Phil Hay gives ‘damage limitation’ opinion ahead of Leeds United v Ipswich Town clash
Phil Hay thinks Ipswich Town are currently on a “damage limitation” mission given their tough run of fixtures that includes a mouthwatering clash at Leeds United on Saturday (23 December).
The Tractor Boys, who are second, have a 10-point buffer to the Whites ahead of the Elland Road showdown, which follows the East Anglian derby with Norwich City last time out – which finished 2-2 – and precedes the top-of-the-table Boxing Day showdown at home to Leicester City.
For Leeds, it is a crucial game as they aim to stay in the fight for automatic promotion and the Athletic writer Hay – speaking on the Square Ball Podcast (22 December, 5:58) assessed what is a hectic period for Ipswich.
“I think Ipswich would be pretty happy with a draw, I said after the game against Norwich I don’t think they’ll have been unhappy with a draw out of that and likewise the game against Leicester a point wouldn’t be a bad result for them,” he said.
“This seems to me to be for them a kind of damage limitation stage. If it works out brilliantly for them and they beat Leeds, beat Leicester, had they beaten Norwich, then happy days.
“But I think back-to-back that’s a really difficult run, about as difficult a run as they could possibly have considering their rivalry with Norwich.”
A fair assessment
Hay is absolutely spot on with this assessment, the only thing is Ipswich just do not seem to be dropping off, and they have previous for staying the course which should be a worry for all Leeds fans.
Last season, Kieran McKenna’s side were locked in a fierce battle with Plymouth Argyle and Sheffield Wednesday for the top two spots in League One (all three teams ended up being promoted of course), so they are well-versed in the pressures of going for automatic promotion.
Frustratingly for Leeds, they have by and large been excellent in the Championship but the relentless manner in which Leicester and Ipswich have performed this season means those top two spots have remained out of reach.
Beating Ipswich would, of course, reignite that charge ahead of what is a hectic festive period and they did win a seven-goal thriller 4-3 in the reverse fixture at Portman Road. A gutsy 1-0 would be fine here, just any sort of win really.
In other Leeds United news, Ethan Ampadu has shared his verdict on Archie Gray.