Ipswich Town

Latest updates

  1. 'We deserved more from the game'published at 16:42 GMT 8 December 2024

    Kieran McKenna talking to his Ipswich playersImage source, Getty Images

    Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Sunday's defeat against Bournemouth: "It is an extremely disappointed dressing room. I thought it was a good performance with some outstanding performances.

    "Conor Chaplin with his goal, he's on a great journey. We know we could have won the game. I think the second goal being ruled out was harsh.

    "Conceding late changes the momentum and then they go and grab a second."

    On Cameron Burgess' goal being disallowed: "I think the challenge from Liam [Delap] happens every week. It looks so similar to so many incidents I've seen this weekend but we get pulled up on it."

    On why he thinks they conceded two late goals: "The game was in such a good place we normally make subs earlier but we were doing well. We weren't giving away too much and we were getting stronger but it's a poor moment on the first goal and then you're vulnerable. They had five fresh subs on the pitch and momentum."

    On picking up the players: "It's a big blow but the group is working so well. We've had a disappointing week but we are working hard and competing with teams.

    "We deserved more from the game today but it's a disappointing week. The margins are really small for us getting that win and the jump to getting more points isn't a huge one."

  2. Sutton's predictions: Ipswich v Bournemouthpublished at 10:55 GMT 8 December 2024

    Chris Sutton and Dougie Payne

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

    For week 15 he takes on Dougie Payne, bassist with rock band Travis.

    Sutton's prediction: 1-2

    Tuesday's game at home to fellow strugglers Crystal Palace was big for Ipswich, and they came up short.

    Kieran McKenna's side are killing me in my predictions. So far they have been the kind of team that are always in games, but they have a little bit of softness about them that means they are not winning when I expect them to.

    I have a feeling it could be a similar story here. It is great to see sell-out crowds again at Portman Road after the club spent years in the wilderness but there is a reason they are still yet to win at home.

    In contrast, Bournemouth have had a great week, absolutely battering Wolves and then backing it up by beating Tottenham.

    I have been backing Ipswich blindly but maybe I have to stop doing that now. They really need to recover after their result against Palace and maybe they can scramble something here, but I can't see it.

    Payne's prediction: 1-1

    The Tractor Boys are another team I like watching, but I do worry for them. Bournemouth have had some excellent results recently and this one will be quite tight.

    Read the full predictions and have your say here

  3. McKenna on injuries, Bournemouth and 'competing with everyone'published at 16:01 GMT 6 December 2024

    Nat Hayward
    BBC Sport journalist

    Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Bournemouth (14:00 GMT).

    Here are the key lines from his news conference:

    • McKenna confirmed there have been no new injuries in his squad after Tuesday's disappointing defeat by Crystal Palace. Midfielder Kalvin Phillips and defender Ben Johnson are "still not 100%" and may not be fit to start for the visit of the Cherries.

    • On midfielder Jens Cajuste, who has started the past four games but has been managing a knee problem: "It would be undue risk to play three 90s in eight days. We're still building up his fitness, he's still managing a prior issue and we're trying to find the careful balance of getting him on the pitch where he's doing some good things and not pushing him too far."

    • McKenna said it is "very important to get points on Sunday, as it is in any game". He added it is: "Important to put in a good performance after the defeat and performance against Palace."

    • He added success for Ipswich from a tough-looking December is "doing our very best" but his side have "shown they can compete with everyone" and will "take every game as it comes".

    • On rotating his squad: "We made some changes on Tuesday night that were necessary. It's not going to be the same XI every game. On Tuesday you could see the challenge for a couple of our younger players having to Saturday-Tuesday in the Premier League for the first time. We'd like to have one or two more available to rotate, but in general we've still got a pretty healthy squad."

    • On facing the Cherries with two days extra rest: "We can't count on that [having an impact]. Bournemouth are in the top two for almost every physical marker in the league and have multiple quality options in every forward area that they can rotate."

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

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  4. Ipswich 0-1 Crystal Palace - the fans' verdictpublished at 09:28 GMT 4 December 2024

    Your views banner
    Jean-Philippe Mateta scores for Crystal PalaceImage source, Getty Images

    We asked for your thoughts after Tuesday's Premier League game between Ipswich and Crystal Palace.

    Here are some of your comments:

    Ipswich fans

    Kieran: We struggle to break down teams who don’t take our invitation to press our back two. Both Everton and Crystal Palace have come to Portman Road and been happy to let us keep it at the back and then we don’t really know what to do next. Also lacking just that little bit of Premier League quality and physicality unfortunately.

    James: Rather like the weekend's defeat at Nottingham Forest, this was a game of few chances that was decided by a sloppy goal from a defensive point of view. Both teams were nervy on the ball and seemed afraid to commit too many players to attack. We need to pick ourselves up again quickly for another tough home clash against Bournemouth on Sunday.

    Adam: Worst performance of the season. So frustrating, passing back to keeper, no plan B. Plucky performances not translating into points and we are struggling to take points off those around us. Ominous signs.

    Palace fans

    Simon: A win was more important than the performance. We looked ordinary against a hard-working Ipswich team. We still aren't as fluid as we need to be but while it has been a disappointing first half of the season so far, there are positive signs and we can try to aim for 20 points by the halfway stage.

    Tony: Palace were the better team over 90+ minutes and deserved the three points. They had a lucky escape when Ipswich hit the post but overall the points rightly went to south London.

    Al: I felt Palace were in control through most of the game. The gameplan worked and nullified the opposition. Maxence Lacroix and Will Hughes had standout games. It could easily have been three goals with Eberechi Eze missing in the first half and Jean-Philippe Mateta missing in the second half when both were one on one with the keeper. Cheick Doucoure got a good 45 minutes and Jefferson Lerma fitted in well. The wing-backs were strong too.

    An image detailing how to follow your Premier League team on BBC Sport: "On the app? Tap the bell icon to get news about your club sent to you. Signed in on a browser? Hit 'Follow' to stay up to date.
  5. 'Can do better' - McKenna reflects on 'frustrating' nightpublished at 07:31 GMT 4 December 2024

    Kieran McKenna managing IpswichImage source, Getty Images

    Ipwich boss Kieran McKenna after Tuesday's defeat by Crystal Palace: "A frustrating night. It was a tight first half - we weren't fantastic in terms of the flow of the game and didn't create as many opportunities as we wanted. Having said that, neither did our opponents.

    "In the second half, we conceded a really poor goal and that proved decisive. We can do better."

  6. Town need to start turning plaudits into resultspublished at 12:25 GMT 3 December 2024

    Seb Brown
    Fan writer

    Ipswich fan's voice banner
    Morgan Gibbs-White vies for possession with Sam Morsy Image source, Getty Images

    A rare three-game week in the Premier League football schedule now gives Ipswich the opportunity to pick up points with back-to-back fixtures at Portman Road against Crystal Palace and Bournemouth respectively.

    Saturday's defeat at Nottingham Forest was frustrating, but in truth it was a game lacking quality from both sides. Forest stopped Ipswich from playing in the second period and produced a defensively solid display, which can be delivered off the back of three seasons of top-flight finances and signings.

    So, on to Tuesday night we go with Crystal Palace the visitors to Portman Road. Over the past two seasons these three-game weeks have been navigated superbly by Kieran McKenna with clever squad rotation and planning often delivered seven to nine point returns.

    Of the two upcoming games the Crystal Palace one feels the bigger of the two. Town are level on nine points with Palace but find themselves in the relegation zone courtesy of a poorer goal difference. Palace’s 94th-minute equaliser against Newcastle was a blow for Ipswich and it is crucial to keep them in the relegation mire.

    Palace are winless on their travels so far this season with three draws and three defeats and we must take advantage. Portman Road has had some special nights under the lights recently and a full house roaring the team on will help the players get over the line.

    We have won many plaudits for the way we have been playing in recent weeks, but we are now at a crucial stage in the season with the games coming thick and fast where we need some points on the board. With tough games against Newcastle, Arsenal and Chelsea to come in the latter part of December it is crucial to start the month strongly.

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

    An image detailing how to follow your Premier League team on BBC Sport: "On the app? Tap the bell icon to get news about your club sent to you. Signed in on a browser? Hit 'Follow' to stay up to date.
  7. Sutton's predictions: Ipswich v Crystal Palacepublished at 08:58 GMT 3 December 2024

    Chris Sutton and The Slow Readers Club

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

    For week 14 he takes on James Ryan, bassist with rock band The Slow Readers Club.

    Sutton's prediction: 1-1

    I watched Ipswich on Saturday and thought they played well. They were hard done by for the award of the penalty which Nottingham Forest scored their winner from.

    Crystal Palace did get something out from their game with Newcastle - Daniel Munoz missed an unbelievable chance but made amends with his header right at the end.

    I look through the Palace team and think they are too good to go down, but they have to start showing it.

    These two sides have identical records, with only one win apiece from their first 13 league games.

    They are both desperate for another win, so the obvious thing for me to do is call it a draw.

    Ryan's prediction: 2-1

    They are level on points but it feels like Ipswich are playing all right, while Palace are struggling.

    Read the full predictions and have your say here

  8. Crystal Palace v Ipswich: Did you know?published at 08:19 GMT 3 December 2024

    Kieran McKenna and Oliver Glasner

    Crystal Palace are unbeaten in all four of their Premier League meetings with Ipswich Town (W3 D1) - though this is their first since February 1995.

    Meanwhile, Ipswich are unbeaten in their past 28 midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) league matches, since a 2- 0 loss to Charlton Athletic in League One in December 2021 (W21 D7).

  9. Who have Ipswich got in the FA Cup third round?published at 19:30 GMT 2 December 2024

    General view of FA Cup draw bagImage source, Getty Images

    Ipswich Town have been drawn to play Bristol Rovers in the FA Cup third round at Portman Road.

    The tie will take place between 9-13 January.

    See the full draw here