Ipswich Town v Plymouth: An atmosphere to look forward to

I don't think I can remember a game for many a season that was being talked about weeks before it even got here. And it's here now. And it's the talk of the town - literally.

But let's remember, nothing is won or lost on Saturday as Town host Plymouth. And this is something Kieran McKenna will very much want to stress.

Yep, win and happy days for us Town fans. It would not just be three points, but a big statement. That seven-point gap Argyle have created at the top between themselves and us doesn't want to get too much wider, games in hand or not. I'd always rather have the points that's for sure.

There are so many big games coming up. Not only do Sheffield Wednesday have to come to Portman Road as well next month, but the week before they do, Wednesday entertain Plymouth! Points are going to be dropped all over the show.

So, yes, much is going to happen in the next few weeks or so - but never forget, there are plenty of points still up for grabs.

I hope the Blues can handle the pressure on Saturday. I'm sure they will. It's going to be a terrific atmosphere and hopefully a terrific football match. Let's keep the noise going throughout. Non-stop. Make it a real cauldron, 12th man and all that.

Only this week I was sent some stats about Town's Portman Road attendances rising since McKenna took over. They really are incredible to look at.

The Ipswich Town fanbase is something else. A club with a great history with a current team looking to put more gloss on that history.

I think I'll get there early on Saturday and soak up the atmosphere. The Fan Zone is sure to be buzzing. Unlike the thriller novel I wrote, '38 Sleeps' (apologies for the shameless plug), there is actually only one or two sleeps until Saturday, depending when you are reading this!

Nathan Broadhead, joined Town on a seven figure fee, signing a three-and-half year deal from Everton. (Image: ITFC)

So, what do you think of Town's transfer business so far? All looks pretty sound to me.

I'm not a fan of the January transfer window and I know plenty of other people aren't either. A tad 'chaotic' at times is a word I would use. And as for influential loan players being recalled by their parent clubs - well, that's a real bummer if you ask me and can seriously jeopdise a team's promotion hopes or relegation chances of survival.

MORE: How January is going for promotion contenders

I would like to see season-long loans only. Everyone knows where they stand then. Not quite sure why a club should get the best out of a loan player, only for their parent club to then say, 'ah, thanks, we'll have him back now'.

The one thing I always fear about bringing in players mid-season is bringing in players who don't fit into the group. I'm sure that isn't the case with any Town players that have joined this month, but for clubs it has to be a consideration.

Town have got where they are so far this season with a group who clearly get on, have largely all been together since the summer. The team are having a grand FA Cup run as well.

New players mid-season don't always guarantee an upturn in fortunes. You need the right characters as well as the right players - something I know McKenna and Mark Ashton will have been hot on.

Then again, the legend that is Marcus Stewart was one of the best mid-to-late season signings Town ever made in their history, back in 2000. What do I know?

An iconic photo: Tamas Priskin scores the winner against Arsenal back in 2011 (Image: Archant)

And finally... 12 years ago this week Tamas Priskin scored Town's only goal in a 1-0 home win over Arsenal in the League Cup, semi-final, first leg at Portman Road, under the lights. Were you there?. It was a joyous night.

And Town held the Premier League high-fliers for an hour of the second leg before eventually succumbing to a 3-0 defeat as Arsenal took their place at Wembley.

There have been way too few big moments like this at Portman Road in the past 12 years. I hope the game against Plymouth is all we hoped for and more...

UP THE TOWN