x

Clean Sheet Delight Tempered By Draw - Ipswich Town News

Dean Gerken admits his delight at keeping a clean sheet was tempered with the disappointment of not being able to overcome Huddersfield at Portman Road on Saturday.

The goalless draw extended a frustrating run for Mick McCarthy and his players as they head for Hull this evening desperate to land all three points courtesy of what would be only their second win in eight league games.

Gerken admitted: "Before the game we were looking at it and we wanted the three points. If it's any other scenario, 0-0 and a clean sheet, you're going to be happy with from a defensive point of view, but we were disappointed we didn't get all three points.

"We needed the clean sheet because confidence has been low on that side of things. Everyone pulled their weight on Saturday - we showed what we can do and we were solid but we just couldn't get that final goal that we wanted to get. Never mind, we'll take the 0-0 draw.

"We got the rub of the green when Bez [Christophe Berra] got the ball off the line when Nahki Wells came through but these sorts of things hadn't been happening for us in the previous couple of weeks.

"But if the luck was on our side on Saturday it was still a thoroughly deserved clean sheet.

"It's tough all the time and the pressure is on whether you're winning, losing or drawing.

"But we've got a strong group of experienced players and we're in our little bubble so no one has been affected as such, it's been alright.”

Asked if he understood the fans' frustration at the moment, Gerken responded: "Absolutely. Last year we were flying and this year's it's been a bit more difficult.

"We've had some unlucky breaks with injuries and stuff like that but we're here to win games and we haven't been doing it as frequently as we were last year.

"We're planning on improving and everyone knows the situation - we want to finish as high up the league as we can and we're not doing it at the moment.”

Asked what his message to Town supporters would be, the keeper answered: "I don't know what you want me to say about it.

"At the end of the day we've got a good team, not a lot has changed from last year and things will be put right. I've no worries about that at all.

"Every day we come into training we are trying to improve and we're not going up to Hull trying not to improve.

"We are trying to win games and after getting a clean sheet on Saturday we have a massive game at Hull and another game at Nottingham Forest this weekend. We want to go and pick up points."

What to read next:

Hirst: Handball is a Handball
George Hirst felt referee Andrew Kitchen made the correct decision in awarding Town a stoppage time penalty in the 1-1 draw with Birmingham City at St Andrew’s.
McKenna: We Found a Way to Battle For a Point
Town boss Kieran McKenna felt his side found a way to battle for what he believes could prove to be an important point his side drew 1-1 at Birmingham City and revealed that the club has reported the incident in which Jack Taylor was assaulted by a fan following George Hirst’s late, late penalty to the authorities.
McKenna on Philogene, Cajuste and Hutchinson
Town boss Kieran McKenna has explained why Jaden Philogene, Jens Cajuste and Omari Hutchinson missed tonight’s 1-1 draw at Birmingham.
McKenna: Akpom Deal One All Parties Are Trying to Push Through
Town boss Kieran McKenna says his understanding is that the Chuba Akpom loan move from Ajax is something all parties are trying to push through.
Birmingham City 1-1 Ipswich Town - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Birmingham City 1-1 Ipswich Town - Match Report
George Hirst’s 95th-minute penalty claimed an unlikely 1-1 draw for Championship favourites Town in their opening game of the season at Birmingham City. The newly promoted home side looked set for all three points courtesy of Jay Stansfield’s goal on 55 until sub Lyndon Dykes handled in the area and Hirst confidently found the net to grab a share of the point.
Birmingham City 0-0 Ipswich Town - Half-Time
Town’s opening game of the season at Birmingham City remains 0-0 at half-time.
Birmingham City v Ipswich Town - Chatroom Open
Join us in the chatroom to discuss the game as it unfolds with hundreds of other Town fans.
Ogbene Starts For Blues at Birmingham
Chieo Ogbene makes his first start since October last year and Leif Davis is fit to start at left-back as the Blues get their season under way at Birmingham City (Sky Sports, KO 8pm), but neither Omari Hutchinson nor Jaden Philogene are in the squad.
The TWTD Prediction League 2025/26
With the start of the new season only a few days away, it’s time to register for the TWTD Prediction League 2025/26.