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Daily Ipswich Episode 130: Bournemouth v Ipswich Preview
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Premier League football is back and so are Ipswich Town, with McKenna's side set to travel to the south coast to take on Bournemouth. Iraola's team have been ones to watch this season but have struggled in their last few at home, can Town leave the Vitality with all 3 points?
The Daily Ipswich Podcast, part of the Global Sports Podcast Network, is the 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: Tom Crack
Guests: Rob Binns
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Transcript
Premier League Resumes
00:00:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello everybody and welcome back to another edition of the daily which here on the global sports podcast network. International break is now over. The final international break of the season is in the rearview window and we are looking ahead to the last few remaining games in this week, this year's Premier League season. So the podcast will once again be coming thick and fast.
00:00:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
We hope you didn't leave us during that that small break window there. Obviously, there wasn't much content for us to cover. But as I said, Premier League football is back this week in full force with midweek games. And for town, that means a trip down to the south coast against AFC Bournemouth, one of this season's most...
Bournemouth's Strong Season
00:00:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Informed teams, considering how the past few years have gone, and with some really exciting players on the pitch and a very top manager, it's going tough test for town on the South Coast this Wednesday night, that's for certain. To help me look ahead to the game, I'm delighted say I'm joined by Mr Rob Bins. How are you doing, Rob?
00:00:57
Rob Binns
I'm doing good, mate. I'm glad the international football is out the way.
00:01:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, me too. Me too. I mean, you know, I think some town fans did have that sort of, you know, maybe don't want to be out looking at that 2-4 to club action because of how, you know, topsy-turvy 2025 has been for us. But I think just from an excitement point of view, regardless of results, it's good to have club football back, isn't it? Because with the exception of a World Cup and the Euros, international break is a bit of a...
00:01:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Slog, isn't it? So yeah, very much so. Like I said, Wednesday night, Bournemouth, very tough place to go. Obviously, they did lose in the Cup this past weekend with a brilliant tactical change from Pep Guardo with bring on O'Reilly, which kind of scuppered them. But nevertheless, been really, really top this season, Bournemouth. You know, i think they're one of those sides which you could potentially see with relegation being painted with them before they the ball at the start of the year because of, you know, just how the level that club, but they've made strides, haven't they? It's very much, I think,
00:01:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
From our perspective as a club, they've got a new training ground now, which we're going to be having a few years of play for road. like I think it's a model we do kind of want to look at us look at us,
Bournemouth as a Model Club
00:02:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
really, don't we? But just before we get into certain individuals, just thoughts on Bournemouth as a whole this season, because I think they've been very impressive, haven't they?
00:02:11
Rob Binns
Yeah, I've always liked Bournemouth, to be honest. It's an ongoing joke with me and my friend group that we are the Andonio Iola fan club that we we so we sat there last year when they haven't won a game after like eight games in saying like you can clearly see he's improved them, they just haven't got the results yet.
00:02:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:02:29
Rob Binns
He was starting to have sack rumours going around after eight or nine games and we always saying then that at some point it's just going to click. So it's just been an ongoing joke ever since then that we we saw the vision early on that where to see where they're at now and say, he's a manager. I really like there the way he gets born playing. it's It's just, it's good coaching. That's what it is. that There's not much that, it doesn't seem like there's too much of that going around now, but you look at some of the, some of the players that have been turned since his arrival, someone like Christie is the go-to example that,
00:03:08
Rob Binns
He's come in and instantly, he was someone who struggled to make an impact at Bournemouth and Ereld has come in straight away and gone, you're playing in the wrong position, put him somewhere else and now he's one of the most crucial players in the team.
Bournemouth's Quest for Europe
00:03:20
Rob Binns
ah ah very Very impressive side and so once we get tonight, not to tonight, whatever game is, Wednesday night out the way, then we can, yeah, once that's out the way, then I hope they really push on and finish as high up as possible.
00:03:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, there are four points as it stands off fifth place, which would be Europa League. But obviously the Conference League, I think a club of former stature, a European football with any competition, they'll certainly take. Just looking back at our previous encounter earlier this season, it was one of the few games which, you know, was there's been a lot of heartbreaking losses at our results at Portmour this season in terms of late goals.
00:03:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
And this very much was it was what was one of those, wasn't it? I think we took 1-0 lead in the first half. Connor Chaplin goal as well, his first Premier League goal in the 20th minute. And up until the 87th, it kind of looked like this could be our first home Premier League win of the season.
00:04:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then two late goals, some substitutions from Unal and Utaro in the minute. putting them in the coffin. I mean, it was a loss, but, you know, and I think it's before everyone kind of saw Bournemouth as this, you know, one of the top clubs in the league this season. But I guess there's positive to take from that result that we almost beat one of the most, like, respected sides this season. Maybe heading into to Wednesday's games, there's a vague aspect of optimism. I don't know. Where where are you at? Yeah?
00:04:37
Rob Binns
I think that's more than vague, to be honest. Bournemouth, as good as they've been, they don't like these games.
00:04:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:04:43
Rob Binns
I've mentioned, obviously, Leicester beat them at the King Power. Might even be the only win they've had there all season. that so Wolves went there in the league, got a draw, or should have been when there in the cup and drew in 90 minutes as well, only lost on penalties. It's these sort games that Bournemouth don't like.
00:05:02
Rob Binns
so They get themselves up for the big games. Like you say, from we're 1-0 up for 70 minutes or something in that game, that they don't they don't like these sort of fixtures.
00:05:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Give or take.
00:05:12
Rob Binns
But the thing is with them as well is that they are always in the game. the Since the comeback of the year randomly became an award like two or three yearss years ago, Bournemouth threw on for a three-peat because they won it the last two years and obviously had that game, second or third game of the season where they were 2-0 down against Everton about five minutes left and beaten They made a habit of staying into games late, even think I always think back to that famous game they against Liverpool those years ago, sort of 2016, something like that, where they were three one down, about 10 minutes left and beaten 4-3.
00:05:43
Rob Binns
They're a team who stays well into games. Obviously, we know we don't finish games very well. And so we sort of saw all those things come to a head at Portman Road that flip the result. But like I said, this is a game they don't normally, they don't really like. So in a massive week for us, I do think this is a winnable game.
00:06:03
Rob Binns
and we've just got to turn up because I've said that about so many games in the last few weeks before the international break that this is a winnable one today we've got but we've got go and do it and we and we haven't done it.
00:06:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:14
Rob Binns
So that's what needs to change this time around because I really really can see us going there and getting something because these run-of-the-mill home games as you'd say, the almost the easy three points you'd say.
00:06:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:06:24
Rob Binns
no no Nothing's easy in the Premier League but they really do struggle with these games, Bournemouth and we know from that first game that Although we got stung in the end, we know we can play some good football against them and put ourselves on the front foot. So I'm hoping all this sort of comes together and then we dodged the late heartbreak this time and get a result.
00:06:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Fingers crossed. I was going to ask you this on the last stage of the show, but you kind of brought it up slightly there. With with but the break we've had recently, obviously Bournemouth played in the weekend in the Cup. Do you you think a break like this, you know, it's kind of, and it may be a bit of a cliche of a question, but do you think a break such as this will benefit us or is it a negative one stepping away from club football for all? It's almost been two and a weeks now, hasn't it, since we've last played, I believe. Like it's been a lot, it's been a longer time than usual with the Cup sort of taking the place at the Premier League this past weekend.
00:07:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you think this may be a positive effect? And it's obviously Bournemouth coming off a poor result on the weekend for them. It's a good time to play them, I guess.
00:07:23
Rob Binns
Yeah, no, I do. I think it's a great time to play them because, as it has mentioned in that cup game on the commentary, that their home form isn't very good recently. At the start of the season, it was a horrible place to go.
00:07:36
Rob Binns
Everybody so you saw City go there and lose. Arsenal went there and lost. think someone else went there. There was a little run of results where they were sort consistently beating people at home.
00:07:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:07:47
Rob Binns
and But everyone was like, oh, no one wants to go to Bournemouth. But said, I'm just... Just scroll through. I mean, Forrest lost 5-0 there.
00:07:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Lost four of the last five.
00:07:53
Rob Binns
That's another one.
00:07:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
look
00:07:55
Rob Binns
Yeah, exactly.
00:07:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Lost four of the last five at home.
00:07:56
Rob Binns
like exactly like
00:07:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:07:58
Rob Binns
And thing is as well, like they were saying on the commentary, yeah, when they're in the game against Man City, that they go 1-0 up in these as well. They go 1-0, they keep going 1-0 up and losing the game at home.
00:08:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:08:12
Rob Binns
And that is like, oh, look, that's a tough thing for us, obviously, because to go 1-0 down means you've got to score two we don't score two very often. So it's a problem, but their their confidence at heart is in is so low at home right now that say three three or four games in a row to go one-nil up and not win is, they're clearly so, it's like they don't feel confident in holding onto a lead as much as they would have done three or four months ago.
00:08:41
Rob Binns
that I do think it's a very, like all these factors combined, and they obviously the cup limit, the fact they've had a game more recently thus, and it was a,
00:08:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:08:50
Rob Binns
elimination from the cup and a very tough game as well that they worked their socks off in the first half to deserve to be in front and then obviously like you say pet Pep tweaked it around and so I don't understand Pep, don't know how he does it. he's They were getting rinsed first half when he was playing a midfielder at fullback and then so he's at half time he puts on another midfielder at fullback but this one's brilliant and wins the game for him.
00:09:13
Rob Binns
i don't know i don't know how he does it.
00:09:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Bye.
00:09:15
Rob Binns
he's He's tried to solve the problem with the same problem and it's worked. that he's just He's just a freak. you can't You can't give him anything but credit for the work he's done there. And like I say, I do think Ivarola's a really good manager, but what that was the sometimes that it doesn't how good you are when and Pep gets guess his tactics book out and clicks everything into gear.
00:09:38
Rob Binns
But that was that was a tough second half for him as well. that I was hoping it would go to extra time and penalties. just to sort of get some more legs in and try and force the changes for the game Wednesday. But
Ipswich Town's Challenges and Hopes
00:09:49
Rob Binns
I don't know.
00:09:49
Rob Binns
But like said, I do think it's a good time.
00:09:52
Rob Binns
Like say, it's a good time to go to Vitality because the the form's not been great there recently. And then, like I say, anna so I think it's a good time to for us as well because we've had a solid two weeks to put it together, like you say. And I'm hoping McKenna's confident about how the time is spent. He's been he's been happy with what's been worked on. I think it's all sort coming together and it's a make or break week this week, isn't it, with Bourne?
00:10:18
Rob Binns
Like I could say, it's a tough game, but it's also a winnable game and then a six-pointer at the weekend. it's it's It's a huge season-defining week. So I do think we have a really good chance.
00:10:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, well, I'm motivated that's for sure. i'm I'm pretty sure that's going to hammer it home to the players in terms of how important this week is going to be, for sure. We'll take our first break. when we come back, we'll sort of have look a deeper dive into our opponents this coming Wednesday.
00:11:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're back here, part two of the Daily Ipswich, looking ahead to Wednesday night's game at the Vitalactic between Bournemouth and Ipswich Town. Touching on the opponents a bit more, Rob, going a bit more of a deeper dive, as I said at the top of the show, they yeah they are sitting the middle of the table, but I think that doesn't necessarily reflect on how well I think they've they've played this season. You see the sort of vibrancy and pace in which Eriola's got them playing off.
00:11:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
There's a lot of things to talk about with Bournemouth, isn't there? mean, first of all, you've youve touched on a bit there saying you're a big fan of him before. Maybe the rest of the league was maybe like myself. why Why are you such a fan of Eriola? Because, know, obviously managerial-wise before coming to Bournemouth, not many honours. Obviously, you've got Vea Cano playing quite well, but, you know,
00:11:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's a big leap of bringing in Iriola, wasn't it, a year or so ago, but it's definitely paying off now, isn't it?
00:12:06
Rob Binns
Yeah, definitely. I oh it was the wrong decision at the time. garret Gary O'Neill, to sack O'Neill after keeping him up, obviously, that nobody gave him a chance that year.
00:12:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Me too. Everyone did.
00:12:16
Rob Binns
I mean, you saw it from the video they put out when they stayed up. They clipped about 20 different people off podcasts and YouTube videos and stuff saying Bournemouth got no chance, Bournemouth 20th.
00:12:27
Rob Binns
Nobody thought they were going to finish 19th. Everyone put them rock bottom. and then they stay and And then they stayed up. So I did think it was a wrong decision at the time, but I was very quickly won round by what I saw.
00:12:40
Rob Binns
Even though, like I say, the results didn't kick in. I think it was Billings. Somebody scored from their own half, pretty much, and they beat Burnley. And then they just clicked into gear from there and they had a fantastic rest of the season for the last 25 games or whatever was left.
00:12:57
Rob Binns
don't I don't know. You could just see there was something brewing there that and so Even though at the time they were they were sat at the bottom of the league with barely any points, you could just see that at some point it was just waiting to click.
00:13:09
Rob Binns
And then obviously yeah it has done them more now.
00:13:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:13:11
Rob Binns
And it's also the recruitment as well. that I don't know how much involvement the manager has in that, but there's also people always, and I'll call it for an example now when you joke about Premier League money that people like, say, Cliver, who was a,
00:13:27
Rob Binns
obviously from a very good footballing family and was at the likes of Roma and teams like that over in Italy to then come down to the South coast and play for what was a relegation for the Premier League team at the time.
00:13:40
Rob Binns
But the recruitment, I mean, some of the lads that got in now, like you look at the players that got, mean, the two lads who were suspended for the city game, who are going to come back, Kirk, Esenhausen, they're getting linked with 50, 60 million pound moves in the summer.
00:13:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Amazing.
00:13:53
Rob Binns
Yeah. Yeah. I mean, most people hadn't heard of them before Bournemouth signed them. They are a perfect model to follow Bournemouth. We spoke a lot about Forrest being that model.
00:14:03
Rob Binns
We said, obviously, you've only got to stay up once and you're one of the 17, not one of the three, but Bournemouth are another one i to go through that. I mean, when your manager and your centre-half are both getting big links to Real Madrid in the summer when you're sayly you playing championship football a few years ago, you're obviously doing something right.
00:14:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. I think you kind of touched them there, but I'm such a big fan of fan of his. Is is is is is it Halston Tyson? How do you say the lad's name? Obviously, got a debut for Spain during the international break there as well. Links around Madrid. He was, I think, suspended for, as you said, for the game against City on the weekend. But looking at on Premier League.com now, they've got like a poll for who is the signing of the season. And I think with the exception of... Milinkovic for Forest, he is second of 27% of the vote. And for good reason. I think it's... know, sometimes when, you know, it's a club, you don't necessarily expect to do so well.
00:14:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
And they do perform well. That player maybe stand up more than if it was at a bigger club and you kind just expect it to happen. But the quality is there to see. remember when we played him earlier the season and it was just like, you can just see it, can't you? Just how how great he is. And they'll be very...
00:15:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
very lucky if they can hold on to this summer. I do expect Kerkhez to go, but they with him, it's kind of fifty fifty if he's ready for that big move ahead. But like just, yeah, wax Lyric about a more, please. I think he deserves it, man. He's just been such a top player this season, hasn't he?
00:15:28
Rob Binns
Yeah, he's fantastic, isn't he? I mean, it's the only problem. I've i've given Bournemouth so much praise so far, but the only problem is when you do this well, you don't you don't keep the players, do you?
00:15:39
Rob Binns
To have that left-hand side of the defence both be two really, really top-class players, they're both 21 as well, I believe, that you just know you're not keeping them, are you?
00:15:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:15:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:15:49
Rob Binns
It's just about getting the best prize possible. It's sort like we know we're not keeping to that. It's about what price we get and unfair whether he so he goes and bangs in another 10 goals in the last in the last nine games and keeps us up, then we still know we're not going to keep him if we stay up. But it's just going to be, that's going to be however much more millions on top for somebody like Newcastle, whoever it is, that's said to be interested in him. But that's what they're like now, I think, that they know they're going to lose in both, but they're probably going to take in £100 plus million pounds for the two of them. And then the way they've been going, it's,
00:16:24
Rob Binns
they'll probably reinvest that and improve further. So it's what Brentford have been doing, what Brentford do is what obviously Villa done with the Grealish money that they they are one of these really well-run clubs on that model, Bournemouth and where they are now. But like I say, there's all sorts of praise there, but I think they're gettable.
00:16:42
Rob Binns
I really do. I sit here and build them up to be like some super team that it's impossible we go and get a result against because as good as they are, like said, they don't like these games.
00:16:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely.
00:16:52
Rob Binns
We spoke about it with Forest, even though obviously we lost in the end, but there's teams who are fantastic as an underdog, but they they don't like it as much when the pressure is on them.
00:17:04
Rob Binns
And that's what, let's say Bournemouth in these games, like so I fact-checked myself during the break, they actually lost to Wolves in the league. I thought they were both 1-0 cup and league.
00:17:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
so
00:17:14
Rob Binns
It was a 1-0 loss that it shows you can go there and do that. And the thing is of us is obviously we're going to be under pressure because... Wolves play tonight, we play tomorrow.
00:17:25
Rob Binns
We're going to know that result. And they've got West Ham at home, which is very, very winnable. The gap could be 12 points by the time we go there, which turns out it wasn't a must win before, it absolutely is. The gap's 12 points.
00:17:35
Rob Binns
So there's lot of pressure on us.
00:17:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
yep we're Just just sort of going on a slight tangent here, because I agree with you, like these sort of games, like you know some sides may take the thought to guess slightly compared to they played like a City or an Arsenal, etc.
00:17:38
Rob Binns
But like I say, I do i really do. i don't know I don't know why they don't they don't like these games, Bournemouth, because they are more than capable of getting results in them. But they don't like them. And it's about us taking our chance.
00:18:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I think you can maybe put us into that bracket this season. Obviously, we're not on that level. But you know I think our most memorable performances this season and you know games in which we've gotten results in have been against the the better sides, haven't they? And we've we've if we if we do go down, i think a big factor is just is is that is because we haven't performed against sides we could arguably get result against. why what Do you think that's just something that all teams maybe have in their mindset? Is that players just get up for these bigger games? And when they play a side, they could...
00:18:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
who they expected to get result against or could get a result against. if They don't not try as much, but you know the level of infusion is not there because it it seems to be sort of a a mindset for a lot of clubs, isn't it, regardless of where they are on the table?
00:18:42
Rob Binns
I mean, yeah, it is a thing. like like How many times, I always say this with my means, how many times do you see a team down the bottom go and play really well but lose like 2-1 or something like that to Arsenal, City, Liverpool, someone like that?
00:18:55
Rob Binns
And there's always that line on commentary. Play like this every week, they'll win a lot more games than they are at the moment. But never do play like that every week, do The next week, the next day, whoever it is, team finishing eighteenth in the table or whatever will go, they'll...
00:19:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:19:12
Rob Binns
So Luton last year, I think within a couple of weeks of each other, they got a one-all draw. They were 30 seconds away from beating Liverpool 1-0, conceded an equaliser. But then a couple weeks later, i got beat 3-0 at home by Sheffield United.
00:19:24
Rob Binns
but If you play that way against you do with big teams, you pick up results. But it's just not, you don't do it. It's the case of matching the level you're against, which is like why you get up. the Like I say, it's a common thing, isn't it?
00:19:38
Rob Binns
how often do you play really well, lose the game anyway, because they're too good for you, but then you can't replicate that performance that would win your games against the teams down the bottom. I don't know, but I think, yeah, there is that element there with us, but then also, I say don't know, I'm starting to not know what bracket these games fall into, because I said about Forest that thought that was winnable, but we're also heavy underdogs, and that didn't work. Like this one, we're heavy underdogs going away to Bournemouth, but again, I think it's winnable. So it's what, do we go in as, do we come off with this yeah, we were underdogs and we went there, put a really good shift in, or was it this was the game we could have got something wrong and we played rubbish?
00:20:13
Rob Binns
I don't know what category that's going to fall into and that's the problem at the moment.
00:20:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, definitely. We'll see you Wednesday night for sure. We'll take our final a break and when we come back we'll look at the town side of things ahead of Wednesday night's game.
00:20:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
We are back here on the final part of today's show. Looking ahead to Towns trip to Bournemouth tomorrow night. Looking at the Towns side of things, Rob, obviously one of the things, you know, I'm not using excuse, we have been plagued by a lot of injuries the moment. So it does look like there's a lot of players, as said, Connor Chaplin netted a goal against Bournemouth earlier in the season. He will not be one of the players featuring tomorrow night.
00:21:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
With the squad we have, obviously with international break, there may be some players who may come back and feature. and We've got a brief cameo from NC, so when it was against Forrest and Palace, but you'd like to think hopefully with his goal, as we talked about during the international break, he could hopefully be a difference maker on Wednesday night.
00:21:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just really, which players you think can be a difference maker for us tomorrow night and in terms of who are available and which one would you like to see, you know, maybe with exception of the cliches like De Lapp, who else you think could probably be probably be a difference maker at the Vitality?
00:21:41
Rob Binns
Well, maybe not in terms of scoring goals, but think Twan Zaby, if he's back, will be a huge boost because we do, whatever solution we go for when he has been injured, he just hasn't been anywhere near as good, has And I know McKenna said, I think the word he used was judgments to have to make, which is effectively the as close as we'll ever get to saying that he might, saying he's basically going to be there, i would say.
00:21:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:22:05
Rob Binns
this So we know what McKenna's like, we know what the club are like.
00:22:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:22:07
Rob Binns
The fact that the fact that he's willing to admit he's been back in training and there's a decision to make to me, i think we probably see him in starting line-up because you're never going to come out and say, yes, he's back. we enough We don't do that, frustratingly at times, but sort of I've taken that. I might be wrong, but I've taken that as he's back fit and he will be part of the squad for Wolves, if not for Bournemouth for the weekend. And i think if he comes back and can play and eight or nine, either eight games or all nine of the ones we've got left, that'll be a big boost because we do just look better when he plays. I mean we've said, Godfrey's had like one game there and got torn apart by City, who obviously are very good in fairness, but then also, and Spurs as well.
00:22:52
Rob Binns
He's played some good players out there, but he's been torn apart. O'Shea out there wasn't too bad against Palace, but then didn't really work again the following game. Johnson, we've always said, in a five, very good, not as convinced in a four. that they days That's been an area of weakness. So if we can guarantee Twanze be fit and ready to play at least eight of the nine games left, that'll be a big help at the back.
00:23:16
Rob Binns
And so I'm hoping that I've read that correctly and I've not been duped by... so of i trying to overthink it almost with because we know we don't give anything away of injuries.
00:23:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
This is
00:23:25
Rob Binns
but So I'm hoping that that means he's back and from the start tomorrow night.
00:23:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, fingers crossed. Looking at the amount of appearances he's made this season, he's made 14 Premier League appearances, which is slightly less than half of the games available that he could have played this season. like it It does show of him that it's 50-50 of him whether he's going to be fit or not because he's been such that i agree he's been such a key player this season. like Maybe some of those games he's played we haven't yeah got a positive result from, but performances-wise and structures of a team, that there's a lot more there, isn't there?
00:23:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
And when he's not about, excuse me it is kind of a bit all over the place, isn't it? Is there anyone else, like, looking at the midfield, like one of those questionable players is Calvin Phillips, and we we did start to see a bit of a pairing between him and Kius.
00:24:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
They obviously are two lone signings, but if fully fit, do you expect that to be the pairing at the Vitality, will Sam Morse come back into play? Obviously, fair amount of time off now.
00:24:19
Rob Binns
right
00:24:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Everyone should be fully fit if they are ready to go, that is.
00:24:23
Rob Binns
don't i don't know I don't know if Phillips will be. his McKenna sounded optimistic, but he also said he had 20 plus stitches his foot, I think it was.
00:24:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:24:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:24:34
Rob Binns
know he's had a couple of weeks, but more than 20 stitches in one area, I can't see him being back to start. I also think that as important as both games are, I do think that the injured players, there'll be a bit more emphasis on that Wolves game. Maybe it may be bench against Bournemouth, give them half an hour, see how they feel.
00:24:56
Rob Binns
And then if you really want them to start, then if there's any sort of risk, I think you'd probably save it for Wolves, even though it's very important we go and get a result Wednesday night. I don't know, but this is my issue with Phillips. It has been from the start that he he I said it before we even signed of the problem him is every time he starts to hit run a run of form, he gets injured.
00:25:20
Rob Binns
He's he's had a couple he had a couple of promising games and so obviously partly it's unlucky isn't it? No one gets injured on purpose but it's happened again. He yeah he her feet had a couple of good games. He's then been injured. like Fortunately, this time it's been an international break. We can have a bit of time so he might come back but He just hasn't been able to build that runner form in there. And we're so unstaffed in there. If he isn't fit for this game, then we know it's going to be Morsi and Coyuste. And then, well, who do we look on the bench if someone has to come off?
00:25:49
Rob Binns
It's the same old problems, isn't it? But I'm hoping, like I say, he has hit that form. I'm hoping he can maintain that form when he comes back, whether that's this game or not. Because normally the way is with Phillips, he'll then take three or four games to get up to speed again.
00:26:03
Rob Binns
And we've only got nine left. So he hasn't got much time to be doing that.
00:26:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. yeah We're near the end of a season now, and I'm sure we'm sure we'll have like a a player ratings episode come May time. But just with Philips, because i I tend to brush him off slightly because it's always the most talked about topic whenever we ever do a crossover episode, because...
00:26:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
one well-known players we have, obviously. But, you know, I know you were very much not maybe on board of the signing at the start of the season. i'm I'm fairly certain that's going to be your answer again if I ask you here. But just more more of a general, like, has has he done enough this season? I know it's been difficult season for a lot of players this season, but...
00:26:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
it there's there's still not been that much, has there really? I mean, fully fit, there's been a few performances, but predominantly it's it's been out of the three centre mids, it might might might be harsh say, but probably been the least effective out the three. Is that too harsh to say? Yeah.
00:26:56
Rob Binns
No, like you said, has he done enough? No, he hasn't. That's the simple answer.
00:27:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:27:01
Rob Binns
He's got however many caps are England. He was in England's best 11 not that long ago, 18 months, two years, something like that. You'd have put him in Gareth Southgate.
00:27:14
Rob Binns
Gareth Southgate would have put him in his best 11, whether that be agreed by the public or not, I don't know. But that wasn't at the time.
00:27:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, 31 caps for England.
00:27:22
Rob Binns
He, on paper, despite his struggles... is more than good enough to be a nailed on starter in our, in our team. up Obviously, like say, we're under staff there.
00:27:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:27:32
Rob Binns
And he hasn't been that, has he? Like, it's still that debate every week is we sit here and go, Oh, Morsi or Phillips. that It shouldn't be a thing. Like, obviously we, we know, we know Morsi's brilliant, but when he come in, he was obviously, this is meant to be his opportunity to prove himself. was He has a tough loan at West Ham. He's barely got any minutes at City that we've got to March and we don't, and we still don't know if he's in our best 11 or not. That for,
00:27:54
Rob Binns
why he was brought in and the calibre of player he can be, it isn't good enough, is it? Like, he's been all right.
00:27:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:28:01
Rob Binns
We didn't sign him to be all right, did we? We signed him to be, signed him to sort of get back and let him start enjoying his football again and sort of show his talent again, which he hasn't been able to do for more than sort two games at time. It's exactly like I said, that it was risky.
00:28:19
Rob Binns
ah ah said it I said it, as soon as the link started, it's risky because it could go one or two. like It could go brilliantly or it could go like this. And unfortunately, I've been proved right on that front. as i Obviously, I didn't want to be proven right. I wanted him to shut me up and we play that clip back and have a laugh in May when he's been our player of the season. But he's proved me right.
00:28:39
Rob Binns
And there's been no reason for me to change. up like I've answered this question on crossovers and our own pods probably about once a month, I reckon. My answer has not changed since August and that's the problem.
00:28:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
No. Yeah. like Do you think it's maybe taught us this season, you know up or down, whatever whatever the outcome may be, do you think a sign like that is it is a good learning curve, regardless of the type of player to bring in? Because I think you you do need some Premier League experience in your squad, no matter if they're going to be a starter or not. you know I think Connor Townsend, for what he's come into the club to do,
00:29:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know, the brief cameos he's had, he's never really put a foot wrong. Is that the sort of experiment experience we should have gone for altogether? And then rather than a a starter who maybe best years are slightly behind them and their motivation to prove themselves isn't that great as it used to be or or not?
00:29:29
Rob Binns
no to be honest fan look Phillips is for a is a fantastic dressing room signing because of his experience like you say 30 odd caps for England has got Premier League titles orever he's played two games or whatever in the season at City but he's won Premier League obviously he's fantastic at Leeds he's a very well experienced player and
00:29:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah.
00:29:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
wait
00:29:52
Rob Binns
for the dressing room, that's brilliant because that's exactly what we needed. But you need him to show it on the pitch as well because you're limited on loans in the Premier League clubs. do You only get two and to use one of those, like, you don't want to use one of those just because he's good in the dress dressing room.
00:30:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:30:06
Rob Binns
like It's always that cliche. like I mean, it's happened with the England squad. We spoke about it, didn't we? happens It happens international level that people get called up because they're good in the dressing room and people complain, why not go and sign somebody younger? That,
00:30:19
Rob Binns
That'd be like when I've moaned some of the other options that ultimately there is that dressing room element, isn't there? That we could have gone assigned someone who's like Ben Sheaf or whoever, who's like 23 and good good at Coventry, but he's also never played in the Premier League. And there is that element there as well. And obviously there was a lot more confidence in the Phillips transfer behind the scenes than what I had and that they do know more than me.
00:30:45
Rob Binns
just because Just because on this occasion, maybe closer to what I said than what they said. There's probably... hundreds of different situations where I might think they don't know what they're doing and then they smash it out the park. but So there is that element in there. For the dressing room, he would have had a big impact this year.
00:31:00
Rob Binns
I do firmly believe that. I mean, again, it's international football is different, but I just think back to the Euros that Lewis Dunk went and didn't play a minute. Everybody complained, oh, if they're not going to play anyway, take a Bramf weight or someone for experience. But you've got vastly experienced career, Lewis Dunk, he's a great leader to have in the dressing room. him It used to happen Connor Cody as well. that That is a big element. And I can say Phillips was but was a fantastic for that. I'm sure he's played a huge role in that with his experience. He's picked up and helped people over the time. But so you've got to show on the pitch as well. And at times he has, but at times isn't good enough.
00:31:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, definitely. i think Moving on to the attack in the game as well because, yeah, i I'm in agreement, like you said about Fulicso, but just looking ahead to the attack before we wrap up today's show.
Player Developments at Ipswich Town
00:31:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Obviously, we'llll we'll definitely see De Lapp up top. Obviously, he had a good international break there. Training with the men's senior squad for England and getting a goal in the other 21s as well. But with the injuries we do have, the fre the free behind De Lapp is always a bit difficult now, isn't it? like who Who out of that would you like to see? Because I feel like fully fit, there's multiple combinations to have, isn't there? But with who's available, who do you expect and who would you...
00:32:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
most likely you'd like see make an impact to the game, to end Wednesday's game.
00:32:21
Rob Binns
I want to see the same three from the Forest game, to be honest. Amari and CISO, Villagin.
00:32:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep, yep.
00:32:28
Rob Binns
It didn't did particularly work in that game, but Forest are obviously a very good side and so Bournemouth. But that's that's the three for me. the i always I'm a big Broadhead fan as well. i would I've argued Broadhead to start many times, but I think after the international break, obviously,
00:32:46
Rob Binns
I mean, he got sent off in the first game, to be fair, but Amari's coming in off the back of a man of the match performance and a goal. So in terms of the confidence levels, then I think this would be silly to have him miss out.
00:32:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
They
00:32:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
all thought them scored in the break, didn't they?
00:32:59
Rob Binns
So this was exactly, yeah, that those three those three went away and scored as much as I like Broadhead, but there may be three struck who have struggled for confidence at times, but they've all just come away and had a positive international break.
00:33:12
Rob Binns
So for me, they're the three you play on there and even though that means putting one of Hutchinson and Philogene in a position they're not familiar with, because one of them's got to play off the left, and neither, obviously, both of them will prefer the right or in the middle in Hutchinson's case.
00:33:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:33:26
Rob Binns
But ultimately, that they're the three I think you've got to try and get in, for me, i think, in in that side of things, because they are also the three best markup options we have there.
00:33:39
Rob Binns
but I know, like i said, i'm I'm a big Broadhead fan. I've argued him to start a lot of times, but ultimately... everybody on form it's these three isn't it and you've got strike while the iron's hot like I say they've all scored a goal in the last week or so whereas but so hopefully that's a boost for them and they can kick on but we need we need a consistent three to keep playing as well that's my other thing that you don't build these relationships like I think of Chaplin obviously in Burns it's just Chaplin plays it without looking now because they played each other for a while but
00:34:10
Rob Binns
we can't keep chopping and changing this every week. We need two or three of them to build up a relationship together so they can start putting these little intricate moves together and we can start doing something. Whether it's too little, too late, we'll see. But yeah, Hutchinson, I'd go Hutchinson left, Philogene right and Cito through the middle for me and then obviously De Lapp up top.
00:34:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I'm in agreement there. Yeah, I think it's it's very much internet international individual quality. This is definitely the three, isn't it? And it's like, i think that's where a lot of the frustration is live this season with the likes of Hutchinson, where, you know, the quality is there, but just some things are missing.
00:34:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Before we finish up and before we get the score prediction, just look, just go back to that three quickly. You know, it was our record signing, as I mentioned in our quiz, was Jaden Villagene. what What's been taking him? What's been just aren' just around two months now he's he's come through the door, couple of goals at United, albeit quite jammy, goal in the FA Cup, sprinklings here and there. I think regardless if we're a Premier League side or a Championship side next season, I fully expect him to be at the club.
00:35:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
like but The few games we've seen of him, is there reason to be optimistic? It hasn't really set the world alight, but are you happy with how he's developed so far at town?
00:35:21
Rob Binns
he Yeah, I think it's still early doors, isn't it? Two months sounds like a long time, but how many games has it actually been?
00:35:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:35:31
Rob Binns
About five? Something like that that.
00:35:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it's that much, is it?
00:35:34
Rob Binns
There's different ways you can look at it, can't you? You can paint it. you work The wording can paint it in two different very very different scenarios.
00:35:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Seven.
00:35:40
Rob Binns
that but I mean, yeah, the goals, obviously, pretty much scored four by United, weren't they? But ultimately, how poor we are. in front a goal, two in seven games isn't too bad.
00:35:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Seven.
00:35:53
Rob Binns
And there has been signs there that it's just it's just a bit it's just inconsistent really, isn't it?
00:35:59
Rob Binns
That's the case for everybody. And again, scored a very well taken goal in the international break. The quality's there. just as It's just about showing it on a more consistent basis with him.
00:36:10
Rob Binns
But then that's also the same about the vast majority of the team for me. But he still gets in my strongest 11 at the moment. But he's probably the one, like somebody teetering on the edge of it for me at the moment. But I'd still be confident enough to say if I was going to put out what I think the best XI is, he would be on the right-hand side for me. But I'm also not far off having bring Broadhead in and moving somebody else to the right and having Philistine as the one who drops out.
00:36:41
Rob Binns
But I think give let him get to 10 games. So so the the two this week and the one week after And then i'll you can ask me again and i'll have a more finite answer for you, i think.
00:36:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Good, good stuff. Yeah, to be fair, like you said, it's been two moments, but it hasn't really been that many games, has there, since January of breaks and cups and all that sort of stuff. Before we go, we always do know on a preview show, but can I get a score prediction from you, please?
Predictions and Wrap-Up
00:37:09
Rob Binns
Yeah, it's a tough one. It's a head and heart situation again, isn't it? Because our big doubt ball game, but then also my head's still saying that we're going to lose, despite everything I've said.
00:37:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Always.
00:37:19
Rob Binns
But I do think it's a really good opportunity.
00:37:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay.
00:37:23
Rob Binns
And and so the issue with me is the goals. because I think Bournemouth score, but I really don't know if we get two. That's what's holding me up. I know we got two against Forest, but we didn't we didn't score the first one until we were down, but
00:37:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
No,
00:37:37
Rob Binns
but And so the other one was also when we were 4-1 down, that there they're not good time to start scoring. I mean, Richard said it before as well, that you can't back us to keep a clean sheet, can you?
00:37:50
Rob Binns
But I don't know. I said Bournemouth will score, but it's whether they score whether do we get enough to get a result still.
00:37:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
no definitely not.
00:37:57
Rob Binns
But I've got to be positive. and so Until it's mathematically over, I've got to go for it, whatever whether it just becomes delusion at this point, but I'll go 2-1.
00:38:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Lovely stuff. Yeah, blissfully unaware, blissfully ignorance can sometimes save you as well in these latter stages of season 2-1. Yeah, I mean, I'm on the crossover tomorrow, so you'll get my prediction then with our colleagues the Daily Bournemouth. But that was good it for today's show, Rob. Thanks so much for joining me. Thank you everyone for listening as well.
00:38:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
We'll be back, like said, for crossover tomorrow. We'll have an instant reaction episode that will come out in Thursday after the game. Then we'll obviously, it's thick and fast this week. So Friday's episode, we'll be looking at Towns game against Wolves at Portman Road this weekend. But that's gonna do it for now. We'll see you next time.