Some football pundits think that it’s all over bar the shouting but I am not all that convinced. The main argument for our agonising descent appears to revolve around our inability to win home games, and the fact that we are still five points off the rest of the pack. They are of course valid views because home games are your bread and butter and few teams turn things around if they are rock bottom at Christmas.
I think however that our defining moment has not quite arrived. If we lose to Sheffield United on Saturday however, I think we will be more or less condemned to the drop, so we must get something out of this game at Portman Road. It should be a good attendance too with another ‘Kids for a Quid’ promotion, and when the Tractor Boys face Rotherham United on the 12th January there will be another one; with tickets for senior citizens aged 65-plus, and under-23s will be £8 with under-19s and under-12s charged just £3 for this one. Anyone who has bought seats already will be refunded the difference, so it is a win-win situation all-round.
So, it is our home form that will eventually decide our fate. If we can start winning on a regular basis at home again and start picking up some points on our travels, then I firmly believe all is not lost and the feel-good factor that new boss Paul Lambert has brought to the club has removed a very dark cloud that was hanging over the club.
Of course, it sounds a lot easier on paper than on the playing field and Town must take the positives from that victory at home to Wigan and push on. Time is of the essence now and the nearer we can get to the rest before the New Year the better for all concerned.
Paul Lambert reiterated today in his press conference that a five points shortfall is not a lot if you are winning matches. Getting into the habit of winning though has been a challenge all season and it is vitally important that the Blues go into the game against the Blades with their tails up!
With no international breaks to distract us, here is the perfect opportunity to defeat a play-off side with aspirations of top-flight football next term. If we are victorious on Saturday I feel sure our season will turn for the better.
F.W. Vital Ipswich
