After weeks of poor results and lacklustre displays, Kieran McKenna’s side seem to have picked up some form in the last two weeks.
First came a thumping win over Coventry City in the FA Cup, and then in an incredibly tough Premier League game away to Aston Villa, even though they were a man down for over 50 minutes, the Tractor Boys fought tooth and nail for a point.
However, this afternoon brings with it another challenge, as a resurgent Tottenham Hotspur come to Portman Road to try and avenge the result of the reverse fixture, although to ensure that doesn’t happen, McKenna has to unleash one of his most talented players, someone who’d get into this Spurs side.
Ipswich’s record against Spurs
Since their first meeting back in October 1961, Ipswich have played Spurs 54 times across all competitions, winning 22, drawing eight and losing 24.
While the Tractor Boys’ overall record against Tottenham is pretty good, their recent form against the North Londoners is even better.
Across their last ten encounters, going back to September 1993, the Suffolk side have been victorious over their opponents from the capital five times, shared the spoils twice and lost just three games.
Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna applauds fans after the match
This impressive form continued into the game at the Lilywhites’ ground earlier this season, when goals from Sammie Szmodics and Liam Delap gave McKenna’s men a brilliant 2-1 victory, which also happened to be their first of the campaign.
The Northern Irishman will be hoping his side can claim all three points again this afternoon, but to give them the best chance of doing so, he has to unleash one of his most impressive players, who’d certainly get into this Spurs team.
The Ipswich star who’d walk into Spurs’ team
So, the first name that is probably coming to mind at the moment is the incredible Liam Delap, and while he too would get into Postecoglou’s team at the moment, he’s not the player we are thinking of.
Hutchinson-Leif-Davis-Ipswich
Instead, the Ipswich ace McKenna has to start this afternoon, and who would also walk into the Spurs lineup is Leif Davis.
The manager told the press that the incredible full-back was back in contention yesterday afternoon, and due to his immense talent, if he’s back in contention to start, he should start.
Davis’ 24/25
Appearances
24
Starts
24
Goals
1
Assists
3
Goal Involvements per Match
We say this, as despite playing for a team fighting relegation, the former Leeds United gem has managed to consistently positively impact the game in the attacking third this season, racking up a seriously impressive tally of one goal and three assists in just 24 league games.
That means the “remarkable” talent, as dubbed by former professional turned pundit Jobi McAnuff, is averaging a goal involvement every six games in the toughest league in the world from the left-back position.
Moreover, as he plays off the left, he’d get into the Tottenham side by allowing the brilliant Djed Spence to move back to his natural position of right-back, in turn replacing Pedro Porro, who has been heavily criticised at points this season and was even labelled a “nightmare” by Spurs content creator Seb Martin for his defensive showing against Arsenal last month.
Ultimately, Ipswich need to keep the positive momentum going against Tottenham this afternoon and to ensure the team have the best chance of picking up all three points, McKenna has to play Davis from the start.
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