The date in question was Friday, 11th September, 2015 and it as another night game, this time at the Madejski Stadium, when Town succumbed to their worst defeat of the season.
In truth, Town did not really deserve this kind of walloping and in the early stages, after Freddie Sears had leveled things, there seemed to be only one winner. There was but sadly it wasn’t us!
Our nemesis that night was the man from Portugal who scored a hat-trick and almost single-handedly turned the game on its head.
It seems a long time ago now and it is because it was also the last time we attempted to play free flowing football.
Tonight however, the Tractor Boys have a chance of some sweet revenge! Our style of play these days does not lend itself to beating the pulp out of teams so it is very unlikely we will emulate the Royals goal-scoring feats last September.
At the end of the day – or night I guess, a win is all we really need and the omens are good. In evening games we are a different proposition and we have had a ten days break from competitive football – unlike Reading, who played three days ago in the cup.
We also have that proud ‘Tuesday Night Is Victory Night’ record that if we can sustain it will mean we have won our last sixteen matches at Portman Road under floodlights!
Unfortunately though, records are there to be broken and Reading have a good track record against us of late having won eight of their last nine league games against Ipswich Town and losing just the once.
That is a scary statistic and I am quite sure that manager Mick McCarthy will have forewarned his players of potential pitfalls.
It could be a healthy turn out at Portman Road this evening which should add to the overall atmosphere.
There will, I am sure be warm applause for the return of Town favourite Bartosz Bialkowski behind the sticks.
Their main danger man is Matej Vydra who has scored six in six but thankfully all in the FA Cup!
For Town, Jonathan Douglas serves the first of his three game ban and I would expect Luke Hyam to replace him and adding some steal to our midfield, if not goals.
I am predicting a narrow Town victory this evening because I believe the blues are really up for it and it could propel us back into the top six again, depending of course on other results.
Frank Weston – editor of Vital Ipswich
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