Ipswich Town 2 v 0 Bristol City
EFL Championship
Tuesday, 20th January 2026 Kick-off 19:45

Azón: The Supporters Are Crazy!
Tuesday, 20th Jan 2026 23:26 by Kallum Brisset

Town striker Iván Azón expressed his gratitude for the Blues’ supporters after Tuesday’s comfortable 2-0 home victory over Bristol City.

Azón put in arguably his best performance since his summer arrival on loan from Como, which included pouncing on Rob Dickie’s error to set up Jack Clarke shortly after half-time.

That was Clarke’s second goal of the evening, which sees the winger move into double figures for the season and ahead of fellow left-winger Jaden Philogene on league goals this term.

 The Blues moved back into the Championship’s automatic promotion places ahead of Middlesbrough, at least for 24 hours before Boro travel to Stoke City on Wednesday.

Azón, who replaced George Hirst up front for his eighth start of the campaign, was understandably delighted with a seventh successive victory on Suffolk soil.

“Really nice to win, another win at home,” he said. “Thanks to all the fans that come on a Tuesday, 25,000 I’ve seen. It’s crazy to have everybody here and I’m really thankful.

“We feel really well at home. We also need to do it away, but it’s really nice to have all the fans and we feel really comfortable.

“We are trying to achieve the goal. We want to keep going, keep winning and keep gaining points to still be at the top of the table.

“They [Clarke and Philogene] are really good players and are really clinical. It’s really nice to have them with us.”

Azón’s own performance was the subject of plenty of praise from Town supporters, and he returned the compliments with enormous plaudits for the Blue Army in attendance.

The Spaniard was extremely unfortunate not to score himself, when only a save of the season contender from Robins keeper Radek Vítek prevented him from finding the net from close range.

Azón said: “I didn’t see it but I want to see it again. I felt like it was a really good save and I think I couldn’t do more.

“Honestly, I felt really well. Thanks to the fans, because sometimes you don’t have your best games and to feel them close to you is really nice. Thanks to all of them.

“I’ve always said that I feel them really close and they support us really nice.

“Since I came here, I’ve always said this is crazy and is the best club in the Championship. The supporters are crazy and honestly to have every game a full stadium is really nice.

“It’s the best feeling for a player to hear your name. You know how they support you and how they value what you do on the pitch. It’s really nice.”

The intense Championship schedule builds up once again with another clash on the horizon this weekend when the Blues travel to Bramall Lane to face Sheffield United.

It will finally mark Town’s first away match of a so-far perfect calendar year, with Azón aiming to keep up the pace and remain in an optimal position in the race for promotion.

“It’s going to be a big game,” the 23-year-old said. “Also away, we need to keep going, try to do our best and try to win away.

“We are getting better, we are improving as a team. The results show that we are improving. We won’t give up and try to win again.”

Photo: TWTD

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Bazza8564 added 23:31 - Jan 20 Crazy? Yes I think so, and i think it's a big complement. Better atmosphere again tonight, we are heading in the right direction and Ivan has a big part to play in the remaining 19 or so games. I like his energy and honesty, he isnt the complete CF yet but the fans will always back a guy who is determined to give 100% plus
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Gforce added 23:58 - Jan 20 Definitely Azons best game in a Town shirt and long may it continue. Hopefully will get the nod to start again on Saturday, he deserves it. Knowing Mckenna it though, he will return to Hirst.
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Sensiblue added 00:26 - Jan 21

Any worse a 'finish'er than revered town players of the past like Shevki? I don't think so. Runs around and plays his part in a team performance every time he's invited to. Support OUR players because that's what they are, and from all I can see, that's what they all want to be, be it Kasey, George, Sammy, all of them want to play for you. have the decency to support them. Support us. Uppa Towen

armchaircritic59 added 00:53 - Jan 21

I said a few matches ago that there was a player inside IA, but I just didn't know what that player was. I think we are now beginning to see. Non stop work rate, can hold the ball up well, moments of real skill, better in the air than some might think. The type of player that endears himself to supporters. He'd chase a crisp packet if it was wearing an opposition shirt! All he needs is to add the goals, really unfortunate tonight, though hats off to their keeper for an absolutely wonderful save. He might benefit from watching a quality finisher ( we may still get one ). He's only 23, in yet another new country, and has the raw ingredients to make a very useful striker indeed. Apart from all that he comes across as a really nice guy. Look forward to seeing his development.

cpaz97 added 01:17 - Jan 21 I love reading his interviews. Clearly a guy who doesn't speak the best of english, often when the word "crazy" comes out in this context! But you can feel from his interviews how much he loves being here, but more importantly how the crowd really can help a players confidence. Ole ole ole ole, Azon, Azon!
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muccletonjoe added 04:20 - Jan 21 I thought he had an excellent game last night.
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jayceee added 05:31 - Jan 21

We caught a glimpse of his reaction when his name was being sung - he looked so genuinely proud and even moved. I loved that - it's how we make a player perform to his best, and I wish all of our fans could be so patient with a player that doesn't adapt to our style, the team, or even, as in his case, the brutality of the Championship initially. I hope we get to keep him - easy to forget he is still young with his best years yet to come.

oioihardy added 06:43 - Jan 21 Nothing arguable about it . That was easily his best performance a 10/10 now he needs to perform like that or clkse to that in a consistent basis. Good work azon. I have been a critic of yours . But work like that every game and you will be a very good addition to the squad
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RetroBlue added 06:46 - Jan 21 Ole, ole, ole,ole, AZON AZON
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philpott2 added 07:13 - Jan 21

Azon had a cracking game last night, for me it was as good as his contribution when he came on against Blackburn. Long may it continue. I like him, his efforts, and would be happy to have him as a third striker, permanently....just need to find a first choice!
Clarke's overall game, his defensive efforts and especially his last ten minutes when he knew he'd be taken off soon & wanted the hat-trick showed me that he can graft, as well as put the ball in the net. Let's have much more of that work rate to go with the skills and he will be some player.
Kipre had another one of those games where he was strong, saw a lot of the ball, made a lot of excellent passes but some poor, underhit, loose efforts too. He wants the ball.....clapping Leif before the pass arrived when Leif had been in a tricky spot made me chuckle too.
Better teams will punish us when we mess about at the back, standing on the ball, short passes....we draw the opposition in but as we are on our heels we do create major problems, particularly when quick opponents close us down, as Bristol did.

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 07:33 - Jan 21 I really like Azon: Great attitude, unselfish, and an incredible work rate. But then the whole of the team showed immense application. Even with the game won and a few minutes left, everyone was chasing, harrying and looking to get another goal. Very good performance!
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leftie1972 added 07:50 - Jan 21 The goals will come. He’s a keeper!
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Edmundo added 07:58 - Jan 21 Azón is young, but has picked up the style of play needed from a striker in this team within a few appearances. A very intelligent player. I do think that we need to be careful about wishing for a "top striker" in January, as it could imbalance the way the team is working. And results show its working really well.
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Cafe_Newman added 08:31 - Jan 21 @leftie1972 "He's a keeper" That's what the Sassuolo fans are saying about Muric.
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jollyroger added 09:48 - Jan 21 The way he took the ball down after Dickies wayward header and pass to clarkie to score was class well done Ivan
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JPR77 added 10:03 - Jan 21 jollyroger..... The way he took the ball down after Dickies wayward header and pass to clarkie to score was class... Instinctive and Composed, 2 important qualities for any striker. I thought he was awesome tonight, a real live wire.
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Bluedocker added 11:11 - Jan 21 Like I've said before you get more confidence playing the minutes on the pitch not 10 mins here or there.
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JewellintheTown added 11:15 - Jan 21 I felt it was a downgrade when Hirst came on.
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Sir_Monte_Carlo added 11:47 - Jan 21 He did super well. Really works hard and doesn't look at all like some players, on loan deals, who just coast waiting to return to their parent club. Just watched the highlights and Ivan was celebrating Clarke's second before it even went in like he'd scored himself. Thats a team player.
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Bazza8564 added 12:05 - Jan 21

Edmundo, totally agree 100%

Our style of play under KM has always meant goals come from the wider players and the 10s and that often the 9 is a link up rather than a finisher.

Ivan is doing that well, we should stick with him ahead of Hirst, and concentrate on getting Sammy and Nunez firing too.

The one that puzzles me is Akpom. A good 10 in a 442 but not suited to it in our system. I would play Azon ahead of Hirst. Personally im wondering if Akpom may not play much now, given potential "obligation" criteria being met?? It's just a thought....

Beattiesballbag added 13:34 - Jan 21 philpott2, "and would be happy to have him as a third striker, permanently....just need to find a first choice!" Third ? surely you wouldn't put Hirst in front of him? he's even better in the air than Hirst let alone on the ground, plus his work rate is greater......there does seem a lot of blind loyalty towards Hirst ?
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blues1 added 13:52 - Jan 21 Bazza8564. The only obligation on Akpom is if we get promoted. So how many games he plays this,season, or not, is irrelevant.
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BelgianBlue added 14:58 - Jan 21 ¡Vamos Iván! ¡Estamos todos contigo y sabemos que los goles caerán como llovió ayer en Zaragoza!
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Hunterblue added 15:03 - Jan 21 His best starting performance much better now he is not falling over regularly. I think that he is now coming to terms with handling big centre halves right up his backside i.e. the physicality of the championship.
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Bazza8564 added 15:40 - Jan 21 Blues, are you sure? I am told that there will be all sorts of minima in there, in exactly the same way Villa have stopped playing Harvey Elliot because he will trigger his "obligation" Appearances, starts, goals and all sorts. Promotion will be the main trigger, but there is usually more complexity than that in addition.
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