Ipswich news: Opinion - Resilient Ipswich show fight at Goodison
What an evocative experience it was visiting Goodison Park as an away fan on Saturday (even if my view from the away end was compromised by steel rafters and pillars!).
The pre-match scenes were exactly what I hoped for, and while the buoyant atmosphere amongst the home fans waned as Town got themselves back in the game, you could easily imagine what a vibrant place it could be for a bigger match.
While the new stadium will lack the character of its predecessor, the key is to ensure the existing fanbase give it a soul by creating a new shared history. Stuffing it full of corporate hospitality and pricing out generations of supporters that made Goodison special would be a huge error by the club.
As for Ipswich, Saturday's game very much had the feeling of looking ahead to next season. While Julio's Enciso's worldie rightly drew the headlines, it was great to see the likes of Jack Taylor, Conor Chaplin and George Hirst in particular make key contributions – all of whom will likely be key players in 2025-26.
While Taylor hasn't necessarily shown that he has the influence to be a regular midfield starter in the Premier League, his second half against Everton gave some insight into what Kieran McKenna sees in the former Peterborough man. The hope is that he can dominate more a level down.
Hirst meanwhile demonstrated once again his abilities to lead the line in a way that brings others into the game. His impressive towering header to earn the point was the least his efforts deserved.
After a taxing second half of the season, it was great to see us demonstrate the kind of resilience and determination on Saturday that this club has shown consistently in the EFL under McKenna. It will be needed back in the Championship if we are to bounce back at the first time of asking.
Find more from Richard Woodward at the Blue Monday Podcast, external
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
26 minutes ago
- The Independent
Tottenham sack Robert Vilahamn after poor WSL season as summer of change continues
Tottenham have sacked women's first team head coach Robert Vilahamn after two years in charge. Vilahamn led the club to an FA Cup final in his first season at the club alongside a sixth place finish but Tottenham have decided to part ways with the 42-year-old after Spurs finished second-bottom in the Women's Super League this campaign. The Swedish coach joined in 2023 and was handed a three-year contract extension last July but only relegated Crystal Palace conceded more goals than Vilahamn's side in a disappointing season. Tottenham managing director Andy Rogers said: 'There have been some special moments during Robert's tenure, including reaching the FA Cup final for the first time. 'However, results and performances this season have not been to the level we would expect and now is the right time to make a change. 'We should like to thank Robert for his professionalism and efforts over the past two seasons, and we wish him well for the future.' The decision leaves Spurs seeking new managers for both their men's and women's teams after Ange Postecoglou was sacked on Friday. Thomas Frank is the favourite to succeed the Australian, who led the club to Europa League triumph to end their long wait for a trophy. Key Daniel Levy lieutenant Donna-Maria Cullen has also departed in a summer of change in north London.
Daily Mail
28 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Revealed: Liverpool set to make final offer for Florian Wirtz after Bayer Leverkusen REJECTED £113million offer for star man - and the eye-watering fee sources say will seal the deal for No 1 transfer target
Bayer Leverkusen are holding out for around £118million to wrap up the Florian Wirtz deal and the German club are braced for Liverpool to make another big-money bid in the next 24 hours. The German attacking midfielder is expected to play in their Nations League third-fourth play-off this afternoon against France in Stuttgart – but attention will soon turn to completing his move to the Premier League. Leverkusen are resigned to losing Wirtz but are keen to maximise the finances they receive for their prized asset, who has his heart set on joining Liverpool after turning down Bayern Munich and Manchester City this summer. On Friday, Liverpool tabled an offer to Bayer Leverkusen for Florian Wirtz of £113million, which was a base £100m with the rest coming in add-ons. That was rejected as the German club are asking for £126m – though the Reds are unprepared to go quite that far. But sources in Germany say Leverkusen are now ready for what will likely be a final, written offer from Liverpool that could total £118m when factoring in bonuses and add-ons. At this stage the clubs are discussing the details of the deal in terms of the bonuses and Leverkusen are said to want an increase in add-ons whether achievable or not. All parties are confident a deal can be struck as Wirtz is said to be desperate for the move and Leverkusen are not planning to stand in his way – if they are remunerated in a fair way. Meanwhile, Liverpool are hoping to step up their pursuit of Bournemouth left back Milos Kerkez in the coming days. The Cherries remain insistent on their £45m valuation but Reds transfer chief Richard Hughes, once of Bournemouth, will try to negotiate that down. After the Wirtz and Kerkez deals are wrapped up, the Premier League champions will look to balance the books. Federico Chiesa is weighing up a return to Italy after barely featuring for Liverpool since his switch from Juventus last August. Sales of Darwin Nunez, Harvey Elliott and Kostas Tsimikas could also happen, though nothing is advanced yet.
ITV News
30 minutes ago
- ITV News
Boxer Fabio Wardley hails Ipswich fans after last-gasp knockout wins hometown heavyweight clash
Boxing star Fabio Wardley hailed the dedication of his hometown fans after he delivered a stunning late knockout to win his much-anticipated heavyweight clash in the dying minutes. But despite securing victory against previously unbeaten Australian Justis Huni in Saturday night's clash at Ipswich Town's Portman Road stadium, he vowed to improve in the future after admitting he was far from his best. Ipswich fighter Wardley, 30, only started boxing at a local gym when he was 19, taking part in just four white collar fights before turning professional. He has since risen up the heavyweight ranks at breakneck speed, culminating in Saturday's historic bout in his home town - the first time Portman Road has ever hosted a boxing event. However, with the rain pouring down, for much of the fight it had looked like Wardley's big night would turn out to be a damp squib as Huni dominated proceedings. Huni, 26, had only stepped in at late notice after Wardley's previous opponent, American Jarrell Miller, was forced to withdraw from the contest because of a shoulder injury. With timing running out, Wardley's trademark power once again saved him though - a savage right hand in the 10th round sending Huni crashing to the canvas. The remarkable finish will live long in the memory of the 20,000-strong crowd in attendance, and after the fight, Wardley said the victory wouldn't have been possible without the support of the fans who braved the wet weather to get behind him. "There's been so many great fighters who have great fan bases, great support," he said. "They can shift a bunch of tickets, and even then, they still don't get to pull off a stadium fight in their home town. And little old white collar Wardley has somehow pulled this off." Reflecting on his performance, Wardley added: "Performance wise, I am much better than I showed tonight but sometimes you've got to do what you've got to do to win. It's not always going to be perfect. "I am going to have to figure things out on the fly and grit through it, and fortunately I have got that in me. I've got to learn and these fights make me better." The knockout was Wardley's 18th in 19 fights, and moved him a step closer to a potential world title shot. Wardley is now ranked number one by the WBA - meaning he could be in a strong position to face the winner of the Oleksandr Usyk v Daniel Dubois fight next month. Whatever happens in the future, Wardley has at least now achieved his lifelong dream of fighting at the home of his beloved Ipswich Town, and given fans a night to remember. "He showed a lot of resilience and grit in there," said Wardley's promoter, Frank Warren. "It only takes one punch. He found the punch and he did it. He did the business in style. That's what he is. He's a fighter."
