Alious
Ipswich Town’s return to the Premier League has been characterized by dramatic inconsistency under manager Kieran McKenna. The team has demonstrated remarkable potential by securing points against top-tier clubs like Tottenham, Manchester United, Aston Villa, and Brighton, showcasing their ability to compete with established Premier League teams.
However, their league position tells a starkly different story. Currently sitting 19th in the table, Ipswich has struggled against fellow relegation-threatened teams, failing to defeat Southampton, Leicester City, and Everton. Their recent point drop against Nottingham Forest has further intensified the pressure on McKenna to secure a crucial victory.
The upcoming home match against struggling Crystal Palace represents a critical opportunity for Ipswich to claim only their second win of the campaign. At the center of the team’s tactical deliberations is the potential substitution of forward Sammie Szmodics, whose recent performances have been underwhelming.
Despite Szmodics’ earlier contributions – including a spectacular bicycle kick goal against Tottenham – his last two matches have been notably ineffective. Statistical analysis reveals he generated just 0.18 expected goals and assists combined in games against Manchester United and Nottingham Forest. Local sports journalist Alex Jones critically evaluated Szmodics’ performances, rating him poorly and noting his limited attacking impact.
The proposed alternative is Jack Clarke, another summer signing from Sunderland. Clarke’s previous season statistics are impressive: 15 goals and four assists in 42 appearances for Sunderland, averaging a goal involvement every 2.21 games. The season prior, he was even more prolific, with 11 goals and 14 assists in 50 matches – averaging a goal involvement every other game.
While Clarke has yet to fully replicate his Championship form at Ipswich, his single league assist came during his first start against Aston Villa. At 24 years old, he represents a promising long-term option for the team’s left-wing position.
The recommendation is not to completely sideline Szmodics, who remains a valuable player, but to provide Clarke with an opportunity to demonstrate his potential against another struggling team. This tactical shift could reinvigorate Ipswich’s attacking prowess and potentially lift them from their precarious league position.
Alious
