What another truly magnificent week it has been. Two games where Town have not been at their scintillating best yet have gained two more wins.
I thought the international break was much needed, but nigh on another week’s rest induced some rustiness. What cannot be faulted is this squad's commitment and fight for every second of every game.
When Nathan Broadhead put us in front at Bristol City, it was no more than we deserved. Once we got into the game, we were looking good. There was that heart in the mouth moment when the ball ran across the goal line before Brandon Williams cleared. But overall, a deserved three points.
A clear pattern has formed. Go away, score one goal, keep a clean sheet, and job done. But at home it’s just goals galore all the way. Saturday’s 3-2 win over Plymouth left me mentally drained. The Pilgrims had the better of us last season and, in my opinion, were the best team to visit Portman Road. Whilst there is hardly a rivalry in place, it meant a bit more to beat them than maybe other previous home victories this season meant.
As half-time approached, it felt it might be one of those days. George Hirst should have scored as early as the third minute, Morgan Whittaker scored a great goal for the visitors, and thereafter we just could not make our dominance count. Then, a slice of luck with Bali Mumba’s own goal was the tonic we needed.
Prior to that, a moment of debate came around George Edmundson’s challenge on Mustapha Bundu. Was there a touch? Was the incident just inside the area or not? When will people learn that these moments come and go for both teams over time. If Plymouth boss Steven Schumacher was fuming, then he needs to sit down and look at some of the moments that have not gone our way this season. Oh, he won’t do that of course.
Although Williams was a worthy contender for the Player of the Match award that went his way, for me, it was Vaclav Hladky who deserved such accolade. He pulled off some brilliant saves, and as ever was consummate with his feet. He and Cameron Burgess have been by far our most improved players. Christian Walton might have a long wait on his hands to get the shirt back in the league. But we should at least see him back against Fulham on Wednesday night.
Leif Davis leaps to head the ball. (Image: Steve Waller)
I was pleased too for George Hirst. Strikers are always judged on their goal returns. But Hirst brings so much to our team. And with that early chance that went begging, it was great to see him finish with aplomb after yet another delicious assist from Leif Davis.
Those of you that follow me on Twitter/X will be aware of my graphic that I regularly post pertaining to Kieran McKenna’s league record as Ipswich manager. This victory was his 50th league win in just 82 matches in charge. Simply astounding. Add in a +98 goal difference, and it really is incredible stuff.
My own record of watching Ipswich since McKenna arrival now stands at 33 wins in 46 games and just three defeats, with 112 goals scored. The value for the cost of my season ticket is unbelievable. It was less than two years ago that we lost at Barrow in the FA Cup. How things have changed.
Ipswich Town have won 50 league games under Kieran McKenna. (Image: Steve Waller)
Fans of other clubs keep saying that we will fade away, that we will falter, that we are just lucky. They fail to give due credit. They keep saying it is early days. True. But we're now at 16 games in all competitions.
Yes, we are in dream land with our start. Can we continue it? Who knows. But we haven’t half given ourselves a better than brilliant foundation to build on. I say it every week. These are astonishing times. Can we knock another Premier League team out of the League Cup in Fulham? I would certainly not bet against it.
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