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Episode 90 - Ipswich Town v Brighton Preview
39 Plays5 days ago
Join James & Tom as they discuss the Towns chances against a very strong Brighton, do we think we can go one better than the draw at the AMEX last year? And when will Philogene join?!
The Daily Ipswich Podcast, part of the Global Sports Podcast Network, is your new home of all your ITFC. Join us every weekday for the latest news, build-up and reaction in the club's first season back in the Premier League.
Host: James Bennett
Guest: Tom Crack
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Transcript
Introduction
00:00:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes, hello, this is the Daily Ipswich with the Global Sports Podcast Network. Thank you very, very much for joining us. Whatever time you're listening, whether it be morning, evening or afternoon, you know, thank you very much.
Brighton Game Preview
00:00:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
and We're going to be discussing the Brighton game today with a little bit of talk, you know, with our, the possibility of Philogene coming in and an absolute club legend who was left as well. And joining me today to do that is Mr. Tom Crack. How are you, mate?
00:00:32
Tom Crack - Ipswich
I'm very good James, how are you?
00:00:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, not too bad, thank you, not too bad. So we'll get straight into it then, mate. and The first bit, yeah, we'll talk about, obviously, Brighton. We've got Brighton today, haven't we? So what are your thoughts? Obviously, last game, we played them, we defended ridiculously well, and obviously, you got the 0-0 and scraped the point. and Do you think we do think we can go one better?
00:00:53
Tom Crack - Ipswich
um I'm not sure, suppose just going through the crossover, we spoke to the lads yesterday. I think a draw would very much be, not to give it immediate insight into where my head is for predicted scorelines, but a draw very much would not be a
00:00:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:01:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thanks.
Brighton's Strategy and Form
00:01:05
Tom Crack - Ipswich
bad result.
00:01:06
Tom Crack - Ipswich
I know obviously we've we've obviously beat Chelsea in the last stage of of the year and then to start the year we almost got a back-to-back win against Fulham as well. So maybe our mindset right now, as it should be for every game, is going into it hoping to get a win.
00:01:18
Tom Crack - Ipswich
But I think the quality of opposition, I know Brighton you know, sitting slap bang in the middle of 10th in the table, it's it's a game conceivable we can go and get something on, especially when we've had some recent decent run of form recently. But I think just going into it tonight, I'm just hoping we can just put a good shift in. I think the five at the back will rear its head again, as it seems to be doing for every game now, which I'm a big fan of. And I think my main sort of goal for tonight, because I think with this new formation, we've had to obviously sacrifice possession.
00:01:49
Tom Crack - Ipswich
And this was something we didn't even have against Brighton when we had four at the back, uh, early in the season at the Amex. So I very much expect that to be the case again this season, but they've looked like they've really struggled. Joe from the Brighton team said as well, they look like they've really struggled.
00:02:01
Tom Crack - Ipswich
Breaking teams down. They do kind of sit back a bit. That's why they've drawn so many games recently. They're only wins since November.
00:02:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh.
00:02:06
Tom Crack - Ipswich
Any competition was against Norwich, which, you know, happy to see Norwich lose 4-0. But apart from that, they've struggled to get wins, obviously some great draws in there, but not got three points and against teams at the bottom of the table, they've got even less confident.
00:02:19
Tom Crack - Ipswich
I think their motivation is slightly lessened in comparison to when they're up against the lights of Chelsea and Arsenal, et cetera.
00:02:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
me
00:02:24
Tom Crack - Ipswich
So hopefully that mindset for them is there again tonight. There's a few injuries plaguing them as well. I think it's a good time to be playing Brighton midweek
Brighton's Season and Management
00:02:29
Tom Crack - Ipswich
under the lights.
00:02:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:02:31
Tom Crack - Ipswich
You know, it's not a huge journey distance wise for them, but it's still, it's still enough. So I'd like to even get something from this and the confidence is high in the team right now. So hopefully that continues this evening.
00:02:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely well said, mate.
00:02:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sticking with that then, you know, with Brighton. and Obviously, at the start of the season, I'll hold my hands up. I did say I thought, you know, as a bit of a wild call. I thought their manager would be gone by January.
00:02:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Obviously, that was mentored. They proved us wrong. They started really well.
00:02:57
Tom Crack - Ipswich
me
00:02:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
and sticking with Brighton still do you where do you think it's not gone wrong for them obviously because obviously you obviously with your crossover yesterday and you've just mentioned there that they're struggling to break teams down where do you think that's come from because obviously at the start of the season they looked unbelievable really and we were singing Welbeck's praises I don't know how many weeks in a row as well what do you what do you think's gone wrong with them maybe?
00:03:18
Tom Crack - Ipswich
Yeah. Well, I think there's a mixture of injuries, especially up top. You know, Jal Pedro wasn't playing against us that game at the MXC. He doesn't look like he's going to be playing tonight either.
00:03:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:03:28
Tom Crack - Ipswich
Evan Ferguson, whether it's injury or form, isn't a player that, you know, many expect and hope he can be. And then the likes of Welbeck, I believe, maybe returning from injury again tonight. So I think going forward, they've really struggled to keep players fit where the goals tend to come from. And then just certain of the players as well, you know, the likes of, I think, Metoma, who's like, again, similar to Ferguson, the season or so ago, when like, Carcedo and all about what were there.
00:03:50
Tom Crack - Ipswich
firing all cylinders maybe looking like the player who could be an ex-player to go for 100 mil for them.
Brighton's Historical Progress and Challenges
00:03:54
Tom Crack - Ipswich
I think the difficulty Brighton have and it's it's it's a blessing and a curse because like they're famous really aren't they for finding these gems that no one's ever heard of and then selling them on for a ridiculous amount of comparison to what they bought them for which is a fantastic thing for them as a club obviously only means you get certain players for a couple of years but I think that the fans have come to expect that now but with that comes and they've still got a spine of quality in there. There's still some players who you think will stick around for the long haul like Bikes Development, March, a few players like that, but you need to start. You also
00:04:24
Tom Crack - Ipswich
kind of have to unfortunately rebuild every two years, every year and a half or most, because your best best two or three players, you know, your consumers, you're now kook, realize, obviously, seems to have turned up for Chelsea after a year or so you can say those, there's a few others McAllister, there's, there's, there's a fantastic list of players, isn't there, who have gone and really were only there for two years at the very most, it's hard to maintain that quality when your best players go so quickly, but
00:04:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm. Hmm.
00:04:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:04:47
Tom Crack - Ipswich
You know, 10th at the table, I know Brighton have come on leaps and bounds in recent years from where they were back in the day. Obviously, their expectations are probably slightly loftier now considering they did play European football recently and have been playing some fantastic football and really on their day can be anyone. But I think, you know, 10th in the Premier League is really nothing to be sniffed at. And if they want more, which, you know, I think as a club, they should. but we'd snap the handoff attempt from the table.
Host Team's Strategy for Brighton
00:05:10
Tom Crack - Ipswich
So I think if they can find it from eventually, it can probably move slightly up. But when you're in the middle of a table, it's really, it goes without saying, your form is kind of middle, isn't it?
00:05:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm.
00:05:19
Tom Crack - Ipswich
It's not bad. It's not good. It's just, hence why I've been drawing so many games. It's a tough way to look at Brian, isn't it?
00:05:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. I mean i say, yeah, 10th place is absolutely nothing to be sniffed at. And yeah, we would snap their hands off for it. Of course we would.
00:05:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
But i'm we'll we'll sort of cover us a little bit then until before we go into our first break. The way we're playing at the minute, and obviously we're playing some some really good stuff, whether or not you know we're getting the results or not, because obviously we're not right now.
00:05:33
Tom Crack - Ipswich
Yeah.
00:05:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're getting a couple of wins here and there, picking up a point. how how do you think we're going to play tonight? How do you think we're obviously ah we're going to stick with the five at the back and everything out way because that's clearly our new sort of setup, but we're at home against Brighton. Obviously we defended for our lives away. How do you think we're going to play sort of tonight? Do you think he's going to make too many changes or is it is it going to be the same sort of setup with their style of play?
00:06:13
Tom Crack - Ipswich
I think setup wise it will be what we've seen since really the Arsenal game, wasn't it? The five at the back two, middle three at three up top, Dilak kind of on his own on an island on occasion.
00:06:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:22
Tom Crack - Ipswich
I think, yeah, it's it's hard to know really whether we are going to, because I think, yeah, that Brighton game, we had more chances going forward against City and Hooper when we did against Brighton, didn't we? It was a weird one. With the exception of the Bristol game, as Rob pointed out, that was Miroch's only clean sheet as well for the club, which, you know, probably looks like the only two he's going to get if Walton stays in goal.
00:06:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
the
00:06:39
Tom Crack - Ipswich
But I think I'm going to, unfortunately, I do expect it to be a slightly similar game, but I think we have a better threat going forward because they defensively do look a bit shaky as well.
00:06:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
right
00:06:48
Tom Crack - Ipswich
I think at the time we played them with the exception of Dilap's fantastic run where he managed to hit the posts in the game against Brighton. We breathed in often much going forward, but you saw in that game, I don't know how much everyone listening as well as yourself changes members of it, but something just came to mind with that game. Obviously you had that Dilap chance, but there were a few other moments in the last stages of that game when Brighton were getting tired and a bit demotivated, shall we say. And then we were pressing a bit more. And I think that will happen again, but slightly more as well with us being home. It's going to be an interesting game. I think it's a good time to be playing them, as I said. And I think with the sort of form we've had, you know it's it's a wee bit of a run. Our last five Premier League games we've drawn to in 1-1. I think if we can do that in a five game batch every single time, we'll put ourselves in good stead to potentially stay up. So let's say this is the first of a five game run. If you can get a draw or a win on the boards, it'd be happy days. but
00:07:36
Tom Crack - Ipswich
I'm excited to see the team, you know, it's it's with the FA Cup last week, you know, for some, some moments in the FA Cup, not going to compete in here.
00:07:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:07:42
Tom Crack - Ipswich
There's good moments, you know, you can get shocks like for Brentford and great games like United and Arsenal, but then you get kind of duds like ours, where it was kind of a foregone conclusion before the ball was even kicked.
00:07:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
if
00:07:52
Tom Crack - Ipswich
And it did kind of derail our, not, I don't think our confidence, but just our excitement of watching town play and getting back into the swing of things. de pre So I'm really looking looking forward to tonight, regardless really of how it may end up at the end of the game, especially at the start. I'm really, really excited for it.
00:08:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I'd have to agree. It's an all right little break in it because yeah everyone does love the FA Cup, but when it's a foregone conclusion, like you say, it kind of kills the beauty of it, done it a little bit.
00:08:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
So yeah, it's good to have the Premier League back in there.
00:08:19
Tom Crack - Ipswich
know
00:08:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hopefully we'll get the result we want, but we'll air we'll take our
Transfer Discussions and Club Legends
00:08:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
first little break. And when we come back, we'll be discussing sort of January and the transfers possibilities and everything like that.
00:08:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we're back, this is part two, thank you very much for joining us. So we'll be discussing and sort of January, obviously we're we're in the transfer window now. um And I'll start with our club legend, a bit of a legend first, who's obviously, and I was gonna say been shown the door, but that sounds a little bit harsh.
00:08:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
But ah but of obviously the Nacian has gone to, where's he, he's got, he's joined, Paul Cook again, isn't he?
00:08:50
Tom Crack - Ipswich
Chestafode. Chestafode, yep. Pilcote, yep.
00:08:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Chester Fields, yeah, well, um so we'll we'll discuss him, mate. Denacian, we was all big fans, weren't we, innit? It's a shame to see him go. Completely understand why, of course. He was never going to see any minutes, book but what he thought from Denacian, he was great when he really...
00:09:09
Tom Crack - Ipswich
Yeah, yeah, yeah. He's kind of, you know, I've watched an interview with him on the club site earlier today that just to sort of wrap up his time spent in the town from 2018. His first year was on loan, 1890, on loan from Ackerton Stanley, then signed a permit deal in 2019, was here for five years on a full-time basis after that. And yeah, he really, yeah, I can say he saw it, oh, he was there before McKenna came in. I think it was a cook signing as well, which, you know, ironic that he's now gone back to him and then just being of us and we went down and then sort of languishing a wee bit. And then I think in the latter stages of our promotion campaign in league one and then
00:09:46
Tom Crack - Ipswich
I think he's kind of an and an important player in that one. Harry Clarke did kind of come in and they were kind of basking out for that right back spot. um And then you saw it in the season last year as well. He did start the opening game at Sunderland, but injuries. And again, I think it's a bit of quality coming through again, did kind of get phased out, which obviously was why he didn't really get a lick of the ball this season. But he's one of those people really that you look at. People can look at teams as well as, you know, it's only the players on the pitch who make a difference. And for the most part, that is usually the case.
00:10:13
Tom Crack - Ipswich
But as players like him and, you know, Aluka was a similar sort of player as well, I think, who may not necessarily put the ball in the back of a net, but they're really important motivators and just great guys to have around the dressing room. He said one of his favorite moments at the club wasn't really an in-game moment. It was just being on the pitch with families after those promotions and just soaking in that moment and like what the club gave him because I think you know his family was down the area and he's really really liked it and he said like it's not a good buy it's a see you later because I don't think he's ever really going to
00:10:44
Tom Crack - Ipswich
leave the club truly because he's such an important player and really stamped his mark on the team.
00:10:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:10:49
Tom Crack - Ipswich
And it, you know, it's, it's great to see certain players who were there from a really, really tough time for the club. And then to sort of be on that journey, because the majority of those players obviously weren't there when you got from it.
00:11:01
Tom Crack - Ipswich
I think, you know, Chapman came a year or so later, but predominantly most of those players weren't around. Katie Jackson as well, and another one as well. The majority of them weren't there or aren't there now, I should say. So it's great that these players, yes, they're being shipped off.
00:11:14
Tom Crack - Ipswich
but they're still getting the recognition they deserve. And he he really was an important player. I thought, you know, his form didn't necessarily reflect certain amounts. I thought there was times when I thought he could have been slightly usurped, but he stuck around. Obviously, it wasn't, as I say, it wasn't just what he did on the pitches, what he did off the pitch that proved crucial. yeah There must have been countless moments last season and the season before that where he was motivating people at play for the road and during breaks as well and on the bench. And that helped us get results. We probably won't ever know how that motivation took place, but I'm sure there were ones.
00:11:41
Tom Crack - Ipswich
going to be a big miss. I hope Chesterfield are getting a decent player. They've done a few promotion campaigns and playoff moments from recent years as well. So they've got big ambitions and a player like that has used the promotion will help them as well. So they're getting a good player and I hope you can have continue a great career at Chesterfield as well.
Denacian's Move Debate
00:11:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:11:56
Tom Crack - Ipswich
What about you, Denacio?
00:11:57
Tom Crack - Ipswich
I know I kind of rambled on a bit there, but I'm sure you echo my sense.
00:11:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah! Yeah, I absolutely agree with you mate. I love the guy, do you know what I mean? Like I said, just for the off field as well, he just seemed like such a great character to have around the team and everything, so he's going to be a huge miss, I think, around Portman Road.
00:12:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
One thing I did want to say, obviously, he was at us for five years, so I'm not actually sure how old he is. I know he's knocking on for football, I guess, but Chesterfield has leaked his watch, sorry.
00:12:20
Tom Crack - Ipswich
31. It's 31.
00:12:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is it a fair play? Obviously he's dropping down to Chesterfield. um I still think he's got quite a bit left in him. it Do you think that's maybe a bit of a ah too big a drop for him?
00:12:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think he's very much overqualified to play for Chesterfield.
00:12:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think he's still got a league one maybe bottom championship in it.
00:12:40
Tom Crack - Ipswich
Yeah.
00:12:44
Tom Crack - Ipswich
I mean, I feel like the, the, the football league, especially league one and two becoming so congested these days, like the quality is like really, really close.
00:12:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:12:50
Tom Crack - Ipswich
If you look at Walsall league two this season, they are ready for league one already, to be honest. And it's filled obviously going up from non-league in recent years to where they are now they're 10th.
00:12:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:12:57
Tom Crack - Ipswich
So not counting as well as another team, obviously Rexham for different reasons, financially are flying way higher than all of those. But I think that's sort of those two leagues, especially apart from teams at the bottom is really not much difference in quality there.
00:13:08
Tom Crack - Ipswich
So if they can put a run together and potentially push for a playoff spot, because there are only six points off that from not counting at the moment.
Philogene's Potential Transfer
00:13:14
Tom Crack - Ipswich
They really have a good chance of pushing and as I said with his promotion experience and you know he's coming from a Premier League club down to lead two albeit and play Premier League football this season but he's been around that environment all season which is only going to benefit everyone there as well.
00:13:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:13:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:13:26
Tom Crack - Ipswich
So I think it's it's a really good move for him and you know it's guaranteed first thing football. I can't think financially as much of an issue for him. I've always wouldn't have chosen to do it so I think for him it's more just making a difference on the pitch as he does off the pitch each week but yeah I see where you're coming from maybe it's slightly lesser but you're guaranteed minutes which I think for him is what he most craves right now rather than where he's playing it's rather just as long as he's playing.
00:13:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, true. Yeah, it's a good point, actually, and like you say, like um he might have a bit of a promotion push as well, so that'll be good for his, this'll be his last club, I'm sure, do you know what I mean? So, yeah, in fairness, good luck to him, and he's been brilliant, and I hope he comes back and in any sort of capacity as well, i'm because I'm sure he'd be absolutely welcome back at Portman Road, wouldn't he, mate?
00:14:05
Tom Crack - Ipswich
Definitely.
00:14:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. So, moving on, then, we'll, um right, it's it's doing it's doing my head in filigene.
00:14:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
what they playing at What's he playing at son? What do you reckon? Are we going to get him? Is it going to be announced soon or is he going to mess us about again like he did in the summer?
00:14:20
Tom Crack - Ipswich
Well, it seems to be the case that it's more to do. Well, originally it seemed it, because at the time of recording, this is but Wednesday afternoon, so by the time you guys listen to this, you may have already yeah signed or been presented as a town player.
00:14:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:14:33
Tom Crack - Ipswich
There seems to be suggestions that he, Aston Villa were waiting for the Marlin deal to go through before they shipped Philogene off, and that deal was confirmed yesterday, or on Tuesday, sorry, from Aston Villa. So that that's that's done and done now, and there's been sort of sprinklings on social media of seeing Philogene sign. I'm fairly certain it's gonna happen. There's two big stuff. I know what you mean by saying,
00:14:54
Tom Crack - Ipswich
I was going to kind of just move us over and go somewhere else. But that was in the latter stage of the window last summer. You know, with all quality coming through the door, at Aston Villa, he knows for a fact he's not going to get any first team football there.
00:15:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:15:06
Tom Crack - Ipswich
So I'd like to think it's going to come through.
00:15:07
Tom Crack - Ipswich
It is a bit annoying because I was hoping he could be around for either tonight's game or Sunday against City, whether it be off the bench or whatever, but I don't think he's going to play in either of those two games. So that's, that's kind of annoying because you want to get, I think, as I said to Richard, if you each go on the January transfer specials, like I prefer to get January signings through the door as quick as possible because the season's already, already going on.
00:15:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
um
00:15:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:15:28
Tom Crack - Ipswich
We haven't got the luxury of ah of a preseason to sort of get them used to the style of play and the team they got to get stuck in straight away. So the sooner they can, the better, to be honest. So hopefully it gets sorted soon. It's obviously a good player there, but a lot of our fans on social media as well have been talking about how his ah agency, I'm not sure who they are, who it is in particular.
00:15:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:15:47
Tom Crack - Ipswich
I don't know if you've seen anything about that, but saying that they do this quite a lot with their clients and sort of tease that they've signed and then try to f throw fans off the scent, I guess, to build sort of suspense and engagement and all those sort of social media metrics and stuff.
00:16:00
Tom Crack - Ipswich
But it doesn't seem to really put that player in the best light before we've been kicked off. This is the sort of people who have resented representing and we just want to sort of sign on the dotted line and get going to be honest. Do you know what I mean?
00:16:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah, exactly that. That's, I think that's what that's all it is for me, really. It's just a bit frustrating because he looks a good player. Obviously I've only seen a little bit of him obviously in the Premier League, he's not played too much, but seeing him in the championship last year, he was unbelievable.
00:16:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
So hopefully we get that player on that form as well.
00:16:26
Tom Crack - Ipswich
and
00:16:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you know what I mean? Because it might take him a little bit when he does eventually sign, it might take him a little bit to get to the pace anyway of course because he's not had too many minutes but and yeah I think it'd be a good sign and I really do it's announced very very soon we'll take another another little break for you guys and then when we come back we'll be discussing the lineups and what we think the score will be for tonight's game
00:16:36
Tom Crack - Ipswich
Yeah.
Lineup Predictions Against Brighton
00:16:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
and we're back this is part three thank you very much for still joining us and we're going to move on to the lineups and what we think the scores are going to be for the game as well so Tom we'll get straight into it we'll start with obviously the back the keeper in the back well back five probably it's going to be in it who do you think what do you reckon is going to go to be our lineup
00:17:08
Tom Crack - Ipswich
um ah yeah i think yeah As you said, I think the back five is certainly the line-up we're going to see against Brighton tonight. I think it's it's a difficult one with the... I'll start with the full backs because I think that's more knelt on slightly. Obviously, Lee Davis will be on the left doing his thing, had a lovely rest, not playing against Brissouro as well, so he should be fantastic and fully fit, ready to go.
00:17:27
Tom Crack - Ipswich
I think on the right wing back roll, I'll stick with Ben Johnson. I know he's kind of seen to be similar to the likes of Schmonix, maybe better on the road than some.
00:17:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:17:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:17:36
Tom Crack - Ipswich
And obviously Burns has found it a bit more on the right wing back roll as well.
00:17:39
Tom Crack - Ipswich
But having played against Bristol, I think Johns is probably going to come in for that one as well.
00:17:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:17:43
Tom Crack - Ipswich
The three is a difficult one just because of the inclusion now of Ben Godfrey, because I think bringing a player like that and we probably do expect him to start more games moving forward. Maybe not this instantly, but I do expect him to have more of an impact.
00:17:55
Tom Crack - Ipswich
So if that takes one of them out, the difficulty is though, Wolfenden, Greaves and O'Shea, I think as a trio in the last what? Almost month now. I've put in a really, really good stead all three of them together.
00:18:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:18:06
Tom Crack - Ipswich
So whoever you take out of that, I think it's going to be a shame.
00:18:09
Tom Crack - Ipswich
I think if you were to take one out, it would be Wolfenden, and then put O'Shea in the middle, Grease in the left, and Godfrey on the right. But I think for tonight, I think that will be eventually be the three moving forward once Godfrey's a bit more settled.
00:18:21
Tom Crack - Ipswich
But I think for tonight, game under the lights, a game we could conceivably get something from. It's a lot of pressure. I don't think we're going to see Godfrey starting this evening. I'll be happy if he does, but for that, I'm going to have Wolfenden in the middle.
00:18:32
Tom Crack - Ipswich
O'Shea on the right and then Greaves on the left as a three. So that'll be my back five. or season Obviously, Walton in goal as well along May his form continue as well.
00:18:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:18:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. I think I'd have to agree, because I was in a bit of sort of two minds, the same as you. It's going to be Wolfie or Godfrey, I think. But I would, um but like, I'm, yeah, I'm with you. I would say probably start Wolfing and just, because obviously Godfrey's, he's got to settle in still, hasn't he? And obviously an FA Cup game against Bristol Rovers. It's not quite the same as Brighton. So I would think I'd rather start.
00:19:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wolfie with the two he's been playing with and then Godfrey will probably come on get some minutes see how he does and then yeah I'm excited to see him playing the league game as well because I think it's a very good sign and to be honest sd yeah he's ah he's a good player so yeah looking forward to seeing him potentially starting future.
00:19:10
Tom Crack - Ipswich
Yeah.
00:19:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
and We'll move on to sort of midfield then I don't think there'll be too much changes but what do you reckon he's going to go for especially on the wide positions?
00:19:28
Tom Crack - Ipswich
Yeah. If you look at, we'll sort of nail on Q, stay on Morsy as the pairing, that is the pairing now, isn't it?
00:19:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:19:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
It has to be.
00:19:34
Tom Crack - Ipswich
I think Calvin Phillips obviously did his goal.
00:19:36
Tom Crack - Ipswich
Yeah, Phillips got his goal against Bristol Rovers and I'll try for him to get that.
00:19:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:19:40
Tom Crack - Ipswich
There's still, you know, there's too many similarities but hit between him and Mozzie to have them as a pairing in a game, unless we really, really, really want to sit back. But I don't think that should ever be the case. Really, obviously we are more defensive shaped, but Kusei can provide that defensive stability the same as Phillips, but he also provides that strength going forward and those long throws, which I hope eventually we'll get a goal from because I'm still think we will.
00:20:00
Tom Crack - Ipswich
So I think those two will be the pairing as well. I'm such a big fan of Kusei. I think as the fans are getting the players marked in
00:20:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:20:05
Tom Crack - Ipswich
was it, in November, December as well? So those two there. I think the three, because I think Hutchinson's still out injured. I don't just want to name the same team as we had against Fulham, but I think I will with Schmonix, Broadhead, and Dilap up top.
00:20:19
Tom Crack - Ipswich
Just looking at Schmonix, you know, I said how Johnson's a away player. Schmonix is definitely that. All four of his goals now have come on the road.
00:20:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:20:27
Tom Crack - Ipswich
Another really well-taken goal, albeit helped from Bassi at Craven Cottage a few weeks ago. but I think he's just really integral player to the team as well. you know he's He's scored the second most goals for us this season.
00:20:39
Tom Crack - Ipswich
He looks really key. Hopefully he can get his second ah his first goal at Portland Road tonight. And Broadhead as well, i'm just we weve you know we've sung his praises so much really since the start of 2025.
00:20:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:20:48
Tom Crack - Ipswich
And for good reason, I think he's really, really like took his chance.
00:20:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:20:53
Tom Crack - Ipswich
I don't know whether it was due to injuries, you know, with like the Chaplin Hutchinson being out injured. Or, you know, he just finally got back in the good books of whoever he had needed to get back in the good books from and is now starting regular football. But you can see the quality of player there and that sort of.
00:21:10
Tom Crack - Ipswich
jump to the championship we've touted about so much this season. it's It's easy for him. I really think he's been so good and on his quality on the ball. He provides a bit, I think he's really good at holding onto it. So we don't just have to rely on Dilap to do that because that's something we really only see.
00:21:22
Tom Crack - Ipswich
You don't really get that from Hutchinson and Schmonix and Chaplin really due to their size, but Broadhead is a bit more about him physically. So you can provide that as well. But obviously your man, Liam Dilap up top, not not much to say really is there, which you know is a good thing.
00:21:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:21:34
Tom Crack - Ipswich
I mean, the only thing you really seen said about him a lot recently is clubs trying to buy him, but I think Chelsea were interested in recently, but I didn't see anything happening this January whatsoever.
00:21:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:21:44
Tom Crack - Ipswich
Like he he's asked for at least another five months. And if we hopefully you can stay up, hopefully for every year or so, or just set him on for a ridiculous price.
00:21:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm.
00:21:52
Tom Crack - Ipswich
I think one of the things I'm excited about tonight as well. is to see the, I know he came back against Bristol, which was great to see, putting a few good runs here and there, but I'm really excited to see Hurst come back tonight. Hopefully um it will just be in a manner of holding onto a league because he's very good at that as well.
00:22:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:22:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
zi Yeah.
00:22:08
Tom Crack - Ipswich
But I think he's such a great player and just the the brief cameo he had against Bristol Rovers, if you compare him to Al Hamadi, and we don't talk about that penalty miss, you know, that was really the only highlight he had, unfortunately. But the only highlight I really saw from Hurst in that game was that brilliant run where he had a chance to shoot and goal. That's just something you don't see from Al Hamadi because he hasn't gotten the pace of a strength to really provide that. And I think Hurst is such a fantastic number two to have behind that. They play such similar ways. It's something we said about the lap when after we saw him for a few games. I think his game really did remind me of Hurst, just albeit slightly better quality. So I'm excited to see what if Hurst does come on.
00:22:41
Tom Crack - Ipswich
what you can do tonight. It does also, I don't know about you, I don't know if you can talk about who you think is going to start in those areas as well, but it does also like for Hearst, does it kind of alleviate our desire to get a number nine in now?
00:22:52
Tom Crack - Ipswich
Because I know Rob talked about on our transfer specialist getting the likes maybe had you right or something like that in the club to be behind the lap, but if Hearst can stay fit and it's a big if unfortunately considering his injury track record, but do you do think, I know we we talked about this recently, but do you think if
00:23:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:23:07
Tom Crack - Ipswich
Hearst can stay fit. Or do you just think we shouldn't go for nine now if we've got these two together? Or do you think we should still go in for someone considering um Hearst's injury?
00:23:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
And if I'm completely honest, ah do you know what I've um've changed my mind on this a couple of times um and right now I'm probably on the side of would probably be okay if we can keep him fit.
00:23:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Obviously we'll definitely be alright, we don't need to, but obviously the worry is keeping him fit. But say if he did get injured, obviously we got Broadhead back, Hutch will probably be back, which means Smodych could then maybe play instead, up top, coming on for the lap. So maybe we wouldn't need to get someone, because we've got the, now that we're signing Philogene as well, and well hopefully, anyway, but hopefully he'll come through. So with that, with the backup on the winger's side,
00:23:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
think we might be okay to be honest for up top so I don't know but it's just fingers crossed that he can stay fit because I really want him to do something this season as well because I feel like he deserves it you know I mean like he always puts you shifting especially from last season and he played great against Brentford so he looks good So he can definitely do it. i' just Just fingers crossed he can stay fit.
Team Dynamics and Fitness
00:24:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then and like you in fairness, you mentioned earlier about Broadhead. Yeah, just to just to double down on that. Since he's come in and got his chance, he's been unbelievable. I can't see Jack Clark getting in the team at all um over Broadhead. like Obviously coming on as a sub, impact sub, I can see that. But I definitely wouldn't be starting Clark over Broadhead. He's been unbelievable. So yeah, absolutely fair play to him. Fair play.
00:24:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
would you would you start I don't know i say if Hutch is fit well when he's fit again do you have him over Smoditch on the right or do you do you keep Smoditch there?
00:24:50
Tom Crack - Ipswich
I'm not sure. It's a good problem to have because I think though, uh, he's been very consistent all season.
00:24:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah yeah
00:24:54
Tom Crack - Ipswich
I don't think he's really put a foot wrong for the most part. Hutchinson, obviously we've had a few more divisive opinions about him, but I think that's because we know the quality of player there is and the potential player kind of do hold him much higher regard.
00:25:07
Tom Crack - Ipswich
I think if it was, if I was to compare, if I was to start one of the other, I would say Hutchinson, Hutchinson, sorry, just based on what he can deliver and the the the quality of play, like the finish he had against Chelsea was fantastic.
00:25:20
Tom Crack - Ipswich
And that is him through and through.
00:25:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
we Yeah Yeah
00:25:22
Tom Crack - Ipswich
So its it's such a shame he got injured after that game because obviously that was our biggest win of the season so far. We did sit back, um albeit who who were against it, it makes sense for us to sit back, but when we had the chances, we took them really, really well.
00:25:37
Tom Crack - Ipswich
And Hutchinson was one of those who did that. So it's such a shame for him to get injured and not be part of what almost was another win at Fulham as well. So hopefully he comes in.
00:25:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
the
00:25:46
Tom Crack - Ipswich
I don't know how serious this injury is, but when he does come back, hopefully he can maintain that sort of head he had against Chelsea and a few you guys prior to that. Cause he looked really, really good. And it's, it's similar to how it it was looking similar to how it was last season.
00:25:57
Tom Crack - Ipswich
Wasn't it? Where? the first half of the season, he was a bit slow, trying to get used to the first team senior football, because he's really only kind of been on the 21s, floating, albeit a few cameos in the league cup for Chelsea and Arsenal before that, but this was outside his first proper full professional season.
00:26:13
Tom Crack - Ipswich
And then obviously the latter stages of last year, he was fantastic and probably our best. Well, definitely. I think our best player as we got promoted and you know, we're kind of hoping that's what happens in the latter stages of this season with the running to run into the end to go, but hopefully comes back soon and we can find that player again, because if that's the player we can have that I definitely would have him starting pretty much over anyone in the team, maybe apart from the lap again.
Final Predictions and Wrap-Up
00:26:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah absolutely I'd i'd have to agree so he's unreal and hopefully he is back very soon. Well just before we leave then Sam will just get your air your prediction of the score. What do you reckon it's going to be?
00:26:44
Tom Crack - Ipswich
ah I'm usually quite confident on these predictions. I mean, I'm flipping predicted at the end of the season, didn't I? So um never I never want to yeah i took go go too shrewd in my predictions.
00:26:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:26:55
Tom Crack - Ipswich
so But I really like Brighton as a team and as a club. I know they've got a few injuries at the moment. I think that's going to help us out tonight. I'd like to see Al Pedro and a few others not being there because I think he's a fantastic player.
00:27:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:27:06
Tom Crack - Ipswich
But I'm still not confident. You know, Richard said how we have to really score two goals to win any game in the Premier League because we can't on defensively that much, unfortunately. So I still think that'd be the case tonight. So I think maybe a two, two draw again, similar to Fulham. I can't see us holding wind, but, you know, as I said, at the start of the season, draw away at Brighton, you know, you may come to the end of the season and that could be a really, really, I think, well, we'll be really, really important draw considering how good they've been.
00:27:33
Tom Crack - Ipswich
I'll take a draw against Brighton again. Obviously I'd love us to get a win. If I'm wrong here, and we do get a win. Fantastic. But any, any, any point on the board in a game like this, I'll be really chuffed up because you've got, you know, after this, you've got to sit in Liverpool, so it's not going to get any easier.
00:27:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
well
00:27:43
Tom Crack - Ipswich
Any points you can get over the next three games, I'll be really, really happy with to be honest. this So a draw for me.
00:27:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. ah yet Fair play, i can ah I can absolutely see that. I'm going to go a little bit more positive, but not as ah exciting, I don't think.
00:27:55
Tom Crack - Ipswich
Let's do it.
00:27:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
and ah I think, do you know what, I think we're going to keep a c clean sheet again. I think Walton, ah hopefully he starts anyway, but I think he'll keep a clean sheet and I think we might just snatch a 1-0.
00:28:05
Tom Crack - Ipswich
He will.
00:28:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's what I'm going to go with. cheeky onemi and yeah good three points hopefully on the bar
00:28:14
Tom Crack - Ipswich
Who's your goal scorer?
00:28:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
go scar it i mean you know what bro
00:28:20
Tom Crack - Ipswich
Yeah.
00:28:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
go broad e six odd minute let's have ah
00:28:21
Tom Crack - Ipswich
Yeah, I can see that.
00:28:25
Tom Crack - Ipswich
Fair, we were both, I think the Fulham game when we previewed it, we both said 2-1 and there was what a 15 minute, almost 20 minute window where that was the case until we unfortunately gave that away that kind of last minute.
00:28:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:28:35
Tom Crack - Ipswich
So we both were almost writing that one.
00:28:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Cheeky 1-0 and good 3 points hopefully on the board.
00:28:37
Tom Crack - Ipswich
So hopefully you're writing this one James and I'm not correct in my prediction because I don't want to be predicted to draw, do I?
00:28:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, fingers crossed mate, fingers crossed.
00:28:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
that's there Let's get that win on the board. But that is all from us today at the Daily Ipswich with the GSPN. Thank you very much for listening. We'll be back and during the week for you. Thank you very much to Tom.
00:28:43
Tom Crack - Ipswich
ah
00:28:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Cheers mate.
00:28:56
Tom Crack - Ipswich
cheers Cheers, James, thanks.
00:28:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
No worries. And we will see you very soon. Cheers guys.