Can You Spot The Green Shoots?

We are undefeated in our last three league encounters and without conceding a goal. We have defeated a top-six side convincingly. We are scoring goals again! OK, I admit, it was only a single goal that ensured we went back from Humberside with all three points, but those green shoots are clearly visible once more.

The way we played on Tuesday night against Hull City was particularly pleasing. We were on the front foot from the off, and should really have won by more. Profligate finishing was the main reason why we didn’t, but this has been a problem all season. If James Norwood and Troy Parrott can forge a successful partnership, then this will inevitably change. These things take time but from the first moment they set eyes on each other on a football field, I could sense there was an intuitive understanding of each others game. If they both stay fit, then I can see the goals flowing in the weeks ahead. They compliment each other perfectly, and they are both natural goalscorers.

The rumour mill has been rife with talk of a Town takeover, but there is nothing concrete to go on. Owner Marcus Evans might be tempted if a lucrative bid came in, but who in their right mind would be prepared to buy a struggling Ipswich Town?  A US-based consortium apparently wants to make a quick buck and sell the club on. It all seems very fanciful to me, and exceedingly unlikely to materialise. Evans five-point plan would have to be binned, and he would have to reluctantly accept that he has failed miserably. That is not in his D.N.A.

Back to those green shoots, and if Town could defeat Doncaster in the same convincing way they disposed of Hull, then everyone would be inclined to sit up and take notice! The  South Yorkshire club is in free-fall at the moment and this could be the perfect time to face them at Portman Road. We have to build on those green shoots if we have any chance of progressing up the table and if the timing is everything then this is our golden chance! Donny have lost three of their last five matches and have only won once. Their confidence won’t be sky-high at the moment so we must do what we did against Hull, and charge down every ball. We know they are a good outfit, but we have to take them out whilst they are reeling on the ropes.