Top of the table after five matches, and with so many good players coming back from injury, it seems that the only way is up for Ipswich football club. Now I will add a little poetic license to that Dylan classic by daring to suggest that Town times they are a-changing! Now, I am the first to admit that it is unwise to surmise as to the outcome of the season as a whole – we only have to look at Bury and Bolton to see how things can go so badly wrong but it is the first time for a long time that I have felt so confident.
The squad is arguably one of the best in this division when everyone is fit, and even now; when we still have lots of quality players working their way to full fitness, we are looking strong in all departments and this surely bodes well for the future.
I am convinced that manager Paul Lambert must play James Norwood and Kayden Jackson together on a regular basis from now on because they have the makings of strong twin striking partnership. I suspect, and certainly hope, that the manager has learned something from his experiment playing Norwood as a lone forward against Wimbledon, which almost cost us all three points. It is nice too to have Will Keane and Freddie Sears as the support act.
In midfield, we look especially strong and Jon Nolan and Emyr Huws are nearing full fitness so Lambert will be shortly spoilt for choice in this department.
The recent acquisition of Kane Vincent-Young from Colchester has also bolstered our defence and he has all the makings of a quality wing-back and made a very impressive debut against Bolton last Saturday. My only real concern remains with the goalkeeping jersey. Tomas Holy has not convinced me yet that he is worthy of the number one spot but we do have the talented Will Norris waiting in the wings of course.
So then, as we approach another home game against Shrewsbury with anxious anticipation, getting into the winning habit so early in the season is a very positive trend, and I trust for this to continue that Lambert will again play 4-4-2 at Portman Road on Saturday afternoon.
