Ipswich Town

Latest updates

  1. Coventry City v Ipswich: Did you know?published at 12:05 GMT 7 February 2025

    Kalvin Phillips playing in the FA CupImage source, Getty Images

    Ipswich are looking to reach the FA Cup fifth round for just the second time in the 21st century, previously doing so in 2006-07. They were eliminated at this stage of the competition last season by non-league Maidstone United.

  2. Today's trivia challengepublished at 08:53 GMT 7 February 2025

    Ipswich quiz banner

    Name this former Ipswich manager from the following clues:

    • I have had two spells in charge of the country I represented at international level;

    • I won the Championship title as a manager of two different clubs;

    • I led Ipswich to a top-six finish in the second tier in 2014-15.

    Answer will be revealed at 17:00 GMT

  3. Ipswich Q&A: Will Delap stay at Portman Road?published at 18:53 GMT 6 February 2025

    Ipswich Town expert view banner
    Liam Delap looks onImage source, PA Media

    We have been putting your questions to BBC Radio Suffolk sports editor Graeme McLoughlin in a special Ipswich Town Q&A session.

    In the final part, the focus is on top scorer Liam Delap and the club's position with regard to financial fair play and PSR.

    Matt asked: Some reports suggest Manchester City have a buy-back clause of £30m for Liam Delap. What do we know about this clause and any fee? Could City buy him back then immediately resell for a larger price?

    Graeme said: Kieran McKenna was asked about such reports at a press conference not too long ago. He told us he did not know if there was a buy-back clause or not and the apparent fee tends to vary depending on which publication you read or who you listen to!

    I am unable to help here, I am afraid. If the manager does not know, then I certainly do not.

    What I will say is that clauses aside, I would be reasonably confident of Liam Delap being an Ipswich player next season should the Blues secure their Premier League status. I would be surprised if he is still at Town should they go down.

    Tommy asked: How are Ipswich going to pass financial fair play rules after spending so much this season, considering they were in League One just two seasons ago?

    Graeme said: Town certainly spent money last summer upon their arrival in the Premier League and would have undoubtedly liked to have invested more heavily in the January window.

    "It's a really difficult window for a football club with the climb we've had," conceded Kieran McKenna last week. He is well aware of the financial situation, as is chief executive Mark Ashton, who has called for an adjustment to the system in recent months.

    Until that arrives though, the Town ownership are aware of the rules and will have to stick to them. I have confidence in them doing that.

    Listen to The Blue Hour with Brenner Woolley every Monday and Matchday Preview with Graeme McLoughlin every Friday, along with live coverage of every Ipswich Town game, home and away, on BBC Radio Suffolk.

    Full commentary of Coventry City v Ipswich Town on BBC Radio Suffolk and BBC Sounds from 15:00 GMT on Saturday

  4. Ipswich Q&A: Who plays in goal and in attack?published at 16:16 GMT 6 February 2025

    Ipswich Town expert view banner
    Christian Walton in action for IpswichImage source, Getty Images

    We have been putting your questions to BBC Radio Suffolk sports editor Graeme McLoughlin in a special Ipswich Town Q&A session.

    In this section, the focus is on the goalkeeping position and the form of Omari Hutchinson.

    James asked: Given the choice of Arijanet Muric, Christian Walton, Alex Palmer and Cieran Slicker, who should be Ipswich's goalkeeper?

    Graeme said: When everyone is fit, I would say Christian Walton. While some members of Town's League One contingent continue to get regular game time, he is one of a few that have had to be more patient off the back of new faces joining the club. I think he deserves the opportunity.

    Given his current injury though, surely it will be an Ipswich debut for Alex Palmer in the FA Cup this weekend. I do wonder if one error too many from Aro Muric might even cost him a place on the bench.

    If Walton is absent for a few weeks, then this is an early chance for Palmer to hold onto the shirt for the rest of the season.

    Golfer asked: Is it time to bench Omari Hutchinson? His passing and decision-making seems off. I love his energy and know he is always a threat, but lately he seems to dribble into double/triple teams and too easily gives up the ball.

    Graeme said: For me, Omari Hutchinson plays. I do not think he and others have been helped by rotation elsewhere in the team, a lot of which this season has been down to injuries.

    I liked the front-four selection against Southampton, but the execution on the day was not the best. It was the first time we had seen Hutchinson, Julio Enciso and Nathan Broadhead start together and at this moment in time, that would be my preferred trio behind Liam Delap.

    Come back to this page later on Thursday for the final part about the future of Ipswich Town

    Listen to The Blue Hour with Brenner Woolley from 18:00 GMT on Mondays on BBC Radio Suffolk and BBC Sounds

    BBC Sounds banner
  5. Ipswich Q&A: Was promotion a bad thing?published at 14:01 GMT 6 February 2025

    Ipswich Town expert view banner
    Kieran McKenna applaudsImage source, Getty Images

    We have been putting your questions to BBC Radio Suffolk sports editor Graeme McLoughlin in a special Ipswich Town Q&A session.

    In part one, the focus is on the impact of two successive promotions on the club and the expectations for the remainder of the campaign.

    Alan asked: Saturday's loss against Southampton was the first time I've felt palpable discontent from the home fans at the final whistle, from a home crowd that have up to now been 100% behind team and manager. Has our unexpected promotion this season now proven to be a positive or negative impact on the overall mission of the club?

    Graeme: I would say absolutely not, Alan. Getting to the Premier League earlier than anyone would have expected can only be a massive positive for a club that wants to become a permanent fixture in the top flight.

    If Town survive this time around, it will be, by some way, the biggest achievement under the new owners and manager Kieran McKenna, and they will improve next season.

    Should they go down, while there are no guarantees of coming straight back up, the club as a whole will be stronger and more knowledgeable for the experience.

    I never like to see and hear discontent and boos at full-time like we did last weekend. Town won 56 league games and lost just 10 over two seasons en route to the Premier League, scoring more than 190 league goals in the process.

    Sadly, those levels were never going to be possible this time around. But, in the heat of the moment, that can be forgotten.

    Christianna asked: How many points are you expecting Town to pick up over the final 14 games?

    Graeme said: I still see there being a couple of memorable wins for Town between now and the end of the season, akin to what we saw at Tottenham in November and at Portman Road against Chelsea just before the turn of the year.

    Looking at the fixtures that remain, I still believe Town can double their points tally, so I will say 16.

    Come back to this page later on Thursday for part two on the playing squad

    Listen to full commentary of Coventry City v Ipswich Town on BBC Radio Suffolk and BBC Sounds from 15:00 GMT on Saturday

    An image detailing how to follow your Premier League team on BBC Sport: "On the app? Tap the bell icon to get news about your club sent to you. Signed in on a browser? Hit 'Follow' to stay up to date.
  6. Ipswich Q&A: Submit your questionspublished at 08:15 GMT 5 February 2025

    Have your say banner
    Jack Clarke looks dejectedImage source, Getty Images

    Is there something that you want to ask about the Tractor Boys?

    BBC Radio Suffolk sports editor Graeme McLoughlin is ready to answer your questions for a special Q&A.

    Submit your question here and come back later this week to read a selection of his replies

  7. Palmer may prove most important arrival in 'solid, not spectacular' windowpublished at 18:07 GMT 4 February 2025

    Seb Brown
    Fan writer

    Ipswich fan's voice banner
    Alex Palmer in action for West BromImage source, Getty Images

    Four senior additions arrived in the January window and brought with them a mixture of Premier League experience, physicality, potential, attacking flair and, hopefully, stability.

    Ben Godfrey was the first through the door. A tally of more than 100 Premier League appearances instantly makes him the most experienced member of the squad and his physicality, pace and versatility should make him a useful addition.

    Jaden Philogene and Julio Enciso bring flair, creativity, goals and assists - all areas Ipswich have been lacking in so far this campaign.

    Philogene was a summer target so how he will fit into our style and patterns of play has clearly been well researched. Enciso already has an assist and showed enough attacking intent in the number 10 role to suggest he can make a difference.

    Finally, Alex Palmer joined on deadline day from West Bromwich Albion. Arijanet Muric was signed last summer to be the number one but has made the most errors leading to goals in the league. His performance against Southampton, when he was at fault for both goals, appears to have been the tipping point, as has an injury to Christian Walton.

    If Palmer can bring stability, consistency and calmness to the defence, then his last-minute arrival could prove the most important in Ipswich's bid to beat the drop.

    The window could be described as solid, not spectacular. The lack of a new striker to compete with Liam Delap is a concern and fans are now reliant on George Hirst remaining fit until May.

    Staying in the Premier League was always going to be a tough task given how quickly Ipswich have progressed over the past two years.

    If the worst is to happen and relegation occurs, then some of these acquisitions will put the club in a great position to mount an immediate return.

    Find more from Seb Brown at the Blue Monday Podcast, external

    An image detailing how to follow your Premier League team on BBC Sport: "On the app? Tap the bell icon to get news about your club sent to you. Signed in on a browser? Hit 'Follow' to stay up to date.
  8. Ipswich sign youngster Boniface from Chelseapublished at 22:03 GMT 3 February 2025

    Ipswich done deal graphic

    Ipswich have signed defender Somto Boniface from Chelsea.

    The 18-year-old left-back came through the youth system at Stamford Bridge and featured twice for Chelsea Under-21s in the EFL Trophy earlier this season.

    He has also represented England at several age-group levels and will join the under-21s set-up at Ipswich.

  9. Ipswich sign goalkeeper Palmer from West Brompublished at 21:39 GMT 3 February 2025

    Ipswich done deal graphic

    Ipswich Town have signed West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Alex Palmer.

    The 28-year-old had a medical at Portman Road before the transfer deadline and will leave The Hawthorns having come through the club's academy.

    The total amount Ipswich are paying is reportedly up to £5m.

    Palmer has made 104 appearances for West Brom, who are sixth in the Championship, with them opting to sell him as they believe they have a strong succession plan in Josh Griffiths, Joe Wildsmith and England Under-19s keeper Ben Cisse.

  10. Goalkeeper Palmer set for Ipswich medicalpublished at 12:42 GMT 3 February 2025

    Nick Mashiter
    BBC Sport football news reporter

    Alex PalmerImage source, Getty Images

    Ipswich are poised to sign West Brom goalkeeper Alex Palmer.

    The 28-year-old is due for a medical at Portman Road before the transfer deadline and will leave The Hawthorns having come through the academy.

    The total amount Ipswich are paying has been reported as being up to £5m, although various sources are disputing the exact fee.

    Palmer has made 104 appearances for West Brom, who are sixth in the Championship, with the Baggies opting to sell him as they believe they have a strong succession plan in Josh Griffiths, Joe Wildsmith and England Under-19 international Ben Cisse.

    The Tractor Boys have no plans on moving other goalkeepers out, with Palmer coming in as Christian Walton is sidelined for a number of weeks with a groin injury.

  11. What do you want on deadline day?published at 07:33 GMT 3 February 2025

    Your views banner
    Ipswich club badge graphic

    We asked you what would ensure you are satisfied this deadline day.

    Here are some of your comments:

    James: Get a better goalkeeper than Arijanet Muric on loan as cover until Christian Walton is fit again. Another striker on loan would be a bonus too.

    James: A striker to share the burden with Liam Delap and a keeper now that Walton is injured. Muric does not look Premier League level and is a mistake waiting to happen. It is enough of a struggle in this league without throwing an error-prone keeper into the mix.

    Andy: Central midfielder, a forward and goalkeeper. Thomas Kaminski [Luton], James Trafford [Burnley] or Michael Cooper [Sheffield United] recruited in goal and offload Muric, but it's probably unlikely. Ben Sheaf [Coventry City] and Emmanual Latte Lath [Middlesbrough] in midfield and up front would be great signings.

    Kevin: Frankly, we probably need a miracle to stay up now. But with Walton injured and Muric now a nervous wreck, we need another keeper. We also need a third striker and a box-to-box midfielder.

    Paul: We need a new goalkeeper and a strong central midfielder to link to the forwards. Sadly that is unlikely in the January window and given Kieran McKenna's misguided loyalty to Muric.

    Michael: Time to plan for next year as well as fight relegation. Goalkeeper on loan, a central midfielder with pace and a striker as Delap will leave in the summer.

    An image detailing how to follow your Premier League team on BBC Sport: "On the app? Tap the bell icon to get news about your club sent to you. Signed in on a browser? Hit 'Follow' to stay up to date.
  12. Who will move where? Follow livepublished at 07:05 GMT 3 February 2025

    Transfer deadline day graphic, including all 20 Premier League club badges

    It's the last day of the winter transfer window and Premier League clubs have until 23:00 GMT to complete their business.

    We'll bring you all the news, views, twists and turns as the clock ticks down to deadline.

    Follow it all here

  13. Ipswich 'need Walton back at the earliest opportunity'published at 16:32 GMT 2 February 2025

    Sam Ashoo
    Final Score reporter

    Arijanet Muric concedes Image source, Getty Images

    You never want to single out a goalkeeper for a performance but when Arijanet Muric watches this one back against Southampton, I think he'll be really disappointed.

    He would have hoped to have done much better for Joe Aribo's first-half scuffed strike and his parry in the second half gave Paul Onuachu a tap-in.

    Muric has been a point of contention for Ipswich fans. Christian Walton was in goal for the Liverpool game and if they are going to mount any form of survival challenge you would think they need him back at the earliest opportunity.