Championship - Ipswich Town vs Middlesbrough Preview & Matchday Thread

[Frosty]

Ipswich Town v Middlesbrough




Saturday 13th April 2024 – 15:00


Portman Road









Pre Match Thoughts - Mike



It seems nobody wants to take control of the situation and grab their opportunity with both hands, Town, Leicester and Leeds all seem to be showing signs of burn out or fatigue as this gruelling yet captivating Promotion battle heads towards it's conclusion. Having seen Leicester and Leeds both fluff their lines Tuesday evening it afforded Town a glorious chance to return to the summit with a win which ultimately on this occasion proved beyond them.

Some might say a home game with nothing to play for Watford was a gimme but that could not be further from the truth as they can play as Leeds also found out recently and you could tell by their reaction at the final whistle just how pleased they were with a point, try as we might we just could not find that elusive goal on this occasion but the solitary point still returned us to second place and very much in the hunt for top Two.

The game itself was ok, not a classic nor a dull bore fest, after a cagey opening 15 minutes which probably saw Watford on top Town really started to turn the screw and actually played some really good football, a few of the passages of play were very pleasing on the eye, frustratingly chances came and went without us finding the net.

Nathan Broadhead came the closest to breaking the deadlock as his effort crashed off the inside of the post and yet still managed to stay out, we were all up celebrating at the other end of the stadium. Keiffer Moore really should have done better with his towering header which he planted straight at the keeper, yes it looked a cracking save but anywhere else and he has no chance of saving it. We were definitely causing them problems down our right with Jackson and Hutchinson being the main dangers, Broadhead too after a very slow start was also looking a threat.

Sadly going into half time all square was going to prove to be our downfall as Watford looked much more compact and solid after the break which saw Town struggle to break through and create anything clear cut, Hladky in Town's goal was having very little trouble to deal with at the other end.

The obligatory flurry of Town substitutions came a little earlier such was the need for a win and again it pepped us up going forward, Watford defenders stood firm and were blocking most shots and crosses before they troubled their keeper. Ali Al-Hamadi again looked sharp and lively and I just cannot help but think that once again we got it wrong with our striker selection, for me Moore just doesn't do enough and I've been a little bit disappointed recently which I have to say was also the general consensus of opinion with those around me last night.

It may only have been a point but its enough to mean its still in our own hands, we don't have to rely on others to mess up, we face Four cup finals against Middlesbrough, Hull City, Coventry City & Huddersfield Town, Four teams still with something to play for as it stands although by the time we play the latter Two that could have changed. Getting Four wins looks a tall order but we've beaten Three of these already and drawn at Huddersfield so it's certainly not beyond us and that is also assuming Leeds win all theirs which is far from certain.

First up it's Middlesbrough at Portman Road Saturday, again tough on paper, to get a win here would see us maintain our top Two standing and send us into a very welcome and much needed Two week break while others have to slog it out again next week. I think we may just edge this One against an improving Boro team who know only a win will do, that will definitely suit us more than a team who sits in and defends so it's a narrow Town win for me and the unthinkable dream still very much alive. COYB'S



The Opposition – Middlesbrough - Honours



League

Second Division / Championship
Champions: 1926–27, 1928–29, 1973–74, 1994–95
Runners-up: 1997–98, 2015–16
Play-off winners: 1988

Third Division
Runners-up: 1966–67, 1986–87

Northern League
Champions: 1893–94, 1894–95, 1896–97

Cup

FA Cup
Runners-up: 1996–97

League Cup
Winners: 2003–04
Runners-up: 1996–97, 1997–98

Full Members' Cup
Runners-up: 1989–90

FA Amateur Cup
Winners: 1894–95, 1897–98

UEFA Cup
Runners-up: 2005–06

Anglo-Scottish Cup
Winners: 1975–76



The Manager – Michael Carrick








League Table as at 11.04.2024








Form Guide





Ipswich Town




16 Mar Ipswich Town 6 - 0 Sheffield Wed

29 Mar Blackburn 0 - 1 Ipswich Town

1 Apr Ipswich Town 3 - 2 Southampton

6 Apr Norwich City 1 - 0 Ipswich Town

10 Apr Ipswich Town 0 - 0 Watford





Middlesbrough FC




16 Mar Middlesbrough 0 - 0 Blackburn

29 Mar Southampton 1 - 1 Middlesbrough

1 Apr Middlesbrough 2 - 0 Sheffield Wed

6 Apr Middlesbrough 2 - 0 Swansea City

10 Apr Hull City 2 - 2 Middlesbrough




Head to Head







Match Referee – Sam Allison







IPSWICH TOWN 2 MIDDLESBROUGH 1

[number 9]

I think the reason KM keeps playing Moore is because Moore is also an asset on set pieces in defense. If we finish our chances we’ll win this one, but to expect wins against Hull & Coventry is naive. Hope I’m wrong, but it’s gonna be playoffs in my opinion.

[Charnwood]

If we win this one we’ll still be well and truly in with a chance of one of the automatic promotion places, if we don’t, then I feel our chances will be all but gone. Now that’s real pressure on the boys, let’s hope they can deal with it.

[rossi]

I think we'll struggle in this one, I'm not overly optimistic.

As to whether or not the result means we'll make top 2 or not - well, surely that depends on what the other 2 do?

[Bluemike]

The only positive thing for me is that they absolutely have to win too and I doubt they'll be sitting back and hoping to catch us on the counter attack, this will suit our game much better than the likes of Watford for instance.

[valleyroad]

For me this match depends on which Boro decide to turn up.
If they play as they can then there is nothing between the teams IMO and can go either way.
If Boro don't turn up then Town should win this.
The next 2 matches after that are as tough as it gets on a run in.
Huddersfield will be hard also if they need something to stay up

Having said that I don't think Leeds and Leicester's run in are much better so all to play for.
For me Leicester are really struggling, watched them against Millwall the other night and they were average at best.
Think this race will go to the wire regardless of any results this week still a few twist and turn left.
Town are bang in it it and for me have as much chance as the other 2

[Denny61]

Just think leeds will win their remaining matches as they have been very unlucky and more shots on target ..than most . Its Leicester that is the team we have most likely a chance of replacing for Second spot ..i don't know if they are that poor enough to lose enough of points given they have a game in hand ..its a tough call ..only thing in our favour is the two week break for us .given that we expel a lot of energy on the field continously running forward at pace and having our fair of shots at the goal or in direction of it anyway so the lads will be fresh and primed for one last push and hopefully the Coventrys and hulls will know their fate by then .plus if there is to be a gap between other two..it won't be too great..

[arana peligrosa]

A long time back that kids today won't necessarily be aware the opposition here just about cost us being Champions of England by winning at a stadium they had which is no longer in existence and irony is while the stakes aren't quite as high as back then they could just as easily deal a heavy blow in our hopes of a major achievement.

I don't feel prepared to allow this opposition to mess things up for the team again and by rights we should win this time but we often play one half well and poorly the other and don't always take all chances that fall our way. One last time it's all about nerves and robustness of individual team set-ups whether who fails and who makes it.

voted to win, by what score remains to be seen. We got to take advantage of the Leicester situation. We can't afford another adverse score like Watford or indeed directly before it. Zero points from Middlesbrough, you'll look back at end of season if we don't make it and this game right here will provide a greater example of why we missed out than really any other fixture before it.

[Bluemike]

Ok my team for today is. .......

Hladky

Clarke
Woolfenden
Burgess
Davis

Morsy
Luongo

Hutchinson
Chaplin
Broadhead

Al-Hamadi

[JohnnyB]

Ok my team for today is. .......

Hladky

Clarke
Woolfenden
Burgess
Davis

Morsy
Luongo

Hutchinson
Chaplin
Broadhead

Al-Hamadi

Is this the team you'd want or the team you think will start?

I like this team but I'd be quite surprised if Al-Hamadi starts. Not saying he shouldn't just think it's KMK's style to stick with strikers and rotate behind them

[Bluemike]

It's the team I'd like, unfortunately it will be Moore who looks out of sorts and unfit but who is key to how we play. The last 3 or 4 times Ali has come on we've looked far more dangerous and created more, I would actually reverse it today and start with Ali for like 65 minutes then introduce Moore.

[lucy]

Looks like you got your wish Mike

[marko69]

Looks like you got your wish Mike

Yep, absolutely bang on with that predicting, Mike and something a few wanted for the Watford game, myself included.

COME ON , YOU BLUES.

[JohnnyB]

Ok my team for today is. .......

Hladky

Clarke
Woolfenden
Burgess
Davis

Morsy
Luongo

Hutchinson
Chaplin
Broadhead

Al-Hamadi

Is this the team you'd want or the team you think will start?

I like this team but I'd be quite surprised if Al-Hamadi starts. Not saying he shouldn't just think it's KMK's style to stick with strikers and rotate behind them

There's me surprised then! COYBs

[Bluemike]

The wise choice, hope he performs

[Charnwood]

The wise choice, hope he performs

If he doesn’t we still have Moore as back up. I’m even more pleased with the 3 starters behind the front man.

Will we ever have a better chance to win this bloody league, I don’t think so. We just need to make sure we don’t suffer the same fate as Leeds and Leicester this afternoon albeit we’re playing a much team today than either of them faced. It just goes to show that playing teams at the bottom can be just as tough as teams at the top.

[Charnwood]

Having watched the second half of both the Leicester and Leeds games I’m just praying we can score an early goal to settle us down. The longer it stays all square the better the opposition plays and the more frantic the promotion chasing team plays.

Please, please. please, an early Town goal.

[marko69]

2 votes for the Boro win? Hmmmmm. I suppose with the way the top 3 are not taking full advantage, can't really be surprised at the apathy.

But praying they are wrong.

COYB's

[Charnwood]

What a brilliant opening 5 mins, the boys are definitely up for it.

[Charnwood]

Not sure about Al-Hamadi’s ball control but I’m sure he’ll make up for it with his energy, effort and enthusiasm.

[AzzurroMark]

Damn 0-1.
Right, I'm going out in the garden and not coming in until about 4.45!

[Charnwood]

Can you f**king believe it, totally against the run of play.

[marko69]

That coffee dude is scoring for fun these days.

FFS

[Charnwood]

Tuanzebe has replaced Edmundson as the accident waiting to happen. Hladky needs to take care too, he was scrambling back into position when they scored which may have contributed to how easily we conceded. Both CB’ could have done much better.

[Charnwood]

Luongo 1–1… What a finish that was.

Justice for a blatant penalty not awarded

[lucy]

Luongo 1-1

[marko69]

YEEEESSS! Get in, MASS!

[Charnwood]

How we’re not two up god only knows as Sarmiento hits the post for our second time today.

[Cabanas Blue]

How we’re not two up god only knows as Sarmiento hits the post for our second time today.

That post should be replaced we hit it on Wednesday.

[Charnwood]

Hutchinson is unplayable today and Al-Hamadi has had a brilliant first half too. This is such an improved performance after Norwich & Watford, just hope we can keep it up in the second half.