Intro & Team News
IBO Reporter: channonite
Intro
Leading up to this match, there was a lot of talk about this being a six-pointer and how the club were looking at replacing Martin with Eustace from Blackburn. All complete bollocks, but that is the sort of complete rubbish you have to live with now we are back in the Premier League.
The feeling around the club was improved immeasurably by beating Everton away in the Carabao Cup midweek, but would that translate into something against Ipswich, who, don’t forget, beat us last season at home in the Championship?
As Martin changed ten players from the Man United to the Everton matches, would he make a similar number of changes for this match? One guaranteed change would be to bring Ramsdale back in as the keeper, but what formation would he arrange in front of him?
Ipswich plays similarly to Saints but perhaps more robustly! They also have a very canny manager and made some excellent signings in the summer window. Whatever team Martin selects, they have to do better than last year’s loss.
Team News
Well, I wasn’t expecting that.
When the team was announced, it took a couple of minutes to work out the starting formation. The defence was a straightforward back four in front of Ramsdale, comprising Sugawara and Taylor as the fullbacks and Bednarek and Harwood-Bellis as the central defensive pair. Midfield was Lallana and Downes, with Dibling in a more forward role. Fernandes and Fraser would be the wide players. And all on his own up front would be Archer.
What could go wrong?
Adam Ramsdale was in fine form in goal, making several crucial saves