IPSWICH TOWN
LAST SEASON
CHAMPIONSHIP 24th FA CUP Third Round LEAGUE CUP First Round TOP SCORERS Gwion Edwards, Freddie Sears (6)
FANFILE PHIL HAM @twtduk
The big talking point among the fans is what life will be like in League One. I won’t be happy unless we end up being promoted, or, at the very least, narrowly missing out in the play-offs. Our most underrated player is Cole Skuse. Not everyone appreciates the long-serving vice-captain. Holding midfielders are rarely fan favourites. The opposition player I secretly admire is David Mcgoldrick, Martyn Waghorn or any of the other senior players we allowed to leave last year, although that’s not really a secret. The pantomime villain will be Mick Mccarthy, who’s unlikely to relinquish that position for quite a while.
Look out for forward Jack Lankester. There are loads of young players who could break through, but he might be the one grabbing headlines.
The signature local dish is possibly the Portman Pies, given they won an award a couple of years back. It was our last trophy, come to think of it... The other recommendation for away fans is to visit the statues of Sir Alf Ramsey and Sir Bobby Robson. There’s a third on the way for Town legend Kevin Beattie.
The best thing about the matchday experience at Portman Road is the atmosphere that the Blue Action group are creating in the Sir Bobby Robson Stand.
Did you know that we used to be good? We won cups and everything. Our key player will be Alan Judge [below]. He made a big impression coming in at the end of last season. The fans’ opinion of the gaffer is that Paul Lambert [above] has been a unifying figure after the fractious Mick Mccarthy era and Paul Hurst’s disastrous 149 days. However, he will come under pressure very quickly if we’re not in the running at the top of the division.
If he left, he should be replaced by former skipper and caretaker boss Tony Mowbray, who’d be a popular appointment – but Blackburn would have something to say about that. We’ll finish promoted, by one route or another. I hope.