LOOK EAST!
Hello and how are you?
Tuesday the 15th of September sees the Mighty Cannon move is current caravan of victories north and east to the plains of Norfolk and take on ye old Tractor boys of Ipswich Town at Portman Road, in our first outing in this season’s Carabao cup. KO is 8.00pm local time. Expected weather is 18° feels like15°, with between 0 and 2% chance of rain.
So, Ipswich Town, a club for those of us with grey beards, was once very powerful, both in Britain and in Europe. My first game back in ’79 saw us lose 2-0 against them, and I witnessed close hand the height and prowess of Thijssen, Butcher, Hunter and Arnie Mühren all at close quarters take us apart. Brian Talbot had left them and come to us after collecting his winners medal and the promptly won it again in our famous thriller against Man United. The FA cup was paraded around the ground before KO, and Paul Mariner would later join us some years later, but it was pretty much the team that shamed us in the ’78 final.
Under Robson they were a formidable force. Of course, it was still utter magic even though we lost that night. Incredible to think on 33,255 turned up that evening, and it was the opening game of the season! Giants and heroes of yesterday, are soon forgotten in the fogs of daily life. Fame? Obscurity waiting, well Carrie Fischer warned us.
Anyway, newly promoted Ipswich have had a mixed bag so far, this season, sometimes facing unlucky moments (Liverpool), and seem a side that seem difficult to predict; Ive seen them with a blunt attack that missed many chances, but then sharpen up and demolish Palace in style. One thing that was noticeable, if you take low shots at their keeper, he’s super vulnerable!
They beat Leicester in the last round.
I’m sure Mikel will make a lot of changes for this one. White, Willie and Mosqerua are all crocked. But we probably shall see Big Vik back in action (give him some service, please!). It’s been a long time since we lifted this trophy (’93) and I’m not convinced it’s on our list this year, he said not offering any evidence whatsoever. Ipswich have never made the final, but have reached the semi on four occasions.
Statto HQ was closed as they had gone on a city break to Prague, however at midnight a carrier pigeon began tapping on my window and attached to its leg was a message: which read: Ipswich town FC have a 13.1% chance of winning, and the Arsenal have a 67.2% chance of victory hopefully through harmony.
Next up, get on yer All Mod Clichés and go hunting for extinct rockers, as we take on south-coasters Brighton in our next PL game.
May your force be with you. COYG!
Mills