With
memories of a 6-0 drubbing, amongst other Portman Road defeats, still
relatively fresh in the memory, as well as Ipswich’s pedigree at this level,
then Suffolk is probably one of the last places City would choose to head
towards to right the wrongs of a difficult start to the season.
Saying that,
a win at Middlesbrough earlier in the season should give them confidence that,
on their day, they can go anywhere in this division and get a result.
A game that at
the start of the season where many might have thought “ah, we’ve got ‘x’
points, it’s not been a bad start and we never do well there. A loss may not be
too hard to take” has suddenly into another critical test of City’s credentials
at this level.
Given the
start to the season and our inexperience at this level, many managers of many
sides would head into this match considering a 4-5-1 formation to bolster the
hitherto porous defensive record.
Get ten men behind the ball, keep it tight
and if we can snatch a breakaway then fantastic. That sort of approach doesn’t
seem to be in the mind of boss Steve Cotterill right now however, and it
appears as if the 3-5-2 – and attacking philosophy – is here to stay. For now
at least.
Ahead of
this game (and Ipswich’s trip to Manchester United for a high-profile league cup-tie),
I caught up with Tractor Boys fan Jordan Mitchell, who offered this view on
Saturday’s opponents.
How has your start to the season
been, are you pleased with your progress?
“At the time of writing, our game
against City is a million miles away. The glitz and glamour of a trip to Old
Trafford in the Capital One Cup is all that’s on the fans mind. The bright
lights of the Theatre of Dreams are certainly dazzling in the fan’s eyes, but
all hopes are that this doesn’t distract from the bread and butter of the
Championship come Saturday when the Robins roll into Suffolk.
Like many a season following Town, it
started with so much hope and saw us top of the table as we approached the end
of the first month. Wins over Sheffield Wednesday, Burnley, Preston along with
cup wins over lower league opposition were somewhat soured with an eye opening
defeat to Brighton at Portman Road. The 3-2 score line somewhat flattered us
after an atrocious first half display where Brighton opened our defence at
will. More alarmingly was the 5-1 humiliation at the hands of Reading, which
again demonstrated our defensive frailties, live into the living rooms of all
who wish to observe.
A typical Mick McCarthy response came
at Leeds as we ground out a well-earned 1-0 win, and followed that up with a
1-1 draw at home to surprising high fliers Birmingham, a match we could and
probably should have won.
All in all a successful start to the
season which has left us sitting in a position which reflects our exciting
start, and newly uncovered frailties defensively. Going forward, we need to win
our home games, and pick up as many points of possible and ultimately reach the
aim of the Premier League.”
Who have been your standout
performers this season?
“Our success this season has really
been down to the exciting additions to the strong side we had from last year on
the wings. Ainsley Maitland Niles and possibly more so Ryan Fraser, coming in
on loan from Arsenal and Bournemouth respectively adding some much needed width
which top scorer Freddie Sears who has thrived on the service.
A lot will depend on the action in
the north west on Wednesday, but City alike many others may struggle with last
season’s top scorer Daryl Murphy and ever lively David McGoldrick should they
start on Saturday. Ashton Gate hero (ER: That will provoke some debate!) Cole Skuse will run the game given the chance to and defensive duo
Christophe Berra and Tommy Smith are always prone to a goal from a set piece.”
What are the views of the locals on
the gaffer, Mick McCarthy?
“The Telegraph’s greatest ever
Yorkshire-man (a vote possibly rigged by Town fans), Mick McCarthy has become
one of the most loved men in Suffolk since taking over in November 2012. Taking
us from the foot of the Championship to occasionally the summit on our now
famous ‘shoestring budget’ just shows the skills and ability the man has.
Ultimately last season was a disappointment, losing to ‘them lot’ in the
play-offs, but one which saw us punch well above our weight and surprise many
of the more spoken about sides.”
What are the strengths and weaknesses
of this Town squad?
“With a million and one combinations
of squad that we’ll play at United, it’s hard to say who will face City come
Saturday, but our defence has come under severe scrutiny in recent weeks.
Communication between ex City keeper Dean Gerken and our back line is a huge
weakness and is often exploited. Portman Road is not an easy place to come, and
with 4 excellent strikers at our disposal it’s likely to be another tough test
for Cotterill and his side. Our usual 4-4-2 has been chopped and changed often
becoming a 4-3-3 away from home, with the wide men often linking up well with
our full backs to great effect.”
Jordan is also in a relatively unusual position of having
watched nearly as many City games as Ipswich in the past year or so as his
girlfriend is a huge City fan. She has persuaded him to follow us around the
country, in exchange for her catching up on the progress of the likes of Cole
Skuse, Paul Anderson and Dean Gerken in Suffolk.
It’s always interesting to hear a fairly neutral view on the
club, so first of all I asked him what his views were on City’s surprisingly
stuttering start to the season. (He’s a bit of a fan of ours, really!)
“Having seen a lot of
City last season with my better half being a lifelong City fan, I was honoured
to share an incredible season and witness some of the clubs finest hours
throughout the season. From JET’s last minute penalty at Notts County, through
to Wembley in March and promotion come May, I was impressed with the side from
front to back time and time again.
So far this season, however,
there are some clear differences in how things have gone. From the outside,
talking about City with those Ipswich fans without the inside view that I have,
they’ve been written off already by many and are expected to be an easy three
points on Saturday. Having been at St. Andrews a week ago, it’s clear to me
that City are in need of a real confidence boost along with a couple of
additions in the loan market.
As much as I praised
him last season, Luke Ayling is not a wing back, and cannot do the job that
Mark Little did so well last season. This along with not being Championship
savvy again when it comes to playing the referee and some basic errors mean
that City are struggling before their trip to Suffolk.”
From what you’ve seen,
who are you most worried about facing?
“Immediately what worries me watching
City is the ever increasing threat of Johnathan Kodjia, and the fantastic
talent of Luke Freeman. Both started the season slowly, but with each passing
game seem to be more and more of a threat as they adapt to Championship
football.
My main worry however is City’s own
Joe Bryan who rightly has been attracting attention from the higher reaches of
the game. He will cause often shaky right back Luke Chambers several problems
if he plays at his best.
No discussion about City’s top
players would be complete without discussing Aden Flint. His ability at set
pieces is sure to test our struggling defence and I wouldn’t be surprised to
see him latch onto a second ball in the box and add to his goals tally.”
And how do you think City’s season
will pan out?
“Despite their tough start and poor
results, City haven’t been outplayed in any of their games, bar the opener
against Sheffield Wednesday. With a possible loan addition and a little bit of
luck will see City achieve a good mid-table finish without the worry and stress
of a relegation fight. Steve Cotterill has worked wonders since arriving in BS3
and I expect him to be given the time and support needed from the board and
more importantly, the fans, as the season goes on.
Saturday will be a tough game,
regardless of City’s start to the season. Tiredness and the excitement of the
glamour tie will undoubtedly have an effect on Ipswich and may work in City’s
favour.
Regardless of this, I can see a 2-1 home win on Saturday, because of
our ability to grind out a result when needed and City’s current woes when it
comes to converting chances."
Massive
thanks to Jordan for his time and for answering the questions. I know he wishes
us well for the season (after Saturday) but let’s hope we aren’t the ‘easy game’
some Ipswich fans clearly perceive us to be.
COYR!
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