watch the match Ash vid he was far from useless.

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

Townsend should retain a place in the team, either at LB or RB, he played well against Forest, Philogene should also start more games, but Luongo is useless, so no to him, Wolfie and Greaves in the centre, Cajuste, Morsy, Broadhead, Hirst and Delap, top pairing.

I thought Luongo was one of our better players against Forest on Monday night, didn’t you watch the match Ash vid he was far from useless.

I have to say that I thought Luongo was terrible on Monday night. Not sure if it's age or some other reason, but he's definitely not anywhere near the player he was last season.

[EveryoneKnowsaDave]

I thought he was well and truly off the pace as well. Top bloke but not someone who should be anywhere near a premier league squad really.

[Bluemike]

I think the yellow card did little to help but yes he's not really Premier League level now unfortunately

[hallamblue]

Problem is, we're down to the bare bones re squad aren't we.

[ITFC2024]

Kieran says it’s unlikely Davis & Townsend will play together.

https://www.twtd.co.uk/ipswich-town-new ... -left-back

[arana peligrosa]

Years back they were going to be 'the team of the 80's' or something. Not sure what happened with that but voted for a drawn game. Wasn't too far back they looking to be relegated but guess they're in a safe enough position now. Might even add a trophy at end of season to it but somehow doubtful.

Seems all too simple, two clubs below us have thrown it away or given up so there's only one other relegation place to fill. We just don't help ourselves. Been given opportunity time and again to move clear or reside in a safer position but the players just don't seem able often enough. Pity is if or when a relegation occurs we could have feasibly avoided such a thing. The Holmesdale (End) is their main fans forum if so inclined to learn from the opposition view.

CPFC 2 ITFC 2

[ATB]

I feel like the football Gods want us to stay up.

Mateta out for Palace against us after a freakish karate kick to the head
Cunha out for weeks in games they would be looking to get points due to being a total bellend.

[mendipblue]

I feel like the football Gods want us to stay up.

Mateta out for Palace against us after a freakish karate kick to the head
Cunha out for weeks in games they would be looking to get points due to being a total bellend.

If that's the case they have a funny way of showing it?

[Bluemike]

Palmer

O'Shea
Woolfenden
Greaves
Davis

Cajuste
Phillips

Philogene
Enciso
Clarke

Delap

Glad Woolfenden kept his place but Johnson, Morsy and Townsend all played really well at Forest and are all dropped.

Only one up front again sadly.

[Cabanas Blue]

https://x.com/IpswichTown/status/189836 ... 92/photo/1

Yes agree Mike I'm surprised that all of those three were dropped to the bench.

[Bluemike]

Who knows mate, maybe with Morsy this game comes a bit soon? Not sure what Townsend has to do to keep his place tbh.

[EveryoneKnowsaDave]

Davis, the single biggest disappointment of the season.

COYBs!

[hallamblue]

Palmer

O'Shea
Woolfenden
Greaves
Davis

Cajuste
Phillips

Philogene
Enciso
Clarke

Delap

Glad Woolfenden kept his place but Johnson, Morsy and Townsend all played really well at Forest and are all dropped.

Only one up front again sadly.

The Tinkerman at it again I see….

[mendipblue]

Watching live in Hanoi Vietnam. Town don't look uncomfortable had a couple of chances Henderson making good saves. Palmer made a good save early on. Game quite even. He hasn't tinkered as the uneducated might suggest he has picked what's available.

[hallamblue]

A good dogged performance so far with dome really good passages of play. But I just can't see where a goal is coming from for us I'm afraid.

[Bluemike]

Pretty even game and we are well in this.
Greaves and Woolfy defended well with crucial blocks.
Cajuste pretty cultured but needs to pass forwards occasionally. Every game we seem to have Two or Three ineffective players which makes it really tough, Philogene been non existent, Enciso a couple of decent moments but more support from him and Clarke needed for Delap. Phillips too, a couple of good things but not enough of them. All to play for.

[Charnwood]

I don’t think you’ll ever see a more even 45 mins with both teams well organised and cancelling out the other.
In my opinion it’s a decent team selection with plenty of pace and having paid what we did for Clarke and Philogene if we want pay back it will only come if we give them game time.

I’d just love to see us win this and to be honest zi wouldn’t cared how it happens.

[hallamblue]

Why the hell hasn't pamler got a hat on???

[JohnnyB]

Watching live in Hanoi Vietnam. Town don't look uncomfortable had a couple of chances Henderson making good saves. Palmer made a good save early on. Game quite even. He hasn't tinkered as the uneducated might suggest he has picked what's available.

Whereabouts in Hanoi are you MB?

[hallamblue]

We've got no one who csn put it in the net .