In short
Ipswich Town’s goalless draw at West Brom (Hawthorns) and what it means for promotion—Ipswich now need one win to go up. The hosts also preview the next match at Southampton (rearranged FA Cup semi-final week), discussing tactics, key players, and likely pressure scenarios.
Guests
None. The episode is hosted by Roscoe and Stu, with audio quotes from Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna and captain Darragh O’Shea.
Guest backgrounds (from audio)
Kieran McKenna is Ipswich manager. Darragh O’Shea is Ipswich captain.
Key claims
The point was “hard-earned” and Ipswich were resilient after a shaky first hour; Christian Walton’s saves were decisive; Ipswich missed chances (especially Ivan Azazon) and West Brom had late momentum but couldn’t convert. Walton’s season clean-sheet record is highlighted as MVP-level.
Notable examples
Walton’s save to stop Cedric Kipre; Azazon’s missed chances (including a lob attempt and a shinned volley); a disallowed West Brom goal for offside (Cedric Kipre); Southampton preview includes their FA Cup run (pushing Man City) and form (17 unbeaten).
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VOAnalyzing the Goalless Draw with West Brom
0:45 to 2:42
Discussion about the recent match against West Brom and its implications.
“I can't believe there's another game tomorrow.”
Kieran McKenna's Insights on the Match
2:42 to 3:55
Reflections from Kieran McKenna regarding the draw and team performance.
“Some really good moments where we did show the resilience.”
Factors Affecting the Match Dynamics
3:55 to 4:49
Exploration of external factors influencing the match and team performances.
“And I feel like this has been very much of a typical town away game where, I don't know, for the first maybe hour or so, we looked very disjointed, a bit lethargic, maybe because of the away games we've had recently.”
Missed Chances and Player Performances
4:49 to 6:35
Discussion on key missed opportunities during the match and player contributions.
“one bit of pressure starting to build around Ipswich, which you have to take into account.”
Christian Walton's Key Saves and Season Performance
6:35 to 10:03
Overview of Christian Walton's performance and his importance to the team.
“especially with that first half of town.”
Christian Walton's Journey and Future Prospects
10:03 to 14:00
Further discussion on Walton's career trajectory and his impact on the team.
“And I think a little bit of fatigue started to creep in for them.”
Walton's Performance and Future Prospects
14:00 to 16:05
Discussion on Christian Walton's key role in recent games and future as a goalkeeper.
“pushing and supporting whoever's been the number one ahead of him.”
Dara O'Shea's Assessment of the Match
16:06 to 16:42
Dara O'Shea shares insights on the draw against West Brom and team performance.
“on the draw and that will hopefully lead us into our next talking point.”
Pitch Conditions and Tactical Insights
16:43 to 18:30
Analysis of pitch conditions and their impact on the game, along with tactical discussions.
“Look, since James come in, they've been an excellent side.”
Media Experience at West Brom
18:31 to 19:24
Hosts discuss their media experience during the match and media arrangements.
“So West Brom, welcome to Roscoe's black book of clubs that I will be having words with about media scran for photographers.”
Show all 21 chapters
Photographers and Celebrations in Football
19:25 to 21:53
Discussion around photographers capturing moments on the pitch during significant matches.
“I tried my best to get the snaps that we needed because there'll be, you know, pitchers will be looking back on for many, many years to come.”
Upcoming Promotion and Expectations
21:54 to 24:06
Hosts reflect on the current season, promotion hopes, and the pressure surrounding it.
“And that was just incredible, the manner in which they did it as underdogs.”
Comparisons and Reflections on Past Promotions
24:07 to 26:20
Hosts compare the current promotion situation with past experiences in previous seasons.
“regardless of what you spend and who you are is tough.”
Looking Ahead: Match Against Southampton
26:21 to 28:00
Preview of the upcoming match against Southampton and expectations for the team.
“Southampton, yeah, it was a 1-1 draw, wasn't it, at Portman Road in, was that, that was an August game, wasn't it?”
Ipswich's Approach Against Southampton
28:00 to 30:50
Discussion on Ipswich's strategy and mindset for the upcoming game against Southampton.
“Maybe that was a little bit of the FA Cup being in the back of their minds.”
Potential Heroes for Ipswich
30:50 to 37:10
Exploration of players who could make a significant impact in the upcoming match.
“Of course, this is the rearranged game because I've, of course, got to the FA Cup semi-final.”
Expectations and Predictions
37:10 to 41:13
Hosts discuss their expectations for the upcoming game and the team's mental strength.
“to build some resilience over the course of the season.”
Closing Thoughts and Anticipation
41:13 to 42:00
Final reflections on the game and the pressure on Ipswich as they approach key matches.
“We're in agreement that they will need that win, aren't we?”
Pressure on Town as Season Winds Down
42:00 to 42:51
Discussing the mounting pressure on Ipswich Town as they approach key matches.
Women's Team Achievements and Future Prospects
42:51 to 44:34
Highlighting the success of the women's team and their future under new management.
“but Stu any other business from yourself as we wrap up the latest podcast no no other business I better crack on with sorting tomorrow's ADT and Ipswich star out, which will build up to the game.”
Marathon Feats and Community Shout-Outs
44:34 to 47:42
Celebrating local achievements, including marathon runners and a world record.
“But Town, now actually ninth in the table, they're going to finish.”
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:08Ross Halls:Hello everybody, it's me Roscoe and welcome to the latest episode of the Kings of Anglia podcast sponsored by Medical Art UK who sort you out with all your cleaning business for your car and of course they're a local Suffolk company so go and support them, use the code KOA10 to get a good discount and we're here to bring you a big podcast, well not too big because it's only me and Stu. My friend, how are you? We're going to be breaking down Town's goalless draw against West Brom. That was a big point. And Town now, just one win required for promotion. How are you, my friend?
0:42Stuart Watson:Very well. Thank you, mate. Yeah. I can't believe there's another game tomorrow. It just seems relentless at the moment. It has done in the thick of, what was it, eight games in 27 days, 28 days to finish the season. We've had a couple of those stints already. So there's not too much time to digest. And there's probably no need to digest Saturday's game too much. We'll touch upon it. But it's all eyes on tomorrow night and St Mary's for sure.
1:12Ross Halls:Yes, indeed. The Saints, of course, took Man City pretty much to the end in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley. They lost 2-1 but took the lead in that game. But then Man City, of course, Pep's team came back to win. But we're getting to Southampton very shortly. But let's talk, Stu, about West Brom and the Hawthorns, a team who still needed to get a point, just in case, about relegation, because they got a two-point reduction prior to the game, but gave us a pretty game, you know, really. They're a team who had a bad start to the season, but they're unbeaten in nine, now unbeaten in ten. Just your early reflections on that before we hear from Kieran McKenna.
1:56Stuart Watson:on the whole game you want a sort of a snap verdict on it or fair point good point far from at their best but all things considered I'll take it
2:10Ross Halls:yeah I'm pretty much the same it won't be a game that will live long in memory maybe the outcome potentially because of what's hopefully going to happen but yeah 0-0 draw has a go it was very much just yeah defence were solid teams missed chances and all that jazz but let's hear from Kieran McKenna before we get into my my new favourite thing five talking points on the game and everything else in between but here's Kieran McKenna on the draw Yeah I think a really hard earned point to be honest it was always going to be a tough game for many many different reasons that I could list and yeah so it proved the first half in particular was difficult they had probably a little bit more momentum than us and energy and crowd and it was a difficult day to play a good football anyway despite irrespective of the time of the season and the game schedule we're in so it was tough and we had to see off some pressure and really important to get to half time at 0-0 and I think that's been something this year that we haven't always done well enough when we've been away from home and against momentum so there was some good things in there to get that clean sheet in the first half to really dig in.
3:23Ross Halls:Some really good moments where we did show the resilience. Of course, it needed a good save from Christian as well. And then I thought we pushed on well in the second half and we moved the ball better and pressed earlier really so we could get the ball back quicker and probably last 35-40 minutes we were the team. So certainly the last half hour, the team really pushed to win it. So hard-fought point for many reasons. They are all important over the course of a season and hopefully will ensure that this has been a really important one. And Stu's in the brackets once again in the game of two halves, potentially.
3:59Ross Halls:And I feel like this has been very much of a typical town away game where, I don't know, for the first maybe hour or so, we looked very disjointed, a bit lethargic, maybe because of the away games we've had recently. But I don't know. West Brom, of course, they're on the atmosphere. Fair play to the Baggies fans. And they really brought the atmosphere, a really lovely sunny day at the Hawthorns. But yeah, that first half, Stu, I think we're very lucky to be still goalless at our time.
4:27Stuart Watson:Yeah, I'd even extend that as far as the first hour of this game, really. Certainly the first 55 minutes or so, West Brom, the more energised team, the more likely team in this match. But there are various factors behind that. one bit of pressure starting to build around Ipswich, which you have to take into account. Two, everything around West Brom at the moment. We had the announcement fairly late in the day on Friday about their two-point deduction for an alleged breach of financial rules, which clearly they feel a major sense of injustice about. It's a very strongly worded club statement, which has alluded to the fact that they're probably going to challenge it.
5:15Stuart Watson:and that finished with the phrase, for now we'll settle this on the pitch. So it was clear that there was some extra motivation. A club that were mathematically safe suddenly needed a point to be sure of safety going into this and you could feel it in the atmosphere, couldn't you? The anti-EFL chance started before a ball was kicked. They continued throughout the game. I know looking at some of their player interviews post-match that they fed off that and they certainly felt it and it would have been part of James Morrison's team talk. And then throwing the fact that they're actually one of the best teams form-wise in the division at the moment.
5:53Stuart Watson:It seemed to be running into a few of them at the moment. Norwich were, Southampton clearly are, and West Brom are right up there as well. As you say, 10 unbeaten now, and they've only conceded four goals during that period. So, yeah, this, out of all the games when we were starting to look at the last few games, This was one that concerned me more so than others in terms of being a potential banana skin. So to come through it with a nil-nil draw, lots in there that can still be improved upon. But I think I take the positives of the clean sheet and the resilience and getting something.
6:34Ross Halls:Yeah, that is the sort of first point of my five talking points is a fair point overall, especially with that first half of town. but they came back in the second half and created a little bit. But there's just missed chances, Stu, which is my second point. And Ovan Azon, unfortunately, is going to get heavily focused on because he had a massive chance in that first half. And he's just missed so many this season, Stu, hasn't he? He works well off the ball. You know, he works hard. He really does hustle and bustle and that. But what lets him down is his missed chances. He's not a clinical finisher, unfortunately.
7:08Ross Halls:Yeah, of course, he's on loan this season. I'm sure there's going to be a lot of discussion in the summer. you know should he come permanently and all that how are you feeling about Ivan Azam
7:17Stuart Watson:I think you've summed him up in in a nutshell there there's a reason why he's really popular amongst teammates and supporters to an extent because of his his likable personality his you know infectious smile his work rate as a player can never be questioned puts himself out about every game, battle centre-halves, runs the channels. But it has been his finishing that's let him down this season. He's stuck on five goals. He should comfortably be in double digits. It's been a theme throughout the season, hasn't it? I didn't think either of the misses in this game were on the same level as the one against Charlton last Wednesday night, where it was just scuffed against his standing leg.
8:04Stuart Watson:but I'm just trying to think of the two chances in this game. There was one where the keeper was off his line and he had a chance to lob him and that was way off target, wasn't it? Didn't even reach the goal. What was the other one? Remind me.
8:20Ross Halls:Casey McAteer sort of crossed into the box and he had like a... I thought it was going to be a shot from Casey McAteer but it was more like...
8:28Stuart Watson:Yes, yeah. McAteer sort of completely shinned a volley at the back post, didn't he? and it went straight to Ivan and he just didn't quite react quick enough and ended up spooning it over the bar, didn't he? And I think you can always tell from a player's reaction how big a chance they think that was and head in hands, I think he knew that was a big chance. So not quite in the bracket of the guilt-edged chances that he's missed this season, but nevertheless, they were two decent chances in a game of there was always going to be few chances for Ipswich. So this was a match they had to be clinical in.
9:05Stuart Watson:He wasn't the only one. By the way, Jack Clark as well had a couple of decent chances in this match. A little snapshot in the box that he put wide of the post. But the big one was a fairly comedic air kick in the second half where a ball went across the box and fell to him invitingly. And he just swiped it, completely missed it, which is out of character for him.
9:32Stuart Watson:So, yeah, I mean, if one of those chances had gone in, we'd have been talking about, you know, what a focused, resilient away day display it was where they managed to grab something. Just a little bit of me thinks, you know, as much as I'm not dissatisfied with a point, a little bit of me thinks that actually in that final half an hour, West Brom were there for the taking. Their intensity in the crowd had faded. They're a team that have pretty much, you know, the team has been stamped out week in, week out. And I think a little bit of fatigue started to creep in for them. It's which had the fresher legs and the better players to introduce off the bench.
10:12Stuart Watson:And the momentum was all with them in that final half an hour. And they weren't really able to make that count. So that's the slight disappointment that you take away from this game.
10:21Ross Halls:Yeah, of course, they did actually have the ball in the net because Cedric Kipre scored. But it was offside, which was I don't think.
10:29Stuart Watson:I only saw it once on a small replay screen, but I think he had just strayed offside when Philogene hit the shot that was parried.
10:37Ross Halls:Yeah, and Philogene, I thought, had a better game as well because I was frustrated with him at Charlton and he came off the bench in this one and sort of brought some life on that left wing role because, yeah, as you mentioned, Clark sort of, I don't know, off the ball work was not great and we've been praising Clark about that recently, but this season, the last few games, been a bit poor, but yeah, missed chances, Stu. but defence, that is what wins you titles or wins you promotion and they have been key, haven't they? Not the Portsmouth game, but just as a whole, this team has been solid. Christian Walton is the man we've got to praise because he made some key saves in this one.
11:12Ross Halls:For me, he's the MVP and a lot of people will probably praise Jack Clark for his goals and other players like that, but Christian Walton, this has been coming into the team. He's got 15 clean sheets, which is pretty good going. I think he may miss out on the Golden Glove. I think Carl Rushworth of Coventry fame, he's got 16. So we've got two more games to go for Christian Walton. Could we get clean sheets in the next two games? Potentially. But, yes, Stu, he's been MVP for me and another key moment for him in this game, you know, making some big saves.
11:46Stuart Watson:Yeah, I mean, he's in the hunt for it. I'm just having a look. Carl Rushworth's on 16 with one game left. of course Coventry done won the title now I don't know who they've got on the final day but you know the motivation isn't going to be fully there for them is it and Christian is just one behind 16 clean sheets for Upswich as a club this season Walton's kept 15 of those himself and he's got two chances to add to those obviously Southampton always is a big ask for him to do that but yeah when you talk about him being MVP are you talking about this game in particular or even maybe in the conversation for the whole season?
12:27Ross Halls:The whole season, to be honest, because he came in to replace Alex Palmer. I didn't have a great... Well, it wasn't really his fault. You know, we lost against Charlton, but since then, he's been really key. You know, he's had some games where, oh, you should have saved that here and there, but he's, you know, saved a massive penalty away at Watford. He's kept, you know, as I said, 15 clean sheets. He's had such an interesting talent career, hasn't he, Christian Watford? And especially last time in the Championship, he got injured at the start of the season and then Vaklav Galakli that still still haunts you it does he of course comes in and was the star in goal but now Walton is sort of going could I now potentially be the main man in goal to win promotion
13:09Stuart Watson:what did we call him Vaklav Smooth didn't we yeah that was another
13:14Ross Halls:translate thing that's right
13:16Stuart Watson:yeah yeah that feels like a long time ago yeah Christian's journey, League One promotion hero, injured on the eve of the championship season, loses his place all season to Hlaki, who was brilliant, had to bide his time. We wondered if he would go. He stayed. He signed a new contract. He finally got in when Mjuric got dropped, only to get injured himself, and he was going to go out and sign Parma. Again, he sticks around. And, you know, when he signed, I remember him, you know, he'd had a series of loan spells, and he just said, I just want to find a home. I want to get settled. Full credit to him, he's stuck around when he could easily have left at different junctures.
13:57Stuart Watson:By all accounts, he's been great behind the scenes in terms of not sulking, pushing and supporting whoever's been the number one ahead of him. And he's taken his chance. Yeah, you're probably right. He is in the conversation with the way he's going. And he was clearly the man of the match in this game. There were other contenders. certainly in the defence, but his saves were what made the difference between Ipswich getting a point and not getting one. The one in the first half was the big one, wasn't it, where he spared Cedric Kipre's blushes. That was a howler from Kipre, just completely unaware of the danger around him, let the ball bounce in the box, and thankfully Walton was there to sort of smother the shot.
14:44Ross Halls:Yeah, I'm looking forward to sort of watching back. if someone's going to put together a Walton compilation of his saves this season, there's some really good ones in there. I just think he should be in the conversation for MVP. We'll obviously do a season review, and that will be my pick early doors because I think he has just been key. You know, defence have been solid this year, but there's been times where Walton's had to really, you know, be called upon and has made some good saves. So, yeah, and just nice for him to hopefully have that moment, be the town's championship promotion winning goalkeeper.
15:14Ross Halls:I do feel sorry for Alex Palmer a little bit because, again, he just got injured at the wrong time because I felt like he was sort of now getting himself up to speed because, you know, he struggled in the Premier League, made some OK saves, but was part of a struggling team. Then this year, the start of the season was, you know, really up and down because we weren't winning games. But, yeah, Walton, of course, come in and has taken that role. It's going to be interesting, isn't it, going into next season? You know, will Kieran McKenna stick with those two or will he go on, find and have a goalkeeper?
15:42Ross Halls:but that's nice.
15:44Stuart Watson:I think that will all be dependent on what division they find themselves in. Yeah, those are conversations for another day, I would suggest, Ross. But clearly a lot of love for Christian Walton because he's one of the longest-serving players. He speaks so well. And he's got a big role to play in these next two.
16:04Ross Halls:He does indeed. We're now going to hear from Dara O'Shea, of course, Townskipper, on the draw and that will hopefully lead us into our next talking point. Darragh, I'll be to you, my friend. Darragh, what was your assessment of that one this afternoon? Tough game against a really good side. A side that shouldn't be here but they've obviously found themselves here. Yeah, and a point, a point in the right direction. You know, it was important we didn't lose the game today. It was important we, you know, kept a clean sheet which we did and yeah, a really difficult pitch today. I'm not sure if you could kind of see on the side but yeah, it was a really difficult pitch and yeah, I'm proud of the boys, you know, We hung on for that.
16:39Ross Halls:We got a point. And yeah, we move on to Tuesday now. Because they played more like a team that was unbeaten a nine rather than 20th on the table. Yeah, yeah. And that's it. Look, since James come in, they've been an excellent side. And they've been doing really well. And they've got some amazing players as well. It's just a shame they found themselves here. And we knew it was going to be tough today. And it was. And we had to work hard for it. And we did. And yeah, like I said, it's a point in the right direction and a point that we're really grateful to have on the board. Yes, Stu. A good point.
17:08Ross Halls:we knew going into the game because Millwall drew with Leicester on the Friday night that, you know, it was just must not lose. And they didn't do that. They could have went on to win at some point in the game, but they didn't. But just, yeah, a good point overall in a game where I don't, I can't remember when I was actually pitch side, seeing the pitch, I thought it looked fine. I wasn't playing the football on the pitch. But Kieran McKenna also mentioned the surface as well.
17:35Stuart Watson:Yeah, he did. Talked about it sort of being hot and dry and a bubbly surface. Wasn't massively apparent from my vantage point in the press box, but McKenna's been big on having pristine pitches at Playford Road that they've spent millions of pounds on to sort of replicate Portman Road and the best surfaces that they play on. And that was a big part of the preparation for the Premier League, sort of practising on the same surfaces that you're going to play on every week. But yeah, by all accounts, this wasn't quite there, but it would be fairly low down on my list of reasons why this was a tough game and why it's a good point.
18:17Stuart Watson:I mean, it's a small factor well below West Brom's form, West Brom's motivation, promotion pressure on Ipswich, all the things that we've already mentioned.
18:27Ross Halls:Yes, indeed. Anything else from the games, Stu, you want to mention? I will put on record that West Brom are in my bad books because you guys got a nice full English and I get sandwiches in the photographer's room. So West Brom, welcome to Roscoe's black book of clubs that I will be having words with about media scran for photographers. But anyway, I'm not bitter at all. I also had to spend£2.80 on a water because there was no water available in the photographer's room. so that is£2.80 I'll never see again but it was refreshing water but anyway Stu, any other business from the game?
19:04Stuart Watson:Apologies for your for you not being allowed into the very nice media room at the Hawthorns I love that one there, it's a big glass front I was allowed afterwards
Read the full transcript
19:15Ross Halls:they went yeah you can go up but before the game I went oh can I nip up and they went oh no this photographer's room over there I went oh okay
19:22Stuart Watson:Talking of photographers I'm going to go down a little side discussion here um you've obviously seen the scenes from rochdale york at the weekend and i mentioned this to you if you look back at the scenes when york score their hundred and whatever it is minute equalizer that seals promotion in the epic national league title race some of the first people you see racing onto the pitch are photographers and i'm assuming they're they're york club photographers or maybe even local photographers who follow them every week they're just dropping their cameras and running onto the pitch how would you be in that moment ross you said to me it might be that they're they're losing their long lenses and switching to a different camera they still had cameras on them but they weren't
20:09Ross Halls:taking pictures from what when i watched it myself i was like because you you want to make sure you're on the pitch first because you can get those scenes of you know players celebrating and the manager and stuff like that um obviously i've had experience of town's pitch invasion when we got promoted to the Premier League. And I was professional. I tried my best to get the snaps that we needed because there'll be, you know, pitchers will be looking back on for many, many years to come. I remember Bloomer's part of the Coway posse mentioned when we were at Coway Road, he went, you were so professional.
20:41Ross Halls:Because, you know, when the town pass was celebrating, I was trying to capture those moments. He was really professional. Like, if I was in your position, I'd be like really like celebrating and like really going for it. But I've got to do my job. We've got to get those snappy snaps and make sure we've got images for the paper. But yeah, watching that back, I think they just were just so just, they couldn't believe that these photographers probably, and they just, yeah, they were on the pitch and they were just celebrating. They were like doing fist bumps and everything, but I'm sure they settled down and got the pictures they needed.
21:08Ross Halls:But yeah, that game, man, that's incredible. Like National League is just incredible. Both teams getting 100 plus goals and yeah, Rockstall's fan, dearie me. You know, I know you're celebrating a late goal, but they've just sort of ruined it really for Rochdale because pitch invasion there to then. Yeah, incredible. I don't think there's goal line technology there in National League because it was the liner who's decided the ball was over the line.
21:33Stuart Watson:Yeah, had a bit of everything that, didn't it? Some controversy with the manner of the goal. If that doesn't get the kind of two-up campaign over the line for the National League, I don't know what will. I'm probably gone down a side.
21:48Ross Halls:no no it works a little bit Stu because um town on cusps or promotion themselves one two games to go two cup finals as they say Southampton next up and then QPR on the final day um how are you feeling about it all we before we started recording we were like I don't know it just feels really weird you just had your press conference with Kieran McKenna this morning uh for a big game against Southampton but yeah we were saying off record like it doesn't feel the sort of same as the last promotion even the league one promotion more like you know really buzzing really getting into it like excited to sort of record i think it is because expectations maybe the season hasn't gone the way we wanted it to be well it potentially will be because they're going to hopefully get promotion but yeah still it's just feels a bit
22:37Stuart Watson:different yeah strange strange is a word i've used on an awful season really um it does feel different but of course it's going to feel different because the landscape has has changed um the league one promotion season was finally um things are turning for this football club and you know finally this four-year stay in in the third tier is over so that was kind of i guess relief mixed with joy um with that one then the following year is completely different because it's, wow, against the odds, we've got the chance to go back-to-back and end a 22-year absence from the Premier League and be back with the big boys and rub shoulders with X, Y, and Z.
23:27Stuart Watson:And that was just incredible, the manner in which they did it as underdogs. And then fast forward with a sort of a bruising relegation and loads of money having been sort of splashed about a little bit and targets on their back and the team that everyone else wants to fail.
23:46Stuart Watson:Yeah, it just feels different. I think it's kind of, I don't know, is it more bad nerves than good nerves going into this? That of like, we've got to do it. Don't mess this up. Next year could be different. Tottenham could be in this division. Parachute payments will be running out. We should be doing this. There's an expectation level on this team, which is maybe a little bit unfair because the championship, regardless of what you spend and who you are is tough. It's unforgiving. And Ipswich have got themselves in pole position and that is not to be knocked or sniffed at at all. But you're right, it does feel completely different to last time.
24:27Stuart Watson:But if we're making comparisons, two years ago, Coventry away, midweek, penultimate game of the season. What a night that was. Could there be parallels with St Mary's in Southampton?
24:37Ross Halls:yeah because both teams were FA Cup summer finalists as well playing against Manchester clubs which just makes it just so similar and so strange and pushed them all the way as well
24:49Stuart Watson:Coventry you know came within a kick and then got to penalties and Southampton yeah hadn't dawned on me that side of it as well yeah
24:57Ross Halls:yeah as I said it's both away games you know Coventry that night will live long in memory for all of us everyone you know there's like images of town fans like, you know, biting their nails. I think there's one guy like sort of like just, yeah, incredible scenes at the Coventry Stadium. And then, yeah, St Mary's. Hopefully we're going to feel the same, maybe not going to those late nerves, but it is just one win required, Stu. And yeah, it's going to be interesting to see how we approach this game. We've got some audio we're going to play from Kieran McKenna. You asked him about that. But just, yeah, Southampton, my friend.
25:34Ross Halls:They're a team in form. They haven't got Flynn Downs, though. So that could be a good factor in that midfield battle. But, yeah, they've had a strange season as well, haven't they? Because they had a terrible start. They were destined to potentially get relegated alongside Leicester. But they've been on an unbelievable train. You know, semi-finalists in the FA Cup. Fair play to them. And then, yeah, they're trying to now push to get into the top two, which they may just, you know, fail on. Fair play.
26:02Stuart Watson:Just one win required. that word just is doing a lot of heavy lifting there isn't it going into two games absolutely you would take that situation going into the final week here and mckenna said that after the game a situation we'd have all or a position we'd all have taken would you take it if before a ball had been kicked if this had been offered up to you would you have taken it probably possibly not in some cases a lot of talk about ipswich winning the title um you'd have talked about the points tally that Ipswich would have been on, sort of fighting to get to sort of the mid-80s points tally, you might have been a little bit underwhelmed had that been described to you rolling back to last July, August time.
26:47Stuart Watson:I don't know. Southampton, yeah, it was a 1-1 draw, wasn't it, at Portman Road in, was that, that was an August game, wasn't it? It was quite early on. Both teams, you know, clearly finding their feet after relegation. well there wasn't a lot between them I didn't think at Portman Road that day but Ipswich's squad was still being built likewise Southampton there's not a lot that can be read into that match yeah what can we say about Southampton 17 unbeaten in the league going into this one knocked Arsenal out of the FA Cup pushed Man City all the way on Saturday we just have to hope that that has taken a lot out of them mentally, emotionally.
27:33Stuart Watson:We saw the come down of Ipswich post-Norwich East Anglia and Derby win and then going to Portsmouth a few days later and being nowhere near the best versions of themselves. Can that be the case with Southampton? I watched a fair chunk of their 2-2 draw against Bristol City last midweek and I thought they looked a little bit jaded in that one, came from behind twice to get a point from that. Maybe that was a little bit of the FA Cup being in the back of their minds. Maybe that's just you tired legs and minds like Ipswich. They've had a crazy schedule of rearranged games because of that Cup run.
28:17Stuart Watson:So it sets it up brilliantly, doesn't it? Because a draw is no good for either team. Both are teams that naturally like to attack and go toe-to-toe. There's an argument that these sort of games suit Ipswich better. Ipswich have gone and done the double over Coventry. For example, the Achilles heel has been the more defensive, deep-block sides. Can they go and do something special again? I wouldn't rule it out.
28:42Ross Halls:No, and we've got some good memories going to St Mary's in recent years. Of course, Setter Morsi's late goal in the Premier League, then the Mario Hudson goal and did his sort of backflip celebration. Hopefully that will continue the trend on Tuesday night. Let's hear it, Stu. You asked Hiram Kenner, is this a free hit? And his approach for this game speaks well as always. Here we go.
29:06Stuart Watson:How do you approach this game, given that winning your virtually secure promotion, a draw in your feet doesn't make that much difference? Do you just really go at this, treat it as a bit of a free hit? What's the approach?
29:20Ross Halls:Yeah, I think if you go to try and win the game now, if going to try and win the game was, you know, play seven up front and that, then we do that. But we do that every week. It's about, you know, picking a team and a strategy and a game plan that we think is the best chance to win the game, whatever that takes. And that's, as always, respecting the opponent and their threats and respecting and looking at our strengths and how we can impose them. So I don't think it changes too much, to be honest, in terms of how we approached the game because there's not an away game we went to this year and not tried to win or had the messages of going out to win.
29:56Ross Halls:What's probably different in reality is, yeah, when it gets to the last throws of the game where there's times over the course of the season and it's half an away game, you can kind of accept and say that a point is not bad. Saturday was probably one of those where we knew in the later stages of the game that a point was a pretty good result. If it gets to that point late on Tuesday, both teams are going to be going for the win and we're at a different stage of the season. Either team or both may accept that a point is a good result. No one's going to settle for that. So I think it's more about maybe how the game finishes if we're in a tight game.
30:34Ross Halls:I think that the start of the game and the game plan is as we have all season, trying to prepare it as well as we can and pick whatever team or whatever strategy and whatever the key bits of the performance to try and win. So Stuart, sounds like it's going to be one hell of a game, hopefully. Of course, this is the rearranged game because I've, of course, got to the FA Cup semi-final. Yeah, I'm going to give you, I'll put you on the spot here. I want you to give me a hot take in terms of who you reckon potentially could be a hero on the night. You know, the last time against Coventry, we had Cameron Burgess scoring that goal, a sort of striker finish.
31:14Ross Halls:Of course, Kiefer Moore scoring himself as well. Those two players who probably stood out in that game as hot time in terms of heroes. But any player that's come to your mind that potentially could become a town hero that will be in folklore?
31:28Stuart Watson:Well, by the Burgess logic, maybe is it the left-footed centre-half? Is it Jacob Greaves, who was on media duty this morning, looked cool as a cucumber? He's a very relaxed character. He was talking about how the team have really bonded together through all this travelling. They've had the various rearranged games, a lot of time together in hotels and on team buses and how they're playing. What's the website? Footballgames.com or something. And they're doing various football quizzes on the coach, which is a big part of our trips to various different places. Yeah, maybe Jacob Grease. If you ask me who I want it to be the most, I mean, Wes Burns back at the weekend.
32:17Stuart Watson:Are we about to see Wes Burns in an Ipswich Town shirt for the final one or two times over this next week? He's out of contract in the summer. Wouldn't it be nice if someone like him, who's been here throughout this remarkable journey, was to have a big moment? Or maybe the skipper, Daro Shea, who I think has been, you know, he had big boots to fill in coming in and taking on the armband from Sam Morsi last summer. And by his own admittance, it's taken him a little while to kind of feel comfortable in that role and find his voice. But I think he's been, from Wrexham away, that 5-3 onwards, he's been magnificent.
32:55Stuart Watson:He's been consistent. He's been a leader. I'd love to see Dara get his head on the end of a set piece and write the headlines. That'd be great. What about you?
33:06Ross Halls:Yeah, I'm very similar with Dario Shea. I think, yeah, he's been, it's took a lot of fans a little while, which is understandable, you know, with, you know, trying to fall in love with a new captain after Sam Mourley, what he did. But I think because of the Norwich sort of games, and he has been one of the town's most consistent performances since that Wrexham game, he's been unbelievable. And he will be hopefully the captain to lead his team back to the Premier League. And, yeah, it'd be great to see him finally score a goal. He scored away at Borough early in the season, but that was consolation in the end.
33:39Ross Halls:But I think we both predicted him to be our first goal scorer at some stage this season, which just hasn't happened since that Borough game, sorry. But yeah, that would be nice. Any other players?
33:52Stuart Watson:How about this? Christian Walton. You laugh. We've just heard Kieran McKenna say if it gets to the final few minutes and it's a draw, which is no good for either, both teams are going to go for it would they throw the goalkeeper up in stoppage time to think we've got nothing to lose, everything to gain we were talking about this in the car weren't we on Saturday and I said to you have you ever seen a goalkeeper score live in a game and neither of us has had and the one time
34:22Ross Halls:I technically have that was a women's game against Southampton it was the FA Cup town women in the FA Cup and yeah it was I think Town I forgot I think Town winning 2-1 and then in like the basically last kick of the game their goalkeeper comes up and scores to make it 2-2 and takes the game to penalties thankfully Town went on to win on penalties but that's the only time I've seen a goalkeeper score that was I will admit I did sort of like go wow just that was just unbelievable scenes for Southampton point of view but yeah Chris Martin of course
34:57Stuart Watson:the Plymouth game from League One if you remember that was a massive game high stakes two teams going for it at the top end of the table, his former club. And he got on the end of that corner. It was a towering header, wasn't it? And Michael Cooper with a really acrobatic arching save to tip the ball over. That's the closest.
35:14Ross Halls:I think then went over. I think he tipped. The crossbar went over, yeah.
35:17Stuart Watson:Yeah. So I don't know if it would be throw goalkeeper up territory if it was level towards the end of the match. But yeah, someone with that connection to the journey that they've been on would be great. Or as I say, Dara. But, yeah, I mean, it should have all the ingredients of a really good game. I mean, going back to that, people keep making comparisons, but the 3-3 against Hull at the back end of the promotion season, what a ding-dong match that was, probably the most sort of entertaining spectacle I've seen as a football match live following Ipswich Town, 3-3, Ebden flowed, attacking football, both going for it.
35:57Stuart Watson:And this has all the ingredients of a similar sort of game, doesn't it?
36:02Ross Halls:Hopefully. It could be dull and it could be nil-nil when you're like, oh, no. But I don't think it will be. I think Southampton have got some big players. We're not going to go too in-depth because we're going to be recording a boot room, which will be available for our subscribers to go over and tune into that because we'll get into Town's potential prediction, 11, Southampton as a whole, and our big predictions. But, Stu, I'm going to just ask your prediction in terms of result. Do you think Town can get that one win that they require in this game?
36:33Stuart Watson:I think they can. Absolutely they can. Whether they will is another question. Away form has been under the spotlight. All season character has been under the spotlight. Are we going to get Ipswich Town away from home against Leicester, Sheffield United, Portsmouth? Or are we going to get the version of Ipswich Town that turned up at Carrow Road recently that went and won at Coventry, as I say, and other places, Derby along the way. We'll see. It does feel like they've just gradually started to build some resilience over the course of the season. The comeback win against Birmingham, the comeback win at Charlton, the character shown at the weekend in difficult circumstances.
37:24Stuart Watson:so it's going to be tough but as I said it's a bit of a free hit and I just hope that there are some parallels to be made with Southampton and Coventry from two years ago and them being a little bit tired so I don't know, my gut feeling says as much as nobody wants a draw that might be how it ends up with both teams going all out for it at the end but it ultimately being on as even and then the pressure being on Saturday.
37:57Ross Halls:Yeah, I just hope this team are going to be mentally strong going into this one. But as you say, Jake Greasy, if he's calling us Cucumber, then happy days. Dara Shea, I think, speaks well, spoke really well with AJ, Brenner and Callum after the game at West Brom. Yeah, this is where, you know, the town players have got to really show their coneys. Have they really got them to, you know, get over a line? So, yeah, as you say, it's a free hit. I'm going to enjoy it. I can't wait for it at St Mary's. We shall see.
38:29Stuart Watson:Stu? Team's going to be interesting, isn't it? I know we're going to go into more detail, but, you know, do you have half an eye on Saturday and thinking there's a decent chance it's going to be do or die going into a home game against QPR? And do you want to go into that, you know, fully fresh and good to go? you can't be taking too many risks, but there's a lot of fatigue, I think, out on that pitch on Saturday. There's only two changes to the team from Charlton to that. You know, Kim McKenna said he's going to maybe have to rotate a little bit going into this one. So, it's going to be an interesting lineup that he picks and it's a fascinating evening ahead.
39:13Well,
39:13Ross Halls:it sounds like he's going to play seven up front. So I'm looking forward to that.
39:17Stuart Watson:Yeah. I was going to say, I've missed the point in the season where he said, we've done that already. I might have missed the point where they played seven up front. I don't think I've even seen him play two up front at one stage. At a stretch, he might be talking about the fact that they play with a forward unit of four and the full-backs get forward and so does one of the midfielders. Yeah. But his point about sort of all-out attack, must-win games, it doesn't always mean just throw more attacking players on, does it? if it has to be one of those nights where they stick with it and the subs can make a difference, then maybe that's the way.
39:57Stuart Watson:You've asked me my prediction. How are you feeling? Are you confident? Are you nervous? What do you reckon?
40:02Ross Halls:I wouldn't say I'm confident, but I do believe in this team. I think they do have finally got that sort of mental strength because they've had to go through the ringer this season, haven't they, really? They've had a lot of expectation. They've had some bad days, some good days. I think they will definitely just get over the line. I think we did a half-season preview looking into the second half of the season. I went, yeah, they're going to finish fifth. I just don't know. I just weren't believing in this team. But they keep changing my mind. And I think they've got enough to get over the line.
40:38Ross Halls:Famous last words. Could record the next podcast. I'm bloody lost, didn't they? They're going to bottle it and stuff. but I think they're just in such a good position. I think the key thing is we've got Kieran McKenna. He's been there, done now. I know he's getting a bit of a flack this season, Kieran McKenna. I think there has been times where I think, oh, he made a decision there and stuff like that. But these two games, yeah, it's going to be nervous still. I'm still going to be nervous. But I just think they're going to have a moment in this one. In that way, and hopefully we'll have another note to remember as a Town fan.
41:12Ross Halls:And hopefully I'll be able to capture some good moments as well. But, yeah.
41:19Stuart Watson:We're in agreement that they will need that win, aren't we? I think we have to kind of expect Millwall to beat Oxford, who are now down at home on the final day of the season. So it is going to be three points required. If it's not to be tomorrow night, then, you know, Ipswich's home form has been the cornerstone of their success this season. if you could pick anyone sort of for the final game at home, tick, mid-table side that are on the beach, potentially tick I think they've started to experiment a little bit with their team in the last game or so, QPR so if it's not to be tomorrow night then I think everyone would have faith that they could get the job done on Saturday but it'd be pressure wouldn't there and it would feel a little bit different to Huddersfield, then you needed a point didn't they going into that game so there was a bit of a fail safe there and um yeah exeter was a you know that was a they were a team in a bit of a mess at that time and they put them to the sword 6-0 so this would be a real step up in terms of pressure wouldn't it if it were to go to saturday so um it would be nice if they could pull something out of the bag at St Mary's but obviously a big big if
42:35Ross Halls:yes indeed but yeah the pressure is on but I'm looking forward to it even though we said earlier it feels a bit different to the last sort of promotion end of the season tales but yeah me Stu AJ of course will be there at St Mary's to cover it all but Stu any other business from yourself as we wrap up the latest podcast no
42:57Stuart Watson:no other business I better crack on with sorting tomorrow's ADT and Ipswich star out, which will build up to the game. You're putting together a predicted 11. I've got a preview to write. We're going to go and record a boot room now. So as always, all the content on the websites, on the app. If you haven't got that, get the app if you're a subscriber because it's the best way to consume all of our content. And as you say, we'll be there. It's a privilege, as always, to bring the action tomorrow night.
43:29Ross Halls:Definitely, my friend. And I've got to mention, of course, a big thing that happened over the weekend as well. The Traplor girls secured WSL2 safety, which was an incredible achievement for them from being pretty much dead and buried. I will admit, I thought they were going to be down. At Christmas, I just thought, oh, that's going to be too much, too much for them to stay up. But they've been an incredible run under David Wright, who, of course, now is the new permanent manager, which still you spoke to him of that news drop. So check that out on the platforms, on all the platforms, on YouTube or on Spotify or the other audio platforms.
44:04Ross Halls:Really good chat with David Wright about why he decided to take the permanent role. But they had a massive win at St. Mary's, St. Andrews, as they beat league leaders, Birmingham City 3-0, which I will admit once again, when I was just quickly checking to see how they were getting on, I was like, 3-0? Inside 20 minutes or something crazy. I was like, that is unbelievable. This team, they've really, really took on the pressure and secured safety in Portsmouth. Unfortunately, they've gone down. But Town, now actually ninth in the table, they're going to finish. Pretty good position overall. Their best position ever in second tier in their first campaign.
44:43Ross Halls:So, well done to the track of the girls. Hopefully, they can build on that next season under David Wright. But as I said, check out Stu's chat with him. And that was a really good chat with Stu. No, David. That was a really good chat, Stu, with David. Thank you.
44:58Stuart Watson:Yeah, I enjoyed it. Yeah, what a job he's done since he's come in. I have to always mention the incredible legacy that Joe Sheehan's left behind, where he's taken the women's to and the platform that he's provided. But David's come in and, you know, with some really good backing in the January transfer window, overseen some remarkable results, hasn't he? Saturday, the latest of them. so or sunday sorry so yeah uh the job now is to establish themselves in the second tier and there's big ambitions for the women's side as well as the men's that we're getting their their new shiny training ground facilities in in the summer which will hopefully attract new players and enable them to kick off so um big weekend for the women uh hopefully now the men
45:44Ross Halls:can go and do their part as well definitely my friend and um i want to give a shout out shout out as well actually to james farthing part of the kway posse who run the london marathon yesterday um so big well done to you my friend it was great to see you he now lives in new york in the big apple but um he was at west brom um to watch town of course draw then ran the london marathon which um which is incredible well done i think bloomers from the kway posse has also done it in recent years so um if there's any town fans who run the london marathon on the weekend well done to you I was watching that a little bit yesterday and I just salute everybody who does that because that's a big achievement.
46:20Ross Halls:Of course, the world record got broke as well, didn't it, Stu? From, I forgot his name now. I'm going to get his name up.
46:30Ross Halls:Sebastian Suari from Kenya. Really, really good. Breaking under two hours, Stu. It's just mad. Could you do a marathon? I don't know.
46:40Stuart Watson:No. Not in the current state. no I'm not I'm not a big runner I've never found joy in running people talk about uh you know just getting in the zone and um no all I think about is you know how many steps to the next sort of sight point and how long till I get home um so no absolutely not maybe one day it'd be a good thing to tick off um but the the the speed the pace you work out what the pace is to break two hours. Set that on a running machine and see how long you can sustain it for. It'll be seconds. It's incredible.
47:22Ross Halls:I think there was two actually, two people who did under two hours, which is incredible. I just want to give a shout out to James for doing the London Marathon. We've got a big game this Tuesday. Whenever you listen to this, it's just going to be massive. Hope you enjoy it. If you're going, if not, as I said, cover it with us as we do as always. Plug our sponsor, of course, Molecular UK. Use the code KOA10 for all your cleaning business for your car. And yeah, we'll see you next time on the Kings of Anglia podcast, hopefully discussing a town win and promotion back to the Premier League. Stu, cheers for joining me.
48:00Ross Halls:Thanks, everyone. Bye for now.
48:15Thank you.
48:46Thank you.
49:12Thank you.
From the publisher
Ross Halls is joined by Stuart Watson to reflect on Ipswich Town’s 0-0 draw at West Brom.
The duo discuss the key talking points from the game at the Hawthorns from a tough first half to miss chances and resilient defending.
They praise Christian Walton for another good performance in goal and share their thoughts on the big picture after a fair point on the road.
Plus look ahead to the big game at Southampton with one more win required for promotion back to the Premier League.
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