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Daily Ipswich: Episode 108 - Aston Villa v Ipswich Town Preview
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With the FA Cup in the rear view mirror Town return to the Premier League and the Midlands this Saturday to play Aston Villa. The two sides met earlier in the season at Portman Road where a fantastic solo effort from Liam Delap earned the home side a 2-2 draw, what will be the outcome at Villa Park this weekend?
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
Guest: Richard Popple
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Transcript
Match Preview: Ipswich vs Aston Villa
00:00:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello everybody and welcome back to another edition of the Daily Ipswich here on the Global Sports Podcast Network. It's Friday, we hope you're on a great week as we look ahead now to Saturday's clash for Ipswich against Aston Villa.
00:00:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
at Villa Park. The two sides met early in the season in what was one of the first signs that Town could maybe handle their business in the Premier League with a fantastic 2-2 draw against Emory's side. of A really great finish from Dilap to get our second. It was one of our i think one of one of my games of the season for Town to help me look at
Aston Villa's Season Analysis
00:00:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Saturday's game. I'm once again joined by Mr Richard Poppel. How are you doing Richard?
00:00:43
Richard
Yeah, I'm good, Tom. I thought I agree with you, actually. I think that Villa game was, yeah, we were we were pretty good that day. Made them look, dare I say, fairly ordinary. But, you know, they've had a bit of a mixed season, Villa, really, particularly with the Champions League stuff, a bit like Newcastle a couple of years ago, which seems to happen when a club first gets back there.
00:00:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:01:02
Richard
But they are very, very good. and So, yeah, it's going to be a hard old game, I reckon.
00:01:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. but I remember saying about that Villa game is that I think they went on to beat Bayern a couple of days later, I believe.
00:01:14
Richard
Yeah.
00:01:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't think it was after when they played us. And obviously there's that sort of thing of them, isn't it? How it's that European hangover where they perform poorly after. That wasn't the case that time. Craig from the Daily Villa said in the crossover special with ah Robin James on yesterday show how that's, there's no European hangover going into Saturday's game. So him as a fan is a bit more confident, which I guess for us, isn't great to see, but you know, away from home has been a bit more, I think positive this season for us then at home, which wasn't what we thought would happen going to season, but it has been the case so
Ipswich's Away Performance & League Importance
00:01:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
far. So hopefully that's the same this weekend. Yeah, probably football's back, Richard, isn't it? You had the FA Cup with, you know, fantastic winning.
00:01:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, it was a little bit of a championship opposition, but we very much, with our, a lot of players who wouldn't necessarily start, definitely held their own. It was a really, really good performance, but you know, we're now back in the Premier League again. Obviously we don't have to look too far. We have to look back at the Southampton game as much. I was on holiday side, I didn't really get it. It's always been nice to be out of that kind of, luckily that grab affair, but you know, every game is massive now as it has been for the start of the season. This is very much one of those again, isn't it?
00:02:16
Richard
Yeah, definitely. I mean, yeah, it's but we've got it's a 14 game, you know, sprint to the finish now, isn't
Challenges in the Premier League
00:02:23
Richard
it? Really? We need to pick up points. It doesn't really matter who we're playing. And I know all of the games, to be perfectly honest, look fairly difficult on paper. I think at the start of the season, we fell into that trap of thinking, you know, there's a winnable game or there's there's an opportunity for us to take points. And I think if the Premier League is taught as anything, it's that there are very few easy games, if any, at all.
00:02:44
Richard
And I think the quality of teams sort of six to 15th, 16th is probably a lot higher than it's really ever been before. The squads in the middle of the league are pretty decent and pretty competitive. So yeah, there are no easy games. You think Villa, I would say you would think on the face of it, they are better than eighth place, but they've lost seven games a season. They've drawn seven games a season. So, you know, they've been very fallible to,
00:03:11
Richard
to some poor results as well and that just shows how competitive the league is.
00:03:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. I think, yeah, it's, as you, as you, I think you kind of hit the head there, we want to go into games thinking, Oh, it's like, I think because we've had such a luxury position the past two years, especially league one and a bit of last season wasn't where you did kind of go into every match
Ipswich's Optimism for the Season
00:03:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
expecting. I'm not saying obviously we had that mindset at the start of the season. Cause I don't think any of us did, but that optimism can kind of get the better of you sometimes can't sit and you have to immediately sort of switch your sort of head space as a fan to go from one to the other. And I think that's what's been the toughest part of this season, but You know, I still think, you know, where we are right now, it's not, it's not desired, but I'm i'm still enjoying the ride and hopefully, you know, what we got just over, just under three months or just over three months left of the season. It's still plenty, I think, to look forward to. And hopefully this will be the case this weekend.
Ipswich's Tactical Approach: Attack or Defend?
00:03:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
What are your thoughts going into the game this weekend? and Obviously that's it's a tough opposition, but you know, I think.
00:04:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Post-Gerrard and Emery coming in, it's really been an absolute revelation, the money they got from the Greerless Transfer and it kind of rocketed from there, haven't they? Are you expecting us to go in guns blazing against Riverside, or do you think it's going to be sit back and hope for the best? You know, we've not wanted, that we've we've kind of been a bit negative towards that style of play, but you know, a quality op opposition like this, it's maybe can be slightly more expected and justified, I guess.
00:04:26
Richard
what to go for it.
00:04:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, I'm a bit of a latter, I'd say, where we do kind of just sit back a tad.
00:04:31
Richard
okay
00:04:34
Richard
yeah i mean
00:04:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm not sure.
00:04:35
Richard
we've we've we've We've tried that obviously haven't we and it worked ah to a degree against Arsenal when we went away and only lost 1-0 but we still lost the game.
Ipswich's Struggles and Need for Goals
00:04:44
Richard
and We then were very good against obviously Chelsea at home and and the Fulham game as well that followed that.
00:04:50
Richard
We obviously haven't picked up any points since that Fulham game and that feels like a very long time ago. So we've had four four defeats since then. I think it's just kind of imperative that we stop the rot. I mean, you know, I'd take a point obviously at the weekend. Points aren't going to keep us in the league, but I think to give ourselves any chance, we have to kind of stop the rot of of defeats really. and So I would expect them to try and be a bit more solid maybe than than they have been, but at the same time,
00:05:20
Richard
you know we need to score more goals for for for you know for us to have any chance in any of these games. And I feel like, because we did play well against Filler in that first game, hopefully hopefully that gives us a bit of confidence that we can kind of go toe to toe with them again a little bit. I mean, they're a very powerful side. and We've talked all season, we can talk in a minute about the midfield battle.
Midfield Challenges for Ipswich
00:05:44
Richard
I mean, you know on paper, they walk all over us in midfield. and um um Unfortunately, I think if that plays out on the pitch at the weekend, then it's going to be a very difficult afternoon.
00:05:53
Richard
But I do see a stick into a back four.
00:05:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:05:57
Richard
I'm not sure if we're going to go back to that back five because I think ultimately we we need to score goals if we're going to try and stay in the league.
00:06:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Well, we're kind of going to that midfield battle right now, not necessarily from a better perspective in terms of who, who we'll see on the day. But, you know, for me, like obviously I was away a bit when the January window slammed shut and, you know, we bought some great talent, I think, and see so and fill a gene and a few of the guys who came in as some Godfrey, you know, jury's set out.
00:06:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think that him, if he's really up for it at the moment, but there's some obviously primary role, there's some good players that came through the door, but I think, the era for me that I really didn't think was an era that needed dressing come the start of the season just because you know Phillips has been mausey has been so consistent in recent years and had a great start Q stay kind of found his feet say Phillips you know it's you know I'll get your opinion him in a sec but you look at those three guys and it's it's we've got some we have to rely on them so much now it's such an integral part of the field and you know this weekend again I can't come up against the likes of Tiedemans and John McGinnert two of the toughest nuts to crack in the Premier League
00:06:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
And slight tangent, I was kind of thinking, again, I don't want to think this way, but if we do go down next season, who's going to stick around? Who's not? Two of those guys aren't, obviously, lone deals, Mausi and Kiyuste, and Phillips and Kiyuste, sorry, and Mausi, you know, five times catching up with him.
00:07:08
Richard
Yeah.
00:07:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's an area of the field we're going to have to address even in the championship, regardless of the Premier League. So it's really, really, I know you had a lot to say about that, but, you know, where where does where where How much can we rely on the on those three guys or two of them at least in these
Calvin Phillips' Form and Fitness
00:07:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
games? Because it's it's such a difficult area of the field, isn't it?
00:07:29
Richard
Yeah, well, I guess we have to. That's, that's the sort of corner that we've kind of like backed ourselves into a little bit with that area of the pitch. it It sort of feels in the other positions, even the goalkeeper position, he's given himself or the the board or whoever has been you know sign signing off on these players. There are options in other parts of the pitch, but arguably the striker position, even though George Harris is now back to full fitness.
00:07:54
Richard
and the midfield there is a lack of options because he doesn't seem to trust Taylor to sit in a two and Taylor's never really been that player. and and Rob and I talked about him being the slight kind of fish out of water across the whole squad really of not really fitting a position in the Kenners kind of like side.
00:08:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm.
00:08:11
Richard
So it was a bit of a surprise that they kept Jack Taylor and it felt as if you know he would be a wild card maybe as a as a yeah ah pick. So I think, yeah, they've nailed their the colours to the mast really with these three guys. And I think you're right, you know, for a period of time in kind of November, October kind of time, Kyuste and Morsy were playing well. and And that didn't seem to particularly be the problem area of the pitch, really. But I think as the season's gone on,
00:08:37
Richard
And can you stay, uh, has struggled to kind of like find 90 minute fitness. And maybe that was a big part of the reason, obviously why Brentford maybe didn't pull the trigger on him in the summer. I think his his kind of ability to kind of control games has been nullified a bit. And I think the problem with the other two is that they've not shown consistent form across the season. Mausi seems to get caught by the pace of the game a little bit and Phillips for whatever reason.
00:09:05
Richard
is not the Calvin Phillips that we knew three or four years ago. So yeah, it's an odd one. and you know The club decided not to do much about that in the window. Maybe they tried and couldn't. But you're absolutely right. Come the summer, that is the part of the team that will arguably require the most change, I would think. you would You would probably need two or three players to come in in that position in the summer.
00:09:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just touching on Phillips there before we go to our first break, McKenna was in a press conference yesterday, just obviously previewing the game and he was asked about Calvin Phillips. I feel he's asked about Calvin Phillips every single press conference, as are we in our crossover episodes as well. Just kind of still, obviously he's not going to lambast the guy. He's not his character and it's not really the right thing to do, but just him saying how he's the the player who arrived in the summer is, he's a much better one now mentally and physically he's hungry to help the team.
00:09:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Which know I guess is is a good thing, but I've not seen much of it. If anything, excuse me I think he's decreased ever so slightly. Is that is that fair to say?
00:10:04
Richard
I don't know for about his decrease, but I certainly think he's plateaued. i don't I don't think there's been an increase in his performance levels maybe, but we don't really know the the state that Calvin Phillips was in when he came in in the summer. you know Clearly, physically, he wasn't in the best shape because it took him a very long time to get kind of fit.
00:10:24
Richard
it felt going into the season. And that was a bit of a surprise given that he'd been at West Ham and So maybe maybe, you know, physically he wasn't in the best condition, but more importantly, maybe mentally he wasn't.
00:10:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:10:35
Richard
And it sounds a bit like his confidence has been dragged through the mud over the last couple of years. And yeah, he was on a bit of a a tricky pathway really in Ipswich, obviously giving him that opportunity to try and come in and and and salvage some of that for both of our sakes.
00:10:53
Richard
And unfortunately it hasn't quite worked out with performances so far, but I think, you know, McKenna sees him every day. So I'm sure he's commenting on the fact that the player that he is working with now is somebody that is, that is perhaps performing on the training pitch and, you know, is mentally probably a bit more positive for want of a better word than, than maybe he was sort of six months ago.
00:11:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, he's one of those players, isn't he? like I think when he's at your club, you want you want any player to do well. But I think with him, he's just he's just he's been in the spotlight all season. you know He's kind of like, maybe not necessarily ability-wise, but he's the biggest enemy we have at the club, considering what what he's accomplished in the years before town as well.
00:11:25
Richard
Yeah.
00:11:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think that's going to remain the case as the season and goes on. We're going to take our first breakout when we come back. We're going to look at our opposition this weekend, that being Aston Villa.
Aston Villa's Champions League Impact
00:12:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we are back here on the global sports podcast network for daily ups, which thank you so much for joining us. Everyone, like I said, for the break, we are playing Aston Villa this weekend and you know, it's tough, tough game. Again, they've had a really, really fantastic trajectory. And in recent years with Emory coming in, like I said, at the top of the show, Jack the Jack British sale kind of rocketed him into where they are now in terms of the quality of player they can bring in top eight in the new format of the champions league. Obviously that's kind of that's all that's kind of scuppered their league from ever so slightly, but that was to be expected this year as I think everyone kind of looked at them this season. Before we get your thoughts, Richard, we'll just go for a little bit if you want to talk about these as well, but they were very busy in January as as as well. We, and I think City were the only other side, maybe financially were the busiest, but some big names coming through the door. I think a lot of these signings are genuinely players who
00:12:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
probably would only have joined after seeing how fantastic Villa did in the Champions League and got that automatic spot into the knockout round, rather than having to jeopardize their spot and do that playoff phase thing that happened this week.
Significant Signings for Villa
00:13:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
But some big names coming through the door. Don Yarmarlin, who was at Dortmund last season, 25-0 and got to the final last year, top player there.
00:13:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
to Sassy from Chelsea. Jury's out on him. he will be at We saw Portland Road this season. wasn't It wasn't all that great. Maybe being the spotlight at Stanford Bridge wasn't the best for him. Obviously, they've had a slightly better season, but still it's all kind of of a circus over there. And then the two big ones really for me, low moves, but they're still going to be ready to pull their weight, I'm sure, is Marcus Rashford, who you know there's can talk about him to the cows come home and I'm show you i'm sure he will in the next few seconds. Leaving Manchester United to go on loan, I think him and the new boss there were not happy with each other and it was kind of writing on the wall and then a big one for me, I think it's an aim, you know, you wouldn't have expected to be a villa, you know, two or three years ago, that's for sure. Marco Asensio, multiple time winner of the Champions League,
00:13:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
with Real Madrid. He wasn't always maybe the main guy at the score, but whenever he put on the white jersey, he always put in a fantastic shift as well. That's a huge name to bring in the club. Both made their debuts for the club as well, and the ethnic up against Spurs as well.
00:14:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, Rich Dessen, big names, aren't they?
00:14:07
Richard
Yeah, and they both look good as well when they came on. They look really good, in fact, in Sensio, just like, yeah, his touch and everything else was just quality straight away.
00:14:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:14:16
Richard
And Rashford hopefully will be hungry. Hopefully that's the kickstart that he needs for his career, because I think everybody would like to see Marcus Rashford, you know, flying again, because when he does, he's ah ah he is a really good and effective footballer.
00:14:28
Richard
Yeah, I mean, I think Villa, like I've got a bit of a soft spot for them anyway because I've got family that support them and stuff like that so it's quite nice to see them doing well again and you know for a long time they were kind of a bit of a sleeping giant of a club not really doing anything for well for a very long time I'm sure their fans would say and but yeah Emery it's it's all about the manager isn't it I mean I would put him maybe top three managers in the Premier League maybe third best manager in the Premier League.
00:14:58
Richard
I think just not necessarily because of the league position or whatever, but I just think what he has done over his career, that cups the the the European cups that he's won every time he takes over a club, he makes them significantly better pretty much.
Unai Emery's Influence on Aston Villa
00:15:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Awesome.
00:15:12
Richard
You could argue Arsenal was a bit of a failure, but Arsenal was so poor when he took over and I think they had a
00:15:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:15:17
Richard
they were going through like, you know, that time when everybody started getting in recruitment, you know, director of recruitment and somebody else was buying the players other than the manager and Arsenal, one of those clubs doing that. So he was working with people he didn't want to work with. So I think but I think as a manager, I think he's superb and he gets players, you know,
00:15:36
Richard
they perform a lot better, generally speaking. I think he took over when they were just above the relegation zone. and Look at where they are now. And and I know they've spent a lot of money, obviously, but they've spent it pretty well and they've sold well. You know you obviously mentioned the Grealish one, but selling Duran for 70 odd million for a player that you know the the Premier League highlights and everything will tell you that he's an amazing
Villa's Squad Strength and Ambitions
00:15:57
Richard
player. but The truth is the guys scored about 10 goals in his career or 15 goals in his career. So for them to get 70 odd million for him, I think is a superb bit of business really, because he didn't really fit in with the the sort of dressing room culture that Emery kind of demands and stuff.
00:16:13
Richard
So yeah, I think they're really, really impressive. I love the way they play. They're really direct. They're quite scary when they're at it. You know, they really, really fly at teams and they've picked up people like Morgan Rogers, who I think has got to be one of the signings of the last 12 months.
00:16:29
Richard
I think that was last January, was it? They bought him in for like 8 million or something from Middlesbrough.
00:16:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:16:33
Richard
So that's a brilliant bit of business because he looks like know he and Jude Bellingham will probably be the England midfield of the next sort of 10 years potentially he looks really really good to me. So yeah they're a very impressive outfit and I think the summer the January signings as you mentioned are only going to make them stronger again I think.
00:16:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it's it's very much like I think the players they brought in this this window just now it's its January can always be seen as an insurance policy type signing where you just kind of bring in players just to bolster depth.
00:17:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
And there's there's an aspect to that as well. But you know, big names like Rashford and Asensio, especially for two with jump. under I know they're low moves, but it does show their intent as a club for sure.
00:17:13
Richard
I mean, I could I could see them going really deep in the Champions League because I don't think anyone wants to play them over two legs.
00:17:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Touch your memory. Yeah.
00:17:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:17:19
Richard
And I think adding the quality that they have just gives them an extra edge. It just means that they can keep up their high kind of like pressured game for for the 90 minutes, basically.
00:17:30
Richard
And I they've already done brilliantly in Europe, but they they kind of comfortably finished in the top eight. And I think they'll give anyone a game in the Champions League. So an Emory's pretty damn good in Europe. So, you know,
00:17:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, very much. I was surprised they didn't win the conference league last year because I think it was a penalty shootout.
00:17:45
Richard
Yeah.
00:17:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, they beat Lille in the penalties. I can't remember what happened in the latter stage of the tournament.
00:17:50
Richard
I can't remember either.
00:17:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Anyway, it was a tournament you kind of expected to win given the quality you had in his European pedigree as well. i think yeah the champions there you can look at them with like I think there's kind of that aspect of the unknown when opposition play them because you know they haven't been in European competition for such a long time there's also that sense of like abandonment that are knowing you know they could be like that sort of attitude saying we're not meant to be here kind of thing they obviously are they put in a fantastic performance a year before to get there but you know the club's probably played and then not realizing that you know But he got the World Cup winning goalkeeper on this team and the guy who scored the winning goal for England in the semi-final last that summer, they got some top, top players. Just touching on Watkins there, he almost got sold in January to Arsenal. I know people are saying this is the club he supports
Ollie Watkins' Role & Potential as England's Striker
00:18:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
as a youth. and
00:18:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
also are kind of looking for that number nine he may not actually be fit this weekend i did the jury set out i think villa may be a bit more vocal about injuries in comparison to us but they are kind of holding their cards close to their chest as to whether he'll play what's your thoughts on ollie whatkins you know there's a lot of big names he'd like morgan moore just kind of came through i think it was brentford prior to Aston Villa as well, so not like a big money signings. Again, it's one of those players who just kind of grinded and then just burst onto the scene, like former Villa player Michael Richards did at Villa as well. And, you know, we're talking about Harry Kane's successor. We'd like to think that's Liam Dilapp. Watkins has already put in a great set for which, uh, Fringdon last year and, you know, got a bit more experience on him, hasn't he? Like, Isida Mann, you think maybe to lead England's line as well, post, post Kane?
00:19:18
Richard
I didn't necessarily think so. and But then, like i ah you know, I've seen him over the last couple of years and I think he has become a very, very good finisher.
00:19:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:19:26
Richard
And he's obviously, you know, he suits Villa's style of play really really, really, really well. Whether he's kind of like a top quality international player, I'm not entirely so sure about that.
00:19:37
Richard
But like the numbers over the past couple of years, particularly since Emery's come around, he's been really, really impressive. I think he scored nearly 30 goals in all competitions last year. So he had a great season.
00:19:47
Richard
He's not been quite as prolific this year, but yeah, he's ah ah he's a really, really good player, but I would...
00:19:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:19:53
Richard
What is he? He's not actually that young, is he? He's about 28, 29?
00:19:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, he is one second.
00:19:59
Richard
In fact, he's 29, so he's 30 this year.
00:19:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
He is 29.
00:20:01
Richard
So he's not that much younger than Kane, to be honest.
00:20:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes.
00:20:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, true. True.
00:20:05
Richard
But I would think, yeah, he'll probably be in the squad for the World Cup next year, and if he has another good season next year.
00:20:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:20:12
Richard
but you know it's weird It's weird, isn't it? Because even though Duran, we were told, didn't necessarily fit in with the with the kind of like dressing room and and and stuff, and they weren't that pleased with some of his kind of like training or whatever, you know they were the rumors anyway. Villa fans themselves, I spoke to a few of them, they they were quite split about who they would keep, either Duran or or Watkins. And a lot of that was about the age of the player. Because Duran's still a bit raw, doesn't quite have the record of Watkins, but he's seven or eight years younger. So you know you've got a significant period of time,
00:20:44
Richard
I was kind of surprised they didn't accept that bid from Arsenal, because I'm not sure if you're going to get that much for him ever again, really. But if he's going to be their linchpin forward for the next two or three years, and that's the plan, then you know he's he's he's a pretty effective one at that.
00:20:59
Richard
And I think the wingers play
Villa's Strategic Player Signings
00:21:01
Richard
off him really, really well. He knows his role really, really well.
00:21:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm. Hmm. Yeah, very much. So for him that in the league, the season, he's only, he's got 10 goals, which, you know, I've been guessing comparisons the season before wasn't as great, but you've seen this season. I think the likes of, uh, sort of Rogers and Ramsey and a few other guys like that, they've, they've, they've helped out the goals a lot more this season.
00:21:18
Richard
Yeah, yeah.
00:21:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
So he's kind of take a bit of a back foot, which hope you got those young players doing that. Duran did provide some goals, but they were all be off the bench and stuff. But yeah, I think that are just, you know, just after your point of start of this segment of the show here, Richard, i'm I'm a big fan of that as well.
00:21:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think. the quality of player they bring in it's it's and every single signing they make you can kind of you almost understand it straight away there's like a there's a big aim behind it you know i think own but when he signed pal torres again he played with emery at the lirao as well just a bit a big sort of european name and then they kind of just continue to do that this january of ascension and rashford as well so really really great steps forward from vida hopefully this weekend's not that in that case but
00:21:48
Richard
Yeah.
00:21:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
is a really well ranked club and it's it's good to see isn't it. We're going to take our final break and we come back we're going to look at how Town hopefully will may line up this Saturday as well as giving our predicted scorelines.
Historical Context: Ipswich vs Villa 2001
00:22:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we are back here on the daily sort of final part of today's show, previewing town's trip to Villa Park tomorrow. Richard O'Donnell, are you aware of this? I don't even know why he would be. But the last time we played Villa in the Premier League at Villa Park was Make up a date here.
00:22:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was the 17th of December, 2001. And a young Thomas Krak was at that game. I do recall going to that as on the few away trips. There were a few away trips I made but back in the day when we're in the Premier League.
00:23:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Obviously Portland was a lot easier to get to, but, you know, the Midlands being from where I am is not that far either. So I do remember going to the game. We did lose 2-1, which I think, you know, is a pretty score on that many a sort of touting.
00:23:14
Richard
Who scored? Do you remember?
00:23:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't, I mean, make quick just keep thinking to yourself and um I'll get up here because I'm intrigued as well.
00:23:21
Richard
That was the relegation season, was it? I mean, yeah.
00:23:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was, unfortunately. Let's have a look.
00:23:26
Richard
Herman Haridison.
00:23:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's have a look, see. Was he with us? It was Steve.
00:23:31
Richard
Yeah, he was there.
00:23:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
So we we took the lead, Alan Armstrong, on the 30th minute.
00:23:35
Richard
Alan Armstrong, classic, Into Milan.
00:23:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, and then a double from Julian Joachim. That name escapes me, I'm afraid to say.
00:23:44
Richard
Julian Joaquin.
00:23:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah assist from Steve Staunton and Paul Merson with an assist as well. That's not far we're going back in and that game.
00:23:50
Richard
Wow, there we go. Yeah.
00:23:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah, so trend as as many things obviously, 24 years since we last played in many of these Premier League grounds. But yeah, that's just I kind of popped into my head as we were talking about, as I did go to the park when I was younger, wore a white knight, a nice so white green king away
Ipswich's Goalkeeper Choice
00:24:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
kiss.
00:24:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's one of the things I guess I take from that trip.
00:24:08
Richard
nice Nice.
00:24:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah, we're we're back there this weekend, Rich will go through the Your predicted lineup will just sort of go through at the positions as a whole. I assume we're going to have Palmer in goal.
00:24:17
Richard
No. Well McKenna was asked that today
00:24:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think, you know, 14 games left, he was brought in for a reason. Muhrich experiment very much has not worked. Walton seemingly still out as well.
00:24:26
Richard
no
00:24:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Would you expect and have Palmer in goal?
00:24:31
Richard
well mckenna was asked that today And he said, a new goalkeeper, Alex Palmer, did everything you would want from a debutant. And it was the perfect game to put him into, which was the Coventry one.
00:24:42
Richard
There's a possibility he will start a Villa.
00:24:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:24:45
Richard
It gives us the type of options that we want. We'll pick what we think is right for the game. Well, we can't be chopping and changing our goalkeepers, obviously. doesn't it doesn't work.
00:24:56
Richard
I don't think that. we've already done enough of it this season, to be honest. I think you're right. I i I mean, it sort of showed where we'd got to really with the mirror situation, unfortunately. And that's a combination of things, you know, the player's confidence, maybe the players around him's confidence, you know, the fans getting on him, all those kinds of things. And obviously his performances in general, but, and no one likes to see that particularly, but you know, at least the club have reacted and I think, yeah, Palmer looks like a ah more solid option for sure. So I think he he will make his Premier League debut. Yeah.
00:25:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah, I think, yeah, bang on with, from kind of very, as well, of like the perfect game for him to start, you know, against, against the championship opposition.
00:25:36
Richard
Yeah, definitely.
00:25:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's very much aware of that, that level of competition, but also getting to getting with his new teammates and all this sort of stuff.
00:25:39
Richard
Yeah.
00:25:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. I think he has, he has to stop. The Murishes has not worked. I think from the start of the season, we were all kind of a bit, some of us were a bit perplexed and that never, no.
00:25:53
Richard
Yeah, no, it hasn't it hasn't worked. And, you know, i i'm I'm sure the club probably hold their hands up with that one.
00:25:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, definitely.
Ipswich's Defensive Strategy
00:26:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Are we having a back four or a five?
00:26:04
Richard
I think about four. What do you think?
00:26:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think so. I mean, I was very, very passionate about the five late December, early January. And you know, we had that little run with the, the good performance at the Emirates and then when I get to Chelsea and then what was almost two wins in a row of Fulham and then we kind of just kind of deteriorated from there.
00:26:22
Richard
Yep.
00:26:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it was. Brighton when we had it and it didn't work and we kind of, I think we've maybe deviated since then. And you know, it's it's one of those things where I was i was very much for the impression that, you know, Rob bob said, you know, sides will obviously then change their tactics when they're paying it to five as opposed to four, which which is what which is what happened. But I was still under the impression that sometimes the best defense is the best attack and in the the way we have been going forward this season. I thought getting an extra person back there would have helped us and might have propelled us on. but we've seen to be found out albeit we did play love one city and some of those games as well so I think four or five it might not necessarily been a difference maker to be honest but I think now
00:27:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
As you said at the top of the show, we need we need points wherever we can get them now. It's not a matter of let's put five against you know your cities, your Chelsea's, your Arsenal's, et cetera, and put your fours against your Southampton's, Leicester's, and Everton's, or whatever. We have to have this information regardless. And I think it has to be a four now. I do. I think we need to start chugging people forward. The players we brought in in January, you know,
00:27:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
two of the biggest ones were attacking ones in the form of Philogene and in CSO. It's getting both from the pitch and maybe maybe a couple more attack and we can't be suppressing that.
00:27:28
Richard
Yep.
00:27:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I think, yeah, we have to before moving forward. Personnel wise, who do you think could be there this weekend?
00:27:37
Richard
Well, this is the difficult thing to predict, isn't it really? Because I think not only has the formation been changing a lot, but the personnel has been changing a lot. and ah ah you know There's multiple reasons for that, I'm sure, but at the back particularly, there has been so much dropping and changing and like that that cannot have helped.
00:27:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:27:53
Richard
with the kind of like continuity and stuff. So, I mean, O'Shea, it seems to be the kind of like nailed on one that you you're always going to see along with Davis, obviously on the left hand side.
00:28:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:28:05
Richard
And then I would, you know, is it Greaves or is it Burgess? And it will be to Anzabe, I would imagine if he's fit.
00:28:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, that's the thing, isn't it? We never know, really, especially to Anzabi, he's been such an up and down season for him injury wise. Like, you know, for me, he's nailed on right back. But with injuries and the way we are with announcing them or lack of announcing, should I say, it's hard to know. But I think, yeah, for me, he yes, I think I agreed with your entire back for that. I think O'Shea Davis in twins AB that that second sense of that role has been really difficult.
00:28:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think that brief cameo we had from Burgess in the latter stages of last year, that's really good. You know, you spent 20 odd mil for groups. He was always going to be that guy, but it's, it's been difficult to have a constant pairing, isn't it?
00:28:43
Richard
Yeah, but he's not. And if I'm honest, he's not had a good season. Like I don't, I think he has struggled a little bit and I think there may, there could be some fitness things there as well, but I think he struggled to get a bit of a rhythm going.
00:28:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm. Hmm.
00:28:56
Richard
And Burgess, even though I think Greaves is a better player overall and has a better sort of certainly a higher ceiling. there's just something about Burgess in the team with Davis that seems to kind of like work a little bit, so I'd maybe be tempted to go for Burgess personally.
00:29:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
What were you thinking about Ben Godfrey? and is I know it was a lone move, but you know I think we kind of brought him in, maybe expected to play that right back role, maybe if he had a five, or the the right of those three as well.
00:29:17
Richard
Yeah, I don't know.
00:29:25
Richard
and
00:29:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is that just a case of, because obviously he wasn't getting many many minutes, I don't believe, at Atlanta this season, so he kind of wanted that, but it does seem to be the case as well, where we're not having him as our starting centre back, but it's a good pass to have off the bench, I guess, isn't it?
00:29:42
Richard
I think so. i'm not I'm not entirely sure. I think he was brought in as cover, he was brought in as somebody who, you know, obviously Harry Clarke went out to Sheffield United, so they had to get another defender in there and he's obviously got the versatility to play centre half as well and probably a bit, you know, in that in that sort of right wing back position maybe.
00:29:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:30:02
Richard
But I think when Thunze came back in and got fit, I think he was always the number one choice because of because of the form that he was showing at the start of the season. he He more than anyone looks at home in the Premier League and looks like he can cope with the Premier League. So I think it's important that you get as many players as you can that have been part of the club for a little while so and to be in the team. Because I think that's that's been one of the problems, isn't it? is we've We've had so such a high turnover of players that finding the right combinations has been really difficult. so and Yeah, I think, I think he's a good squad player and I think he was brought in with a bit of Premier League experience and stuff, which is obviously useful. But I think Tuann Zebi and O'Shea are ahead of him on that right hand side of defence and maybe even Wolfenden in the back four as well.
00:30:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, I think I'm in agreement with you there. We touched on the midfield pairing earlier on ah ah earlier on in the show, but who who do who do you
Midfield Lineup Decisions for Ipswich
00:30:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
have there? and it's it's It's difficult, isn't it?
00:30:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
like I hate the fact that I'm losing sort of passion in this area. I think it's the lack of depth. It's the lack of depth in this one, though, because and because usually you like to think, oh, well, if that guy hasn't played well, we can bring in this person.
00:31:06
Richard
Yeah.
00:31:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
But then there's only one, like it said Taylor's not going to be there. I think only in a, a bleak cup game, but he'd make an appearance to this as in in this area of the field. So it's either, you know, two or three, isn't it?
00:31:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
And can you stay? I think the season has been the best out of those three, but as you said, that he's a 60 minute player and I don't know if that's a fitness issue.
00:31:27
Richard
Yeah.
00:31:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
It surely has to be, but there's been so many occasions this season, hasn't there? Where? he's the one to go off out of out of one of the midfield pairings and it's kind of left you scratching your head as to why because he's been like the most consistent and you know he can bolster up the field and all that sort of stuff that the other two really can't but yeah is it just a case of Mausing yeah yeah
00:31:39
Richard
Mm hmm. Yeah.
00:31:50
Richard
Yeah, he has to play. He has to play, because I think if you know, if we do manage to catch villas, you know, get to get them out of position higher up the pitch where they've bombed on with, you know, teal humans and Morgan Rogers and the wingers and whoever's up front for them.
00:32:05
Richard
If they've got a few players up and they will, they'll attack with quite a few at the same time. And we managed to nick the ball.
00:32:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
And.
00:32:11
Richard
He's the player that can break the lines, can keep hold of the ball, can maybe beat to one of the midfielders and, you know, pick a pass. So he has to play, I think. I mean, it's pick your poison, isn't it?
00:32:22
Richard
I suppose they've had a week off. So maybe, you know, Morsy's recharges batteries a little bit is good to go again. And for a few weeks, we might get a bit more of an energized Sam Morsey, but I think it's going to, you know, i I would say about this, this might be a good game for him because even though they are, they're quality players, the McGinns, tea lemons, people like that. Morgan Rogers is the one with power and pace. So he's the one to be kind of like worried about.
00:32:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:32:49
Richard
But I think I think Morsy can mix it up with the other two a little bit. So I think it's about picking your battles and trying to put put players next to people they can they can actually maybe win against. And I think they they could have a bit. He could be all right. He could hold his own against T lemons and and McGinn. He would struggle against Rogers for sure. But maybe can you stay with a bit more power can can take that one um so yeah i think i'd go to you stay and and mauzy but as you say can you stay probably not going to do the 90 so we'll we'll see philips probably at some point as well
00:33:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, bang on.
Ipswich's Attacking Options
00:33:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
but almost but I assume we're going to have Dilap up top, but the three behind, you know, neither her, Steve, I'll just get a cleaner on. But with with the three behind, where where are you at with that?
00:33:26
Richard
no
00:33:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because I think and see so the in the brief bits we've seen from him, it's been really impressive. And, you know, he's got a bit of a shot on him.
00:33:42
Richard
Yep.
00:33:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Broadhead every time he's see's played for me since, you know, I think his return against Arsenal has been really, really impressive. fill a gene against his old club. We haven't really touched him actually twice, which is quite a big game for him as well.
00:33:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
But then, you know, there's a lot of outliers there and like Amari Hutchinson is, you know, it's something's just not right at the moment, unfortunately for him. And then there's a few other lads as well. I think Sponix will be injured for this one as well.
00:34:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
But there's a lot of names in this part of the field who we could potentially have starting, but four more just lack of quality at the moment.
00:34:05
Richard
Yep.
00:34:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
It isn't really the case. Like where's your head out of the three here because it seems like harshly maybe even consider leaving someone like Hutchinson out of it but I think a game like this you may have to consider it I'm not sure.
00:34:26
Richard
Yeah, i don't I don't see it as being harsh. I see it as kind of like maybe utilising him in a different way because I think there was so much expectation on him and he's not had a bad season at all, but he but he's just found it difficult and I think that's probably to be expected.
00:34:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:34:45
Richard
So what I would do, because if because I think Ipswich become very limited later in the game and we've become so much less of a threat as the game goes on generally speaking is I would have Hutchinson on the bench for the game because I think he can be that impact player for for the last 20 to 30 minutes. Luca Dean doesn't particularly want to be you know running with Philogene for 60 minutes and then running for another 30 with the Murray Hutchinson but that's exactly what I would do because I think one
00:35:15
Richard
Hutchinson has been in the team the whole season. And I think sometimes you could argue whether form has sort of dictated that or not, or or, you know, warranted that place sometimes because he has dropped other people, you know, he's taken Mausie out of the side on a couple of occasions, you know, those kinds of things. So he seems to be the one alongside the lap who hasn't been taken out.
00:35:40
Richard
And I just think that players always need that. You need that incentive to kind of like win your place back, no matter who you are and how old you are or whatever. So I i don't think i don't see that as a negative thing at all. I just think that that's part of a footballer's career.
00:35:52
Richard
And I think he would benefit from it. He would benefit from just having that 30 minute cameo where he's like, all right, you're fresh, go and do some damage. And I think town would benefit from that because we need that threat later in the game, particularly if, you know, the laps going to come off after 75 minutes, which he probably will. If you bring on a fresh Hurston Hutchinson in around the 70 minute mark, I think that's great. I think that means we carry a threat until the end of the game.
00:36:16
Richard
So I would start broadhead because he completely deserves to be in the first 11 on the left and see. So in the center, cause you're right. He's a threat. He'll shoot. he's confident. He's Premier league proven and then fillaging on the right and just say, look, you can see your old club going, go and have a ah run at the left back and and try and find some joy. And then, and then you've got those subs to make an impact later in the game.
00:36:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm. No, no room there for Jack Clark. You got a brace in the Midlands week for back in the Midlands this week. Hasn't earned his spot.
00:36:47
Richard
he He'd be on the bench, no, he'd be on the bench. I think Smodik's, they've said that he's not too bad and he might be able to be playing some part as well.
00:36:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:36:55
Richard
So if you've got him, then you've got options for taking off NCSO and Broadhead as well.
00:36:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, lot of quality.
00:37:00
Richard
But I i wouldn't have him starting though. Would you?
00:37:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, no, no, I wouldn't either. I was just playing devil's advocate.
00:37:07
Richard
Right, right, right.
00:37:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah, I think, you know, he's one of the I think we're looking back at the commentary game a week or so. I think most of us are in agreement that the players really started from that game who would then start on this game. I think maybe it's Philogene and Palmer, but the majority wouldn't get into the 11. But it's, I think it's, it's, you can make the same case, as you said, for Hutchinson there in terms of coming on the latter stages. I know Clark's predominantly come off the bench this year for what we expect to do. That sort of role hasn't really worked out, but hopefully his performance last week we can get out of them for sure.
00:37:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
So yeah, that's our predicted
Match Predictions: Ipswich vs Villa
00:37:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
lineup. Can I get a score line from you, Richard?
00:37:41
Richard
Well, if I'm going with my head and heart, yeah, if I'm going with my head, then I think it's probably a comfortable win for Villa.
00:37:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. So head and heart, isn't it?
00:37:55
Richard
maybe 2-0 to Villa. But my heart, maybe we nick a draw again and it's 1-1.
00:38:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, ah ah i'll I'll say the same for you. Maybe it'd be the same scoreline as when I went there 24 years ago. But I think it is a chance for, you know, for some reason, unless you can give me a, and maybe can give me a reason why, Richard, but for some reason, we've we've been back on the road this season that we have at home.
00:38:19
Richard
We have, yeah.
00:38:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think maybe it's it's that sort of sense of kind of like on a mission type top mindset. i think Sometimes when you have that at home support, it distracts you a bit because you get more people on you than against you, which is yeah having the whole crowd kind of against you, kind of spurs you on a bit.
00:38:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
So maybe that'll help us out as well. But yeah, i my my head my heart says a 1-0 as well. would I think we can score a goal. They've conceded a fair few this season, that and they've got a lot of injuries at the back as well.
00:38:45
Richard
Yeah, it's true.
00:38:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think Pal Torres and Carlos and a few of the other guys are injured as well.
00:38:51
Richard
I think as reconza might be out as well.
00:38:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes, yes, he is as well. So there's a lot of, there's a lot of injuries there as well.
00:38:54
Richard
Yeah.
00:38:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, you know, I'm sure any, any striker, especially the quality of the lap, when they see that they're starting center backs aren't there, that's always going to put you in, in good, good sort of mindset going into the game.
00:39:01
Richard
Yeah.
00:39:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Cause he, he ran past Torres to score that really good goal in the second half of Portland road.
00:39:06
Richard
All right. That's brilliant.
00:39:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
So if he's not there at that day, I'm playing, I'm playing against his replacement. So yeah, that's a good thing.
00:39:13
Richard
look We we definitely definitely gave them problems that game for sure.
00:39:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:39:18
Richard
and Yeah, I agree.
00:39:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's my favorite game of the season. And that's weird to say.
00:39:19
Richard
I agree. so you know what what I certainly don't think we'll get a battering, but you know I think, yeah, my my my head says that Villa are too strong, but you know i'm'm I'm sure that we can cause them a few issues as well.
00:39:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:39:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely. It's a shame they weren't playing at the Champions League knockout phase this past few days, but they played too well, unfortunately, but that's going to do it for today's show.
00:39:36
Richard
Yeah, it is. It is a real shame. Yeah.
00:39:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Richard, thanks so much for joining me and everyone, thank you so much for listening. We hope you have a great weekend and we hope the town do as well. Join us on Monday and we'll be recapping the game as well as previewing the week to come as well.
00:39:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's going to do it for today's show.