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Town Opt Out of U23s Premier League Cup to Protect Pitch
Thursday, 23rd Aug 2018 16:56

Town have opted not to enter the U23s in the Premier League Cup this season due to the sheer number of fixtures at that level and to protect the Portman Road pitch.

The rules of the Premier League Cup state that clubs have to stage games on their main pitch which in part led to a situation last season in which eight matches at various levels were played at Portman Road from Christmas to the end of January, leading to significant damage to the surface.

Town have exited the competition, which is run along the same structure as the Champions League, at the group stage in both the seasons it has been running.

The Blues’ U23s, who are coached by Gerard Nash and Chris Hogg, will play 28 games in the Professional Development League Two South over the course of the campaign.

On Monday, having lost 3-2 away at Sheffield United in their opener, they hammered Hull City 8-0 in their first match at Portman Road with Danny Rowe netting a hat-trick, Ben Morris two and Idris El Mizouni, Ben Folami and Jack Lankester one each.

“It was an impressive team display,” manager Paul Hurst said. “But without being too unkind to them, you have to look at what they were up against.

“You can only beat what’s in front of you so they certainly did that and I was pleased with their performance for the first 25 minutes after the break because I’d said in the dressing room, ‘You know you’re the better team, how many times do you see it where you win a first half like that and then it kind of turns into a very boring game in the second?’.

“But the lads pushed on and doubled the scoreline. That was the most pleasing part. The last 20 minutes when there were a few changes they kind of lost a bit of momentum in that.

“But that was the period I was particularly pleased with because I think you start a game and everyone’s got a bit of enthusiasm. If you’re on top of the game and things are going well, as they were, it’s not easy to keep that going.

“There were some good individual performances within the team but overall I think you have to look at a team display to win by that scoreline.”


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Northstander_Blue added 17:18 - Aug 23
Disappointing
0

budgieplucker added 17:27 - Aug 23
Very disappointing, if I am honest I have enjoyed watching the U23s more than the first team in the last couple of years. Pitch clearly not up to premiership standard so fans have to suffer again.
3

runningout added 17:29 - Aug 23
Excuses getting weak again
1

Sm00411 added 17:50 - Aug 23
On a positive note, some of these u23s are looking useful and we probably will need to call on them over the festive period when the injuries cone thick and fast!

Hopefully some will get some game time to show what they can do and potentially earn a loan move to a lower league side for the second half of the season.
1

Suffolkboy added 17:59 - Aug 23
I thoroughly endorse previous comments ; and pointed out that the Head Groundsmans diary ,which I read in full, related only to matters I'd expect from a Head Greenkeeper at a Golf Club ( which I managed as Secretary and Course Manager ) -- it did not give a clue about objectives or on- going weaknesses which needed addressing .
Where does our Glorious Managing Director stand on all of this ? --Again somewhere in the gloom either reluctant or unable to 'declare ' : when shall we see the open and honest commitment to very simply ' get it right ' in all respects so that good football can be played without any let or hindrance at Ipswich Town FC.
The days of Alan Ferguson and National recognition appear long gone ,and whilst I'm reluctant to actually criticise ME , he needs to come alive on this issue !!
Wake up Mr Evans ,give us , one and all ,( players too ) the chance to delight with proper football throughout the season ( if not , then simply get out ,sell out and let more enthusiastic and educated owners replace you, and ASAP )
Come on everyone at ITFC , make us proud again in every respect , please.
1

tractorboybig added 18:08 - Aug 23
saves an embarrassing defeat
-2

Swn98 added 18:10 - Aug 23
Is Milne still at the club? don't hear anything from him anymore
2

BlueandTruesince82 added 18:31 - Aug 23
In fairness we have been complaining that the pitch is a state for the last couple of years so to complain about something that will protect it is a bit rich.

Might be good for the quality of the football....?

There are still 28 games to watch this season.

Let's see how the hallowed turf looks mid Feb and see...
1

jonwillpott added 21:48 - Aug 23
Yes, BluesandTrues....28 games so that means 14 at home then? Played over the course of 9 months that is one and a half games a month!! After the first few home games the rest of the matches are at Playford Road anyway so how is this relevant? It would be nice to see more of our young players getting familiar with the Portman Road surroundings wouldn't it? In the days when I first started going to Portman Road ALL reserve team games were played there...on the main pitch too!! There is clearly a major problem with our pitch then and money needs to be spent now Mr Evans!! I too enjoy watching the U23's there and would have been there for the cup games which were most enjoyable in previous seasons, even if we did go out at the first group stage.
1

Radlett_blue added 23:31 - Aug 23
Ipswich Town FC don't do cups.
0

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 07:33 - Aug 24
jonwillpott: Agree. Surely it's better to find another pitch and take part, especially with the number of youngsters we have needing games. Why couldn't the games be played at one of the smaller clubs in the region, for example? We used to have the best pitch in the league at PR before the two new stands were built; unfortunately, since then conditions have defied the best efforts of our grounds staff to rectify the situation.
0


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