Pride of Anglia - Ipswich Town Football Club

Tuesday, November 30

Two and two make five

Yesterday's story linking Jim Magilton with the vacant managers role at Oxford United seems to be very much a case of putting two and two together and making five. An Oxford based reporter rang round a number of former United player's to see if they would be interested in the role - Town's captain being one of them. Magilton said yes it would possibly interest him, but in the future, and that for now he was focused on helping Town regain Premiership status. The rumour that he was on the move then started and the official site broke the story after a 'tip' from an Oxfordshire source.

Danny Wilson and Chris Turner, both ex-Sheffield Wednesday managers, seem more likely candidates for the position.

Monday, November 29

BFJ conscious of looming suspensions

BFJ may look to the loan market to bolster Town's squad ahead of a busy Christmas schedule conscious that Kevin Horlock is just one yellow card away from a suspension and that Drissa Diallo joined him on four for the season with his booking on Saturday.

"I have one eye on the fact that we have a very busy spell coming up. Midfield is our most needy area and I would like to get at least one player in. We are strong when everyone is fit but we saw at Sunderland, when Tommy Miller was injured, that we are short of bodies."

Jim Magilton is being linked with the vacant manager's position at his former club Oxford United. Town's captain, who has under a year to run on his contract at FPR, say's Oxford are still a club he holds close to his heart and that he would not rule out the possibility of a player-manager position with them should the opportunity arise.

BFJ has said he would be sympathetic to the 35-year-old should he wish to pursue the matter but still sees him as an integral part of Town's promotion push: "He has been a great servant, and continues to be a big influence, but if an opportunity like this came along I would understand if he wanted to take it."

Having taken first place in the Championship from Wigan at the weekend Shefki Kuqi and Darren Bent now have their sites set on overhauling the Latic's Nathan Ellington and Jason Roberts in the divisional scoring charts. Kuqi and Bent have notched 17 goals between them while the Wigan duo have netted 21 times. Kuqi, who had gone three games without a goal prior to Saturday's winner, said:

"We are both scoring good goals and trying to set each other up. He played a lovely ball in for me first half, which I almost got to, but the keeper saved. We know each other well and want to be the best."

Sunday, November 28

Town 1 Brighton 0

Shefki Kuqi's first half strike, his ninth of the season, was enough to secure victory over Brighton and send Town back to the top of the Championship for the first time since early September. Ian Westlake's long-range drive took a couple of deflections off of visiting defenders before falling to the Finn who struck the ball home from eight yards out (22). Kuqi was denied on a number of occasions in the second half by Albion's Michel Kuipers, who produced some excellent saves to prevent Town from adding further to their lead.

Despite a nervous final ten minutes, in which Brighton could have equalised through Steve Claridge, BFJ was happy with the overall performance of his side and more than happy to be back at the top of the Championship:

"I am delighted that we are top of the table but I know how hard it will be to stay there. Our first-half display was terrific without getting a second goal. After the interval our front two stopped passing to each other and I'll be talking about that in training. We had our obligatory 10 nervous minutes at the end but we are defending better these days and I thought Richard Naylor was man of the match. He and Jason De Vos are playing well together. Brighton had five in midfield and three central defenders and kept it tight for a long time. We have been winning games this season that we were drawing previously and our three defeats tells you that we are becoming hard to beat."

Albion manager Mark McGhee felt aggrieved that his side were not awarded a penalty in the 52nd minute when Danny Cullip went to ground in the area following a challenge by Kevin Horlock:

"The booking of Danny for diving was ludicrous. I've seen the incident again on video. It was a stonewall penalty."

Elsewhere, Lewis Price, on loan for a month at Cambridge, saved a spot kick in the first half of United's away fixture at Notts County. Price's second penalty stop of the season (having saved one at Coventry in early October while deputising for Kelvin Davis) was not enough to prevent the Abbey Stadium outfit losing 2-1.

Friday, November 26

Even Arsenal lose occasionally

Tommy Miller is likely to make a return to the Town side as they take on Brighton at FPR tomorrow afternoon. The midfielder has come through a couple of strenuous training sessions this week and, along with Dean Bowditch (ankle), should be fit to play. Darryl Knights also keep's his place in an initial squad of 17:

Bent, Bowditch, Collins, Counago, Davis, De Vos, Diallo, Horlock, Knights, Kuqi, Magilton, Miller, Naylor, Richards, Supple, Westlake and Wilnis.

BFJ has been pleased with the squad's reaction to last Sunday's 2-0 reverse at Sunderland but is looking for proof that the dismal performance at the Stadium of Light was a one off: "The training has been outstanding this week and that tells you everything. There was an anger and a frustration which they needed to get out and that is all you can hope for. It doesn't happen too often as football is not an exact science - even Arsenal lose once in every 60 games."

4,800 white balloons will be released before kick-off tomorrow to mark the start of a "White Ribbon" campaign across the county. Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Police and various campaigning groups are hoping the campaign will encourage victims of domestic violence to seek help. Each balloon represents one reported incident of violence in Suffolk last year.

Elsewhere, former Town midfielder Gavin Johnson has agreed a new contract with Colchester that will keep him at Layer Road until the end of this season. The inform 34-year-old has hit five goals for the U's so far this season.

Thursday, November 25

Too old for this lark

BFJ is looking for Town to bounce back from Sunday's defeat at third placed Sunderland and start another unbeaten run when Brighton are the visitors to FPR this weekend. Surprised about the negative reaction to Town's first defeat in two months he told the Evening Star:

"When one run ends, hopefully another one starts. We have lost three of our twenty league games this season and that hardly represents a crisis. There will always be people who see the negative side and want to put the boot in, but we just need to get back to our home form this weekend. They will come here and make it very difficult for us, just as they did a couple of years ago. I still say our best 11 is the best 11 in this division but this will be a tricky game. It is always the same against teams who are fighting for their lives."

Tommy Miller (elbow) and Dean Bowditch (ankle) are progressing well and should be available for Saturday's game. Their availability will determine whether Sunday's 16-year-old debutant Darryl Knights is included in the squad or not.

Promotion could signal the end of Jim Magilton's career at FPR. "The Premiership is a tough league - and it's a young man's league. I don't think I could imagine myself playing 30-odd games in the Premier League at my age," says Town's captain.

Mauricio Taricco's West Ham career has come to an abrupt end following an injury picked up in his debut against Millwall on Sunday. The former Town left-back, rumoured to be a BFJ target before his move to Upton Park last week, suffered a hamstring tear after 27 minutes at the Den and could be sidelined for nearly two-months. His contract has been terminated by mutual consent.

Shaun Derry's move from Crystal Palace to Leeds United has fallen through. Derry, also a Town target recently, was due to move to Elland Road in a GBP250,000 transfer but Leeds wanted the midfielder on loan for a month first, something which was unacceptable to the South Londoner's.

Lastly, Shefki Kuqi's younger brother Njazi has joined Birmingham City from Finnish club FC Lahti in a deal worth GBP400,000. The move is subject to the 21-year-old passing a medical.

Wednesday, November 24

Town set the standard

Despite Town's below par performance on Sunday former Blue's striker Eric Gates, who spent 15 years at FPR before moving to Sunderland in 1985, says that Town set the standard for sides in the Championship: "I still follow Ipswich's fortunes and every club in this division looks at them as the benchmark because they have set such high standards in everything they do. If you're on a par with Ipswich you know that you won't be far off achieving the right level."

Darryl Knights, who on Sunday became the first Suffolk born player to play for the first team since Titus Bramble, was delighted with the opportunity to make his first team debut. "It was by far my best experience so far in football," the 16-year-old told the EADT. "When I got the call to warm up I was shaking but once I got on the pitch I was alright. It was quality, the fans were so good to me, it was brilliant."

Norwich City interest in said Titus Bramble is "pure speculation" says a Canaries spokesperson, while Newcastle manager Graeme Souness has told the former Town defender that his career can go two ways - become a full international or go back and play his football with his home-town team Ipswich!

BFJ has confirmed that he made a loan bid for Crystal Palace's Shaun Derry prior to his move to Leeds United's in a GBP250,000 deal: "It was in the last couple of weeks, but Palace were only interested in a permanent deal and, since that was beyond us, that was the end of it."

Tuesday, November 23

Reserves still winless at FPR

A second minute goal by Elvis Hammond proved to be the match winner for Fulham reserves as they beat Town 1-0 at FPR last night. Daniel Flack had a penalty appeal turned down shortly afterwards and on 15 hit a shot just wide of the post after being put through by Scott Mitchell. Flack and Antonio Murray both went close with further chances during the game but the result leaves Town at the base of the FA Premier Reserve League still looking for their first home win of the season. 386 hardy souls were in attendance.

Leeds United have beaten Town to the signature of Crystal Palace midfielder Shaun Derry. Nottingham Forest were another Championship side interested in securing the services of the 26-year-old who played a key role in the Eagles promotion last season but has made just four starts so far this campaign.

The Blue's, however, are still in the hunt for Arsenal defender Justin Hoyte. Hoyte was close to joining Town on a year-long loan in the summer but the deal fell through when the Gunner's failed to land full-back Hatem Trabelsi from Ajax. The Londoner's have now set their sites on Beveren's Emmanuel Eboue and Hoyte could spend the remainder of the season at FPR if the Eboue deal goes through in January.

And lastly, BFJ talks to Amy Lawrence of the Observer about returning Town to the Premiership, without breaking the bank in the process, here.

Monday, November 22

Sunderland 2 Town 0

Town surrendered their 11-game unbeaten run in unconvincing style at a wintery Stadium of Light yesterday. The 2-0 Sunderland victory moves them to within two points of the Blue's who retain second place in the Championship.

Town's strike force rarely threatened Sunderland's goal and it was not much of a surprise when the home side took the lead on the hour. The Blue's failed to deal with Lawrence's corner kick and Elliott back-heeled the ball into the net. Kelvin Davis made a number of saves to keep Town in within a chance but the game was settled by Brown who, with a quarter-of-an-hour to go, fired home Carter's cross.

BFJ offered no excuses for a well below par performance: "It was a sad way to end a great run. Sunderland are the best side we have played but we weren't at the races today. We did not pass the ball - we could not have found our front two with radar. We were well beaten. I have an honest bunch of lads and while I am not blaming the referee for the defeat, I think Mick (McCarthy) will be the more pleased with his performance. Sunderland are a powerful side and I think the strong sides like them, Leeds and Leicester will do well in the second half of the season. Hopefully we will stay with them after the great start we have had. That was nowhere near us today but we are limited in numbers and it is something I am trying to address."

Keeper Lewis Price made a winning start for loan side Cambridge United who beat Rushden and Diamonds 3-1 in their League Two game on Saturday. Price is on a months loan at the Abbey Stadium.

Mauricio Taricco has joined West Ham on a free transfer from Spurs. The Argentine left-back joined Tottenham from Town in December 1998 and made 156 senior appearances for the White Hart Lane outfit, scoring on two occasions. Only last week there was a suggestion that Taricco may be heading back to FPR in a loan move, a return that would have been popular but one that was obviously not meant to be.

Danny Haynes put Town's U-18's a goal up against Norwich on Saturday but the home side levelled through Chris Martin ten minutes from the end of a keenly contested 1-1 draw.

And lastly, Mich D'Avray has been made technical manager of the Australian side Perth Glory. D'Avray had previously been head coach of the NSL side leading them to two Premiership titles since his appointment in 2001.

Friday, November 19

Ready to finish the job

Honoured and Proud

BFJ is ready to sign up for a further two-years at Town and finish the job he started. Talking to the Evening Star about the announcement of his contract extension at Wednesday's AGM he said:

"I once thought I would retire at 50 and then decided that I couldn't afford it. Then I planned to walk away when I was 55, which I am now, and again I have changed my mind because there's a job to be finished here. I am honoured and proud to have managed three clubs in the Premiership and now I want to make it four with Ipswich.

"People talk about yo-yo clubs, but Fulham, Bolton and Charlton have managed to establish themselves in the Premiership. We are at least as big as those three, so why shouldn't we think about going forward and not just going up to come down again?"

It's ten years ago this week that BFJ made his managerial debut at Everton. The Toffee's were rock bottom of the Premiership going into November and his first game in charge, against Liverpool at Goodison, ended in a 2-0 victory. The three points lifted Everton off the foot of the table and their recovery was underway.

Darren Bent has expressed his shock at the abuse received by England's black players in Tuesday and Wednesday nights internationals in Spain: "Abuse is bad enough at any time but racial abuse is awful and I don't know how the players got through the game in the senior match. It must have been so tough for them to try and focus on the football when they were getting that amount of stick. In the U21s' match, I didn't really hear anything when I was playing. I just got on with the game. I don't listen to the crowd anyway but Glen Johnson and Carlton Cole told me that things were said when they were running towards the goal or going for a throw in which is obviously very disappointing."

Reserve 'keeper Lewis Price is to join Cambridge United on a month long loan but on the understanding that he can be recalled immediately to FPR if required as cover for Kelvin Davis. "We couldn't let him go when Kelvin was injured but now he's back and with Shane Supple here as well, we are in a position where Lewis can go out and gain some more first-team experience," said BFJ.

Nabil Abidallah, currently playing for Clacton Town in the Ridgeon's League, is looking to kick-start his career with a move to Portugal. The midfielder told the Evening Star: "I have a chance to join a club in the Portuguese League and plan to make the most of it. Having tasted professional football for a lot of years I am desperate to get back". A former Dutch U-18 international Abidallah was released by Town in the summer after four years at FPR.

Elsewhere, former Town chief executive officer Howard Wells is to become the Irish FA's first CEO and Canada, minus Jason De Vos, won their final WC Qualifying game in Guatemala by a goal-to-nil.

Off to the North-East for the weekend so that's it for news until Monday.

Thursday, November 18

Racist outrage/BFJ to stay until 2007

"I will write to my Spanish counterpart to express my outrage. I would like the Spanish FA to condemn the scenes. I also expect Fifa and Uefa to fully investigate the issue." The words of Sports minister Richard Caborn following the racial abuse of England's black players during the friendly with Spain at the Bernabeu Stadium yesterday. The night before Carlton Cole, Glen Johnson and our own Darren Bent were subjected to monkey chants during the U-21's game in Alcala de Henares. Unfortunately not the only occasion in recent years that Town players have had to suffer abuse. UEFA were asked take action two years ago when Marcus Bent and Finidi George, then with Town, were subjected to racial taunts during the Blue's UEFA Cup tie against FK Sartid in Yugoslavia. FK Sartid were later handed a 17,100 Euro fine.

The motion put forward by the supporters trust that a supporters' representative be elected to the Town board was defeat by 220/82 vote at last nights AGM. The meeting, held at the Regent Theatre, also saw only 8 votes cast against the reappointment of David Sheepshanks to the board, with 450 supporting the current Chairman.

And now some good news ....

Town manager Joe Royle is close to signing a new deal with the club that will keep him at FPR until 2007. Royle, who was at last nights AGM having travelled back to Ipswich after attending the funeral of Emlyn Hughes, said: "I am very happy here at Ipswich Town and we are close to agreeing the new contract for myself, Willie Donachie and one or two other members of staff. There are some I's to be dotted and T's to be crossed but there are no financial problems. I appreciate I am lucky to be paid as much as I am doing what I enjoy in football but previous experiences have taught me just to check the finer details and I will let my advisers look over the contract before anything is signed."

Former Club secretary David Rose has been honoured with the UEFA Order of Merit. Rose, now a member of the FA's disciplinary committee, said of the award: "This is a wonderful, and totally unexpected accolade. I joined the best club in the country in 1958 and it is still the best club in the country now."

Town have been able to persuade the FA to use Dean Bowditch for a maximum of 45 minutes in the England U-19's friendly against France at Barnsley's Oakwell ground tonight. With Bowditch a likley replacement for the injured Tommy Miller at Sunderland this weekend BFJ was keen to protect the young striker: "I spoke to both Trevor Brooking and the coach, Martin Hunter, and they were very sympathetic. They realise Dean is playing first-team football. I'm told this will be the last time England play a Thursday game and this will please a lot of managers whose players are in the squad."

Shefki Kuqi picked up his 37th Finland cap (and his fourth as a Town player) last night in their 1-0 loss to Italy in Messina. Kuqi played the full ninety minutes of the friendly which was decided by a 33rd-minute goal from Fabrizio Miccoli.

Pablo Counago, who turned down a loan move to Preston last week, says there is no point in anyone else looking to use his services on a temporary basis: "I could not see any point in going to Preston. I feel I can do better here at Ipswich. I know this team, the fans want me here, I want to stay and I know I can play in this team. I have played for them before and I can do so again in the future. I will stay here and wait for my chance and, when it comes, do my best."

And lastly, Marcus Stewart is hoping to bring Town's unbeaten run to end this Sunday at the Stadium of Light and also end his own run of nine games without a goal. The former Blue has six goals to his credit so far this season but has not found the back of the net since hitting a hattrick against Gillingham on September 11th - the worst run of his career.

Wednesday, November 17

Silly bid needed

Darren Bent was given his first start for the England U-21's last night after a run of substitute appearances that had seen him score seven goals in nine games. But it was a frustrating night all round for Peter Taylor's side who lost 1-0 to Spain. Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas scored the winner for the home side after 63 minutes and the young Lions finished the game with 10-men after Chelsea defender Glen Johnson received his second yellow card of the evening.

Joe Royle has responded to the recent round of speculation concerning Bent's future at FPR by saying that only a "silly bid" would prise away the clubs jewel. Town turned down a GBP3.0M bid from Charlton back in August and other clubs have been sniffing around since then:

"We are not flush with money, we are not out of the danger yet but we are getting better all the time and certainly gates likes the 30,000 we had for the Leeds game help. I am not going to say that if someone comes in and bids GBP10M for Darren then we will have any choice in the matter because there are other people to consider. But unless it's a silly bid, Darren will be staying with us. It's as simple as that."

And Town's manager has said he may have to look at the loan market before this weekend's Championship game at Sunderland as cover for the injured Fabian Wilnis (wrist) and Tommy Miller (elbow):

"We are running short. If both players were missing we would be heading towards a crisis and we would have to look at bringing someone in."

Tuesday, November 16

Taricco return?

Darren Bent looks set to make his first start for the England U-21's in their international friendly against Spain in Alcala de Henares tonight. Coach Peter Taylor has something of an injury crisis on his hands and has only two recognised strikers available for the match. Bent was to make his first start against Azerbaijan last month but was forced to sit the game out with a pulled hamstring.

X-ray's have revealed that Tommy Miller has no major damage to his elbow, following the heavy fall he sustained in the first half of Saturday's victory over Leeds, although Fabian Wilnis (wrist) has emerged as another injury concern for Sunday lunchtime's game at Sunderland.

Town's second string lost 2-0 to Tottenham at Stevenage Borough FC's ground last night, both of the Londoner's goals coming in the first half, Silva netting in the 4th minute and Slabber in the 23rd.

Spurs were captained by Mauricio Taricco who says he would have no hesitation in accepting a loan move to FPR to help Town with their promotion push: "There are only a few clubs in England I would go to - and Ipswich is a club that I would go to - no question. I had some great times there and I was treated right when I was there," he told the EADT. "I have had offers to go on loan but at the time it was not right for me but maybe now it may be different."

Monday, November 15

Wright misunderstood

Jermaine Wright, booed by sections of the crowd on his return to FPR on Saturday, maintains his summer move to Elland Road was about more than just money.

"I'm not going to lie and say money doesn't come into it but that was not the reason I left. It would have been nice to have an opportunity to talk to the club, but I was told there is your offer and that is it. Respond in 30 days. After being here five years and being a good servant to the club I feel it could have been handled better. The bottom line was there were no negotiations and I felt I deserved better than that so that was it."

Wright, who was booked and subbed in the second half, was not happy about comments made about him by BFJ at a press conference last week:

"I was a bit disappointed with what Joe Royle said in the press. I don't want to get into a slanging match but he has made out that I left on a money only basis and that was not the case. He chose his moment to say it and I'm a bit disappointed with him for doing that. I know he is clever at that but he knows different and I know different about what happened."

Elsewhere, former Town 'keeper James Pullen has joined Conference side Gravesend and Northfleet on an 18-month contract. Pullen, who made two Town appearances at the start of BFJ's reign at FPR, joins the Kent side from Peterborough United where he had just completed a loan spell at Welling.

Sunday, November 14

Town 1 Leeds 0

Second-half winner

A scrappy Darren Bent goal, his eighth of the season, gave Town a deserved 1-0 victory over Leeds at a packed FPR yesterday afternoon. Leeds edged an untidy first half without creating any chances of note but the Blue's came out with renewed purpose in the second half. Bent's 51st minute strike was enough to earn all three points despite a number of late opportunities for the visitors to equalise. The win puts Town level on points with leaders Wigan who lost for the second straight week.

A formation change forced by an injury to Tommy Miller, and the introduction of Dean Bowditch as his replacement, was the key to Town's win said Joe Royle:

"With Tommy Miller's injury [torn elbow ligament] I had already made up my mind we were going to go with three up front and we passed the ball better. We defended well, and we have just had our third clean sheet in four games. We have said if we do keep clean sheets then we will have a great chance because we usually score. The first goal here is now becoming so important. We saw that with Burnley when we spent 70 minutes trying to get back and also when we went behind against Plymouth."

Bent said he would not have been surprised had his goal been disallowed for a foul on Leeds keeper Neil Sullivan. The Town striker forced the ball over the line with Sullivan attempting to grab hold of it:

"Sometimes you get those decisions go for you and sometimes you don't. I looked towards the linesman when the ball went in the net because I wasn't sure it would stand. Shefki had a goal disallowed at Leicester a few weeks back and that wasn't as close as my one."

Town's U-18's, lost 1-0 to Charlton at the Addicks Sparrows Lane training centre Saturday morning. Despite dominating the second half, and hitting the woodwork twice, the Blue's could not recover from Lawrie Wilson's 33rd minute strike.

And over at the Valley, Norwich City's 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Charlton's first team means they have now gone 21 Premiership games without a win. Their last victory in top flight football coming all the way back in March 1995, when they beat, erm, Town 3-0!

Saturday, November 13

Royle indifferent to Wright return

Jermaine Wright returns to FPR this afternoon for the first time since his summer move to Leeds United. Wright, who turned down a new contract offer from Town for fame and glory in South Yorkshire, is looking forward to his return: "Ipswich are certainly flying at the moment and it's going to be a tough game for us but I'm looking forward to it. It's going to be strange going back to Portman Road and going in the 'away' dressing-room after so many enjoyable years at the club."

Joe Royle, who has more than adequately replaced the midfielder with the acquisition of Kevin Horlock, has no particular concerns about Jamma's return and the promising partnership he has struck-up with new signing and striker David Healy: "I'm not concerned about that, it is more about what we do."

BFJ is likely to stay with the same starting eleven that won 2-0 at Burnley last weekend, for what is expected to be a near sell-out game, Town having sold around 29,500 tickets so far.

Jim Magilton (35) has no intention of ending his playing career no matter what happens when his current contract runs out next summer. Magilton, who hit the 250-appearance mark for Town in the home win over Preston two-weeks ago, told the official site: "I'm surrounded by great crop of lads here and if I have my way I'll set off for another 250 games in a Town shirt. I don't know what's around the corner for me though but I certainly have no intention of hanging up my boots just yet."

And lastly, Holly Bellingham talks briefly about her appointment to the previously all-male preserve of the Town board over at sport.telegraph.

Friday, November 12

Roberts testimonial monies donated to cancer charity

A donation of GBP50,000 is to be given by the family of the late Dale Roberts to the charity Cancer Campaign In Suffolk. The monies were raised through a combination of proceeds from the testimonial match against Newcastle United in July and a fund raising dinner held at the Copdock Hotel.

A spokesman for the charity said: "It's only recently been made public that this generous gift will be made to the charity. It's a result of a decision made by the committee members and patrons who put so much hard work into organising the memorial match, which to our astonishment was played to a full house."

BFJ is expecting a stiff contest from Leeds United, fancied by many to make a quick return to the top flight, when they visit FPR tomorrow:

"Beating Preston in their last game [4-2] was a massive result for them because Deepdale is not an easy place to go. The report I have received says they played particularly well and I expect they will use a similar system against us, packing the midfield. Leeds were among the pre-season favourites to win promotion but I always felt it would be difficult, especially initially, with so many changes in the playing staff. But they will now be thinking their season is finally under way and that they are capable of building on the Preston victory to put a big run together."

Town from: Bent, Bowditch, Collins, Counago, Davis, De Vos, Diallo, Horlock, Kuqi, Magilton, Miller, Naylor, Price, Richards, Westlake and Wilnis.

Darren Bent has been named in Peter Taylor's England U-21 squad for next week's away friendly with Spain. Bent has made nine appearances so far for England at this level, netting seven times. Matt Richards and Ian Westlake, previously called up by Taylor, are not included this time around.

And lastly, Town's home game with Wigan Athletic been moved from Saturday, December 18th to Tuesday, December 21st for the benefit of Sky TV. The corresponding fixture last season, which Paul Jewell's side won 3-1, was also broadcast live.

Thursday, November 11

Knights no go

James Scowcroft and Robbie Elliott exchange evil glares in 2000

Referee Barry Knight, who was due to referee his first Bolton game since Town triumphed 5-3 in the Play-off semi-final against the Trotter's at Portman Road four years ago, has been replaced by Andy D'Urso for this weekend's Premiership fixture with Aston Villa. Bolton manager Sam Allardyce was concerned that Knight's presence may provoke unrest among the home fan's and pushed for the change. Bolton received 9 yellow cards on that eventful May evening, had Mike Whitlow and Robbie Elliott dismissed, conceded three penalties and were generally all-round bad losers.

Sandro Grande will not be offered a contract at Town after failing to impress sufficiently in a behind closed-door's friendly against Colchester United yesterday afternoon. The Canadian international feels his best position is in central midfield but BFJ is looking for someone to play a wider role. The Canadian international, who spent close to two weeks on trial with Ipswich, hopes to return to England in January and find another Championship club having being told by Royle that he could easily play in this division. Town lost the game 2-1.

Pablo Counago, who is well down the pecking order of strikers at FPR at the moment, has turned down a loan move to Preston North End. "I thought it would be good for him to get some regular first-team football under his belt but Pablo said no to the move," said BFJ. "That's the end of it as far as we're concerned and he will be in contention for Saturday's game against Leeds."

And lastly, Bobby Petta's Celtic career is over after his contract with the SPL side was terminated by mutual consent. Petta joined the Bhoys on a Bosman from Town in 1999 and helped Martin O'Neill's side to the treble of League, Cup and League Cup in his first season. Personal problems and a series of injuries since then have severely restricted his playing opportunities.

Wednesday, November 10

"Crazy Horse" dies

Former England and Liverpool captain Emlyn Hughes died yesterday from a brain tumour at just 57. "Crazy Horse" played for Liverpool between 1967 and 1979, helping the Anfield club to four league titles, two European Cups, an FA Cup victory and two UEFA Cup wins. The central defender was also capped 62 by England during that period and was awarded an OBE in 1980. That era coincided with Town's rise to prominence, with Robson at the helm, and I was fortunate enough to witness many of the ensuing tussles between the two sides, on Merseyside and at FPR, as the Blue's challenged Liverpool for serious silverware. Hughes' medal haul answers the question as to who came out on top in that contest as he marshalled the Red's defence through the greatest period in their history.

Joe Royle, a personal friend of the Hughes family, had this to say of Hughes: "He was a great warrior on the pitch and a great friend to me off it and he will be missed by so many people. Our families have been close for years and we had a fantastic time on holiday with them in Lanzarote a couple of years ago. I went to see Emlyn a few months ago when we played up at Doncaster and he was still fighting the tumour then but you could see that it was going to be a lost cause. But that was Emlyn, a fighter to the end and one of the game's and life's great characters."

Red tape is preventing Town from making serious offers to Canadian's Sandro Grande and Jaime Peters. Grande had impressed BFJ enough during his recent trial at FPR to have been offered a contract but FA regulations would prevent him from actually playing for the Blue's until the January transfer window opens. Despite having been released from his contract with Montreal Impact. Peters, as a non-EU citizen can play under a working holiday-maker visa but is not elligible for one of those until he is 18 next May. Chairman Sheepshanks is currently in discussion with the FA regarding both players situations.

Tottenham defender Dean Richards and Middlesboro's young midfielder Stewart Downing were both Town loan targets at the beginning of the season. Richards would have been used as cover for Jason De Vos, but had picked up an injury himself so was not available, and the impressive Downing "Is now more likely to be called into Sven-Goran Eriksson's squad than come here," said BFJ.

Jermaine Wright, who returns to FPR with Leeds at the weekend, has not been missed says BFJ and has been more than adequately replaced in midfield by Kevin Horlock. Horlock picked up the Championships player of the month award for October and Town's manager said of the honour: "Kevin deserves his accolade and has made a tremendous impact with us. He played a big part as we went through last month unbeaten. And he has carried on the good work as we have picked up nine points in our last three matches."

Richard Naylor believes that Darren Bent is set to better Alex Mathie, David Johnson and Marcus Stewart as the best Town striker in recent years: "Marcus scored a lot of goals in the Premiership but Darren has the potential to do the same and go on to be a full England international. He has pace and he has a knack of scoring goals. He is always in the right pace at the right time and attacks defenders and is positive."

Lastly, the visit of Leeds United to FPR this Saturday could be heading towards a sell-out. The Yorkshire side are bringing around 3,000 fans with them and the club say they have sold close to 27,000 tickets so far.

Tuesday, November 9

Horlock: Championship player of the month

Kevin Horlock has been named the Coca-Cola Championship's player of the month for October. Horlock, capped 32 times by Northern Ireland, has been in inspired form for Town since his arrival in the summer from Upton Park.

James Scowcroft is unlikely to be making a return to FPR unless the situation at the Walker's Stadium changes dramatically in the near future. BFJ's most recently inquired about the Leicester striker following the appointment of Craig Levein, who replaced caretaker manager Dave Bassett last week, but has been told he is not available:

"I've enquired a few times about him and the answer has always been the same - he's not available. I asked about the possibility of him coming here on loan because that's all we can afford."

Darren Bent has reiterated his desire to stay at Town and help them win promotion back to the Premiership. Bent, who bagged a brace in Saturday's 2-0 win at Burnley, is not for sale according to CEO Derek Bowden despite mounting interest from a number of Premiership clubs.

"There is a terrific feeling in the dressing room at the moment. We are all buzzing and I've never changed my mind about getting back to the Premiership with Ipswich."

Burnley's Robbie Blake says that the Claret's were denied a legitimate goal on Saturday - a goal that could have changed the outcome of the game. Blake was ruled offside after beating Kelvin Davis with a 20th minute strike which had it stood would have levelled the score at a goal apiece:

"I was well on side when I scored. It was a bad decision and had a big impact on the outcome of the match. But credit to Ipswich who rode their good fortune and were well served by Richard Naylor and Jason De Vos at the back."

Shefki Kuqi has been named in the Finnish squad for a friendly against Italy on Wednesday November 17th. Kuqi scored twice for the Finns in their World Cup qualifier against Armenia in October.

Former Ipswich schoolmaster Stuart Murdoch has been sacked by the MK Dons after two-and-a-half years as their manager. Murdoch had led the Don's to an admiral 10th place finish in Division One in 2002/03, despite losing a number of key players. But, following the move to Milton Keynes, the club were relegated and look likely to repeat the feat this season as they currently occupy a drop-zone spot in League One. Assistant manager Jimmy Gilligan is in temporary charge aided by player-coach, and former Town defender and Cambridge University graduate, Steve Palmer.

Ex-Town midfielder Bobby Petta looks likely to be making an exit from Glasgow Celtic in the near future. Petta, who earlier this year had a loan spell at Premiership Fulham, will have to go elsewhere in order to get regular first team football, according to manager Martin O'Neill.

Lastly, the Blue's are one of eleven clubs taking part in the first ever World Club Football Task Force Committee set up by football's governing body FIFA (not a three club task force as reported yesterday). The task force will meet for the first time in Zurich on December 17th and includes in its number Jubilo Iwata (Japan), Mohun Bagan (India), Barcelona (Spain), Bayern Munich (Germany), River Plate (Argentina), Palmeiras (Brazil), New England Revolution (USA) and Perth Glory (Australia).

Monday, November 8

Scowcroft coming home/Town facing extinction?

A report in today's EADT suggests that former Town striker James Scowcroft could be on his way back to FPR. Joe Royle made an approach for Scowcroft earlier this season but was turned down by then Leicester manager Micky Adams. Adams has since been replaced by Craig Levein and BFJ will make an approach to the new man in the next few days. Former Blue's manager George Burley sold Bury St Edmunds born Scowcroft to Leicester for GBP3.0M in July 2001.

William Gaillard, communications chief at UEFA, has warned that urgent measures need to be taken to bridge the ever widening gap between Europe's elite clubs and smaller clubs such as Town, or such clubs could be extinct in twenty years time.

"It's a serious concern for us that in many European countries only a small number of teams can win the domestic league title. This competitive imbalance is not unique in England, but it is quite pronounced there."

He continued: "Previously, you could play for or support Ipswich Town, Nottingham Forest or Derby County and have a chance that in your lifetime they would win the league or FA Cup. But today that chance is becoming more remote. These mid-size teams have made the history of European football. There are a lot of glorious names today that, if nothing is done, in 20 years' time will be threatened with extinction. They have no possibility of getting to the top eight or 10 of the top division in their countries."

UEFA president, Lennart Johansson, privately blames UEFA's very own Champions League's for ruining domestic football. He believes that UEFA has created a monster that has produced this unequal struggle between haves and have-nots in countries across Europe.

Ipswich, along with Bayern Munich and Barcelona are part of a three club FIFA taskforce that will meet in Zurich in December to discuss a broad range of domestic and European football issues.

And lastly, the U-18's beat Crystal Palace 4-2 at Playford Road on Saturday morning. Trialist Allicion Blake (2), Sammy Haynes and Liam Trotter were Town's goalscorers.

Sunday, November 7

Burnley 0 Town 2

Turf Moor

Town continued their prodigious goal output rate with a further two-goals against Burnley at Turf Moor yesterday to take the total to ten in three games. This time its was Darren Bent's turn for the headlines and his brace puts the Blue's just three points behind Championship leaders Wigan.

Soon after Kevin Horlock had hit the bar from a free-kick, Bent put Town a goal up (15). A long clearance from Kelvin Davis, back in the side after a six game absence, found Bent with a clear run on goal and the U-21 England international easily beat the advancing Jensen in the Claret's goal.

His second, in the second half, was an excellent strike. From the edge of the Burnley area he drove a pile driver into the far corner of the net to secure Town's third successive win ("Hats off" to the Burnley fans in the James Hargreaves Stand who sportingly applauded Bent's fine effort).

It was hardly vintage stuff from Town as BFJ admitted:

"We were far from our best but we weren't ever in too much trouble. Our goalkeeper had two long-distance saves in the first half but otherwise we looked defensively sound. We defended properly and had other chances to score, without playing near our best. So I take that as a great plus because when we are at our best I think we're as good as anyone in the division."

Bent was the difference between the two sides said Burnley manager Steve Cotterill:

"The difference was Bent, he's excellent. A Premiership player without a doubt. He stretches teams and he's too quick to squeeze up. The other thing is that he pushes full-backs, his work rate is terrific. We got undone by two fantastic goals. He's a wonderful player, it'll be our luck now that he'll go to the Premiership in the (transfer) window rather than last summer."

And on the subject of Bent, Chairman David Sheepshanks is adamant that the widely admired striker (Villa, Charlton, Everton and Norwich have all expressed interest recently) is going nowhere:

"Darren Bent is one of the best strikers outside the Premiership and it is only natural that clubs will admire his talents, but he is doing an excellent job for Ipswich. Darren has said he wants to play in the Premiership with Ipswich and is scoring the goals that will help take us there and hopefully will still be scoring for Ipswich when we are in the Premiership. We have absolutely no wish or need to sell him in the January transfer window. We have already rejected a sizeable bid for Darren from Charlton and even though the board has a responsibility to consider offers for our players we are under no pressure to sell."

(Which makes complete nonsense of the story put forward by a "reporter" for BBC Cambridgeshire who we bumped into on our way back from Lancashire last night, who claimed that a Bent move to Carrow Road was a done and dusted deal. Or does it?)

Saturday, November 6

Eighteen to Turf Moor

Town are taking a squad of eighteen to Turf Moor for today's Championship game against Burnley. Jason De Vos (thigh) is included in the party but remains a doubt. Also in is midfielder Antonio Murray as are Kelvin Davis and Lewis Price who will battle it out for the 'keeper's jersey following Davis's return following the back injury he sustained in September.

Town squad: Bent, Bowditch, Collins, Counago, Davis, De Vos, Diallo, Horlock, Kuqi, Magilton, Miller, Mitchell, Murray, Naylor, Price, Richards, Westlake and Wilnis.

Burnley are currently undergoing something of an injury crisis but will have taken heart from their 2-1 win over Leeds at Elland Road on Wednesday night. Former Town defender John McGreal suffered a shoulder injury during the Clarets 3-0 defeat at QPR last weekend and the same injury forced him off ten minutes from the end of the Leeds game.

Let's just hope the 538 mile round trip today provides more entertainment that the dire game the two sides served up at FPR three weeks ago.

Friday, November 5

Former Town stars in Calendar omission shock

Horlock: Unsung hero

Kevin Horlock was won the EADT/Powergen player of the month award for October. The free-transfer summer signing from West Ham has excelled in midfield since his arrival at Portman Road and just edged out the trio of Lewis Price, Jason De Vos and Shefki Kuqi who where joint second:

"I'm really pleased to win this award. It is good to get recognition for what you do as a job. It was a good month for the team in general and the award could easily have gone to one of many players."

Aston Villa manager David O'Leary has played down rumours that he is making a GBP4.0M move for Town striker Darren Bent. "There is no truth in this about Darren Bent at all," he said. "I've said all along that if we are to move this club forward we need five quality players." Bent has also been linked with a possible January move to Everton.

Academy Director Bryan Klug is taking part in this weekend's New York City Marathon. Klug, who has previously entered the London Marathon twice, is looking to complete the race in under four hours.

Elsewhere, next years Newcastle United Team Calendar was a particularly anti-Ipswich feel to it, according to NUFC.com. Not only is Kieron Dyer conspicuous by his absence but there is no room either for Academy products Titus Bramble and Darren Ambrose!

Thursday, November 4

Keeper Quandary for BFJ

Kelvin Davis last night played his first competitive football since injuring his back in the home league game with Reading last month. Town's No. 1 kept a clean sheet in the 2-0 reserve victory against West Ham at Dagenham & Redbridge's ground as Pablo Counago and Dean Bowditch hit first-half goals to secure the second strings first victory this season.

Joe Royle now faces a selection dilemma. Stick with Welsh U-21 keeper Lewis Price, who has deputised so well for Davis in the last six-and-a-half league games, or put Davis straight back into Championship action against Burnley at Turf Moor this Saturday.

Canadian midfielder, and international team mate of Jason De Vos, Sandro Grande is returning home to North America after spending a week on trial with Town. The former Brescia man will not be offered a deal in the immediate future but Joe Royle is not ruling out the possibility of a contract in the future:

"Sandro has done well while he has been here but we have not been given permission to play him in reserve team games. So he will be going back next week and we will wait until the transfer window comes around in January and see what develops from there."

De Vos himself, has a three inch blood clot in his thigh, an injury that saw him substituted in Tuesday night's 5-1 victory against Sheffield United. The central defender was replaced by Matt Richards after 24 minutes and BFJ will be "surprised if he's out there at Burnley on Saturday."

Town's boss has declared Shefki Kuqi as "invaluable" as the Blue's continue their promotion form. Kuqi, who could so easily have joined either Daewoo Royals of South Korea or German side Hansa Rostock during the summer, is "going nowhere," say's BFJ.

"It wasn't a case of me trying to get rid of him earlier this year. There was someone else I could have got to replace him and the information I was getting from Shefki's side, through his agent, was that he would have welcomed a move. I think the world of him and there's no doubt he has done well for us recently. But he had a poor finish to last season and he hadn't gone well in pre-season, and I was led to believe he wouldn't mind moving on. But since then he has settled down and worked hard, which he always does. His confidence is high at the moment and on current form he is invaluable to us."

Wednesday, November 3

Town 5 Blades 1

Town turned in their best performance of the season so far to trounce fellow promotion hopefuls Sheffield United 5-1 at FPR last night. Former Wednesday man Shefki Kuqi netted twice to take his tally to eight for the current campaign as the Blue's put on an exhibition in finishing. Tommy Miller netted from the spot on 22 minutes - after Darren Bent had been brought down by Kenny - before the Finn scored his first of the evening with a looping header sixty seconds later.

Bromby looked to have brought the Blades back into the game with a volley just before the interval, but a burst of three goals in nine second-half minutes kept Town well and truly in the promotion hunt. Richard Naylor headed home on 62, Kuqi hit his second on 68 and Ian Westlake completed the rout on 71.

BFJ was all smiles after the 5-1 thrashing: "With five goals again we continue to be free-scoring and I think entertaining at home, although we had our usual 10-minute wobble just after half time. We have got to keep going and our biggest fear is still injuries. Two lads [Tommy Miller and Fabian Wilnis] recovered to play today, but we are only two or three injuries away from a crisis. I thought in the first half we were very tight. Had we come in 2-0 at half time I would have said it was our best half of the season, but the second half really opened up and when we get chances we are deadly."

United manager Neil Warnock, always a welcome visitor to Suffolk, described some of his side's defending as "embarrassing" and vowed: "That is the last time I come here and try to play football." The Blades are now winless in the league at FPR since 1975.

Miller kept up his 100% penalty conversion rate in last night's win and by my reckoning that's twenty in a row since his first for Hartlepool against Mansfield in October, 1999:

16-10-1999 Mansfield 2 HARTLEPOOL 3
03-01-2000 HARTLEPOOL 3 ROCHDALE 2
05-09-2000 HARTLEPOOL 3 Burnley 2
16-09-2000 HARTLEPOOL 2 Macclesfield 2
02-12-2000 HARTLEPOOL 1 Southend 0
06-01-2001 HARTLEPOOL 2 Exeter 0
09-01-2001 HARTLEPOOL 3 Doncaster 1
10-02-2001 HARTLEPOOL 3 Blackpool 1
13-02-2001 Carlisle 2 HARTLEPOOL 3
01-01-2003 IPSWICH 4 Millwall 1
25-01-2003 Sheffield United 4 IPSWICH 3
05-04-2003 IPSWICH 3 Nottingham Forest 4
09-08-2003 IPSWICH 1 Reading 1
08-11-2003 Derby 2 IPSWICH 2
29-11-2003 Cardiff 2 IPSWICH 3
07-03-2004 Norwich 3 IPSWICH 1
12-04-2004 IPSWICH 1 Sunderland 0
14-08-2004 Derby 3 IPSWICH 2
30-08-2004 IPSWICH 2 Wolves 1
02-11-2004 IPSWICH 5 Sheffield United 1

Captain Jim Magilton put in another solid performance to mark his 250th appearance for the club since joining the Blue's from Sheffield Wednesday, initially on loan, for GBP682,500 in January 1999.

Chairman David Sheepshanks has cleared up the confusion surrounding the GBP75,000 performance related bonus due to CEO Derek Bowden. It was reported last week that Bowden had foregone the bonus and donated the monies to Joe Royle's promotion warchest whereas in fact he has merely deferred taking the payment.

Town, and the Evening Star, are running a novel competition that will allow the lucky winner to have the North Stand named after them for the remainder of the season. Profits generated by the competition will be used to fund additional floodlighting at the Academy's Playford Road.

Dean Bowditch has once again been named in coach Martin Hunter's England U-19 squad. Bowditch, who starred in the 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic at Carrow Road in the U-19's last game is a likely starter against France in Barnsley on November 18th.

According to the Sun, and the ever dependable FansFC, Aston Villa manager David O'Leary will be targeting Darren Bent when the Premiership transfer window opens in January. A fee of GBP4.0M is suggested.

Lastly, former Town midfielder Kieron Dyer, who has made just a single appearance for Newcastle United since Graeme Souness replaced Sir Bobby Robson as manager, is on the mend from his latest injury and should be available for team selection in the next two weeks. Anyone on the look out for an Xmas gift for the wayward midfield star need search no more: Masculine with rugged and adventurous attributes "Essence of Hummer" for the off-road driver in your life.

Tuesday, November 2

Town set for record

Tommy Miller steps up to start Town's record run

Town will set a club record of 29 consecutive league games in which they scored if they find the back of the Sheffield United net at FPR tonight. The run started with Tommy Miller's penalty conversion at Carrow Road back on March 7th and continued to the end of the 2003/04 season when Shefki Kuqi netted against Cardiff City. It picked up again with the 2004/05 season's 2-1 opening day win against Gillingham, when Richard Naylor and Dean Bowditch scored, and has continued through the sixteen league fixtures so far this season.

The previous best of 28 consecutive games scored in dates back to January 1954 when Town beat Leyton Orient 2-1 at Brisbane Road in the old Division Three (South) to cap a run that had started in May the previous year with a 2-1 home victory over Aldershot. More of that here.

Kelvin Davis is back in the first team squad for the first time since injuring his back in the home fixture against Reading on September 28th. Davis is expected to remain on the bench, however, with Lewis Price continuing to deputise for Town's No.1. Tommy Miller (calf) and Fabian Wilnis (hamstring) are also included despite picking up injuries against Preston over the weekend.

Town squad: Darren Bent, Dean Bowditch, Aidan Collins, Pablo Counago, Kelvin Davis, Jason De Vos, Drissa Diallo, Kevin Horlock, Shefki Kuqi, Jim Magilton, Tommy Miller, Scott Mitchell, Richard Naylor, Lewis Price, Matt Richards, Ian Westlake and Fabian Wilnis.

Monday, November 1

Worthington's Saturday presence sparks striker speculation

No surprise that Nigel Worthington's appearance at FPR for the Preston game on Saturday has sparked speculation as to who the Canaries manager may have been watching and who could be a possible target come January's Premiership transfer window.

As our feathered friends to the north have managed to score just nine goals in ten league outings a reasonable assumption is that he is on the lookout for a striker. All four of Town's (Kuqi, Bent, Bowditch & Counago) were on display against PNE at one point or another during the 90 minutes. In fact, following the injury to Fabian Wilnis, necessity dictated that they all spend the remaining 13 on the pitch together.

We are led to believe that we are no longer a selling club (unless the price is absolutely right) and that Joe Royle's squad can remain intact at least until the end of the season so speculation should be remain exactly that, speculation. And in any case, would the board sanction the sale of a Town player to help save the necks of our East Anglian rivals?

Joe Royle is still enthusing over Town's 3-0 weekend victory: "It's a nice boost to be up in second place again and I felt we were outstanding. I'm told we had 22 attempts at goal and that is one every four minutes but it has always been that way here, we have always looked to take the game to the opposition in the two years I have been in charge. We could and should have had more than the three goals, we hit the post, had a possible penalty and had one cleared off the line. I thought 3-0 flattered them and at times our football was outstanding. Our 'keeper didn't have much to do and overall I'm delighted with the performance."

Elsewhere, Town's U-18's went down 4-2 to Millwall at Playford Road on Saturday. Blair Hammond and Kieran Leabon netting for the Blue's.