A hard fought draw in our first league match (courtesy of an injury time equaliser) and a penalty shoot-out defeat in the League Cup first round, away to lower league opposition. Two disjointed, complacent performances that might leave us worried for the future. And of course, many of us were worried at the time. That 2018/19 season started poorly and never quite let up, with Paul Hurst and Paul Lambert presiding over an Ipswich relegation that was possibly overdue but certainly deserved. Things shouldn’t get that bad here, right? We’re too well-equipped, well-backed, and well-supported to avoid a repetition of Luton’s recent back-to-back relegations? But some say after a sharp rise comes a sharp fall, and there are certainly reasons to be fearful that our status as pre-season promotion favourites doesn’t look as accurate as hoped. Put simply, on the basis for these first two games - this doesn’t look like an Ipswich team, but a smattering of individuals. We’ve got wantaway players still at the club, with the overriding sense that further transfer activity will be required. This will likely be yet another season of a team in transition, particularly in the early months. August was always going to be a tough month with new signings to bed in and to kick off the rust from a dreadful 2025, where we've only won once so far! Town will be hoping to do something we couldn’t do last season against Southampton and beat them. McKenna will have a challenge on his hands to rebuild this squad – which is still stacked and great on paper – into a promotion winning machine. He’s done it twice before, I’ve still got the faith. Cajuste and Akpom are through the door, Philogene will hopefully come back from injury soon, and the promise of a couple more additions to make up likely departures for Hutchinson and Broadhead will make a difference. But the spirit of the promotion winning teams seems to have left with most of the players. It's down to this new squad to rise to the challenge and prove they're a better team. Southampton are managed by top young prospect Will Still and won both their games so far this season – 2-1 against media darlings Wrexham and a 1-0 away win in the cup against Northampton. With players like Ronnie Edwards and Jack Stephens in defence, midfielders Shea Charles and Flynn Downes, and a host of attacking options in Adam Armstrong, Mateus Fernandes, Ben Brereton Dias, Ryan Fraser, Jay Robinson, and Tyler Dibling. Southampton match us for sheer depth and variety of weaponry. Unfortunately for them, both Dibling and Fernandes (stand out players last season in a poor side) look to return to the Premier League. Unfortunately, we’re potentially playing Southampton when they still have their best players. Tough one to predict, but I can't really see a win here at this stage of the season. I'll go for a 2-2 draw.
Saints are wetting their lips and couldnt ask for a better time to come up to Suffolk. Lets hope for a surprise, and at least more confident spells. 2-2 draw.
