We've not won the opening three league matches of a season since the 1962-63 campaign. If we win today, most that visit this blog wouldn't have seen a better start to the season and if that happens, it should be applauded. That's all and nothing else.
And this after the best season we've had in a long time too. And lets not forget, we've won our first three matches in all competitions this season already. I'm thinking about having a bet on us getting promoted this season already. Confidence is high.
And all we have to do is keep doing what we're doing. If we win two out of every three matches, we will be promoted and it's not hard to think that it's possible with all the renewed optimism at the Club and with supporters.
But just because Ipswich have only got the one point from their opening two games, we can't expect the win. Like every match in this League we're going to have to work for it and for us, it's always going to be a little harder because wherever we go, we're the team everyone wants to beat. For most of the places we go, we are the game of the season.
But that is a state of mind we have to be able to manage but is sadly not something that just happens or can be switched on. Winning helps, it build confidence, much like if Jack shoots more and gets one or two goals, he'll let more go and he'll score more. It takes knowing it's possible and that it's going to happen.
Ann before I copy and paste, I just have to leave you with the thought of McGinn and Grealish today. They're going to get better and better the more they play with each other. Why do I have a feeling it's going to click?
Match facts from the BBC
- Ipswich are winless in their last nine home league games against Aston Villa (D4 L5) since a 3-0 win in the top-flight in September 1984.
- Aston Villa have won nine of their last 12 matches against Ipswich in all competitions (D2 L1), winning both matches last season in the Championship.
- Ipswich have scored just nine goals in their last 19 league matches against Aston Villa, failing to score in any of their last three league games against them at Portman Road.
- Steve Bruce has won his last four visits to Portman Road in all competitions, with those victories coming with three different clubs (Wigan, Hull and Aston Villa).
- Ipswich have lost 19 of their last 22 league matches when they have conceded first (W1 D2).
- Aston Villa have not won their opening three league matches of a season since the 1962-63 campaign, when they were in the top flight.