Brighton 0-0 Ipswich Town: Terry Hunt on the Blues

Our first away point, and our first clean sheet, against a team who have realistic expectations of a top six finish.

It really was backs to the wall stuff. Almost constant Brighton pressure, with Ipswich having to rely on the occasional breakaway. But thanks to an outstanding defensive performance, we grabbed a precious Premier League point.

The last time I was so delighted with a 0-0 draw was the final match of the 1993-94 season, when our point at Blackburn secured Premier League survival by the skin of our teeth.

Mind you, bearing in mind what happened the following campaign, it might have been kinder if we’d gone down.

I know a certain former Town manager who would have absolutely loved Saturday’s game at Brighton. Yes, Big Mick “every point a prisoner” McCarthy liked nothing better than a “park the bus” performance.

The most encouraging aspect is that we are capable of that kind of display. We haven’t seen anything like that from Kieran McKenna’s freewheeling, attacking side during their surge through the divisions.

Kalvin Phillips gets stuck in at Brighton (Image: PA) They haven’t really needed to show such defensive resilience. Their success has been based on attacking, scoring more goals than the opposition, and producing really entertaining football.

At this exalted level, we will need to dig in much more often, especially in away games.

Picking up points like the one on Saturday will be crucial. Probably the difference between staying up and going down.

The biggest plaudits go to the keeper and the back four. I know it’s not as simple as that, but all five of them were outstanding.

Our new keeper has had a tough start to the season, with his horror debut at Man City and then allegedly breaking team rules while away on international duty.

But on Saturday, he was brilliant. The highlight, of course, was the extraordinary double save in the first half, but generally he was solid and confident. Hopefully the first of many exemplary displays.

It was good to see Leif Davis produce such a good performance. His defending has been shaky during the first few games, against some very tough opponents. Let’s hope he’s showing that he’s a quick learner.

Terry says Axel Tuanzebe has been outstanding so far (Image: Ross Halls) Axel Tuanzebe has been outstanding in every game. Someone posted a photo of him and a Rolls Royce on social media after the game, and I thought that was fair comment.

We took a chance on a classy defender whose career had been derailed by injury, and it looks as though we are going to get the rewards. His Premier League experience shines through.

I wonder how Kieran McKenna felt going to Brighton. We will never know how close he was to joining them during that crazy period during the summer. It was the south coast side I was most worried about. It just seemed a natural fit.

Brighton are a good example for us to follow. They’re not a huge club, but they have built sensibly and intelligently and are established at the top level. They play attractive football, too.

The news on the injury front is very encouraging. McKenna is very close to having a full squad to call on. It was great to see Wes Burns starting at Brighton and George Hirst coming on later in the game.

It looks as though Hirst will share duties as our main striker with Liam Delap, who again produced one of those barnstorming runs on Saturday and was within inches of scoring another sensational goal.

Delap is an old-fashioned centre-forward, strong, powerful and surprisingly quick. If there are no other options, he puts his head down and runs, and is difficult to stop. He will be a real fan favourite.

Liam Delap on his rampaging run which ended with him hitting the post (Image: Ross Halls) Out of context, it doesn’t look a great start for us. Two points from four games, with no wins.

People looking from a distance will believe it’s a typical start to the season from a newly promoted team.

But, as we know, that doesn’t tell anything like the whole story. We’ve played serial champions Man City, Liverpool, who will finish in the top four, and Brighton, aiming for the top six. It really doesn’t get much tougher than that.

But, of course, we will have to start winning some games. An opportunity comes our way next Saturday when we visit fellow new boys Southampton.

The Saints have made an atrocious start, losing all four games. They must be bad, because they lost 3-0 at home to Man U on Saturday. Sorry, cheap shot...

Seriously, though, this is a huge game in the mini-League of teams trying to stay up. Our first win and three points would be a huge confidence-booster.