Well, this is fun! Another thriller at Portman Road, which we can now officially call the home of footballing entertainment.
That’s 19 goals in the last three home games, all of them rollercoaster affairs which have see-sawed one way and another. What a welcome contrast to those oh-so drab days under Mick McCarthy!
Some of our attacking play against Blackburn was simply a joy to watch. With more clinical finishing, we would have been out of sight, saving us that very nervy final spell after our winner.
Sorry to be picky, but we do miss too many chances. It’s fine to forget about it when you come out on top in a thriller, but I fear there will be times when we live to regret our less-than-clinical finishing.
As it stands, we seem to have the perfect combination of swashbuckling home performances and very tight away displays. A quick glance at the Championship table will tell you how effective it’s proving.
Second in the table with an astonishing seven wins from eight games, and joint top scorers along with our friends over the border who were absolutely thumped on Saturday.
It’s been an amazing return to the Championship. Can we keep it up? Yes, I think we can. I’ve always thought that we’re capable of finishing in the top six, and I’ve not seen anything to make me change my mind.
Going forward, we terrify defences. It was great to see George Hirst score his first goal since the opening day of the season. Goals always bolster strikers’ confidence, and now he’s fit we will see the very best of Hirst.
Nathan Broadhead’s goal against Blackburn typified his classy play. He could have had a hat-trick. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him finish as our top scorer come the end of the season.
It was fitting that Massimo Luongo should score a terrific winner. He was absolutely immense. What a free signing he was. I wonder what Middlesbrough fans think, seeing Luongo and Morsy dominating in midfield? Don’t forget, they were both deemed surplus to requirements by Boro.
Inevitably, Morsy picked up a fifth yellow card and will be banned for our trip to Huddersfield next Saturday. Of course we will miss him enormously. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Lee Evans come in. He is a similar player.
There is so much to enjoy at the moment. I loved the brilliant through ball from Cameron Burgess for George Hirst’s goal. Such quality. Burgess is one of those players who, guided by Kieran McKenna, has improved immensely as a player. He’s certainly proving the doubters - including me - wrong.
But there will also be aspects which concern McKenna and his coaching staff. Life is never perfect, is it? Without a doubt we are conceding too many goals at home. On Saturday, we looked wide open at times, especially in the second half.
McKenna will be wanting to find ways of having his cake and eating it - tightening the defence without sacrificing our thrilling attacking play. If anyone can find the answer, it’s our intelligent young manager.
He will also be concerned about Vaclav Hladky’s performance with the ball at his feet against Blackburn. An early mistake seemed to sap his confidence, and there were some really scary moments. I understand why we play out from the back, but it’s not good for my health!
Talking about McKenna, inevitably he is being noticed. I saw Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer praising him. It’s going to happen, and we should be pleased about it, because it means that he - and the club - are succeeding.
The flip side of the coin is the fear that he will be poached by a Premier League club. I share that concern, but I don’t think it will happen. Not yet, at least.
McKenna is very bright, and very measured. He will have his own career plans, and I believe they involve continuing the job he is doing so brilliantly at Ipswich. I think he will be here for at least another two seasons. I hope I’m right!
So, after the cup game against Wolves, it’s a trip to Huddersfield who have just appointed Darren Moore as their manager, following his shock departure from Sheffield Wednesday.
We will need to beware the new manager bounce, obviously, but I’m sure we’ll get something. First draw of the season, perhaps?
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