the robson years

Inside the first 30 seconds Alan Bra7i1 hit a post and Paul Mariner's shot from the rebound was cleared off the line by Alan Dodd. Peter Fox performed near miracles to keep Town out for as long as he did, but goals were inevitable. By the time Brazil put them three up Ipswich were turning on exhibition football. More

Shrewsbury's Bob Wardle made three good saves early on but was at fault when Erie Gates put Town in front. Gates' shot squirmed under his body and trickled over the line off a post. Although Paul Cooper was also in action, saving efforts from Steve Biggins and Steve Cross, Town were in control and an upset was never on the cards. More

An all-ticket crowd, the second largest in Shrewsbury's history generating record receipts, saw an off-colour Town gain a fortunate draw against Second Division strugglers. Paul Cooper was Town's best performer for the second match in succession. George Burley was virtually immobile during the closing stages, having sustained knee ligament damage which would rule him out for the remainder of the season. More

On a pitch that was only just playable after heavy rain, Town looked a class above Everton in the first period. It was a different story after the interval as Everton launched a bombardment that would have beaten most teams. Paul Cooper made a string of impressive saves, most notably from Mike Lyons' 30-yarder which looked destined for the top corner of the net. More

Twelve years to the day since Bobby Robson became manager of Ipswich Town they stormed to the top of the league with a crushing defeat of Birmingham City. A crowd of more than 21,000 braved appalling road conditions to see Town play some vintage football on a snow-covered pitch. especially in the second half. Birmingham manager Jim Smith described Ipswich as "possibly the best side in Europe at the moment." More

Forest, five points behind the leaders at start of play, still harboured thoughts of the championship, but they were shown to be mere pretenders by another exquisite Town display. Alan Brazil, doubtful until the last moment because of a knee injury sustained against Villa, was the star of the show and only two fine Peter Shilton saves robbed him of a goal he richly deserved. More

Town laid seige to the Villa goal for long spells and Kenny Swain, Allan Evans and goalkeeper Jimmy Riminer had to be alert to keep the score to one. At the other end, Terry Butcher so dominated that Peter Withe and Gary Shaw never looked dangerous. More