x

U23s in Action at Watford - Ipswich Town News

Ben Folami and Idris El Mizouni will be in the Blues’ U23s side which is in action at Watford this afternoon (KO 1pm). Also likely to be involved is central defender Corrie Ndaba, whose loan move to Chelmsford broke down at the end of last week.

The young Blues will be looking to continue their impressive recent form, which has seen them climb from the bottom of the Professional Development League Two South table up to seventh. The Hornets currently sit top and are unbeaten in their last four matches.

Ndaba's proposed loan move to Chelmsford was blocked the Vanarama National League on Friday due to the Clarets' financial issues. Barry Cotter could also return to the U23s today as the extension to his loan spell was also blocked.

Ndaba, 19, had been pencilled in for a first-team debut at the end of last season but is still to make his senior bow, even in the Leasing.com Trophy.

"Corrie came to Germany with us, and he and Woolfy were probably on a level playing field,” manager Paul Lambert recalled.

"Woolfy has done great and really took off, Corrie found it a little bit difficult and needs a little bit of help and if we can get him it then great.

"I think he needs a loan to get out there and play, Woolfy did it at Swindon and I think that’s important. He’s a talented footballer but he just needs a little bit of help and not just playing U23s football.”

The last few U23s teams have involved no experienced first-team players - and the same is likely to be the case today - as Lambert doesn’t believe they get much from playing games at that level.

"I’m not an advocate of U23 football for senior players and what they get out of it,” he said. "They get the 90 minutes game time, but it’s not the intensity they normally pick up.

"It’s good for the younger guys that are making their name and sometimes for the experienced ones it works on certain occasions and sometimes it doesn’t, so sometimes I like them training with us where the intensity is really high then what they’d get from a U23 game.”

Meanwhile, the Blues' U18s beat Coventry 4-1 at home on Saturday morning with Allan Viral (2), Dylan Ruffles and Fraser Alexander on the scoresheet.

On Wednesday evening, Adem Atay’s side take on King’s Lynn in the first round of the FA Youth Cup at Portman Road (KO 7.45pm). If they win they will face Exeter in round two, also at home.

What to read next:

[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Harrop: Looking Back, I Should Never Have Joined Ipswich
Former Blues loanee Josh Harrop has admitted he should never have joined Town for his spell in the second half of 2020/21 having failed a medical due to an ongoing injury from which his career never recovered.
Compton Scholar of the Year
Academy central midfielder Charlie Compton has been named Town’s Premier League Scholar of the Year.
Town Car Park Plans Set For Approval
Town’s plans for an 185-space car park behind the Sir Alf Ramsey Stand are set to be approved by Ipswich Borough Council’s Planning and Development Committee.
O'Shea: I Wasn't Expecting It
Central defender Dara O’Shea admitted he hadn’t expected to be named the Town Men’s Player of the Year having been handed his award at last night’s End-of-Season Dinner at Milsoms Kesgrave Hall with Sophie Peskett winning the women’s gong.
Leicester Could Face Championship Points Deduction
Leicester City, likely to be one of Town’s main rivals for promotion from the Championship, are facing a potential points deduction next season having been referred to to an independent commission by the Premier League for an alleged breach of EFL financial rules in their 2023/24 Championship promotion campaign.
Delap Nominated For Premier League Fan Team of the Season
Blues striker Liam Delap is among the nominees for the Premier League’s Fan Team of the Season.
Chelsea and Newcastle Manchester United's Main Rivals For Delap Signature
Chelsea and Newcastle United are Manchester United’s main contenders for the signature of Blues striker Liam Delap, TWTD understands.
Memories of Portman Road
The Ipswich Town Heritage Society and The Historic Towns Trust are launching a historical map of Ipswich - including Portman Road - based on a 1901 map of the town at The Dove Inn in St Helens Street on Friday 23rd May from 5pm until 7pm.
O'Shea and Peskett Players of the Year
Dara O’Shea and Sophie Peskett won the Town Player of the Year awards at last night’s End-of-Season Dinner at Milsoms Kesgrave Hall.