Ipswich Town

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Ipswich chairman and chief executive officer Mark Ashton has revealed that pop superstar Ed Sheeran helped Ipswich secure one of their summer signings on a Zoom call, just before performing on stage alongside Taylor Swift.

The 33-year-old lifelong Town fan has been sponsoring the men and women's team's shirts since 2021 and acquired a minority stake in the club in August.

Speaking about the impact the singer has on the club to Sky Sports News, Ashton said: "A local man, global superstar, sponsor of the football club, now a shareholder and now officially part of our recruitment team,"

"In the summer we were trying to persuade one particular player to join the football club and realised very quickly that he was an Ed Sheeran fan.

"Ed jumped on a Zoom call with him at the training ground just before he stepped on stage with Taylor Swift, hopefully that was a key part of getting the player across the line.

"We've gone from the third tier of English football to the Premier League, but we haven't forgotten our roots and Ed's a key part of that. The work that we do in our local communities is central to us."

Ipswich, Brighton and Southampton are considering a move for Vasco de Gama's Brazilian forward Rayan, 18, in January. (Give Me Sport), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

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Ipswich defender Ben Johnson spoke to BBC Radio Suffolk about his first few months as a Town player: "I didn't realise how difficult it would be to settle in. I thought I would just come in and hit the ground running, but that's life if it doesn't happen like that.

"I feel like I've come in for the last few games and taken my opportunity. I've come in and the rhythm and form has picked up. I feel like I am fully settled now.

"It's just about wanting to come here and be committed to this club. I really see a vision and see great things from the players and the staff. It's something I want to be a part of, just giving my all and playing for the team is important to me."

On Sunday's game against Manchester United, Johnson added: "It's going to be a great game, probably one of the most televised games this season because it's massive when United come to town. Their new manager is very good and is going to implement a lot of great stuff.

"We're playing at Portman Road. It can be intimidating at times but it's a great stadium and we love to play there. It's going to be a great game regardless of what happens. It's always a great feeling when you play against the biggest clubs in the world."

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Ipswich are the only side without a Premier League win at home this season (P5 D3 L2). Only five newly promoted sides have failed to win any of their opening six home matches of a campaign in the division, and all five went on to be relegated.

The Tractor Boys have had the fewest shots (108), shots on target (33), touches in the opposition's box (199) and expected goals (10.2) of any side in the 2024-25 Premier League.

Meanwhile, Liam Delap has scored six of Town's 12 league goals this season, making him one of only three players to have scored at least half of his side's goals in the competition this term, alongside Erling Haaland of Manchester City (12 of 22) and Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood (eight out of 15).

BBC Sport pundit Nedum Onuoha gives us his insight and opinion every fortnight on your Premier League club.

But this week, he's in the hotseat for your questions.

So what do you want to ask for a former player. Best opponent? Most memorable team-mate he played with?

Or maybe you're just interested in what next for your club this season?

Send in your questions, external

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We asked for one thing - good or bad - involving Ipswich that nobody is talking about but should be.

Here are some of your comments:

Peter: Whatever happens this year, the future looks brighter with the decision to upgrade the academy to category one shortly. Some quality homegrown players in the first team in a few years' time will please every fan and help Town remain competitive with the richer clubs.

Gareth: Ipswich have won or drawn more games than they have lost. Keep improving week by week and maybe more of those invaluable wins come.

Fernando: Why Leif Davis isn't in the England squad.

Tom: The narrative in the media has been this 'awful start' that Ipswich have had, however, the least concerned have been Town fans. Watching them week in, week out, we have all seen that the results haven't matched the performances (bar a couple). Yes, it took a sub-par performance from Tottenham, but it's no surprise that we were competitive against them.

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There has been some pressure on players carrying an injury going into international breaks with their national side because you are contracted to these clubs and that is where your income is.

But, for me, as a player I had a similar mindset to Harry Kane that I would always be available - injured or not injured. I would have injections when I was on international duty just so I could represent my country because it meant that much.

It is difficult, however. If you look at Jack Grealish and Pep Guardiola's comments, he has a point because the forward has not been able to play for Manchester City because of injuries. So if you have been sidelined for three or four games, I would agree that you are then not fit and available to go on international duty.

But when you look at some of the other players, ones who have been playing and being managed by their club, then I do not see it being different to being played and managed by your country.

From the club's side, when they are competing at such high levels in the Premier League, you can understand why they would want their players to be rested and get fully fit again over the two weeks, rather than having to come back straight into a hectic period of fixtures.

I kind of get it from both points of view but, as a player, if I am half fit and being played by my club, I would be fully available for my national team.

It is really difficult with the pressure that is on the players, though. I would not look at it as a decision players have made solely.

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson

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Out of the three promoted teams this season, Ipswich look like the most adaptable.

Manager Kieran McKenna is able to identify what it is his team needs to change. We saw in the opening game against Liverpool that they were good and competed for a period of time before they ultimately lost that match.

They are building and are slowly adapting. The players know they are Championship players that are growing within the league. It is credit to both the players and the manager at Ipswich that they are willing to adapt and find ways to see games through.

They have had a lot of draws and games they perhaps should have won, but getting that first win and the manner in which they did it will be massive for them.

Finding ways to win in the Premier League is difficult and they were able to do that in a game that myself and many others did not have them down to get anything from. That shows growth. As a manager, it showed McKenna was willing to adapt and in the top flight - that is important.

This could become the blueprint now for their season. They have been close to getting a result like this but had not been able to see games out, so when you get that first win it relieves that bit of pressure.

Ipswich will know they are going to be in a dogfight until the end of the season, but the player-manager relationship looks really good from the outside while the fans are on board and have been fantastic.

Everybody in the club is connected and on the same page. That really does help.

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson

Kieran McKenna's side claimed their first Premier League victory of the season away at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last weekend, after showing steady signs of progress in their first 10 league matches.

The club has also submitted plans to expand its Playford Road training centre this week, which would include the creation of a "state-of-the-art" first-team building.

But what is the one thing - good or bad - nobody is talking about in relation to Ipswich?

Let us know here, external

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On the latest episode of Planet Premier League on BBC Sounds, Wales captain Aaron Ramsey and former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha praised Ipswich Town after they achieved their first league win of the season at Tottenham on Sunday.

Ramsey, who played for Cardiff City against Ipswich in the Championship last season, said: "They were a breath of fresh air really, to do back-to-back promotions. Everyone was saying the wheels were going to fall off at some point, but they were just relentless.

"I love the belief they have in their squad. They scored so many late goals in that season last year and even when they were 2-0 or 2-1 down, they managed to get a result or go on and win the game, which is so important to have that sort of mentality.

"I think he [Kieran McKenna] has done a tremendous job there and now they're just starting to find their feet and they are putting in some good performances now. I'm sure that will continue and they will pick up results now, which will go a long way as the season goes on."

Having taken a 2-0 lead, Ipswich held off a late Spurs rally to secure their first Premier League victory for 22 years.

"That's part of their maturity in this division because a lot of these players are doing it for the first time," added Onuoha.

"We're seeing players like Liam Delap get headlines for the goals he's scoring - and they should be spoken about - but if they want to stay up, it's got to be about the collective."

Henry Brownsey
BBC Sport journalist

There were plenty of memorable numbers across the weekend's Premier League football...

1 - How many games it took Brighton's Matt O'Riley to open his account in the top flight.

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250 - How many appearances Bruno Fernandes has now made for Manchester United, registering a combined 155 goals and assists in this time.

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4 - Consecutive defeats for Pep Guardiola's Manchester City side, and the first time he has had such a losing run in his managerial career.

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28 - Points Liverpool boss Arne Slot has earned in the Premier League in his first 11 games in charge - the joint-most of any new manager.

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80 - Seconds between Bournemouth going 2-1 up and Mikkel Damsgaard equalising for Brentford.

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1:48 - How long into the game Pablo Sarabia put Wolves ahead against Southampton - becoming the club's earliest Premier League goalscorer.

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22 years, six months, two weeks and three days - The amount of time Ipswich Town had gone without a Premier League victory before Sunday's win at Tottenham.

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Ipswich Town legend George Burley says he is "feeling well" after his initial treatment for cancer.

The former Scotland manager issued a statement through his former club in September to share the news of his diagnosis of an undisclosed form of the disease.

In an interview with BBC Radio Suffolk, he said he had had chemotherapy and was awaiting details of the next stage of treatment, adding: "It's one step at a time, but at the moment I’m feeling well."

Burley said although it had been a "difficult time", he was trying to keep lively and fit as well as focussing on eating healthily.

He had also been able to return to playing golf and had attended every Ipswich home game this season.

The 68-year-old played for Ipswich from 1973 to 1985, making more than 500 appearances, before managing the side between 1994 and 2002 and was in charge the last time they were in the top flight.

Burley said he had received support locally and from figures in the game, including text messages from some current Ipswich players and boss Kieran McKenna.

He said he had also been heartened by the Tractor Boys' form, especially their 2-1 win at Tottenham at the weekend.

"Their performances have been excellent," Burley said.

"It's about making good performances and I haven't been panicking because the team have been playing really well and there's improvement every week.

"I've got every confidence that we get to stay in the Premier League this season."

Listen to the full interview from 38'20 on BBC Sounds

Seb Brown
Fan writer

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As the full-time whistle sounded at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the joy and elation from the away end released 22 years of hurt.

The last time Ipswich Town won a game in the Premier League was in April 2002 at home to Middlesbrough.

The journey the fans have been on since has had many more downs than ups, but Sunday's result was another tick on the long list of recent achievements to bring the club back to where many think it rightfully belongs.

Following Wolves' victory over Southampton on Saturday, Ipswich found themselves with the unenviable record of being the only side in England's top four divisions to be without a win this season.

With a daunting trip to Spurs, followed by an international break, even the most optimistic of Town fans would have thought the chances of a zero remaining in the win column until nearly December was almost certain.

Sunday's victory was the latest example of how the team has continuously evolved this season when playing away.

Two weeks previously, Town had also taken a 2-0 lead away from home, in London, in a stadium in which they had never played before. That game however was 2-2 by half-time, with Brentford running out eventual 4-3 winners with a 96th-minute goal.

Sunday had some parallels with the Brentford game but, crucially, some vital differences.

This time Town were able to weather the storm in the immediate aftermath of half-time, when Spurs came out fired up. Even when Tottenham pulled a goal back, the concerns among the away fans were proven to be incorrect as the game was seen out relatively comfortably.

Eight points from 11 games is a great return and, more crucially, we are up to 17th position.

Bring on Manchester United in two weeks' time!

Find more from Seb Brown at the Blue Monday Podcast, external

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Opta's supercomputer has tipped promoted Southampton, Ipswich Town and Leicester City as the three most likely teams to get relegated from the Premier League this season.

Southampton are bottom and winless after 10 games since returning to the top flight, with the computer giving them 94.9% chance of being relegated.

Despite climbing out of the bottom three with an impressive first win of the season against Tottenham at this weekend, Ipswich are the next side being tipped to go down with a 70.7% chance.

While Leicester are 15th, three points clear of the drop zone, they are the third most likely side to get relegated according to Opta, with a 46.9% chance.

Wolves, Everton and Crystal Palace are the remaining sides that have an 18% or more chance of falling down to the second tier by May.

"One of the best games ever."

After Ipswich Town secured their first win of the Premier League season, and their first in the top flight in 22 years, after coming away with a 2-1 victory at Tottenham, fans told BBC Radio Suffolk what it meant to them.

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We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Tottenham and Ipswich.

Here are some of your comments:

Tottenham fans

Dan: Useless. Stubborn. Naive. Useless performance by a bunch of millionaires. Stubborn Ange is still thinking his one-dimensional play will reap rewards, when it was found out weeks ago. Diversity in gameplay keeps the opposition on their toes. It is naive to think that it's OK to sub in the last quarter of the game when 2-0 down. Losing at home to Ipswich? Embarrassing.

Silvia: To take the positives, I thought we played well and lost. We were poor in defence and we can't just give the ball away cheaply, but we did create chances and deserved a draw. Ipswich played very well and caused us problems. But we were our own worst enemy at times. Need to dust ourselves off and move forward.

Roy: I’ve had enough. Enough of the dreadful performances against bottom sides, lame excuses, not enough energy, will or drive. Bad, bad defending. Embarrassing at set pieces. Cristian Romero looks like he’d rather be anywhere but on the pitch. The ridiculous apologies afterwards from players and manager. Ange has had a long time and it ain’t working.

Ipswich fans

Chris: Finally, our performance has been rewarded with three points. Much better management of the game in injury time and Omari Hutchinson was outstanding. Hopefully this is the confidence booster needed to kickstart our campaign!

Jon: Fantastic result away from home, well done lads. Defended well as a team, ensuring Spurs had few clear cut chances in the second half. I think we still need to show a little more composure on the ball but overall a very satisfying result that will hopefully give the lads confidence going into the Christmas period.

Greg: I'm having a new roof on my house and the roofers had to work this weekend. Listened to the game in a hotel in Keswick where I'm staying for two nights to get away from the noise. If that's what it takes to get us a win, then it's going to be an expensive season!

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Ipswich fan Rich Woodward from the Blue Monday Podcast, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live about Sunday's win at Tottenham:

"We had to hang on. I'm not going to pretend it was an enjoyable second half with Son running at us and the rest of the quality they have.

"But we've been building a bit of momentum, maybe not got the results we've deserved, and on Sunday there was absolute relief and joy at full-time.

"We're learning all the time and that's the great thing about Kieran McKenna - if we suffer a bit of hardship, there's always a sense that he's figuring out a strategy.

"Having previously lost late goals against Brentford and Leicester, on Sunday we were masters of the dark arts. That didn't please Ange Postecoglou or the Spurs fans, but it got us three points.

"That's the kind of strategy that maybe we will start deploying, which we wouldn't have in the previous years of his reign."

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Former Premier League midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast about Ipswich's first Premier League win of the season at Tottenham:

"It's more about Ipswich than it is about Spurs. I thought it was probably their performance of the season.

"And it's nice to see Szmodics and Delap get the goals - two players who have been great for Ipswich so far this season.

"It was a well-deserved win and I hope it can be the momentum shift they need for the rest of the season, because this type of win against a Tottenham side that has been inconsistent as always, but still with the run of results they've had, this really can shift Ipswich to really believe that they can get more wins.

"It's just that first win you need to get confidence in the dressing room and kick on."

Ex-Brighton striker Glenn Murray added: "It's probably the one bus journey you wish would have been a little bit longer.

"I've been in that position many times. Stepping up from the Championship into the Premier League - you can get beaten three, four or five times [in a row] and it's difficult to comprehend that after you've had a season of constantly winning. It's a complete mentality shift.

"One lad I think has been an outstanding signing and has got a huge future is Delap. I love him."

Listen to more analysis on BBC Sounds