KOA Fans Social: Predicting Ipswich Town's games in September and Portman Road hoodoo

26:11Ross Halls:Yeah, very much so. Yeah, it's 11 games without a win. I was just quickly just adding up the games. It's the Chelsea game in the league. It's 11 games, but then we haven't won a league game or in general a game for a long while. I think it's 14, something like that, without a win. Ben, what's your feelings with it? You've obviously got a scene ticket. You're in the Upper North. How are you feeling when you go to games? You know, a match day feeling. I'm sure it's still nice going to the Greyhound, chatting with people, catching up, having a few drinks and stuff like that. but yeah when you get to Portman Road and not seeing a win it must be a bit deflating but you know is there an answer for it?

26:48Yeah I don't have an answer if we did have an answer well not that ITFC would pick up the phone to me but you know it'd be great to be able to solve that question very quickly that I mean the main thing we've got to do is what Darren talked about and that team that's coming together and getting that cohesion and that feel at Portman Road again and making it a very difficult place to come. I do think after last season, we have maybe suffered a slight hangover from not being able to win at home for so long. But when you actually look at it, logically, we were playing sides that were far, far better than us.

27:23And once you get on that run of not being able to beat sides, and then we played towards the end of the season, we were playing your West Ham's, your Wolves, your Brentford's thinking, oh, we could get three points here. We could get three points here. We just ended up on such a bad run that we got ourselves so far behind the eight ball that unfortunately we never got it together. So I don't think there's a huge problem. I think we will make Portman Road a really strong place for us again. It will just be almost, is it a monkey on our back? I don't know. We were so good at home for the championship, second place finish, for the league one, second place finish.

27:57Even before then, coming to Portman Road was very difficult to beat us. We had some frustration with some draws, but we didn't lose many games at all in three years at Portman Road. So I think the crowd have a big part to play and I think the fact that it's a Friday night on Sky does us a big favour. You mentioned the Greyhound. There are other fantastic pubs around the town that are going to be very busy Friday after work. If you need a few beers to get yourself singing to get behind the boys and have a few extra beers on Friday, non-alcoholic drinks if you don't need that beer to shout louder but the crowd is really important.

28:32get the side off to a fast start and then let's see us go on a run at home. I can see it happening. I'm not too worried about it, Ross.

28:40Ross Halls:Nice one. And yeah, Chris has said it in the comments here. Personally, I think as soon as we get our first win, he'll kick us on and get the place buzzing again, which I think is very true. I think we just need a good positive result and then hopefully we can, well, Ben's predicted a good run in September, which is good. Gavin, good evening, my friend. I know you're a normal, regular listener. You're just jumping in now. Let us know your thoughts, your predictions for September and also the Portman Road hoodoo. And yeah, boys, Sheffield United are in town, which is sort of predicted already. But it's discussion time in terms about the team because that is the big talking point going into this game because obviously Sami Smolik's injury.

29:15Ross Halls:We'll find out a bit more in Kieran McKenna's press conference tomorrow about how serious that is. But there's been a few comments actually, which I've starred, bookmarked. Ben's life here. Forgive me my spelling of his name, Wally. I'll see Sindre Wally Igelli I think that's better than nothing The Norwegian wonder kid who of course has done very well For the Honour 21 for Norway During the international break Was it last night? Tuesday where he got two assists And got a very good goal indeed Reckon we could see him get a few minutes Friday And start in October, November running Excited for him So yeah Daza Yeah well I'm sure he's going to be training tomorrow and I'm sure it will be available on Friday.

30:03Ross Halls:Could McKenna start him from the offer? What's your thoughts on that?

30:09We know McKenna doesn't tend to, does he? When these new lads come in, it tends to be off the bench that they get that first appearance. I mean, I must admit that as soon as we were linked with this guy, that it felt like one of the most exciting targets of the summer. and I do think it is our most interesting signing of the summer as much as a lot of the outside punditry has been talking about Nunes and all this but I feel like this is the most exciting edition. It's unknown quantity to some degree but so much potential. Obviously, because it's Norway, it's going to be that Haaland talk and all that but I think it's just something really exciting and we've splashed the cash as a real kind of, you feel like an investment, hopefully, that we're really going to develop and is going to serve us well for the years to come, hopefully.

31:01I would hope that he gets a good outing and seeing his involvement in the game the other night, the assist that he was providing and his goal was brilliantly taken. I would love to see him. I would love to see him involved. I don't know if it's that his best position is on the right or I'm not sure if he was starting sort of almost in the central position for Norway. But yeah, I'd just like to see us give him some minutes, hopefully, because that's going to get the crowd going. You can be sure of that.

31:29Ross Halls:Yeah, he's got number eight on his shirt as well, which I know for some people he shouldn't be wearing that because he's a winger, but I do not care. But Paul, basically same question. Will McKenna play the Wonderboy at Egele on Friday? Looks match-ready based on the internationals. Yeah, Ben, sort of same question to you. You're excited to see him play? and yeah, could we kind of start on from the off and then we'll look at the 4-11 after that? Yeah, like Darren said, I think most town fans will be most excited of all the signings. He was sort of the standout name. It's always exciting to see someone of his pedigree with his age group record through Norwegian age groups, the 14s, 15s, 16s, 17s, 18s, 19s, now the 21s.

32:12I know he's been sort of matching a few of Haaland's records, which sounds outstanding but don't want to get too excited too soon you know he's coming into a brand new country brand new league new players new friends to meet settling in you know it does take a while he's only human he does look a great prospect i think like darren said i think mckenna will do a lot like we did with amari first time in the championship there's a lot of dipping in and out um started the odd game here and there but certainly used him from the bench more often so i I would be absolutely amazed if he started Friday night.

32:43If he does, that's a great sign that McKenna has his trust and believes that he is ready. So that'll be amazing for all Town fans to see his name on the team sheet. But I think he'll have a role off the bench. Hopefully, maybe in a capacity where we're two or three up and he can really enjoy himself and show off his skills. But yeah, really excited by the signing. But I can't see him starting Friday night.

33:06Ross Halls:Okay, then we shall see. quick comment here from Chris no not that one Stephen sorry Sindra on the right, Clark on the left for me which I think hopefully could be the future of this team but let's go back to front Alex Palmer in goal but there's a debate there, there's been a few little conversations in the fan base about Christian Walton may be thinking maybe he's had a few mistakes what's your thoughts Darren on Alex Palmer um yeah i i think we will i think there was a little bit last season when palmer first came in and he had that game against aston villa there was almost a little bit of over excitement wasn't there because it was kind of like we were so unsure about who we were putting between the sticks and suddenly he came in and had this this great debut um but i i feel like um i think i feel like with palmer and walton we're probably there's not a huge amount of difference maybe i don't know maybe I'm wrong, but I feel like Prama's probably got it for the foreseeable.

34:12We really do need a clean sheet because I think that's, you know, everybody's becoming acutely aware of that record at the moment, but I would still stick with him at the moment. I very much hope that, you know, Walton does stick around with the club and, you know, we do give him some minutes because he's been a great servant to us and a great part of the ride. It was really good that Walton did get minutes in the Premier League, after all that. But I think it's still Palmer's to lose at the moment.

34:38Ross Halls:Your thoughts, Ben, on that situation? Yeah, quite boring, really, but I can't see Alex Palmer not being the goalkeeper on Friday unless he makes a couple of howlers. I imagine he'll be a goalkeeper all season. That maybe doesn't suit the way that we like to play out from the back. I think he's definitely got better at that since he's joined. Whoever's in goal is always going to give the fans a few nervous moments. that is the life of a goalkeeper. And I actually think he's, you know, he's pretty solid, isn't he, overall? And I know we like to have a moan and moaning at goalkeepers is a very easy thing to do.

35:10But overall, I like to see consistency in selection, particularly at that, you know, at the back. And that includes the goalkeeper. So, yeah, Palmer in goal for me.

35:18Ross Halls:Definitely. And yeah, Trevor's gone. What goals have actually been Palmer's fault? Which is true. I don't think there's anything on top of my head. I know he's had a few little clearances that have been a bit like, oh, where's he gone with that? But deep down, I don't think there's been two, maybe, I don't know, near posts. Yeah, it's an interesting question, Trevor, but there's nothing out there that stands out for me. It's not one like, yeah, sadly with Muric and stuff. There was definitely one you go, yeah, that was his fault. But yeah, I think definitely Palmer for me. I'm going to bring up the last 11 against Derby and we can sort of run through the team and go, okay, where we're going to go with it.

35:50Ross Halls:So right back, Asher Young, of course, started. Do you think that's his spot now? Daza, do you think that is his position that he'll keep? I don't know if it's necessarily his spot because I don't I don't I would be interested to know how many minutes we really envisaged on giving him this season. I mean, obviously, he made it clear that he wasn't coming to, you know, just be a coach or whatever. It was very much the case that he was coming to play. And based on how many minutes he got last season, you know, absolutely right. So he should. I would like to see us use him as the sort of probably lead option there because just the experience and, you know, the delivery that he can offer that kind of thing i feel like it would be good to make the most of him because let's face it you know he's here for this year he's going to be 41 next year is he really are we really going to get any more out of him we're going to you know let him stay in that on that basis so you know i think yeah we need to be using him um and i've got the impression that you know um you know with like trying to probably probably move on johnson beforehand and everything so i feel like yeah really it should be probably should be actually moving forward definitely and Ben, we're going to segue into the defensive unit, Dara O'Shea, of course, the skipper and Jacob Greaves.

37:02Ross Halls:I think that's their positions at the moment, although it sounded like Dara O'Shea, bless him, didn't have a good time against Armenia when I was doing a bit of a just sort of, you know, when you sort of put a player name on search on Twitter, X, and yeah, there was a lot of slack from Irish fans. Obviously, you're married to an Irish woman. I don't know if she follows Irish football much, but obviously she's probably got family members, but yeah, it sounded like he didn't have a good game. I don't think any of them played well last night Ross it was one of the worst results if not the worst result in Irish football history so even Collins who's Brentford's captain he's Ireland's captain he was absolutely terrible as well so I'm not bothered about Dara's form for Ireland I wish Ireland all the best and I hope they get to the World Cup I don't think they will I'm bothered about Dara O'Shea's form for which is town which overall has been very solid obviously that slight gaffe against Derby where he took the ball down on his chest and gave away the ball.

37:55But you're going to get the odd mistake as a centre-half. I do think at times, particularly the Derby goal, I think we should have been around on the cover a little bit quicker. But yeah, O'Shea and Green are going to be our centre-halves moving forward. The Walford and debate is over. He's left the club. Let's move on. Let's put that to bed. We've got a new start. We've got to get behind the team. I personally think Dara O'Shea is a fantastic centre-half and I think he'll grow into being a fantastic captain for this club. So, yeah, O'Shea and Greaves for me, there's no argument, there's no real discussion there for now.

38:26Ross Halls:Yeah, I know Chris has put in the comments, should have kept Wolfie and Burgess, but Chris, they both wanted to move. They wanted to obviously play regular football. I would have liked Wolfie and Burgess to start maybe a bit more, but I think the Dame of Ken has decided, well, they spent a lot of money on O'Shea and Jota Greaves, so we've got to just, you know, back them and hopefully do well. Trevor's gone. Just on that Ross, I completely understand why fans would want it that way around. But my take on it is usually the case of two things. We spent an awful lot of money on these two players, rightly or wrongly, O'Shea and Greaves.

38:58So there's that point. They'll probably go for money. I'd have thought a decent amount of money, more than Burgess and Wofford have done. But also, if we've got any faith in this manager, he's going to know footballers more than we do. He has a plan. Wofford and Burgess weren't in it to start. He wanted to keep them. And as you said, they did want to leave. They didn't want to hang around and fight for their place. So we don't want players like that at this club. I wish them all the best. They were brilliant for us, but it's time to move on.

39:27Ross Halls:Yeah, definitely. And obviously, Burgess, he got a longer-term deal at Swansea. So, yeah, it's just going to be weird when we come up against them because obviously they're part of that sort of great team. And yeah, Trevor's gone here, Darren, for you quickly. Kit Bray, obviously, a loan signing this summer. Big Cedric. Yeah, could he get a start? When do you think he will get involved? Because I'm sure there'll be a time where he'll be thinking, I'm on loan here. I do want to play some minutes. Even his loan club may go, well, he hasn't played many games. Obviously, he played in the Cup. But he may have to wait his moment.

39:58Ross Halls:But when will that be? Yeah, it's a difficult one. But I mean, you know, like Ben says, you know, I can't really see O'Shea and Greaves being split. If nothing else, we need to nail down this centre-back pairing. you know we've really struggled to be settled in defence for the last year you know obviously there's complications in that from being in the Premier League and you know having the disruption of losing players this summer but now we've just got to decide on the centre-back pairing we need to let those guys bet in and as far as I'm concerned it is these two it's difficult because you know I think ultimately bringing in somebody like Kipri was probably more about having that cover I don't know you know I don't know much about him as to whether we'd be considered to be the same sort of standard as Griez and O'Shea.

40:45I don't honestly know. But I think those two are obviously the first pick there. And unless we've got a game where we want to give one of those two a rest at some point, I mean, looking at the next month, unless we're confident about the Portsmouth game or something, I don't really see it at the moment. So, no, probably not.

41:07Ross Halls:Trevor's gone we also need to keep clean sheets which is very true do you know what, I think when we do get that clean sheet, I think that will bring a lot of confidence out of that back four and even Alex Palmer, because yeah there has been, they're just lacking a bit of confidence obviously last year, getting beaten every week and conceding goals I think just a nice clean sheet and a good win will just give a lot of confidence to this team which will be very good Leif Davis left back, sort of segue into that that's his position isn't it And then the midfield two, Azor Masasiwa, who used to say, looked class, didn't they, against Derby?

41:40Ross Halls:They're going to be the two. Easy discussion, won't even discuss that, boys. But it's more about the forward line. George Hurst up front, but then it's right, 10 and the left. Ben, what do you reckon on the right? Obviously, Casey McIntyre has been the man, obviously started against Derby. He's obviously been on international break with Ireland as well. do you think he'll start this one or yeah I know you sort of discussed it earlier but obviously some people will be pushing get the Norwegian lad in but he obviously hasn't trained with the group much but Casey McAteer has and he has been playing Yeah I think for the way McKenna plays and usually sets us up McAteer will play right wing or you know it's always kind of a hybrid role we haven't seen that as much yet this year it's not like Ashley Young is going to tuck in and act almost like a third centre-half like Twan's ever used to.

42:33But I think McAteer, with the way that he has his forward running and trying to get behind the left-back, and he's still learning that role, I can't see that we're going to change it. I expect him to start on the right. On the left, it's more up for debate. Of course, we've got a straight choice, I see it, between Clark and Philogene. I know Philogene is really flattered to see if he hasn't really hit the ground running at all, even when he got that brace at Old Trafford. that was probably the most unusual two goals you're going to see a player score, a complete tap and then a cross that goes in the far corner.

43:05So he's got a lot to prove, a point to prove, but so has Jack Clark. I have always preferred Clark. I just like the way he is as a footballer. I like the way that he just looks a bit busier. Just a little bit more desire there as a crowd and a home game. That can get you a little bit more encouragement and keep the crowd up. Filagene just looks a little bit more nervous in possession the way he just constantly goes back a little bit more when we're yelling at him to try and take on his man or at least play a forward pass, a give and a go so I'd actually go with Jack Clark in this one and we don't know about Sami Smolich's fitness so the number 10 role could very much go to Tuba he's probably got his fitness now he's been obviously international break-wise been back at town at Playford Road so I think Akpon will come in at the 10 So I'd be having Clark on the left, Akpom in the tent and McAteer on the right.

43:59Ross Halls:OK, then Callum here has gone. Philogene stays on the left for me. I think he's been OK. Some of the criticism has been overblown, in my opinion. Do you agree with Dak Dazza in terms of his sort of criticism for Philogene? And yeah, what are you doing with that forward three behind the striker? I mean, let's be honest. Both Philogene and Clark have had a lot of criticism thrown their way and probably been harsh on both of them to some degree. yeah okay we paid a lot of money for both of them yes okay they've not exactly you know done great since they started here but it doesn't help that both of them occasionally been played out of position um i mean i think um i think the right is an interesting one um probably you know probably as ben says yeah maceteer probably starts um especially given given the situation with the upcoming game that um you know um the um wallet egali however we're pronouncing it we'll get this right eventually.

44:53But, you know, I think, you know, probably at the moment it's a bit too early for him. Hopefully, you know, we might see if he's got the potential to take that place in future. But, yeah, probably McAteer starts that side at the moment and bring on the other lad later. Yeah, the left is the left is a difficult one. I part of me almost kind of wonders. I may be putting too much stock in what we saw in preseason, but, you know, it felt like maybe we were trying to get something going with Davis and Philogene in pre-season, that there was probably a bit of an understanding developing there. And I don't think we've really seen it in league action so far.

45:32But if those two can develop an understanding, it kind of felt like we're seeing something there over the summer, then hopefully it might be worth persisting with that a bit longer. But it's an interesting one as well with Smoddix. As you said, we don't know about his situation with his fitness. I still don't 100 % know if Smodics works in that 10 spot for us. It's not quite the same as when he was at Blackburn. And, you know, there's always this question of actually he didn't look too bad on times on the left in the Premier League. So, you know, I'd always consider him potentially as an option there.

46:07But if ultimately Tuba is there to be in that number 10 role and especially given the doubts over Sammy at the moment, I think he's got to be in that position. So at the minute, I would probably say Philogene, Tuba and Makasina.

46:24Ross Halls:Okay, then. Chris, Jade on the left, Clark on the right, Tuba as number 10, which could be interesting. Clark on the right, which I don't know. I prefer him on the left, really. My hot take, though, boys, a bit left field choice here. Maybe Sindre does start, but plays as a 10. Just, you know, because he can play there. but that's just my hot take left field choice I don't know if McKenna will do that but that's just me sort of getting involved but no I think I think McAteer probably may start again and then I think I think it will go with Jack Clark on the left and Drew Backpom as the 10 but hot take maybe the Norwegian wonder kid will start and as a 10 and maybe score in this game as well which would be very nice indeed but yeah boys any other business for the Sheffield United game and the starting 11, the subs bench is going to look good squad depth again, which is good.

47:18Ross Halls:Ivan Azon, I'm looking forward to see him in action once again. Hopefully he can battle with George Hurst. Once again, George Hurst, he will have to be looking behind his shoulder because if Ivan Azon keeps pressing off the bench, he may have to think, maybe I have to start this Spanish lad. What do you reckon, Ben? Yeah, I mean, Hurst has got competition there now. we've seen apparently that Egli can play there as well we're still, Hurst is going to be the number one striker for Frippertown for at least the next five or six games he'd have to go the next five or six games without scoring at all to be close to getting dropped I think from what briefly I've seen as on when he came on against Derby he really threw himself about he could really become a fan's favourite it's exciting getting these players from elsewhere in Europe and abroad is very exciting.

48:12I'm looking forward to seeing him make an impact when he comes on. Hopefully again, like I said about Iggy coming on, it will be with 15-20 minutes to go to give Hurst his break when we're 2-0 up. That'll be fantastic. The more minutes he gets, the more he gets used to English football will be great, but he looks as I said, combative. He looks like he's going to throw himself a bout, so that suits the Championship. He's probably the second most exciting signing that we've got. Obviously, Keuster and Matassi, where they'll be, obviously, bossing it in the midfield. So, we've just got to build from that platform and let's book George in for a goal on Friday, Ross, and it won't be a conversation.

48:48Let's get Hurster up and away with a good bouncing header at the far post.

48:52Ross Halls:Definitely. Obviously, former Sheffield Wednesday youth graduate, obviously, his dad legend there. So, yeah, I'm sure he wants to get a goal against them. Quick question here from Chris. Would love Tudor Mendel to get a chance in the first team who look special, which is really true, Chris. He has looked very lively for the under-21s, but that's a whole different ball game. I do cover the under-21s on a regular basis and it's a whole just different game. I think he needs to go out on loan. I was a bit surprised he maybe didn't go to the League 2 club on loan, but obviously the under-21s are now in the category 1 status, now playing in the top tier of academy football, so they'll be playing against better teams this season.

49:35Ross Halls:and yeah he's obviously had a really good start for the 21s this season but I don't think he'll be anywhere near the first team just yet but maybe he needs to go out on a loan play some proper men's football and we can see but once again you can do well in on the 21s football but then to step up to the first team, a championship it's big so we shall see but it's been a while hasn't it boys to see a youth player come through, I know he's gone a different route because he was obviously at Chelsea, went to Belgium and then came to us. So I don't know if that counts as a youth graduate. It probably doesn't because I think we spent a bit of money on him.

50:09Ross Halls:It wasn't like loads of money, but it's not like a Cameron Humphreys or a player like that. But, yeah, it's been a while. What's your thoughts out, Daza, as we sort of look ahead to, obviously, going into the strike battle of you guys getting the crown? But how are you feeling about, you know, town, you know, their category one now, which is great, but it's been a while since I've seen a player come through the youth ranks. yeah and it's just it's just such a difficult one with where we are the expectation on us what we've what we really need to try and push to achieve this season um you know i mean when you think about you know cam humphreys they'll come back they've been knocking around the first team for a few years and they're probably not going to get a look in at the moment because if we if we're really serious about pushing for automatics title which i know at the moment to be honest we need to reign that talk in a bit if we're going to carry on like this.

50:59But I think, you know, if we are really serious about being up there, then it's a bit too much of a risk at the moment to be putting in players who were that untested. You know, if it's debatable about like Humphreys and Bagger, then it's even more debatable about, you know, anyone who's got less experience than that. So as much as we want to see the pipeline continuing, especially because, you know, especially because we've lost the likes of Wolfie and obviously Harry Clark's not getting much of a look in these days. We want that feeling of we're bringing people through, especially if we've got lads from the local area.

51:38But yeah, I just think at the moment it's too much of a risk. It's too much of a risk.

51:43Ross Halls:Yeah, very much, Tony. There's many teams in the Championship. You don't really see a lot of youth graduates. I'll have to look at, actually, maybe that's a piece for the future, a written piece I can put together, like, yeah, youth graduates from each Championship team and see how many players are in their squads. And also check out a little plug of a recent article I did with looking at the Itchwich Town-born players through the years. I found 28 in total. There's a few people who made comments about Roger Osborne. He was born in Westerfield, but that's not Itchwich. I know it's like a village near Itchwich, but it doesn't count because Itchwich-born players.

52:16Ross Halls:And I think someone mentioned Ted Phillips as well, Sexmundum. It's Sexmundum, so it's not Itchwich. But yeah, check that out anyway. but yeah boys Ben you got any other thoughts on that on the academy quickly you know it's always good to see one of your own play but in the situation we're in at the moment we need to get up we need to obviously be up there in the promotion race so bringing in untested players is always a risk yeah it's great for the club it's where you need to be if you want to be taken seriously on the football map particularly in this country. Unfortunately, academies are turning into businesses more than players to come and play for the first team.

53:01If you have a decent academy player, usually they're being sold to a championship team if you're in the Premier League or they're being sent out to one of the European teams. They'll come back for a pre-season and then they'll go to a lesser Premier League side. So from Ipswich's point of view, it is vital that we're going to have to be one. How many players will get through to then come to the first team is is minimal you know probably single figures over the next 10 years realistically um but it's important to have it even from a business that churn of players even if you're getting 500 grand here and there compensation fees etc then you're you are developing your own players to then hopefully make a profit on football's gone that way it's horrible i don't like talking about it but that it is vital as another revenue stream for the club indeed so

53:45Ross Halls:there we go. Well then, boys, let's end the fan social, as we always do, with the strike. Harvey won it last week. I'm making note of all the winners this season, and maybe we'll do an end of season of all the winners, or maybe not every winner, because that'll be a lot of shows and a lot of winners, but we'll see what we can do. But yeah, Dazza, Ben, we've got five questions, plus a tiebreaker. Get involved in the comments, ladies and gentlemen. Let us know how you get on, and they're all linked to birthdays this week of former players. So we've got five players who are celebrating birthdays this week, and we've got a tiebreaker if needed.

54:25Ross Halls:So question one is on Keith Andrews, the Irishman, who is now the Brentford manager, which still blows my mind. But yes, a loan spell, doesn't he? Back in, let me quickly bring it up, back in 2011, and he scored nine goals in 20 games. That isn't the question, obviously, because I wouldn't mention that. but what squad number did Keith Andrews wear during his loan spell at town was it 15, 18 or 25 I'm sure the squad numbers lovers out there will be shouting the answer to the rooftops I don't know if you boys really care about squad numbers but yeah he obviously had a really good loan spell from Blackburn back in 2011 once again it's like never falling in love with a loan player I remember I was a kid I think I was 15 I just loved him because he just kept scoring goals and then I found out oh he's a loan player I was like, oh, boo.

55:16Ross Halls:But yeah, Keith Andrews, now the Brentford manager in the Premier League. His first ever job. It's a risk, but we shall see. But yeah, boys, what do you reckon? 15, 18 or 25?

55:29I've gone 15.

55:32Ross Halls:I've gone 15 as well. 15, and you are both correct. So a point on the board for Ben and Dazza. Question two is on, I was about to say, his country there. I stopped myself because that is the question. Adrian Paz celebrated his birthday yesterday. He was 58. And also Keith Andrews, his birthday is on Saturday. It'll be 45 if you're asking. But, yeah, Adrian Paz yesterday turned 58. And Adrian Paz was from which country? Or is really because he's not dead. He's still alive. Is from which South American country? Argentina, Peru or Uruguay Adrian Paz of course part of the Tariko deal obviously Tariko had a very good spell at town, Adrian Paz yeah, the one goal he scored and Adrian if you're watching I've been trying to reach out, I want to get Adrian on the podcast I'm still trying to get him on the podcast so it'll just be a good little interesting chat, won't it so leave it with me boys and girls I'm going to try to get Adrian Paz on the podcast at some stage But is he from Argentina, Peru or Uruguay boys?

56:44Ross Halls:What do you reckon? I think he's from Uruguay, Ross. I've got Uruguay. I think it's a little bit before my time, but if that rings a bell. Yeah, you are both correct, is Uruguay. And Trevor is in the comments gone Uruguay as well. Question three. He's on a current player and that is Jacob Greaves. And he actually celebrates his birthday on Friday for the Sheffield United game. So really, for predictions, we should sort of put a goal on him. You know, birthday boy, scores. Hopefully he can get a nice clean sheet. Hopefully he can get a win. Hopefully he can get a triple. Just, yeah, be good for Jacob Greaves.

57:20Ross Halls:But yes, he had a loan spell in his career when he was at Holt City. At which League Two club? Was it Cheltenham Town, Port Vale or Walsall? So Jacob Greaves, back as a young lad. That Holt City went out on loan to League Two. And yeah, Jake Greaves, how old is he going to be this Friday? Let me quickly take a look. Still a young lad, of course, Jake Greaves. Born in 2000, so he's 25 on Friday. Big 2-5. But yeah, loan to Cheltenham Town, Port Vale or Walsall, boys. What do you reckon? This is a complete guess from me, if I'm honest. I've gone Walsall. Complete guess, so I'm glad we're different because I've gone Cheltenham.

58:08Ross Halls:Ooh, Cheltenham Town. And if you know your lone players this season, we've got two youngsters out on loan at Cheltenham. Jacob, the defender for the L21s, Mazinos, Lithuanian international, and Tommy Taylor, who's the L21 skipper as well. And that sort of segues nicely because it is Cheltenham Town, Ben. Jake Grease had a loan spell at Cheltenham Town. So sorry, Dazza. Ben took the lead it's 3-2 going into question 4 he's on I think Ben Diaz's favourite player in the current era he's not obviously here anymore sadly but it is Sam Morsey who celebrates his birthday today it's not your birthday Sam the Egyptian king 34 today and yeah he played 165 games for the club how many goals did he score in those amount of games so Sam Morsey Of course, some notable goals that stand out.

59:10Ross Halls:Obviously, last season, the Southampton late equaliser, the Watford late goal. That's two off the top of my head. I won't mention any others. But yeah, how many goals, boys? 165 games. Obviously, he wasn't known for being prolific as a midfielder. He was more known for yellow cards. But yeah, Sam Orzee, the Egyptian king, 34 today. What do you reckon then, boys? So this is a double pointer as well, Dazza. So you could take the lead if you get it bang on. But the closest to the correct answer gets the point. But then Ben could go and go five, two up. But we shall see. But what do you reckon then, boys?

59:49I'm trying to think in my head of how many times I could remember a definite Sam Morsi goal. I'm not certain. So I've just gone with 12. 12. Good number. I've gone low. I've gone nine.

1:00:01Ross Halls:Ooh, nine. because I remember he was obviously part of League One team in 2021 when we didn't go up then 2022 the promotion year and then the championship and then the Premier League so 165 games and you're so close Dazza it's 11 goals for Sam Morsey but you do get the points you are the closest so it is 3-3 going into the final question and it's on Burson Selina who is from Cosio of course that isn't the question but he's currently playing in which country? Is it Norway Sweden or Switzerland? So of course was on loan from the French club Dijon back in 2011-22 season then went to Turkey and then Stoke and then obviously now, I would say the country there, is now on loan at this no he's actually there permanently now because he's obviously on loan there for the French club but he signed permanently in 2024.

1:01:05Ross Halls:But yeah, which country is he currently playing in, boys? Norway, Sweden or Switzerland?

1:01:14Honestly, I have no idea. I've gone for the middle one. Oh, right.

1:01:20Ross Halls:Both in Sweden or the Japanese. And you are correct. It is Sweden. So it's 4-4. So a tiebreaker is needed to separate you boys to become crowns of the strike this week. And it's, of course, for the Sheffield United game. Glad to have a question. Linking up to the game this week or this Friday. And now, how many times have we beat Sheffield United at Portman Road in 36 meetings? so normally the tiebreaker is just the strike champion has sort of gambled but this time around it is the closest, normally you have to get it bang on to take the crown but no, the closest out of you two will win this week's strike and yeah, how many times have we beat Sheffield United at Portman Road in 36 meetings and fair enough, the last time we played Sheffield United, I think we drew so that's one game I think Ellis Harrison scored in that game I think that's the last time we had a Portman Road game against Sheffield United it's been a while I think there's a longer gap for that as well I think that's 2011 was then the next time we played them in a league fixture so yeah well then boys 36 games how many times have we beaten Sheffield United at Portman Road Daz I'll start with you what do you reckon?

1:02:46I'd like to think we slightly edged it So if we maybe say there's, I don't know, maybe like eight draws or something in there, I'm just going to chuck in a random number. So I'm just saying 14. 14, okay. I've gone way above that. So this could be very interesting. I've got 23 victories.

1:03:06Ross Halls:23 victories. Okay, then. Well, we'll start with the defeats. We've only ever lost five games against Sheffield United at Portman Road. but we're drawn 16 times and we're beating them 15 times Dazza could have got it bang on but Dazza has won the strike this week so that is incredible from you Dazza, so close to getting the correct answer but you are the strike champion my friend you sort of now bring us for the outro and your speech as we end the latest fan social marvellous yeah I haven't got a clue what to say other than I posted on Twitter before this I said if anybody wants to see me lose a quiz then please tune in so that's gone out the window but yes a winning feeling is good so can we keep the winning feeling going this week that's a seamless segue there Ross come on you've got to give me that I'm not going to do any better than that so yeah I'll have to sign off with that top man thanks for joining us Callum who's normally pretty good at the strike he went 2 out of 5 which well it's not good for you Callum although maybe there's some trickier ones because there was potentially 2 players before your time actually no only 1 player it would only be Adrian Pad the rest you are alive and you probably watched town play but do not worry but Ben so close my friend got to the tiebreaker but you backed the boys getting too many wins against Sheffield United but that's not a bad record though if you really think about it against Sheffield United at home 15 wins 16 draws, only 5 defeats but thanks for joining me my friend any other business?

1:04:48No, I just really remembered the 3-2 game which everybody remembers when we won and also the 5-1 game which I think was on a Tuesday night when we battered them, two fond memories of watching town I really enjoyed the strike as my fellow September boys that we discussed because it's actually my birthday next week which is the reason why I'm not there on Friday, I'm going away for my birthday because I'm turning an age which you're meant to celebrate so I'm doing that sorry I won't be there that's right my friend now happy birthday

1:05:18Ross Halls:I'll have to get a strike question for next week for Ben's birthday so I'd have to ask you for the stats and some figures um you mentioned as well um about you got your voice got sort of recognized at cricket do you want to quickly give a shout out to that fella who um potentially could be listening yeah it's a very nice gentleman over at Horseheath Cricket Club in Cambridge here they beat us as well which wasn't great but he was incredibly friendly and yeah he said apparently you could hear I was captain for the day at my local club because our usual captain couldn't do it and yes he said he recognised my voice and then put two and two together it must be Ben from the Kings of Anglia podcast which was very kind they had lots of nice things to say about you Ross so and the rest of the team so yeah it was a nice afternoon apart from not winning the cricket, but it just shows you Kings of Anglia is every corner of the country Definitely, and I loved your message as well the podcast has no boundaries unlike cricket, which is fantastic, I liked that, it was very good indeed but yeah thanks for joining me Dazza and Ben for the latest Kings of Anglia fan social, thanks to everyone else for listening as well, and Chris went 17 wins on Friday against Jeff United at Portman Road which is hopefully going to be the case under lights, if you are going to the game enjoy it if not follow code with us as standard will be there uh of course shout out to our sponsors uh stardust spirits use the code k away you get 20 off uh for all your spirits needs and all that jazz and then the other sponsor bear with me molecular no i just i don't know what i just can't get it my tongue and my mouth just can't say it but ben darren can you say it for me molecular that's the one dazza can you say it just to hear from another voice molecular molecular, I don't know, it's just every time I get to see anything on Mo, Mo, just go Mo Go on Mo Le Lec Killa Molecular Molecular Molecular I'll nail it by the end of the season and maybe they'll probably listen to this company I'm going to stop sponsoring this podcast because someone can't say our company's name but check them out, two local businesses and they've got a code KOA 10 at their checkout so check both of them out really good local companies and Chris Kings of Anglia is in Tenerife as well love that Chris enjoy your time in Tenerife and yeah thanks everyone for joining us for now a Kings of Anglia fan social will be live every Wednesday night so make sure to join us for future shows but yeah follow us on all our socials and we'll see you next time bye bye for now

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