The Eagles embark on their third game of the week as the fixtures come thick and fast, with the first international break of the season edging ever closer.
Newly promoted Ipswich Town are the visitors to Selhurst Park, so we caught up with the team behind social media account Ipswich Town Fans to discuss the season so far, summer business, the managerial change, and much more…
TEB: What is the general feeling among Ipswich fans this season, and how do you assess the start so far?
ITF: We’re feeling a bit more confident than last time around and are hopeful of staying up. The squad we’ve assembled should be very competitive.
The start has shown positive signs, especially with the opening-day win. We were excellent for the first 50 minutes against Manchester United and really should have got something out of the game. The loss to Liverpool came down to the first 10 minutes. You can’t start games like that at this level.
That said, if we’d picked up three draws, we’d still have the same number of points we have now, so we’re probably where we expected to be.
TEB: Has the summer transfer window solved any squad issues, or are there still areas that need improvement?
ITF: We can’t really have any complaints. It’s probably been the best transfer window in the club’s history and certainly is in terms of money spent. We’re still living the dream.
If we were being picky, we’d perhaps say we could have done with another centre-back.
TEB: Is Gary O’Neil the man to take the club forward?
ITF: Let’s wait and see. Replacing the legendary Kieran McKenna was always going to be a difficult task for anyone.
O’Neil has come in and said the right things, and the performances have been there already. If he keeps us up, it’ll be mission accomplished, and we can continue to build from there.
TEB: What are the expectations for this season? Is survival a realistic possibility this time around?
ITF: As already mentioned, we’re more confident this time, and the hope and expectation is that we stay up.
That said, it’s a tough league and every point we earn is going to be massive. Our home form has to be much, much better this time around if we’re going to give ourselves a chance.
TEB: What’s your opinion on the new SCR financial rules?
ITF: Honestly? That side of football doesn’t really bother me, and why should it? It’s not our money, haha!
Besides, what do rules matter anyway? I’m looking at you, Manchester City…
TEB: What are your thoughts on Palace this season?
ITF: I think Palace will be safe, although they’ll be involved in the fight at the lower end of the table. They’ve also got another season of European football to contend with under a new manager.
We know how it feels to lose a good manager who took the club to new heights, so it’ll be interesting to see how Palace adapt without him.
TEB: Finally, give us your prediction for the match and the final score.
ITF: It’s a hard one to predict. Selhurst Park is always a tough place to go and a proper football ground.
I’d probably take a point, but I have to back Ipswich, so I’ll go for a 2-1 Town win.
With no disrespect to Palace, these are the sorts of games we have to be looking to get points from. I’m sure people will understand what I mean by that. It’s the same for every club outside the very top sides. I mean, it’s 14 against six others in this league, right?
