x

Bart: Wigan Game Quiet But Not Easy - Ipswich Town News

It may have been one of the quietest 90 minutes of his entire career but last week’s goalless Portman Road stalemate with struggling Wigan still took its toll on Town goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski.

The 27-year-old Pole explained: "It was probably the least busy I have ever been in a game because I had so few saves to make.

"When you are making saves every few minutes you are flying and feeling good but when you have so little to do you must stay focused because you never know when you might have to make a wonder save.

"I wasn’t busy against Wigan, just cold. These are the hardest games because you need to keep your focus and fully concentrate right to the very end.

"You might not have very much to do for 89 minutes and then in the 90th minute you might have a shot to save to make sure you don’t lose the game.

"After the game I said to Malcolm [Webster], the goalkeeping coach, that physically I was alright but mentally I was tired and I think that said everything.”

Bialkowski has also lifted the lid on his pre-match ritual when he crosses himself and points his arms to the heavens and looks into back of his net.

He added: "It’s a personal thing for me but basically I believe in God and that He is helping me in every aspect of my game and my life. I pray for a good game and that’s it really. I am doing it for me and my family. I have been doing it for 10 or more years.”

On a less serious note Bialkowski added his thanks to the many Town fans whose votes helped him to second place in the Beard Liberation Front’s Beard of the Year poll for 2014, just behind Eurovision winner Conchita Wurst.

He laughed: "That was quite funny. Someone tweeted it and I know it was the Ipswich fans who voted for me.

"I didn’t mind where I finished but it was good of the fans. Other players also have beards but I still think mine is the best one and at the moment it is definitely staying on.”

What to read next:

Grant Talks With Huddersfield Ongoing
Talks between Blues first-team coach Lee Grant and Huddersfield Town regarding their management vacancy are ongoing, TWTD understands.
Norwich Target Long-Serving Town Academy Coach Klug
Long-serving Blues academy coach, former assistant boss and three-time caretaker-manager Bryan Klug is being targeted by Norwich City, TWTD understands.
Town XI to Face Lowestoft in Pre-Season
A Town XI will play a pre-season friendly against Lowestoft Town at Crown Meadow on Saturday 5th July (KO 3pm).
Chelsea Strong Favourites to Sign Delap
Chelsea are now the strong favourites to sign Blues striker Liam Delap, TWTD understands.
Chaplin: The Club is in a Much Better Place Than it Was a Year Ago
Town will return to the Championship in a much better place than they left it a year ago, according to forward Conor Chaplin.
Phillips: McKenna Made Me Believe in Myself Again
On-loan Blues midfielder Kalvin Phillips, whose spell at Portman Road is up now the season is at an end, has said his goodbyes and says Town manager Kieran McKenna made him believe in himself again.
Luongo: Together We Have Created Incredible Memories
Exiting Town midfielder Massimo Luongo has thanked everyone at Portman Road having created “incredible” memories together during his time at the club.
Town Bookies' Early Favourites For Championship Title
Town are the bookies’ early favourites to win the 2025/26 Championship title.
Town Coach Grant Linked With Terriers Job
Blues first-team coach Lee Grant is reportedly among the options to take over as manager at League One Huddersfield Town.
Enciso: Thanks For Supporting Me and For the Love
Departing loanee Julio Enciso has said his farewells and thanked everyone at Portman Road following his half-season spell at the club.