Sutton's predictions: Brighton v Ipswichpublished at 10:20 14 September 2024
10:20 14 September 2024
Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches this season, against a variety of guests.
For week four, he takes on Femi Koleoso and Ife Ogunjobi from jazz band Ezra Collective, the 2023 Mercury Music Prize winners.
Sutton's prediction: 3-1
People think I'm anti-Ipswich, but I'm not. I like Kieran McKenna and the way his team plays, I just think Norwich is a far nicer place to live.
They got their first point on the board against Fulham before the international break and I like the way they are going about things.
I still expect them to get relegated, but they have been smart with the players they have brought in and they are giving it a go to try to stay up.
However, I don't see them getting anything at Brighton because the Seagulls have got off to an absolute flyer under Fabian Hurzeler, and it is going to be tough for Ipswich to keep Kaoru Mitoma quiet.
Femi's prediction: 3-0
We saw how good Brighton are when they came to the Emirates.
Ife's prediction: 2-0
The same outcome, but a slightly smaller scoreline!
'A really good side' - McKenna on Seagullspublished at 11:14 13 September 2024
11:14 13 September 2024
Image source, Getty Images
Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna has praised Brighton's "really good habits and traits" as his side go in search of a first win since returning to the Premier League when they face the Seagulls on Saturday.
"They've had a good start and they're a really good side, no doubt about it," Ipswich boss McKenna told Town TV.
"They've got some really good habits and traits over the last couple of managers. They are comfortable in possession and build really well through the pitch.
"They've got some fantastic talent and individual quality, both starters and on the bench.
"The new manager's come in and he's putting his own style on it and improving them in certain areas and probably making them an even more well-rounded threat.
"So we know they're a really good side and it's a good challenge for us. But it's another one to really look forward to, to go and impose ourselves, be brave and go with the belief that we can get a result."
Burley 'made Ipswich feel like home'published at 07:51 13 September 2024
07:51 13 September 2024
Image source, Getty Images
Former Ipswich player and manager Jim Magilton says playing under George Burley at the club "was the most enjoyable time" of his career.
"He resurrected my career in all honesty. My career had just halted, at 29 I'd played for many years at Southampton in the Premier League and I went to Sheffield Wednesday thinking I could kick on - it never happened," Magilton recalled.
"I managed to have a conversation with George and Ipswich were second or third in the Championship and he convinced me to go down to Portman Road. Once I landed, it felt like home and he made it feel like home."
Burley was the last Ipswich manager before Kieran McKenna to lead the club to the Premier League and Magilton said he was "one of those unique players and managers" to have had an "unbelievable career".
"To achieve what he did in the way he did it, is just incredible," said Magilton.
"He made a massive difference in my career. He gave me the freedom to go and play and he never talked too much about tactics, it was more about passing and moving off the ball - he gave the players the freedom to go and do that. It was music to my ears.
"It was the most enjoyable time of my career."
McKenna on Muric, injuries and Brighton linkspublished at 16:40 12 September 2024
16:40 12 September 2024
Emily Reilly-ODonnell BBC Sport researcher
Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League trip to Brighton (kick-off 15:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference.
On Arijanet Muric, who allegedly broke team regulations while on international duty: "I've had a conversation with him. It's not mine or Ipswich Town's area to clear it up. He's given me his version, which I think is a little bit different to some of the rumours. I've got no problem with his version. He's our player and it was good to have him back for a couple of days of extra training."
McKenna confirmed he has a full squad available with both Wes Burns and George Hirst ready to play: "Wes and George both trained with the group this week. It's not impossible [for them to play v Brighton]. They've been with the group all week and are both ahead of schedule. They are both feeling really good, but of course we'll make the right judgement this weekend."
On new deals for Burns and goalkeeper Christian Walton: "It's very important. We're very happy to have those two players in addition to players earlier on. A few more conversations are ongoing with some of our players."
On his players during international break: "I enjoy watching them. We always try and watch them to learn more about them. I enjoyed watching all the games but I didn't manage to go to any."
On being targeted by other clubs this summer, including Saturday's opponents Brighton: "Being the manager to lead the club into the Premier League after everything we had achieved and the journey that we've been on - anything other than that wouldn't have felt the right decision. I'm delighted that I'm here and I'm enjoying the challenges. I am determined to do my absolute best to make this another great season for the club."
On the challenge this season: "The fact that we've brought in some players isn't what's going to make us have a good season. We've got some other gaps to make up and that's going to be made up by: our culture, by our environment, by how we work day to day, by how we mould the players we have into a team, by how we get the best out of them individually, by how we maximise our game plans and by our approach to every game."
On the threats he expects from Brighton: "They've built a team that's comfortable in possession but their big threat is having outstanding one v one forwards and they've added depth to these positions."
Ipswich 'will be a different challenge for us' - Hurzelerpublished at 13:43 12 September 2024
13:43 12 September 2024
Image source, Getty Images
Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler says Ipswich will provide "a big and different challenge" to any team they have faced so far.
"In the Premier League, there are no easy games," Hurzeler said. "They are a team with a great coach and he has great ideas. They have a great togetherness and they attack very intensely.
"It will be a big and different challenge for us, but we will face it and we look forward to it.
"The expectation is always the same and that is to go out and display the basic things. That is what I demand from my players in every game, no matter if we’re playing Manchester United or Ipswich.
"Maybe the expectation is that we go and win this game, but when you are ambitious you have to deal with this pressure and expectation from the outside."
Brighton v Ipswich - did you know?published at 08:18 11 September 2024
08:18 11 September 2024
Image source, Getty Images
Ipswich Town have had the fewest shots (19), shots on target (seven) and the lowest expected goals total (1.2) of any side in the Premier League so far this season.
The Tractor Boys ranked first, second and fourth respectively for those metrics in the Championship in 2023-24.
'Burley is a legendary figure at this club'published at 16:54 10 September 2024
16:54 10 September 2024
Image source, Getty Images
Following the announcement that former Ipswich Town player and manager George Burley is undergoing cancer treatment, BBC Radio Suffolk sports editor Graeme McLoughlin said: "George just loves this club. He's continued to do so ever since his reign as boss came to an end.
"He wishes the club so well always and continues to be a real positive figurehead for the Town."
Reflecting on seeing Burley at an event before the East Anglian derby against Norwich City in April, McLoughlin added: "He was so buoyant and happy. It's comforting to see that Ipswich Town will be there for him and his family.
"George Burley is a legendary figure at this club. Here at BBC Radio Suffolk, we all wish him the best."
Will there be regret?published at 12:54 10 September 2024
12:54 10 September 2024
Seb Brown Fan writer
Will not signing another striker prove costly for Ipswich? It is a debate that has raged among fans since the closure of the transfer window.
The morning of deadline day was met with excitement as multiple sources revealed that the on-off loan deal for Armando Broja was back on once again with a reasonable degree of confidence that it would be completed.
Fast forward to the 23:00 deadline and the window ‘slammed’ shut with no new arrival. Broja ended up at Everton meaning, until January, Ipswich have three strikers vying to be the focal point in Kieran McKenna’s 4-2-3-1 system.
Of the three, one was a new arrival this summer in Liam Delap. Another, Ali Al-Hamadi, was playing in League Two as recently as January. And the third, George Hirst, is still recovering from a knee injury picked up in pre-season.
Delap has certainly impressed in his early outings. A goal against Fulham, combined with his physicality and selfless running has shown that he has the attributes to be a big contributor this season.
Given the nature of our system, the ‘finishers’ are just as important as the ‘starters’. McKenna likes to change all four attacking players and maintaining the quality is crucial to our gameplans. Al-Hamadi is still raw and is playing catch up after missing most of pre-season.
The return of Hirst in October will prove vital. He has shown over the past 18 months that his stature and pace are vital weapons in the Ipswich armoury and can be used to great effect in creating space for the main goal scorers in the side, the three behind the striker.
His similarities to Delap may mean we do not need to dip into the market in January, but careful management of the current fit strikers will be crucial until his return.
'We are all right behind him' - McKenna on Burleypublished at 12:01 10 September 2024
12:01 10 September 2024
Image source, Getty Images
Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna says "we are all right behind" George Burley, who is undergoing cancer treatment.
Burley, 68, played for Ipswich from 1973 to 1985 and completed 500 appearances for the club. He was manager at Ipswich from 1994 to 2002.
"It has been a difficult time, but I am feeling much brighter now," said Burley. "In fact, I am able to get to matches at Portman Road and I am enjoying watching the team playing back in the Premier League."
McKenna added: "This club has had some brilliant managers and George is right up there as one of the very best.
"It has been a pleasure to get to know George since I arrived at Ipswich. He is a positive and optimistic character, and I know he will also take that attitude into the battle he now faces.
'Delighted' Burns extends Ipswich dealpublished at 18:25 9 September 2024
18:25 9 September 2024
Image source, Getty Images
Ipswich winger Wes Burns has signed a new two-year contract at Portman Road.
The 29 year-old, who is recovering from a hamstring injury, has extended his stay at the club until the summer of 2026.
"This has been an amazing club for me," Burns said.
“I’ve enjoyed my time here both as a person and as a player. When I signed three years ago, I probably didn’t expect us to be where we are today, but it’s been an incredible journey.
“This is one of the best groups I could ever wish to work with. There is a real togetherness here and I am delighted to have signed a new deal.”
How did Ipswich's summer spending compare to others?published at 09:49 9 September 2024
09:49 9 September 2024
The Premier League's summer transfer window saw clubs spend almost £2bn in all.
Data from Footballtransfers.com, external shows the biggest net spend by a club - that’s all the money spent minus all that came in from sales - was Brighton.
The Seagulls had a net spend of £153.5m.
On the flip side, the club who generated the biggest net summer profit on transfers was Manchester City, who made £115.8m, thanks in large part to the sale of Julian Alvarez.
Ipswich had a net spend of £107.6m, placing them second in the league on that measure.
What's one thing you've learned about Ipswich this season?published at 09:38 7 September 2024
09:38 7 September 2024
Richard Woodward Fan writer
While results so far may not be too much of a surprise, the performances from Kieran McKenna’s side - particularly against Fulham - suggest they can acclimatise to the top flight following their rapid ascent.
Factor in the gelling of 12 summer signings - who should only improve over time - and there is cause for early optimism that the Blues can have a successful season.
Earlier, we asked you who has made the most Premier League appearances for Ipswich Town.
The correct answer is David Linighan, the former centre-back who played 112 times for Ipswich in the Premier League during the 1990s.
'It's been a really good first month for Ipswich'published at 12:17 6 September 2024
12:17 6 September 2024
Image source, PA Media
Ipswich Town are three games into their return to the Premier League after 22 years away from the big time.
Despite taking only one point from their start, BBC Radio Suffolk commentator Brenner Woolley believes August has been a "really good first month" for the club back in the top flight.
"Overall, I think it's been a really good first month for Ipswich Town," he said. "You've got to remember that a lot of this team are either new lads finding their feet or lads that played for the club in League One.
"To perform like they have over the four and a half hours - maybe just the lapse for five or six minutes against Manchester City - it's been really good from them."
Former Town defender John Wark agreed, adding: "I thought they could have nicked it and got three points [against Fulham on Saturday].
"I thought they were better in the second half. Fulham are going to beat a few teams - they're not mugs. The atmosphere was great and I thought they deserved to get three points."
Listen to The Blue Hour on BBC Radio Suffolk and BBC Sounds on Mondays at 18:00 BST
Today's trivia challengepublished at 09:01 6 September 2024
09:01 6 September 2024
Who has made the most Premier League appearances for Ipswich Town?
Answer will be revealed at 17:00 BST
Photos of the weekpublished at 08:15 6 September 2024
08:15 6 September 2024
The joy and despair of football.
Image source, Getty Images
Just the despair.
Image source, Getty Images
Some things you wait for.
Image source, Getty Images
And others never take long to arrive.
Image source, Getty Images
There are awkward moments.
Image source, Getty Images
There are planned moments.
Image source, Getty Images
Chaotic moments.
Image source, Getty Images
Sometimes there are moments of genius.
Image source, Getty Images
And, occasionally, the moment just calls for romance.
Image source, Getty Images
'Worse clubs than us' in the Premier Leaguepublished at 16:16 5 September 2024
16:16 5 September 2024
Image source, Getty Images
We asked you for your views on how Ipswich have started the season - and where you thought they might finish.
Only 6% of respondents to Wednesday's poll felt Town would finish in the bottom three with the vast majority predicting somewhere between 11th and 17th.
Your comments suggest supporters are optimistic for the rest of their Premier League return. Here's a snapshot:
Dominic: They have had tough first two matches and they performed well. Then, they got better in a draw for the third game. They will continue to do well and I predict that they will finish between 11th and 15th in the Premier League.
Gordon: It's an encouraging start. Our players seem to be able to step up to the Premier League and we'll compete. We'll get better as our new players bed in and others like George Hirst and Wes Burns get fit. I think we'll get the points we need to survive - there are worse clubs than us in the Premier League this season.
Ham: Since Kieran McKenna's arrival, the team's collective mentality has consistently proven it can compete with the high-profile talent of larger clubs. Our success highlights it’s not just about big spending, but about the unity, determination, and synergy within the squad. This approach is exactly what football should be about!
Terry: After the fixtures release, it wouldn't have been much of a surprise to anyone if we had zero points and -12 goal difference after two games! It's been great to see the players from the League One season getting a run out in the Premier League. I'm certain that the new signings will fit well and it won't be long before we won't miss Sam Morsy, Conor Chaplin, Burns et al.
Matt: Liam Delap looks very impressive and we know how dangerous Sammie Szmodics can be. In midfield, Kalvin Phillips looks to be getting back to form and I very much like the look of Jacob Greaves at the back. Plus of course Axel Tuanzebe. We will stay up.
How do you feel and what do you predict?published at 13:02 4 September 2024
13:02 4 September 2024
The dust has settled on the transfer window, the Premier League is well and truly back, and we are into the first international break of 2024-25.
So we want you to predict where Ipswich will finish in the Premier League this season - thinking about the start to the campaign and summer transfer business.