Ross Halls examines the performance of the Ipswich Town players for their loan clubs throughout the middle of the week.
The Irishman featured and scored his first senior goal for Rochdale when they overcame Stoke City at home in the National League Cup.
Ayinde opened the score for Jimmy McNulty’s side, with a close range finish, before the Dale went on to win the game 2-0, despite being reduced to ten men for almost 30 minutes left. They return to league action when they host Yeovil Town this weekend.
The forward played for Derby County, who lost to Sunderland 1-0 at home in the Championship.
Harness was booked after playing the entire ninety minutes for Paul Warne’s team, who lost for the sixth time in a row and are now only one point above the relegation zone. When the Rams play Cardiff City on the road on Saturday, they’ll be hoping to recover.
The teenage midfielder did not play for Sutton United in their National League Cup draw with West Brom U21s, which ended in a 2-2 draw. After winning 3-1 on penalties, Steve Morison’s team earned an additional point and moved up to third place in Group D of the competition.
This weekend marks the U’s return to league play when they take on Eastleigh, who are coached by former Town goalie Kelvin Davis.
The adolescent midfielder was not involved in Sutton United’s 2-2 tie with West Brom U21s in the National League Cup. Steve Morison’s team gained another point and advanced to third place in Group D of the competition after defeating 3-1 on penalties. The U return to league action this weekend when they play Eastleigh, who are coached by Kelvin Davis, a former Town goalie.
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Michael Carrick has suggested Middlesbrough will try to re-sign George Edmundson this month if a deal is viable, after Ipswich Town recalled him from his loan on Tuesday.
Edmundson had impressed in the first half of the season while on loan at Boro. So much so that Boro were trying to negotiate a deal with the Tractor Boys to sign the defender permanently this month.
However, with no fee agreed and a deadline to activate a loan recall clause this week, Ipswich took the decision to recall the 27-year-old.That’s despite the fact that the centre-back is out of contract in the summer, unable to join any other club this month due to already playing for both Ipswich and Boro this season, and that he seemingly does not feature in head coach Kieran McKenna’s plans.
Asked about Edmundson’s Boro exit and whether they might still be able to negotiate a deal for him to return to the Riverside before the end of the transfer window, Carrick said: “We knew it was a possibility. We didn’t know when it might come.
“The ball was in their court in terms of that situation. What happens next, we’ll have to wait and see. It’s not long happened so we’ll explore what happens next. It’s something we’ll look at for sure. George has done well but it needs to be right for all parties so we’ll see how that goes.”
The recall decision will come as a blow to the defender, who struggled for game-time in the last two seasons at Portman Road. He made 21 appearances for Boro in the first half of the campaign and was set to be an important player for the run in.
What made the Ipswich decision even worse is that it came on Tuesday afternoon, just hours before Boro played a crucial Championship game against top-six rivals West Brom. In Edmundson’s absence, Boro managed to win the game 2-0.
Asked if there was any frustration in Ipswich’s decision so close to a match, the Boro boss continued: “We were aware of it and we knew it was a possibility. It’s the case with a lot of loans that there is a cut off point before the deadline.
“We knew it was a possibility before tonight and we planned for the game with that in mind, so it didn’t affect preparation for the game too much. We knew it was a possibility so he wasn’t going to start tonight’s game anyway, just in case. It is what it is. Sometimes you’re fully in control, sometimes you’re not and you’ve got to adapt.”
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Given how well he’d settled on Teesside and became an important player for Boro, both on the pitch and in the dressing room, Edmundson would have fair reason to be extremely frustrated by Ipswich’s decision.
But asked about Edmundson’s thoughts and whether he would want to sign for Boro this month, Carrick said: “He enjoyed it. I think it’s wrong of me to speak for George, but he’s loved it here, he’s played a lot of football and he’s been an important part of what we’ve done. It’s been an important experience for him.
“I have spoken to him since it happened. Again, I can’t speak for him in terms of how he feels about the decision, but he had a real positive experience here and we’ll just have to see what happens next.”
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West Brom’s move for Ipswich Town striker Ali Al-Hamadi has broken down following failed talks between the two clubs earlier today, according to new reports.
Al-Hamadi has struggled for minutes at Portman Road so far this season due to the form of star man Liam Delap, and is understandably seeking a move away this month after he failed to seal an expected exit in the summer window.
He joined the Tractor Boys in the last January window from AFC Wimbledon, and went on to net four times in 14 Championship games as they won promotion to the Premier League, but he has only played 11 times in the top-flight so far, with all of those appearances coming from the bench.
West Brom are firmly in the play-off race as it stands, and while Tony Mowbray’s recent re-appointment as manager has been met with excitement at The Hawthorns, their squad was dealt a huge blow last week with news that top-scorer Josh Maja is set to be sidelined for the foreseeable future with a leg injury.
The Baggies are now in the market for a new striker, but after reports had emerged that Iraqi international Al-Hamadi was set to join the club this week, it now looks as if the deal is off, and they will have to focus their attention elsewhere.
Claims around Al-Hamadi’s imminent arrival at The Hawthorns first emerged on Tuesday morning, with the Express & Star reporting that the Baggies were eyeing a deal to bring the 22-year-old in on loan from Ipswich for the rest of the season.
Despite those claims, East Anglian Daily Times reporter Stuart Watson has now stated that the move has broken down, and he will not be joining the Championship club this month.
Ipswich outlet TWTD have also reported that the progress of the deal had previously been overstated, with claims that Al-Hamadi was with the Baggies to undergo a medical regarding a loan proving to be false.
They claim that he had, however, held talks with Tony Mowbray’s side regarding a permanent switch, but with no deal agreed between the two clubs, as discussions regarding the potential transfer then subsequently broke down in the afternoon.
The Baggies have not exactly been free-scoring this season, but their play-off chasing position has been built upon a strong defensive unit and the attack being centered around Josh Maja, yet one of Mowbray’s first issues that he must address as boss is coming up with new ways for his side to find the net.
The former Sunderland frontman has scored 12 goals in 26 Championship appearances for West Brom so far this season, with Karlan Grant having only bagged half as many in the league, and the likes of Tom Fellows, Mikey Johnston, Grady Diangana and backup striker Devante Cole all struggling to net on a regular basis up to now.
In their first game without the 26-year-old against Stoke City last time out, interim head-coach Chris Brunt lined up with Grant as the main striker in a 4-2-3-1, with that aforementioned trio behind him trying to score and create.
The Potters held the Baggies to a 1-1 draw at The Hawthorns, however, as Brunt’s men had 23 shots on Viktor Johansson’s goal, but only forced him into three saves, so it is clear that they are in real need of a new centre-forward to come in and start games every week and hopefully try to replicate Maja’s scoring form.
It looked as if Al-Hamadi would be that man, yet he will now seemingly not be on his way to the West Midlands this month, and both he and the Baggies are set to be left to explore their respective second-choice options.
As Manchester City crushed relegation-threatened Ipswich Town 6-0, Phil Foden scored his fifth goal in his last three Premier League games
The home team got off to a strong start as Liam Delap, a former City player, forced Josko Gvardiol into a crucial block and Omari Hutchinson missed a deft Leif Davis set piece.
However, the champions’ attacking ability was signaled by a brilliant Christian Walton save to stop Erling Haaland on the end of Mateo Kovacic’s through ball, which would later highlight a wide disparity in skill.
Despite winning PFA and FWA Player of the Year in 2024, England star Phil Foden had a terrible second half of the year.
He converted Kevin De Bruyne’s deflected cross in the 27th minute with a deft touch and snap shot, making it appear as though a new year is upon him.
After the half, Pep Guardiola’s team decided not to rest on their laurels because of their vulnerability in both defense and transition this season, even though Ruben Dias’ surprise comeback gave the City backline a little more steel. Ipswich was repeatedly shredded along their right flank, and Jeremy Doku made it 4-0 shortly after wing-back Ben Johnson forced Ederson to make a save. Ipswich midfielder Jack Clarke’s terrible pass across his own half allowed the Belgium winger to tee up Haaland the week he confirmed a massive nine-and-a-half-year contract extension at City, and Doku was the giver again.
James McAtee, a well-liked playmaker and Delap’s former academy teammate, has a far less secure future as his club looks to stay highly active in the January transfer window. However, Kovacic’s brilliant chipped pass set up the 22-year-old, who came off the bench to score his first Premier League goal for his hometown team with a well-judged header.
On Sunday, Manchester City defeated Ipswich Town 6-0 in a match played in week 22 of the English Premier League.
Phil Foden, an English winger for Citizens, was the star of the match at Portman Road in Ipswich, scoring two goals in the 27th and 42nd minutes and dishing out one assist.
In addition to two assists from Sky Blues captain Kevin De Bruyne, goals came from Erling Haaland in the 57th minute, Mateo Kovacic in the 30th, Jeremy Doku in the 49th, and James McAtee in the sixth.
Doku and Kovacic each contributed an assist. With 38 points, Manchester City jumped into the top four of the Premier League, followed by Newcastle United in fifth place and Ipswich in 18th place with 16 points.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Brighton midfielder Julio Enciso will sign a loan deal with Ipswich Town through June. The two clubs have reached an arrangement wherein Ipswich will pay the player’s salary for the term of the loan.
Enciso is scheduled to go to Ipswich tonight and have a medical examination tomorrow, January 22.Julio Enciso has made 16 appearances for Brighton this season, contributing one goal and one assist. View comprehensive statistics here.
Former Sunderland star Jack Clarke, continues to struggle at Ipswich Town this season, and it’s beginning to be a real concern.
When Sunderland sold Jack Clarke in the summer to Premier League new boys Ipswich, many Black Cats fans were gutted to see the player go.
However, no one would have wished his current struggles on anyone, regardless of the nature of his departure from the Stadium of Light.
After his latest outing for the Tractor Boys, fans say they’ve seen enough of Clarke and want him to move on. But, is it really fair to lay all the blame on Clarke himself?
Jack Clarke of Ipswich Town during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Ipswich Town FC at Emirates Stadium on December 27, 2024 in Lon…
Ipswich Town are not giving Jack Clarke consistent game time
Sunderland expert Michael Graham took to Twitter/X to discuss Clarke’s current plight, and pinned the blame squarely on the way the winger is being utilised at Portman Road, particularly when it comes to his minutes on the pitch.
Graham wrote: “Four minutes at home to Brighton, start against Man City. Almost feels like Ipswich are deliberately setting up Jack Clarke to fail at this point.”
Clearly, Graham feels it is unfair to throw Clarke in from the start against Pep Guardiola’s side after getting a meagre four minutes under his belt in midweek. Such inconsistency simply cannot be conducive to Clarke ever gaining any kind of momentum.
Clarke himself has discussed his form, citing momentum as a key factor, and also hinting that he may not be playing to his strengths at Ipswich.
Jack Clarke needs a loan move this month, but Sunderland aren’t the answer
Even when Clarke scored his first Ipswich goal last week in the FA Cup, he looked devoid of any joy and happiness, and clearly something has to give.
Surely, it would make sense for Ipswich to send the 24-year-old out on loan so that he can recapture his best form and regain some confidence.
However, any hopes of a Sunderland return for Clarke may well be over, and that’s largely down to the fact the Black Cats don’t necessarily need him right now.
Once Tommy Watson and Romaine Mundle return from injury, Regis Le Bris will have an abundance of wingers to choose from, and Clarke would merely be a luxury, and an expensive one at that.
According to Reds expert David Lynch, Liverpool’s victory over Brentford last Saturday could be a turning point in the title race, and a similar showing against Ipswich Town on January 25 would be sufficient to guarantee victory.
Darwin Nunez scored twice in second-half stoppage time to give his team all three points, but Arne Slot had to wait until the 91st minute for his team to take the lead against Brentford.
With Arsenal drawing with Aston Villa later the same day, the Reds moved six points clear of the Gunners at the top of the Premier League and boast the advantage of having a game in hand. Lynch was adamant that while the title is by no means won, Liverpool are getting to the point where finishing first looks almost inevitable, comparing the team’s win on Saturday with their comeback victory against Aston Villa in 2019, telling Sports Mole:
“It was hugely significant that they found a way to get over the line in this one because the comparison to the Villa game in 2019 is really apt. “That [Villa] game meant Liverpool were five points clear Man City going into the side’s meeting at Anfield
Liverpool score two goals late on [against Brentford], Arsenal fans are gutted, that atmosphere transmits into the stadium. As soon as Villa pull back a goal, doubts creep in. Villa get points and the gap is back to six points with Liverpool having a game in hand.You have to disregard the underlying numbers and statistics and [recognise] the mental impact those moments can have – that that will be hugely significant. It felt like one of those weekends you’ll look back at and say, ‘that’s where Liverpool won the title.’”
Randal Kolo Muani, a French striker, chose to join Juventus rather than move to the Premier League this January, ending Tottenham Hotspur’s pursuit of him. During his first two seasons at PSG, the 26-year-old has struggled to make a big impression, which has fueled whispers of a possible transfer this month.
This season, Kolo Muani has only played 453 minutes in all competitions and has not been able to establish himself as a consistent starter.
His absence from PSG’s final three 2024 games has only made people wonder if he will stay with the team.
Tottenham is “gutted” to have lost out on Kolo Muani, according to Graeme Bailey, head correspondent for TBR Football. The Premier League team is still keen to bolster their assault before the January transfer window ends, though.
Pictures According to TEAMtalk, Tottenham is considering a move for Ipswich striker Liam Delap this month, however Chelsea might present a challenge. According to Transfermarkt, the 21-year-old is worth €25 million, but because these two parties are interested, the price will go up.
It’s understood West Brom have been tracking Al-Hamadi for some time and have scheduled a medical for today (January 21) to complete his temporary move to The Hawthorns.
The 14-time Iraq international has played just 125 minutes in the Premier League this season, with all his game time coming off the bench.
Al-Hamadi wasn’t in Ipswich’s plans at the start of last campaign, either, as he was sent on loan to League Two. The 22-year-old impressed at AFC Wimbledon, however, scoring 13 goals and making six assists in 23 English third-tier matches.
Those performances earned the striker a recall to Ipswich, where he played 14 games and scored four times during the second half of last season. That momentum didn’t carry over to the start of 2024/25 but it’s hoped a loan to West Brom will provide a welcomed boost for all parties involved.
Deal finalised for West Brom to sign midfielder
Meanwhile, Birmingham World understands versatile Standard Liege midfielder Isaac Price can now be considered an Albion player after a medical. West Brom had struck an agreement so sign the Northern Irishman for €2 million (£1.69m) plus a further €1 million (£845k) in instalments and add-ons.
Price, 21, has been a regular for Standard in the Jupiler Pro League ever since joining from Everton for free in July 2023. It was a bold move from the 16-time Northern Ireland international but it’s paid off as he’s gained regular experience in one of Europe’s top leagues.
Capable of playing as a regular central midfielder, a deep-lying playmaker, a box-to-box or a number ten, Price is versatile and should help Albion in a host of areas.
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