Ipswich Town: US-based James Wall on draw against Manchester United

It’s Thanksgiving week here in the States.

Traditionally, Thanksgiving is a time to take stock and be grateful for family, friends, a decent job, some money in your pocket and good health, if you’re lucky enough to have all of those.

As I gather around the table on Thursday, sure, I’ll be thankful for family, friends, and good health. But let's be real, this year, my heart is filled with gratitude for one thing in particular: Ipswich Town's triumphant return to the Premier League.

It's been a rollercoaster ride for us Tractor Boys, full of twists, turns, and the occasional penalty (or non-penalty) shout that leaves us shouting at the ref and the VAR officials.

But after their recent performances, especially that swashbuckling draw against the mighty Manchester United, it's clear that Ipswich are back and better than ever. We're not just here to make up the numbers; we're here to cause some serious trouble and produce a few shocks (as we did against Spurs).

My view for Commanders v Cowboys, Northwest Stadium, last Sunday. I'd rather have been at Portman Road! (Image: James Wall)

Commanders were not very commanding

I missed the United match as I had an invite to a corporate box to watch the Washington Commanders (formerly the Redskins) against divisional rivals Dallas Cowboys at what locals still call FedEx Field (even though FedEx no longer has the naming rights).

Boy, was it unimpressive.

First, the stadium is old and tired and really doesn’t have much of an atmosphere, despite being filled with more than 60,000 fans. Compared with the other NFL stadium I’ve been in – Empower Field at Mile High in Denver (home of the mighty Denver Broncos) – it’s not at all loud. And compared with Portman Road with half the number of supporters - well there is no comparison.

Secondly, the Commanders played like a team that hadn’t won yet, against a team that had only won twice this season. Two “straightforward” one-point conversions were missed, which, along with a last-minute kickoff return touchdown (even after the Cowboys receiver had fluffed his catch) doomed the team to a horrendous third straight loss.

The fans began streaming out of the stadium well before the final whistle.

Lastly, traffic getting out of the stadium is notoriously bad. It didn’t disappoint. A journey in that took 45 minutes took an hour and half to get home.

The high point of the day was the massive stars and stripes flag that was unfurled on the field before the match and the fly-past by three army helicopters, all accompanied by a jazz saxophonist playing the Star Spangled Banner.

Americans know how to do razzmatazz, that’s for sure.

Liam Delap sends Noussair Mazraoui flying in Ipswich Town's 1-1 draw with Manchester United. (Image: PA)

A draw vs the Red Devils

After getting home pretty late, I immediately went to watch the extended highlights of the Man Utd game on YouTube, plus the after-match commentary on Sky.

I liked what I saw. Liam Delap causing his usual mayhem upfront – he would have had two goals were it not for the brilliant Onana. Omari playing with poise, as ever dribbling the ball up-field with skill and speed whenever he had the chance.

But the one player who stood out for me was skipper Sam Morsy.

Captain Fantastic has been a revelation this season. We knew he could do the business in League One. He’d played in the Championship a bunch so we also knew he could hold his own there. But the Premier League? Might that be too big of a step-up for Sam?

Not at all. Sam Morsy was the best midfielder on the pitch on Sunday. And that’s saying a lot with Casemiro and Christian Eriksen lining up against him. He bossed them both.

May Sam’s great form and leadership on and off the pitch continue.

George Hirst (right) is set for a spell out injured. The January transfer window is going to be an interesting one. (Image: PA)

Looking ahead: A winter transfer window of dreams

As we look ahead to the January transfer window, the club has a golden opportunity to strengthen the squad and take the Premier League campaign to the next level. What positions need strengthening? It’s a tough call.

I’m guessing that with George Hirst always an injury threat, Mark Ashton and team may look for another striker. After all, we lost out on several at the end of the last window.

With Ogbene out for the season, we may also be in the market for a right winger to back up Wes Burns (who also seems to be a bit injury-prone).

Whatever happens, we're all hoping for a bit of transfer window magic.

Maybe a surprise signing, a player who falls out of favour at a big club and ends up at Portman Road. Or perhaps a loan deal for a young, hungry talent who's ready to make a name for himself.

Whatever happens, we can't wait to see what Ashton and team have in store.

A bright future for Ipswich Town

So, as I and other USA-based, expat fans sit down to enjoy our Thanksgiving feast, let's raise a glass to Ipswich Town.

They've given us something to truly be thankful for this year: hope, drive, skill, excitement, and the occasional heart-stopping moment.

Here's to the future of our club, may it be filled with goals, victories and plenty of memorable moments in the Premier League for many seasons to come.

Come on you Blues!