MATCHWATCH : Ipswich Town (a) sponsored by a Steve Richardson goal

[Sutekh]

When : Saturday 16th December, 3pm
Where : Portman Road, Ipswich, IP1 2DA
Capacity : 30,300
Away Stand : In a wooden rabbit hutch tucked away in the Cobbold Stand
What might I see in the area : Tractors and away supporters with leg problems


An easterly trip brews. Destination tractor land and a visit to the current longest serving members of the second division and apparently leading the way with away fan ticket pricing

Ipswich are a side that generally sits mired in mid table obscurity season after season as the pendulum of fate swings upward and downward over them. It seems that Mick McCarthy has at last managed to catch an upward swing and has them ploughing in the desired direction at last.

A pretty useful team that are dangerous and a good bet for a play off challenge. Expecting a in your face high tempo game with Ipswich being particularly useful on the counter attack and therefore this game is not going to be anything better that difficult at best.

For the Tractor Boys, Tom Adeyemi are slight doubts while Andre Dozzel and Luke Hyam are long term injury casualties but, sadly, David McGoldrick is expected back following a groin injury.

No new injuries are known for Reading so no changes are expected, which would be an amazing FIVE times in a row for Jaap. Speaking of injuries the list is still as it was with only Garath McCleary edging slightly nearer having started training this week

There are no longer any current player connections between the clubs following Jay Tabb’s release from Ipswich in the summer. Jay is now playing Rugby Union for old Wimbledonians

Referee

Merseyside’s Peter Bankes will be taking up the whistle for this one



Previously

25 Feb 2017 > Brighton & Hove Albion 3-0 Reading
21 Jan 2017 > Derby County 3-2 Reading
30 Jan 2016 > Reading 4-0 Walsall (FA Cup)
20 Dec 2015 > Reading 1-0 Blackburn Rovers
08 Aug 2015 > Birmingham City 2-1 Reading

Historically

While Reading have had a little of the upper hand over Ipswich in recent years it seems to be a case of things evening out as Ipswich were well in command before then. The two sides were fairly regularly competitors with each other just after the war and that continued until Ipswich vanished from lower division membership in 1957 (and they're yet to return there). Since the mid 90s Ipswich have been one of the most regular opponents for Reading.

This game will be the 57th league meeting and will be the 29th time Reading have travelled up to Portman Road. The league record there, possibly as you'd expect, leans heavily toward Ipswich wins with them having record 15 to Reading's miserly 8. Draws are uncommon generally with only 5 at Portman Road, though the most recent trip there finished 2-2

Opposition Preview

http://tractor-boys.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=65858

How to follow the game

1. Get a ticket and travel all the way up north
2. Listen to Radio 5 Live and/or a myriad of other radio stations for score flashes
3. Ring/text a mate for updates
4. Use an iFollow subscription
5. BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)

[JoeyJoeJoeJnrShabadoo]

thanks

[Hendo]

http://www.royals.org/matdoc/221105.html We reached the top, and never looked back

[genome]

Ipswich have had a strange first half of the season... won their first 5 in a row, then lost 8 out of the next 11 games, and have been pretty much even stevens since then with 3 wins 2 draws and 2 defeats.

Finding it hard to call this one tbh.

[Hound]

I’m guessing they are a worse version of Cardiff, but with home advantage this time

Confident on this one - thought we had the system about right for 70 mins on Monday - same again would be nice

[Snowball]

Their early wins were down to incredible chance-taking, where
they converted almost everything

[Hound]

Their early wins were down to incredible chance-taking, where
they converted almost everything

I can’t remember the exact details but I seem to remember them beating Brentford when they had 2 shots on goal compared to 25 for Brentford or something similar. This at home as well

[genome]

Their forum is a mess btw... no sub-forums so every topic is mixed in with every other, so you've got threads on Brexit mixed with Cricket and General Football, let alone Ipswich-related stuff.

[TiagoIlori]

Never seem to beat Ipswich away from home do we?

[CountryRoyal]

Never seem to beat Ipswich away from home do we?

Last 7 trips: W3 L3 D1

[TiagoIlori]

Never seem to beat Ipswich away from home do we?

Last 7 trips: W3 L3 D1

That’s a somewhat pleasant surprise, feels like a long time since we’ve won there

[Hendo]

21st February 2015 - 1-0 away win - http://www.royals.org/matdoc/210215.html Jamie Mackie with the goal.

[Sutekh]

Welsh international Emyr Huws will also miss the game for Ipswich after suffering a serious ligament injury last week.

[Victor Meldrew]

I remember the game a few seasons ago on one of the hottest days of the year-watched the car water temperature soar so much that we were glad to make it there.
Relief near the ground walking in the shade of the stand.
Can't remember the result but IIRC a couple of Bents and a Walters may well have played for them that day.
I doubt that excessive heat will be the problem tomorrow.

We also have had a few sent off there over the years and in particular the game after Burns' many signings day-Robert Fleck?
So watch out tomorrow Joey.

[Victor Meldrew]

[quote="Victor Meldrew"]I remember the game a few seasons ago on one of the hottest days of the year-watched the car water temperature soar so much that we were glad to make it there.
Relief near the ground walking in the shade of the stand.
Can't remember the result but IIRC a couple of Bents and a Walters may well have played for them that day.
I doubt that excessive heat will be the problem tomorrow.

We also have had a few sent off there over the years and in particular the game after Burns' many signings day-Robert Fleck?
So watch out tomorrow Joey.

I am pleased that they no longer have Darryl Murphy.

[CountryRoyal]

I found £40 on the floor there last year.

[Steve_Upper_West]

Never seem to beat Ipswich away from home do we?

Last 7 trips: W3 L3 D1

That’s a somewhat pleasant surprise, feels like a long time since we’ve won there

Agreed... have been there 4 times and yet to see a win !
Will stay at home today in order to give us the best possible chance

[Sutekh]

I remember the game a few seasons ago on one of the hottest days of the year-watched the car water temperature soar so much that we were glad to make it there.
Relief near the ground walking in the shade of the stand.
Can't remember the result but IIRC a couple of Bents and a Walters may well have played for them that day.
I doubt that excessive heat will be the problem tomorrow.

We also have had a few sent off there over the years and in particular the game after Burns' many signings day-Robert Fleck?
So watch out tomorrow Joey.

Andy Bernal was sent off in 1998, think that Mautone or Mikhailov was sent off there the year before. Then I think Reading had a hatrick as Shorey went either in the next league visit there after 1998 or the one after that.

[Royals and Racers]

1 change Blackett in for Kelly

[Hound]

Richards for Popa on the bench.