Ipswich Town vs Sheffield United: Can either get their season going on Friday night?

Ipswich Town vs Sheffield

United: Can either get their season going on Friday

night?

Ipswich and Sheffield United meet on Friday night, both looking for their first win of the season.

Watch Ipswich Town versus Sheffield United live on Sky Sports Football on Friday at 7.30pm, with kick-off at 8pm. The new campaign has not started as predicted.

Ipswich Town, who are often regarded as title contenders, have yet to win. They’ve drew three and lost one, with two of their points coming from very late penalty awards.

Unlike Sheffield United, their season has begun well. Under new manager Ruben Selles, the Blades lack even a single point. They are at the bottom of the league standings.

Following the international break, the pair will clash on Friday night at Portman Road.

Both have made market moves to try to correct a poor start, and both are under pressure to get their 2025/26 initiatives up and running. “To be honest, Ipswich has been really underwhelming.

I expected a lot more from them considering their roster. When they first moved up, there appeared to be a definite structure and strategic planning in terms of the players they signed.

“Many of them had Championship-level experience, players who could do well in the Premier League but would yet be ready to start from scratch if the club was relegated. That was the reasoning behind many of the signings.

“Yes, they have lost a few key players. Liam Delap and Omari Hutchinson both played important roles for them.

Nonetheless, given what they have at their disposal, Ipswich have not performed at the expected level.

Pos. P W D L GD PTS
16 Portsmouth 46 14 12 20 -13 54
17 Oxford Utd 46 13 14 19 -16 53
18 Stoke 46 12 15 19 -17 51
19 Derby 46 13 11 22 -8 50
20 Preston 46 10 20 16 -11 50
21 Hull 46 12 13 21 -10 49
22 Luton 46 13 10 23 -24 49
23 Argyle 46 11 13 22 -37 46
24 Cardiff 46 9 17 20 -25 44

“They have yet to find the rhythm that we associate with Kieran McKenna’s teams, both in League One and the Championship.”

There are numerous moving aspects, and new players are still figuring out how to navigate them. “Don’t underestimate the impact of a terrible run. When you get into the habit of not winning, there comes a hangover time. I’ve been there myself:

going up, losing a lot of games, and then coming down. “You begin to wonder how to win again and if what you are doing is good enough. I am confident that McKenna will turn things around. The team boasts talent in practically every position and, most importantly, depth.

“Look at some of the substitutes they used in their last game: Chuba Akpom, Jack Clarke, Sammie Szmodics, Ben Johnson, Cedric Kipre, and Darnell Furlong.” These are players who would fit into most other Championship teams.

That demonstrates the strength of the squad. “The big issue thus far has been centre midfield. Massimo Luongo and Sam Morsy dominated games with and without the ball last season, allowing the attacking players to express themselves.

They haven’t discovered that equilibrium yet. Massimo Luongo has returned but is still getting up to speed, while Azor Matusiwa has Morsy’s battling abilities but is less comfortable on the ball.

Possession has not gone as smoothly as we expected from Ipswich. “That is why signing Marcelino Nunez [from Norwich] is so crucial.

Aside from rivalries, he matches the exact profile they require in midfield, and I feel he will be an important signing. I am convinced McKenna will discover the correct recipe.

Ipswich only need one win to get back on track and rebuild their confidence, since this is still an exceptional bunch of players for the Championship.”

Read more on Straightwinfortoday.com

Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.