‘They Love Attacking’ – A Word On Ipswich
- Ipswich Town face off against Leicester City on Boxing Day evening
- The Portman Road showdown has a 7:45pm kick-off
- Ipswich Star journalist Alex Jones assessed the Tractor Boys’ season so far
- The East Anglian side are aiming for back-to-back promotions
The Sky Bet Championship top two face off on Tuesday evening as Ipswich welcome the Foxes to East Anglia for a 7:45pm kick-off. Kieran McKenna’s side, promoted from League 1 last term, have taken the second tier by storm and look well set for another promotion push, as the journalist explains.
“There was a lot of confidence going into the season,” Jones commented. “I think coming up from League 1 there was a lot of momentum. There’s quite a bit of money behind them and although it was a quieter summer than expected, people were a little optimistic that they could be on the outskirts of the top six.
“We’re now in a situation coming into the New Year where Town are going to be in the top two, which is absolutely crazy. I don’t think anyone would have predicted that. The games they’ve been winning, the goals they’ve been scoring at home, they love attacking. The defensive side is not always there but it makes for a lot of fun.
“Overall, no one can complain at all. It’s been a start way better than anyone could have dreamed of. I think he (McKenna) is going to the top, whether that’s with or without Ipswich. People are slowly starting to build into and understand the hype around him.
“In terms of his tactics, they are so razor sharp. He brings in the third or fourth choice centre-back against Hull because he knew he had the right attributes to deal with their striker. He’s such a strong understanding of the game and what fans want to see. He has a really high ceiling.”
The Tractor Boys’ home form continues to impress – nine games unbeaten since a defeat by Leeds United in late August a clear indicator of how they have adapted to life in the second tier.
The reporter continued: “It’s one loss at Portman Road all season in the league. The Leeds game came quite early on. It was a game they didn’t really deserve to lose but ended up on the wrong side of a 4-3. They’ve been in a few of those.
“The biggest thing is that they know how to score. Ipswich carve teams apart when they’re at home. Only three teams - Stoke Norwich and Coventry - have conceded fewer than three goals at Portman Road and they all conceded two.
“There’s confidence but it could finish any score. It always feels like a recipe for goals. It’s not a team of superstars. There’s no standout individuals. This is really a team effort. If you look at the front four, they are particularly dangerous.
“George Hirst leading the line isn’t that poacher striker but has six goals and six assists. The wingers – Nathan Broadhead is on eight, Wes Burns, who has missed a few games, on three. And Conor Chapman in the middle with eight goals and six assists is probably the one getting most involved.
“If you try and take one of them out of the game, you’ve got three other real threats up there. Goals have been coming from everywhere, everyone is chipping in. In the team that started against Norwich, every player has had a goal contribution. Left-back Leif Davis has nine assists.”
On the road, meanwhile, Town have taken a more pragmatic approach to gain results in away games. McKenna’s ability to tweak his tactics and team shape, as well as personnel, has been a key part of the success so far this term, according to Jones.
“Away from home they are putting in slightly more resolute, defensively solid performances,” he added. “West Brom was a really tough place to go. They’ve gone to Southampton quite early on in the season and won 1-0 there.
“They’ve battled to some pretty tough draws, going to Huddersfield and getting a late equaliser to draw 1-1 there and had a couple of 2-2 draws at Birmingham and Rotherham in those typically gritty Championship games.
“To come away with something from them is just so important when you’re not playing your best. They’re a top football team. It’s the results which have got them to this stage but it’s the performances that people are loving.”
All times GMT.