Ipswich Town 3-1 Birmingham City: Terry Hunt on Omari Hutchinson

We are in the presence of potential greatness with Omari Hutchinson. He’s still developing, of course, but I believe the exciting youngster has what it takes to reach the top.

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino must be delighted with the rapid progress Hutchinson has made at Portman Road this season. At the beginning, he looked raw and some of his decision-making let him down. But he’s learned really quickly and now he’s looking like an awesome talent in the making.

Credit should go to Kieran McKenna and his coaching staff for the work they are obviously doing with Hutchinson.

For years, I’ve said that the best player to have worn an Ipswich shirt since the Robson era is Giovanni dos Santos. How Jim Magilton managed to sign him on loan from Spurs, I will never know.

Omari Hutchinson wheels away after securing all three points. (Image: Steve Waller)

He was light years ahead of everyone else in the whole division. He knew what he was going to do with the ball before it reached him. Have a look at his sublime first-time pass to play in Alan Quinn for his goal in what is still our last win over Norwich, now nearly 15 years ago.

I really believe Hutchinson has it in him to reach the same levels. Where that will be, time will tell. For the moment, I am enjoying watching him score a succession of late, late left-footed finishes right in front of me in the Sir Bobby Stand!

There was never any doubt that he would score once he went clear against Birmingham. Very composed and calm.

He is, of course, immensely skilful, and scores goals. But he’s also willing to work hard, track back, and put in the important tackles. Very, very impressive all round.

Leif Davis gives Omari Hutchinson a hug after the latter secured all three points. (Image: Ross Halls)

It was a slightly odd game on Saturday. We looked a million dollars in the first 20 minutes or so, went ahead with a clever goal from Conor Chaplin, and then... and then... just sort of fizzled out.

The Birmingham equaliser was a real sickener just before the interval, because the visitors had offered very little threat up to that point. At the beginning of the second half, we looked sluggish and it seemed as though our punishing schedule was having an effect.

But then, for the umpteenth time, our substitutes made a big difference. I’m sure all players want to start every game, but being on the bench isn’t the big negative it used to be.

McKenna uses his subs as game changers against tiring defences. It must be an absolute nightmare for defenders to see Hutchinson, Jeremy Sarmiento and Ali Al-Hamadi warming up to join the action.

Jeremy Sarmiento and Omari Hutchinson have both been having a real impact off the bench for Ipswich Town. (Image: Ross Halls)

Talking of subs, and the squad system, it looks like we might be needing our fringe players in the coming weeks. For all the positives against Birmingham, it was worrying to see Wes Burns, Nathan Broadhead and Conor Chaplin going off early.

I know no details, but at first glance it looked to me as though Burns has the most serious of the three injuries, Broadhead looked somewhere in the middle, and Chaplin’s was a knock which means he’ll probably be ok for Plymouth next weekend.

Chaplin actually injured himself making a bit of a daft challenge which looked to be borne of his growing frustration with the referee, who was yet another official who made some very strange decisions.

So, it looks as though we might be calling on the squad in the coming weeks. The likes of Marcus Harness - who hasn’t been involved much recently - will join the fray, I expect.

Ipswich Town remain hot on the heels of Leeds United in the Championship automatic promotion race. (Image: Ross Halls)

A good example of using the squad was Axel Tuanzebe playing at right-back against Birmingham, and being awarded man of the match, no less. He looked very comfortable, and played a big part in Sarmiento’s crucial goal.

So, this incredible season rolls on. One more win and we’ll have 75 points, which has generally been good enough to reach the play-offs - and there are still 12 games left!

With Leicester and Southampton going through rocky spells, the situation at the top is more intriguing than ever. How lucky were Leeds at Leicester on Friday night?

Next is the long trip to Plymouth. Remember last season? They say revenge is a dish best served cold...