Ipswich Town

Richard Woodward
Fan writer

Football supporters are an emotional bunch at the best of times, but the Ipswich Town faithful have been pretty stoic following the opening fixtures against the current top two. Objectively, a zero-point start and a -5 goal difference looked ominous, but despite the calibre of opposition there were moments in both games to give hope.

There was however a need to turn that hope into something more tangible, and thankfully Saturday proved to be that moment. To pick up a deserved point against a well-established and well-coached Fulham side adds to the growing sentiment that Town should have enough to survive the drop. Last season Fulham comfortably dumped the Blues out of the Carabao Cup, but at the weekend the teams were an even match. Had it not been for late heroics by Fulham keeper Bernd Leno, it might have even been a first Ipswich win of the season.

It was great to see the summer recruits begin to establish their place in the starting eleven, particularly Kalvin Phillips who is probably the most exciting part of our extensive business. But arguably the two stand-out performers were mainstays of the double promotion-winning team.

Skipper Sam Morsy was able to impose himself in the midfield battle in a manner more in-keeping with his typical high standards from the previous two seasons (perhaps assisted by Phillips alongside him). Homegrown defender Luke Woolfenden put in a strong display too - despite a chastening experience dealing with Haaland at the Etihad last week and the signing of centre-back competition in Dara O’Shea.

For those not off to play international football this week, the break gives a handy opportunity to continue to gel on the training pitch. Hopefully they pick up where they left off when Town face the current third-placed team in a fortnight.

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BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions.

Lawrence asked: I know it's only been three games but how do think the three promoted teams have fared so far? Do you think any will stay up now?

Phil answered: Not seen anything to change my mind yet, Lawrence, although the way teams like Everton have started will give them all hope.

I fancy Ipswich and Leicester to pick up points at home to give themselves a chance, but I do worry about Southampton's passing style in the Premier League – and I know I'm not the first to say that.

Brentford showed exactly how to play against them by pressing them into mistakes as they passed it around at the back on Saturday and you can be sure others will follow suit.

Southampton manager Russell Martin is unmoved and will stick to his style – but if they keep losing then there will have to be pragmatic adjustments, otherwise they will be in big trouble.

Image source, PA Media

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Ipswich and Fulham.

Here are some of your comments:

Ipswich fans

Jonathon: A very promising performance. Ipswich certainly were not outclassed by Fulham - actually they shaded the game. Liam Delap was great, Omari Hutchinson had his first good game of the season and the defence was pretty solid. Two issues: Leif Davis continues to struggle defensively, and I am yet to be convinced by Arijanet Muric.

Matt: A good game, but I have to say that I am a little disappointed with the result. Given how much we pushed and that we played well, I feel we probably should have edged the win. But, it's a point on the board and a point closer to safety! Looking at the teams around us, I think we've started quite well and I think we will be OK this season.

Charlie: I believe this a good point for Ipswich. Fulham are established in the Premier League and will be pushing for a top-half finish this season. Ipswich are just missing some cutting edge in the moments it matters most.

Matt: Excellent all-round performance, fully deserving of a point if not more. Brilliant debut for Kalvin Phillips and thought Delap was excellent again. Really need to look at how we deal with cover for Davis when he's forward as Fulham exploited that to score.

Fulham fans

JD: I can’t see where our goals will come from this season. We don’t have a clinical forward. We still haven’t replaced Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Paul: Very disjointed performance by Fulham. We were slow moving the ball and had trouble moving past the Ipswich press. Expect the new signings to take a while to bed in.

Brian: Right from the get-go, Ipswich were physical and full of energy while it seemed like Fulham were still on holiday and needed oceans of time just dwelling on the ball. Two good goals and an even game that Ipswich shaded. Fulham need to show more energy and fight and are too lightweight for me. But, a point is a point. I'll take it.

Will: Not our greatest outing by any means and despite having possession we didn’t do anything with it. Adama Traore is continuing to improve so that’s a plus. Just one we need to move on from. A point's a point.

Watch all the highlights and analysis from Saturday's seven Premier League fixtures with Gary and the team.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Leicester 1-2 Aston Villa

• West Ham 1-3 Man City

Tim Oscroft
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Reuters

Liam Delap grabbed his first goal for Ipswich following his move from Manchester City in fine style.

Collecting a pass on the left hand side, the 21-year-old drove across the pitch to his right before twisting to send a superb shot through a cluster of three Fulham defenders and into the far corner through keeper Bernd Leno's grasp.

Following a spell at Hull last season that brought him eight goals, Delap is certain to get plenty of chances to help the Tractor Boys in what will be a tough return to the Premier League.

Image source, Getty Images

Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna, speaking to BBC MOTD: "It is a step in the right direction, and so was the performance. We are adapting to the level, improving all the time and integrating players all the time, we had six players who have joined us this summer.

"We were competing against a well-established team at this level so to compete how we did is a positive and we feel we have lots to come.

"Some of our pressing in the first half was excellent, and the organisation and discipline against a team that can give you problems was really, really good."

On goalscorer Liam Delap: "We are happy with how he is progressing, he is still getting up to speed after an injury at the back end of last season, and is improving all the time. He is taking lessons, taking in things really well and we feel he has a lot of growth left in him."

Image source, Getty Images

Ipswich are the first side to score each of their first two goals in a Premier League season from outside the box since West Brom in 2020-21.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Ipswich fans, have your say on the performance, external

What did you make of that display, Fulham fans?, external

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Follow reaction and read the match report

There are seven Premier League games this Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you all the action and reaction throughout the day.

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Follow all the action and reaction here

BBC Radio 5 Live match commentaries:

• Leicester v Aston Villa

• West Ham v Man City

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches this season, against a variety of guests.

For week three, he takes on MOBO Award-winning drum & bass legend and producer Adam F.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

It's a big one for Kieran McKenna.

Ipswich have had a nightmare with their fixtures - Liverpool and then Manchester City. They will see this as a chance to get points on the board.

I think Fulham are really well balanced under Marco Silva but it's vital that Ipswich get points on the board. I think this will be a draw.

Adam F's prediction: 1-2

Ipswich gave us a good game in the first-half on the opening weekend, but they could not quite sustain it. I fancy Fulham to edge this.

Read the full predictions and have your say

The three promoted teams all splashed some of their Premier League cash to try to improve their chances of staying up.

Ipswich and Southampton have both spent more than £100m, while Leicester paid out more than £75m.

Ipswich spent £109m on 10 players - seven of whom are from Premier League clubs including Chelsea's Omari Hutchinson, who joined for £20m after a successful loan.

Southampton's signings, which included the deadline-day arrival of Ramsdale, were from a wider variety of divisions.

Leicester, meanwhile, recruited exclusively from top divisions - with four of their seven signings from the Premier League and one from each of the Italian, Portuguese and Belgian leagues.

More on the summer window trends

Image source, Getty Images

Ipswich Town defender George Edmundson and attacking midfielder Marcus Harness have joined Middlesbrough and Derby respectively on loan.

Both depart seeking regular game time at the Championship clubs.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Ipswich Town saw late night negotiations for Chelsea striker Armando Broja and Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson collapse.

A deal could not be struck between Ipswich and Chelsea on revised terms in the Suffolk club's favour after a medical following a previous deal for Broja revealed a foot injury.

There was caution around locking in a loan with obligation to buy for £30m amid a potential issue that needed rehabilitation for the Albania international.

Nelson, meanwhile, looked set to move to make room for Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling ahead of his proposed loan move to Arsenal.

But Fulham have successfully hijacked the deal at the final hour as they looked to sign a winger before the transfer deadline.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Premier League midfielder Kevin Nolan speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live: "Kieran McKenna has got lads who have Premier League experience - he's has got his business right.

"Ipswich have had a really difficult start against Liverpool and Man City - in the next few weeks we will see where they are."

Image source, Getty Images

Freddie Ladapo has agreed to terminate his contract at Ipswich Town.

The striker played an important part in the Tractor Boys' back-to-back promotions to the Premier League.

He scored 25 times in 75 appearances, before finishing last season on loan at Charlton Athletic.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Middlesbrough striker Emmanuel Latte Lath did not travel for the upcoming fixture away at Cardiff amid transfer interest from Ipswich.

The feeling on Teesside is that the Ivorian, 25, is trying to force a move through to the newly-promoted Premier League side after an initial bid was rejected.

However, the Tractor Boys remain interested in Chelsea striker Armando Broja which is currently believed to be the priority deal.

Latte Lath risks facing internal disciplinary action should he remain at the Riverside after the transfer deadline on Friday.

Henry Brownsey
BBC Sport journalist

Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Fulham (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On signing a new striker: "I think it's less likely than likely at the moment, it's not impossible. It is a position we have looked at to strengthen, to be deep and strong in that area but also because we have some injuries - if the right opportunity for the right player that improves us comes then we will look to do it."

• The club do remain in discussions with Armando Broja, despite his injury: "There's been discussions - that's not a secret. It's not a secret that he's got an injury issue. The clubs are ongoing with discussions, it has to be right for all parties. We will see what's right and hopefully the best resolution will be found by this evening."

• He was asked about rumoured interest in Middlesbrough striker Emmanuel Latte Lath: " Any player who is active with any other team, we will never mention their names, the Armando situation is different because it's publicised that he's not with Chelsea's first team."

• On their window as a whole: "We've done some really good business, we knew it was a big, big window for us - it always is for a newly promoted team. For a team coming from our position with the trajectory we've had as a football club. Everyone was of the same mindset that it was really important to strengthen as much as we could."

• He added: "It's been a really challenging window and I think we've got into a good position, not everything goes your way but everyone has worked really hard to give us a squad that gives us a chance to be competitive this year."

• On departures: "We will have a few players likely move on - they will always go with our best wishes." McKenna indicated some of these may be loan moves, but said "it certainly doesn't mean it's the end" for those players at the club.

• After facing Liverpool and Manchester City in their first two games, he was asked if their season starts tomorrow: "I don't like that phrase because do we discount the Liverpool game because we didn't win it? Do we discount going to Man City away against the best team probably in world club football? We can't discount those experiences. It is all part of the season journey and everyone needs to enjoy every game."

• On Fulham: "They're a really organised side, they're good on all phases - they can build with the ball but also go a little bit more direct. They have good structure in and out of possession. They are good on transitions and set plays - they are well coached."

• On playing at Portman Road: "We feel all of our home games will be really important and better opportunities to get points with the record and atmosphere we create and the football we know we can play at home. We feel those games are the best opportunities to collect points."

• There were no new injuries during the week, George Hirst remains "a couple of weeks away," but they "hope to see him between the next two international breaks." Nathan Broadhead is "really, really close to team training" and should be available after the international break. Harry Clarke is back doing work outside.

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder and Planet Premier League pundit Cesc Fabregas believes the transfer window should close before the season begins.

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