Second-half goals from Kaoru Mitoma and Georginio Rutter saw Brighton & Hove Albion to a 2-0 victory over the Blues at Portman Road. Town had grown into the first half and forced visitors keeper Bart Verbruggen into a number of saves, but in the second period, after Joao Pedro had been very lucky not to see red for charging into Town keeper Christian Walton, Mitoma netted on 59 and Rutter with nine minutes remaining with the Blues never looking like getting back in it once they were behind.

Boss Kieran McKenna made three changes from the team which drew 2-2 at Fulham 11 days ago with Omari Hutchinson a surprise starter and with Kalvin Phillips and Wes Burns also coming into the team, and captain Sam Morsy on the Blues bench for only the second time in a league match, the first at Oxford in March 2022.

Walton continued in goal against his old club with Burns wide on the right and Leif Davis on the left with McKenna sticking with the back three of Dara O’Shea, who skippered, Luke Woolfenden and Jacob Greaves, despite the signing of Ben Godfrey, who was among the subs.

Phillips, who is ineligible for Sunday’s game against his parent club Manchester City, partnered Jens Cajuste in the double pivot with Hutchinson, who had been out with a groin problem and was expected to be a sub at best, and Nathan Broadhead behind number nine Liam Delap.

In addition to Morsy and Godfrey, striker George Hirst was back on the bench in the league for the first time since November.

Brighton, who had former Town central defender Adam Webster captaining, made four changes from the team which won 4-0 in the FA Cup at Norwich at the weekend with Joao Pedro OK to start after an ankle injury, replacing Rutter, who was among the subs.

Verbruggen returned in goal for Jason Steele, while Matt O'Riley and Simon Adingra replaced Julio Enciso and Yankubah Minteh, with all three players dropping out on the bench, alongside club captain Lewis Dunk, ex-England international Danny Welbeck and Solly March.

The visitors saw most of the ball in the early stages but without causing any danger until the sixth minute when Joel Veltman looped a deep cross for Mitoma at the back post but O’Shea in front of him flicked a header past the Japanese international.

The game continued to be played uniformly in the Town half until the 12th minute when Phillips and Hutchinson exchanged passes on halfway before the ex-Chelsea man broke into Brighton territory and was dumped on the floor by Webster, who was fortunate not to be booked.

The free-kick came to nothing and moments later a Walton pass out from the back landed at a Brighton player’s feet, but Mitoma’s low shot to his left was easily gathered by the one-time Seagull in the Town goal.

Albion continued to dominate possession but with Hutchinson making another break into their half before being dispossessed by Pervis Estupinan.

On 22, there was a brief moment of panic after Walton’s clearance found Veltman, but Woolfenden headed his ball into the box behind.

Despite their possession, Brighton had failed to threaten and in the 23rd minute it was the Blues who would force the first serious save.

Broadhead brought the ball forward from not far over halfway, cutting his way past defenders before hitting a shot from the edge of the area, which Verbruggen did well to palm wide to his left.

Town made nothing of the corner but they were gaining belief, Hutchinson making another strong run forward from the right two minutes later but the England U21 international held onto it for too long and was tackled.

In the 28th minute, the Blues confidently played their way out from the back, Cajuste passing forward to Broadhead, who moved it on to Delap on the left, the striker cutting in and hitting a shot which Verbruggen again saved down to his left, the Dutch international holding on with Burns ready to pounce.

On 38, with Town now having an equal if not greater share of the ball, Hutchinson played in Burns in space on the right, the Welshman having been free in similar situations earlier but without having been spotted. Burns took the ball on, then cut back to the edge of the area where Hutchinson’s shot was blocked.

Two minutes later, Jan Paul van Hecke looped a cross in from the right and Estupinan looked to have headed wide ahead of O’Shea but referee Tony Harrington gave a corner. From the flag-kick, the ball flew just over Pedro’s head and out of play, a fortunate escape for the Blues.

Moments later, the Brazilian international went to ground and stayed there after minimal contact with Woolfenden, who had beaten him to the ball. Play continued and the Blues kept the ball in the Brighton half as they probed for an opening, before Hutchinson eventually hit a well-struck effort which Verbruggen saved down to his right. Pedro proved to be fine to continue.

After one minute of additional time, the half-time whistle was met by applause from the home fans, pleased with their side’s display, the Blues having grown into the half.

Brighton saw all the ball in the first 20 minutes or so but without ever forcing Walton into a taxing save with the backline maintaining the solidity seen in recent matches.

Broadhead struck the game’s first significant effort and the Blues gained confidence and control the longer the half progressed, Delap and Hutchinson also hitting efforts which required Verbruggen to make saves, albeit not necessarily the toughest stops the Dutchman will make.

Hutchinson, Delap, Broadhead and Burns had all caused the visitors problems, particularly on the counter-attack.

The early period of the second half was surprisingly open with Broadhead having the ball taken off his feet just as he was getting inti a dangerous area on the edge of the box.

Five minutes after the restart, Delap was yellow-carded for an off the ball shove on Van Hecke, the pair, who had also clashed earlier, exchanging views after the card had been shown.

Within a minute, Estupinan got into a decent position on the left and crossed to Adingra, whose shot on the turn was blocked.

Moments later, Pedro went down very easily as he went past O’Shea on the left of the box, referee Harrington waving away the protests.

Pedro already had the Portman Road faithful on his back for the dive and taking to the turf in the first half, but in the 53rd minute they were calling for his dismissal, and with good reason.

Greaves played a back pass to Walton and the Brazilian deliberately jumped into the keeper well after the ball had gone, catching him in the face with his shoulder. The Town players surrounded referee Harrington, who eventually showed only a yellow card, much to the anger of the home support. VAR appeared to uphold the decision and Pedro stayed on, while Walton was deemed OK to continue after treatment.

Four minutes later, the Blues weren’t far away from going in front, Burns hitting a first-time shot across the face and wide after a long throw had fallen to him in the box.

However, it was the visitors who would take the lead in the 59th minute. Greaves was only able to help a ball into the path of Yasin Ayari on the right of the box and the Swedish international cut back to O’Riley, who moved it on to Mitoma, whose low shot beat O’Shea and went under Walton, who may have been unsighted and perhaps still affected by Pedro’s challenge.

The goal was harsh on the Blues, who had been the better side for the period either side of the break, although with Brighton starting to look more of a threat.

Going in front gave the Seagulls a significant boost of confidence and on 62 Woolfenden was booked for a foul on Pedro as the forward broke midway inside the Town half.

Moments later, Albion made a triple change, Dunk, Rutter and Minteh replacing Webster, O’Riley and Adingra.

In the 67th minute, Pedro was found in the Town area and hit a shot on the turn which Walton brilliantly tipped wide with the ball otherwise destined for the top corner.

The Blues were struggling to get out of their final third for the first time since the early stages and on 69 Rutter hit an effort from a tight angle into the side-netting off a defender.

Town made their first changes a minute later, Burns and Cajuste making way for Jack Taylor and Morsy.

Eight minutes later, with the Blues having made little further headway and Brighton in control, Pedro was booed off by the Town support as he was replaced by Welbeck.

The game was effectively settled in the 81st minute when a free-kick from just outside the area on the left was sent low into the area, Burns appeared to have a chance to clear as it ran loose but Rutter was able to stroke into the corner of the net. VAR took a look as Dunk may have been in front of Walton in an offside position but eventually gave the goal.

Town swapped Phillips and Delap for Jack Clarke and Hirst for the final few minutes but with the match already looking beyond McKenna’s men.

As the game moved into six additional minutes, Veltman was booked for a foul on Clarke, to sarcastic cheers from the Town support, frustrated by the referee’s decision-making and reluctance to show cards to Brighton players throughout.

The Blues were unable to launch a late comeback and referee Harrington’s whistle ended a disappointing night for home supporters.

Town had grown into the second half and may feel they should have made more of their opportunities in the opening period, although none were clear-cut chances.

Pedro’s challenge on Walton will be the game’s main talking point with the ball well gone and it appearing a deliberate jump shoulder first into the keeper’s face.

But once the visitors had gone in front, the Blues never looked like getting back into it with Albion, who previously hadn’t won in eight in the league, regaining their confidence and controlling the game with Town not creating an opportunity.

The Blues drop back into the bottom three, level on goal difference with Wolves but with the Old Gold having scored more goals, with Manchester City at Portman Road on Sunday.

Town: Walton, O’Shea (c), Woolfenden, Greaves, Davis, Phillips (J Clarke 84), Cajuste (Morsy 70), Burns (Taylor 70), Hutchinson, Broadhead, Delap (Hirst 84). Unused: Muric, Johnson, Godfrey, Townsend, Luongo. 

Brighton: Verbruggen, Webster (c) (Dunk 63), Pedro (Welbeck 78), Adingra (Minteh 63), Baleba, Mitoma, Ayari (Moder 94), Van Hecke, Estupinan, O’Riley (Rutter 63), Veltman. Unused: Steele, Lamptey, March, Enciso. Referee: Tony Harrington (Cleveland). VAR: Michael Salisbury. Att: 29,403 (Brighton: 2,977).

Photo: Matchday Images

Dozzells_Bobblehat added 10:29 - Jan 17 Blueboy yes we spent 120m but that only brings our squad value up to 250m , the lowest in the Prem . Our opponents on Sunday are valued at 1.2 billion . Brighton 650 m , yet you say we should be taking points from them, and we weren't light years away from them last night , for 60 mins we were very evenly matched . A mistake and deflection cost us a goal . Our reaction to that was disappointing and we never looked like getting back into it, but if your going to use cash as the yardstick then there are actually no teams that we SHOULD ( I know you like capitals) be taking points from. So in actual fact we are over achieving.

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Cheshire_Blue added 11:44 - Jan 17 Sad to say this was just not good enough. To survive in the Premier League we have to be beating the likes of Everton, Crystal Palace and Brighton. It is looking like we have come too far too soon. A couple of seasons in the championship might have been beneficial but we would probably have lost our manager and never made the Premier League. As the saying goes 'better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all' !!

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htb added 11:58 - Jan 17 For everyone who says we shouldn't play out from the back, did you watch the first 20minutes last night when Walton hit it long every time and we had zero possession and the ball just came back at us. I realise it is pretty nervy when we do play out but the times we have been dangerous this season have nearly all come from drawing the press, beating it and breaking quickly up the field. The problem has been Muric has not looked entirely comfortable with the ball at his feet and Walton is even worse.

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Leejames99 added 12:19 - Jan 17 Gosh, I really can't belive but I do respect, the opinion re Morsy, he doesn't even make bench for me. Yes he served us well, his story is a rare and great won but he has cost us so many games this season, Leicester fell over when trying to foul, penalty vs Fulham, last night etc there are more have a look! We need to desperately move on from the majority of league one and championship players if we have any chance of survival. Have a look at first goal last night Burns nowhere to be seen, he passes to nobody. Omari done work for 2 last night he ran ragged, I have no idea why Burns keeps getting picked he is not Prem quality. We need another midfielder desperately to rotate with Phillips and Cajuste, we need a good bench, no point buying Godfrey to then play Burns instead that madness, off week for the manager, hopefully that was just to put Burns in shop window. The sooner we get everyone fit the better so we have a good bench and we can move on from the heroes of yesteryear. Only Walton (and he isn't amazing, I think Muric be better for City game imo) Broadhead, Davis and Woolfeden/Harry Clarke may get better if loaned out. The rest we should cash in while we can get some money back while they still have some value. We need another striker also but everyone does! Let's see who buys as that may have dominoe effect. We need to be realistic if we are to stay in Prem but that hope fades with every game. We have beaten top teams and I think with right team on Sunday (Morsy will prob start) we could get something but Liverpool at anfield would be a miracle. The games vs Wolves, Everton, Palace, Leicester and Southampton are 6 pointers now and would get us over 30 points with a couple of draws we be okay I think but we need players who can shut up shop if we are leading and subs that don't ruin all the hard work with costly errors or offer nothing. Matic would be a great signing, if winning we should take Leif off put Townsend on and play a 5 - 4 -2 and keep the points, they are gold now. I said from day one that its most likely we gey relegated and with that in mind we have spent 120 Mill yes but on the best from the Championship who are young and are assets. Mckenna and Ashton are smart, I think getting our players in now, if we are relegated we won't have to spend much at all and the new team can get winning mentality together, it's only one season lots of clubs have a season back in Championship before establishing themselves in Prem, it's all about evolving. With that in mind I say we raid Championship now and get Whitaker or Doak and Latte or Taj Wright now. I still think we stay up if we win the games above but if not what a team we got for next season to give us best chance of returning. Sorry long post but we need to let go of past asap. COYB

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Leejames99 added 12:29 - Jan 17 Just to add I meant I meany H Clarke and Woolfeden only to land and forgot Burgess. To loan H Clarke Woolfeden To sell Morsy (won't be this season) Luongo Burns Chaplin Hamadi (buy back clause in case he gets better) For those 4 we would get 15 Mill maybe a bit more.
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budgieplucker added 12:46 - Jan 17 Last night again exposed the harsh realities of life in the premiership, the survival needs of newly promoted teams require at times a good dose of luck and keeping crucial mistakes to a minimum. Man to man, established premiership squads will be superior. Brighton’s players all looked comfortable with the ball, passing was slick and movement was excellent, our low block has been proving to be effective recently until a mistake is made unless we get the early run of the ball and manage to go in front giving us much more belief. Once we go behind if we attack more we leave ourselves open to being exploited further. The Chelsea and Fulham matches worked well and we were fortunate to get the breaks when we did, but again we didn’t fully capitalise at Fulham. Our passing is not as slick as many teams in this division, often the ball is straight to feet or behind the player who has to check and turn giving the opposition opportunity to close down quickly. Every match is a cup tie for us and we have to try and raise our games. We have an honest manager and a hardworking bunch of largely young professionals with great potential, sadly this league will not wait for us to play catch-up and the odds are stacked against us. We largely have a top Championship quality squad now, but the going price for any top Championship player making the move to the premiership is 15-20 million. The exceptions being Godfrey, Phillips and Cajuste all good loan acquisitions, having good experience at this level, the later 2 having both played Champions League. Wingers are always hit or miss from game to game and Omari with his fitness problems was not effective last night, he has been and will continue to be in other games. Wes Burns for me had a really good game against Chelsea in a deep lying wing back role, last night apart from a couple of good runs I felt his general reading and positioning when not in possession was showing high degrees of uncertainty and slow speed of thought. This may have largely just been down to the good movement of Brighton. I think this illustrates though the margin between having a good or below average game, sometimes not in the direct control of the player when facing other more experienced and capable players at this level. I can relate to Kieron’s desire to get two wingers on to the pitch especially when in the closing stages we may be chasing the game. I am not sure Philogene is any better than Omari or Jack Clarke but again understand the rationale of having options in the winger positions which can be hit or miss on the day and the players holding these positions can be inconsistent or effectively man marked at times. The two Jacks, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Jack Clarke eventually adapt better than Omari or Jaden, he looks more versatile in his play in finding space, dropping deep and picking good passes, granted seeing some of this against Bristol doesn’t mean he will naturally be able to apply it at Premier level but I get the sneaky feeling that he may just surprise us all and be a more adaptable all round footballer even if he has been type casted as a chalk on his boots winger. I am quietly impressed with Jack Taylor who I think can fluidly switch between a number 8 and 10 during a match and we know has a terrific shot on him and goal scoring capabilities that are not matched by our deep lying midfielders (the other two number 8’s). Kieron is clever and tactically astute, however, our play at times can be predictable, I do think there are options where Hirst and Delap can be on the pitch together working the channels, but Kieron doesn’t appear to want to sacrifice another position to make this a tactical approach, it may suggest a longer ball approach but in my view doesn’t need to be out of the McCarthy playbook. I know many managers get criticised for not having a plan B and sticking to Plan A but bringing on or in different players into the same set-up. Kieron’s adaptability does show when we can morph between different formations but fundamentally this is around playing set transitions which can work as part of the fluidity of movement. Clearly we lack the ability to outplay many teams at this level with a heavy possession based game hence the failure of Martin at Southampton this season, and Kompany at Burnley last year but it does seem to me we might just need a plan C. The style might not be very appealing by today’s approach, but I remember the Whymark and Mariner (and the first David Johnson) partnerships that the more cultured Liverpool and Leeds teams of the day struggled against us. I was disappointed to hear that Everton had appointed David Moyes because I can’t help think that he will keep them up indeed as he did at West Ham twice and took them much further, totally unappreciated by the Wet Spam faithful who believed his football was too pragmatic for their culture.

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Bert added 13:38 - Jan 17 If the owners read the posts on here they would be forgiven for thinking that Blueboy81 has a death wish for the club; rarely positive and mostly negative. Thankfully we have owners who have a business plan that is predicated on the long term and the project; not the blips we have to endure as we find our feet in the toughest league in the world.
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algy added 14:26 - Jan 17 Yes it's part of the long term plan, having arrived earlier than expected we participate in the PL this season, while building a team to win the FL next season and then do better in the PL 2026/27.
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dirtydingusmagee added 14:29 - Jan 17 To be fair Bert Blueboy often says what many feel but dont say ,results have not matched effort, and we are not shaking off the relegation places.Blueboy dosnt help himself by taking swipes at fans by name or in.general instead of making any worthwhile comments about the matches. And gets worked up and aghressive if downmarked Its just doom and gloom and you must share it or else ..We are in a desperate scrap for sure and need to start punching our way out very soon new additions may see us do just that , but as it stands we are in trouble and must realise that. We have blown some real opportunities and need to stop that.Anyway COYB, or dare i say it ''Lets be having you'' LOL Lighten up Blueboy ,(wink)

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planetblue_2011 added 15:11 - Jan 17 The premier league is a joke how can you win a game of football when the opposition always cheats. Rolling over for fun holding their face, leg, ankle pretending they are injured. This is every premier league team I’ve seen this season. Bloody pathetic wasn’t best pleased after the game.
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KMcBlue added 15:27 - Jan 17 It's never been a popular opinion on here, but Morsy has always made rash, often retaliatory challenges. It's the biggest weak point in his game. We'll need someone younger come next season anyway if we stay up
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 16:05 - Jan 17 We are all disappointed by last night as we had a chance to put a sliver of light between us and the bottom three; instead, we dropped back into the mix. I had actually thought we would get at least a point and maybe all three - but in retrospect, that was with blue-tinted specs. I can in no way fault the players' efforts; everyone put in a maximum shift, but we were up against a very good team who were really a class up. I can accept that, and I applauded our boys at the end. I agree that some of the playacting on Brighton's part was pathetic, and I think this is something that should be stamped on much more severely. As regards the possible sending off, it looked to me pretty close to a red; I'm not sure what the reasoning was for only a yellow, but it looked deliberate to me. What I am perhaps even more disappointed about is that we allowed the Brighton fans to dominate the atmosphere. Where is all the coordinated support from the BR and the Cobbold corner (ok, they did alright, but you can't hear them very well from that position) when our team needed it most? I thought we were supposed to be good at this. And as for fans streaming out before the end, well, that's your prerogative, but it doesn't look good on tv. Personally, I've never left a match before the final whistle, and I don't ever intend to, irrespective of the score. COYB!

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warktheline added 16:23 - Jan 17 The problem with Blueboy is when we win he sneaks into the positive, common sense, level headed crowd but as soon as we lose, he’s ripping into the manager with very low jibes, which the vast majority realise is totally unacceptable and laughable!
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Leejames99 added 16:27 - Jan 17 Sunday is going to be tough, Haaland looking to show exactly why he worth so much money! I do think Philigene could be a Cole Palmer type signing, the thought of Omari, Delap, Broadhead and Phillogene powering forward will worry any defence, I can see Broadhead, Delap and Szmodicks scoring alot from cut backs but it has to be Hutchinson on right, Philogene on left, Broadhead in 10 or Szmodicks, if hutch tired, Broadhead or Philogene to right bring Szmodicks or J Clarke on and Hirst/new striker for Delap although why Delap never plays 90 mins I don't know. Midfield we need a new one but Jack Taylor is doing okay and better than incident prone Morsy, a legend but time phase him out I think , may not happen this season unfortunately. My team on Sunday. Muric (be better against City) Greaves O'Shea (C) Burgess/Woolfeden Davis LWB Sub Townsend Godfrey RWB Sub Johnson Cajuste Morsy (only cause KP out) Phillogene/J Clarke Hutchinson/Broadhead Delap/Hirst That's a good team, get Morsy and Davis off put J Taylor and Townsend on and even bring Woolfeden on Godfrey and go back 5 if leading. I think I will cry if we got 1 up or are drawing and you see the sight of Burns and Hamadi waiting to come on, you know its game over. IMO

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atty added 16:54 - Jan 17 4-4-3 Walton Davis O’Shea Greeves Godfrey Phillips Morsy Cajuste, Johnson Philogene Delap Hutchinson
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Leejames99 added 17:31 - Jan 17 @atty that's 12 players Like it though (Phillips can't play Sunday as l9aned from Ciry) I thought 3 4 3, I did 11 too lol mine be Muric or Walton Godfrey Greaves O'Shea Davis Cajuste Morsy (prefer Taylor) Broadhead Hutchinson Phillogene Delap I like it, use Broadhead as lynch pin between midfield and attack I like debating teams. Just need the points hey COYB
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Motown added 18:28 - Jan 17 Like others, I'm a bit bemused as to why Morsy didn't play last night. Cajuste is more likely to find two games in four days difficult, and if Morsy and Phillips are seen as too similar then go with Morsy and Taylor. One thing's for sure, without the captain we lack drive, leadership and the ability to link defence to attack. I'm surprised at the comments on here knocking him. Sure he's made mistakes - everyone has - but of those who've been on the full journey with us I reckon he's looked most at home in the PL.

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Linkboy13 added 19:54 - Jan 17 Thought we did ok in the first half although Brighton had more possession their keeper was more busier. I think Brighton had a bit of a rollicking they came out second half and went up gear and we just could not cope championship against Premier league im afraid. Hutchinson is a very talented player but is a bit predictable he needs to lift his head up at times at the moment teams know exactly what he's going to do like a school boy in the playground taking every body on. Broadhead showed some nice touches at times. With Morsy now struggling after a good start to the season we desperately need another midfielder. Why is Phillips exempt from criticism on here he has contributed very little all season but fans appear to be star stuck because of his reputation. Cajuste has been ok but does his best work in deeper positions and is not a creative midfielder. O Shea is turning into a very good signing and will be playing Premier league football next season no matter what happens to us. . Some people on here need to wake up and smell the coffee and Judge players on their performances not on their reputations.

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RobsonWark added 21:06 - Jan 17 Dozzells_Bobblehat added 09:27 - Jan 17 Robsonwark - show me any news outlet calling it an own goal Bobblewobble I do not need anyone to tell me it was an own goal I am quite able to see it myself. Why do you need to hear it from a news outlet? Look about 1 minute 50 secs in and you can clearly see Davis got a touch and knocked it away from Walton's out stretched save. https://www.skysports.com/football/ipswich-town-vs-brighton-and-hove-albion/5060

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RobsonWark added 21:07 - Jan 17 https://www.skysports.com/football/video/30778/13290436/ipswich-0-2-brighton-pre
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blueboy1981 added 21:35 - Jan 17 Dirtydingus’ - you are right, I am sure I actual say what many others think ! I never make excuses for failure, and after achieving consecutive promotions I expected us to finish this season reasonably comfortably in the lower third of the Premiership, not like some Hissy Fits (long since quiet) predicting a top six finish ! - my expectations I feel are / were realistic for good reason of all. I am fearful of what relegation could so easily do to our Club, it took a long, long time to reach the Promised Land again - and not at all accepting of paltry performances against teams that we should have expected to get points from - we all know who those teams / games were and are. Whatever anyone calls me, there is no one, above no one, who wants success more than I do for ITFC - that is FACT ! I just cannot stomach excuses for failure to get points from teams that are there for the taking, with dire performances like against Brighton last night. It has to change - or the fear is real, as to what relegation will unfold for out beloved Club. Mark me down usuals - as some of you compulsory do. But, start to expect to WIN when we should at least expect such - and we may still save the day / season.

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Carberry added 22:42 - Jan 17 I think a lot of people are ignoring the fact that if we get relegated the squad won't look anything like it does now. The loan players will go back, the likes of Delap, Hutchinson and Davis will be tempted away and even Philogene will have had a relegation buy out clause in his contract. And worst of all the manager will be up for grabs again. That's what makes our recruitment this season so poor, because it was meant to keep us in the Prem. Instead we have a goalkeeper who has been dropped, attacking players such as Szmodics and Taylor who haven't looked the part and Johnson who does not look anywhere near ready. Greaves and O'Shea have put in decent performances when picked but wouldn't get in anyone else's team. That's been our weakness, naïve recruitment without the processes to make informed decisions on potential targets. Matz Sels the excellent Forest keeper was bought for just under £6M from Strasbourg, Muric cost £8.5M from Burnley. We seem to be way behind the abilities of clubs like Brentford, Brighton, Bournemouth and Forest to find foreign players to make the jump. Of course Delap has been a success but he's an exception. I'm guessing we will have spent about £180M in these 2 windows and still look an even bet to go down.

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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 22:47 - Jan 17 RobsonWark - yes I said it was deflected. Deflected isn't an own goal. Surely u know this ?
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Leejames99 added 22:48 - Jan 17 I hope we stay up but people are presuming that all our good players will be sold if we go down, not the case unless for huge amounts of money and only if the club wants to sell them, all new signings have long term contracts and mostly definately with relegation in mind and the long term future, we won't need to buy many players aside a new midfield completely if we don't stay up, although Cajuste may stay if settled, we have obligation to buy him if we stay up. It's time to accept the heroes of yesterday have had their time served us well but ultimately have cost us, in particular Sam Morsy, just because he is a fan fave in this division he is a liability and VAR catches him out to easy. These players want to play here and will be aware they we could go down but Ashton and Mckenna have a plan that we will sustain Premier League long term but may have to go down with these new players to do that. With the team being assembled we will be unbelievable in Championship, look at Bburnley go, we have made brilliant and intelligent signings. If anyone thinks we just taking a punt, chucking 120 million away and after one season in Prem we back in the doldrums is not looking at the bigger picture. Our club is not one to gamble, Mckenna will also stay, again a new long contract. All is good!

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Leejames99 added 23:30 - Jan 17 @Carberry was you joking? Our players nor manager be going anywhere they all on long term contracts now, they will only go if huge offers came in. As if Phillogene would have a relagation clause when we are in bottom 3 with less than half season to go, we wouldn't pay 20 million plus. This team is being built for the long term not just to be put in shop window for other clubs to pitch, if a huge offer came in where we make a nice profit fine but aside that they are town players for the long term. The club is financially stable, if we go down we will have parachute payments etc and we will storm the Championship with the new team if relegated. Ipswich Town is a business and a football club, we will not be a one season pony like Luton. Or do ypu suggest we just sell them all now then keep the money, send loans back. Your right the club is doomed if we don't beat City, Liverpool etc - unbelievable. If some fans were picking the team it would be Walton H Clarke Woolf Burgess Davis Morsy Luongo Burns Chaplin Broadhead Hirst Only 3 of them are good enough for our team now and Walton is debatable. Forest found a gem yes, but Muric is a good keeper, of course he is but if you were getting abuse at work you would lose confidence, he was given a chance, now fans turning on Omari, just a joke. If that's your opinion fine but I am very happy how Mckenna and Ashton are sticking to their plan, we came up a season early but that has helped us massively. Delap is great but is being over hyped at the moment he is still so young, not yet prolific and is in best club for him, and has a Dad who stayed with same club and turned down Man Utd so he will have level head. You are right team will look different next year, no Burns, Morsy etc, great servants but time to move on. COYB

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