Ipswich Town v Fulham: Premier League match preview

WAIT FOR A WIN 

Defeats to Premier League giants Liverpool (2-0 at home) and Manchester City (4-1 away) hardly came as a surprise, but Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup exit at League Two side AFC Wimbledon certainly did. 

It was a shame the Blues couldn’t taste that winning feeling again in midweek. Losing games is a sensation we’re all adjusting to after 18 months of relentless success. 

Kieran McKenna believes such a baptism of fire will help ‘fast track’ his team’s adaptation to the best league in the world.  

There’s no doubting that this squad, both players old and new, will improve as the season goes on. The big question is whether they can get some points on the board sooner rather than later and not be left with too much ground to make up. 

Getting a positive result today, going into the first international break of the season, would be a huge confidence boost to all. 

Summer signing Emile Smith-Rowe will be a threat for Fulham today (Image: PA Sport)
STILL THE UNDERDOGS 

A lot of people, myself included, declared ‘the season starts now’ after Kieran McKenna’s men were downed by Erling Haaland’s hat-trick. It’s important, however, that no-one underestimates how big a challenge facing Fulham is today. 

Remember, the Cottagers looked a class above when they won 3-1 at Portman Road in the Carabao Cup last November. Obviously the two line-ups will look very different today, but that night highlighted the elite levels that even mid-table Premier League clubs operate at. 

In Marco Silva, Fulham have an experienced manager who is now in his fourth season at the club. They spent £27m this summer to sign exciting winger Emile Smith Rowe from Arsenal. He joins a squad that contains names such as Andreas Pereira, Alex Iwobi and Rodrigo Muniz. Once again, Town will be dwarfed when it comes to combined Premier League and international experience.  

Fulham pushed Man United all the way in their opener, conceding in the 87th minute to lose 1-0 at Old Trafford, then beat Leicester 2-1 at Craven Cottage last week. They’ve also had an extra day of preparation for this game, having played their Carabao Cup tie (a 2-0 win at Birmingham) on Tuesday night. 

The bookies have Ipswich at 17/8 and Fulham at 11/8 today. Town, it shouldn’t be forgotten, are still the underdogs. 

Town fans at the home opener with Liverpool. The Blues will need strong home backing all season (Image: PA)
YOUR TEAM NEEDS YOU 

With the above in mind, it’s important, now more than ever, that a packed Portman Road plays their role as 12th man today. 

The atmosphere was electric for the Liverpool game. The players really fed off that energy when attacking in the first half and responded when the crowd stuck with them as the goals against went in. 

Same again today, please. If Ipswich are going to survive this season, then it’s vital that Portman Road develops a reputation as a difficult place to come.  

Sammie Szmodics gave Town a surprise early lead at the Etihad - but things turned quickly (Image: PA)
DON’T UNRAVEL 

Town were highly competitive for the opening hour against Liverpool, but legs and minds tired after such a monumental effort and world class opposition ruthlessly took advantage. Diogo Jota and Mo Salah both scored in the space of five minute. In truth, more goals could have quickly followed as the Blues wobbled on the ropes. 

Sammie Szmodics raced away to give Town a shock seventh minute lead at the Etihad last weekend. This time, three goals were conceded in six minutes as the game was quickly turned on its head. Leif Davis’ unnecessary trip for a penalty was soon followed by Aro Muric’s two errors. Again, world class players ruthlessly took advantage.  

When a goal was conceded in the Championship, Town’s first thought was to get straight on the front foot and score themselves. At this level, however, mindsets might have to change to riding out the storm and making sure there’s still a chance to strike back later on. 

Will exciting new winger Jack Clarke start again today? (Image: Ross Halls)
WHO PLAYS? 

Six players made their debuts at Plough Lane in midweek – Conor Townsend, Dara O’Shea, Kalvin Phillips, Jens Cajuste, Chiedozie Ogbene and Jack Clarke. 

Each showed glimpses of their individual qualities, but, understandably, the chemistry was not quite there. A much-changed Town team dominated possession, but struggled to create much from open play. All four goals in the 2-2 draw were headers that came either directly or indirectly from set plays. Not giving away soft fouls was the big lesson of the night. 

The starting XI today is going to be interesting. 

On one hand, McKenna will want to get as many of his new signings up to speed as quickly as possible for the long-term good. On the other, he may feel that retaining the core of last season’s team will give his side the best chance of getting some points on the board in the short-term.