Ipswich Town

Graeme McLoughlin
BBC Radio Suffolk sports editor

Image source, Getty Images

Back in August when I was here waxing lyrical about Julio Enciso after his performance for Ipswich Town on the opening day of the season, I stopped short of saying he reminded me a lot of Luis Suarez.

I told myself it was too early to mention the pair in the same breath. Furthermore, I didn't want to come across as getting carried away.

Well, I can't stay quiet any longer. The time has now come. Enciso is exceptional, and I can't help but think of his fellow South American the more I see him in action.

Both players have been blessed with remarkable levels of natural talent, skill and technique.

They can also score incredible goals, with Enciso's latest rescuing a point for Ipswich at Hull at the weekend.

Arguably, both players' biggest strength, though, is a burning desire and drive to leave it all out there when it comes to trying to get a result for their team.

A relentless Suarez nearly took a flawed Liverpool side to the Premier League title in 2014, and while Enciso won't be doing similar this season, his presence is a big key to Ipswich keeping hold of their status in the top-flight.

At just 22, he is a couple of years younger than Suarez was when he arrived on these shores, but in the words of his captain Dara O'Shea, he's shown added maturity and leadership qualities during this second spell in Suffolk.

The Paraguay international's ceiling on both the domestic and international stage is very high. I just hope he's at Portman Road for as long as possible.

Suarez left Anfield for Barcelona after three and a half years and went on to win it all at club level.

Enciso will have similar ambitions, but his main target right now is helping ensure Town get a positive result against Bournemouth on Sunday. I'm wondering if Gary O'Neil may opt to freshen things up for this fixture.

The manager has told us that he likes having selection headaches, and there is no doubt he has a few.

I suspect Sasa Lukic - if fully fit - will return in midfield alongside Exequiel Palacios, while Zian Flemming will be desperate for more than half an hour up front, having not yet started in the league since his summer move from Burnley.

There is also a dilemma on the left wing, where Jaden Philogene, Jack Clarke and Daizen Maeda are all competing for regular game time.

No extra thinking time is required by O'Neil, at least, when it comes to his first choice at number 10. Right now, Julio Enciso is surely the first name on the team-sheet.

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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Hull City and Ipswich Town.

Here are some of your comments:

Hull City fans

David: Classic game of two halves. Hull chasing shadows in the first and could have been three or four down. Much-improved second half with 4-4-2 more effective. Entertaining game.

Craig: Up the Tigers - although a win would be nice, it wasn't deserved. After so many draws it pains me to say it, but it was a fair result. We're still hard to beat, still proving the critics wrong and still not battling relegation - so no complaints from me.

Dave: Dire first half - no fight, no energy. Second half was much better and we improved when we went to back four at the back. Should have held on as Ipswich were average, despite loads of possession, and needed a worldie.

Tracey: Set up too defensively at home both last week and this week. The manager needs to get a grip and play attacking football at home. Consecutive draws could have easily been six points if we were set up to attack. I'd rather go down fighting and attacking than be boring.

Ipswich fans

Ed: A point away in the Premier League is no mean feat, but seriously, Ipswich should have walked this one. The goals Ipswich conceded were both so avoidable. Thank goodness the attackers know what they're doing.

Tony: We need to be more clinical in front of goal. We could have won this game in the first half and paid the price in the second. Lucky to escape with a draw. Very frustrating.

Robert: If the Ipswich that play after they go behind were to appear while they are level or ahead, they would be much higher in the league. They had the composure, now they need the self belief at the outset of each match.

Stephen: Disappointing we didn't get the three points.

Keifer MacDonald
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Newly promoted sides Ipswich Town, Coventry City and Hull City have collected a combined 31 points after nine games, the 13th-highest tally by promoted sides at this stage in Premier League history.

Hull City and Ipswich account for 22 of those points, with Sergej Jakirovic and Gary O'Neil's sides both sitting on 11.

Coventry are slightly behind their promoted peers, but the Sky Blues' three victories have still earned them a respectable nine points.

And there is further encouragement for the newcomers - since the 2010-11 season, all 18 promoted teams who have collected at least 11 points from their opening nine games have avoided relegation.

But when Ipswich secured their return to the Premier League in May, few expected much from the Tractor Boys.

Their promotion to the top flight in 2024, ending a 22-year absence, exposed just how ill-equipped they were to compete at that level.

By the end of the 2024-25 season, Ipswich finished 19th, recording just four wins from 38 Premier League games.

But having secured an immediate return to the top flight, and after significant investment in the squad over the summer, Town look set to put up more of a fight this time around.

The Championship runners-up's summer business was headlined by the return of Julio Enciso, who spent part of the 2024-25 campaign on loan at Portman Road.

The Paraguay international has been instrumental in Ipswich's rise this season, assisting their opening goal against Sunderland before setting up another against Manchester United at Old Trafford the following week.

More recently, the 22-year-old has scored in consecutive matches against Nottingham Forest and Hull City, helping his side secure vital points against two teams who could be fighting for Premier League survival come the end of the season.

After Saturday's 2-2 draw with the Tigers, O'Neil praised his side's "character" after they fought from behind for the second Premier League match in a row.

"It's tough to be in control and find yourselves 2-1 down with the place bouncing," O'Neil told BBC Match of the Day.

"Our lads have some character and we just need to keep it up. Hull are a very good side and I'm really pleased with how we did against them."

Niall McCaughan
Final Score reporter at MKM Stadium

Image source, Getty Images

Speaking to BBC Sport post-match at MKM Stadium, Gary O'Neil said he felt his Ipswich team were the better side against Hull City.

You can see why O'Neil felt that way when you consider just how in control of the game Town were in the first half.

They zipped the ball around with purpose from the get-go, resulting in Florentino Luis' excellent opening goal, and were unlucky not to have a second via Julian Enciso's disallowed header, all while restricting Hull City to next to nothing up the other end.

But all of that considered, Ipswich ultimately came away with just a point from the game, needing a special strike from Enciso to bring them level after falling 2-1 behind.

Whilst there was a lot to like about the first-half display, O'Neil will surely be analysing just how easily his team let the Tigers back into the game in the second half.

Tim Iroegbunam's first Premier League goal was odd enough to befit the Halloween occasion, as Town's defence seemed vanish when the Hull City midfielder strolled through unchecked to score after a 25-yard carry.

When Oli McBurnie gave the hosts the lead through a low free-kick that was too good for Christian Walton to handle, it felt as though Ipswich were crumbling before your eyes.

Any point in the Premier League is precious, and Ipswich now have 11 of them after nine games. That's enough to keep them four points from the relegation zone. It's also enough to see them a handful of points off the European places.

Football fans have a tendency to be greedy and there's an argument to suggest that had Town's performance level not waned in the second half on Saturday, the table could and maybe should look even more positive for them.

But the 2-2 draw at Hull City is perhaps a reflection of Ipswich's wider season so far. In a top-flight campaign, sometimes things will go well (like the first half) and sometimes they won't (like the second half).

Gennaro Gattuso summed that up best in a now infamous AC Milan news conference a few years back and these days in the Premier League, "sometimes maybe good" is often more than enough to survive.

Hit play below to hear defender Leif Davis explaining how Ipswich were left ruing costly mistakes, or listen on BBC Sounds here

Ipswich Town boss Gary O'Neil, speaking to Match of the Day, said: "We were the better side, we should have punished them more in the first half. We gifted them two goals, then we responded unbelievably well.

"The goals [we conceded] were the only real disappointing part, a lot of errors for goals which has cost us but in terms of coming away from home, dominating the game, defending, attacking, I thought the lads were very good today.

"We knew they [Hull] would change [at half-time] and they were better than in the first half but they still were not better than us, we were the better team. It's a point on the road and I've watched a lot of Hull's games and not a lot of teams were as good with the ball as we were.

"It's tough to go away from home, we keep moving forwards and get ourselves ready for Bournemouth in the next one. The boys were excellent and mistakes will happen and it's just unfortunate that the only two errors we made both led to goals - I didn't like either of their two goals and the second one is preventable.

"I'm really pleased with where my team is at after that today. We were the better team away from home and that takes some doing. It's tough to be in control and find yourselves 2-1 down with the place bouncing. Our lads have some character and we just need to keep it up. Hull are a very good side and I'm really pleased with how we did against them."

Hear more from O'Neil on BBC Sounds here

Did you know?

• Ipswich have avoided defeat in successive Premier League matches for the first time since January 2025, while it is the first time that manager Gary O'Neil has done so in the competition since a run of four in October/November 2024 with Wolves.

• Ipswich have won eight points from losing positions in the Premier League this season - more than any other team.

Sam Drury
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

For two promoted sides to be sitting on 11 points from nine games, safely in mid-table for now, there shouldn't be too much to grumble about.

Yet, both Hull and Ipswich will feel slightly frustrated after a highly watchable draw in East Yorkshire.

It is the kind of result that each will hope they don't come to rue at the end of the campaign.

For Ipswich, what will irk Gary O'Neil most is that Ipswich were unable to capitalise on such a strong first half.

With better decision-making around the penalty area and a little more ruthlessness, they could have been out of sight.

Meanwhile, a slow start - to put it mildly - will be at the heart of Hull's frustration. That and their failure to keep themselves in front, having fought back to lead.

While Hull continue to pick up points, the damage is lessened. But the longer they go without a victory, the more urgent is their need to rediscover that winning feeling.

For the time being, both sides can focus on the resilience they showed after falling behind and the latest point ticked off in the quest to stay in the top flight. The hope in both camps will be that they don't ultimately see this as two dropped.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Hull City's performance

What did you make of Ipswich's display?

Reaction and analysis to follow - and come back on Monday for a selection of your replies.

There are eight games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Chelsea v Manchester United (12:30)

• Bournemouth v Leeds United

• Brentford v Nottingham Forest

• Coventry City v Sunderland - first half on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2, second half on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Hull City v Ipswich Town

• Manchester City v Brighton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Tottenham v Crystal Palace (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Aston Villa v Fulham (20:00)

Kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated.

Follow all of the action and reaction here

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Ipswich Town chairman Mark Ashton says he is "really pleased" with how manager Gary O'Neil has settled at Portman Road.

O'Neil arrived at Ipswich in June, walking into what Ashton described as a "whirlwind" situation.

"Promotion to the Premier League, having to change the manager, appointing Gary [O'Neil], bringing in the staff and then you're into recruitment - and you're moving into a new training ground which has been five years in development. It has been a really busy period." Ashton told BBC Radio Suffolk.

"I think he's come in really calmly, strong-minded and focused on what he wants to do. He has shown real leadership by my side and stepped through all of those challenges. Without that calm leadership I don't think you get the points on the board or recruit the players you have done. He has done really well.

"He will be the first to tell you that there's lots to do; lots of hard work and challenges to come."

Ashton also spoke about how his relationship with O'Neil differs from the one he had with former boss Kieran McKenna, who stepped down from the role shortly after earning promotion back to the Premier League.

"There's a lot of similarities but you build relationships over time," Ashton added. "I think you don't actually find out about people until you're in adversity and challenges. That is how you find out about the people at your side.

"He is a great communicator and we talk every day. We can work closely but make sure he has enough space to do his job. Like Kieran and the modern-day manager, they work tirelessly for very long hours. They are very focused on what they want to do.

"We have got a lot of work to do but he's settled in well."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

Hull City and Ipswich Town have made encouraging starts to life back in the Premier League having both collected 10 points so far. BBC Sport takes a look at some of the key themes ahead of Saturday's meeting (15:00 GMT).

Hull hard to beat but need a win

A week after facing Brentford for the first time in the top flight, Hull once again face maiden opposition as their clash against Ipswich Town becomes the 1,456th different fixture to be played in the upper tier of English football.

Encouraging starts for both sides on their Premier League return makes this the first season that two promoted sides have reached 10 or more points after eight games since West Brom (12) and Blackpool (10) did so in 2010-11.

And if history is anything to go by, reaching double figures at this stage means they have both taken a giant stride towards staying up.

Of the 402 Premier League teams to have collected 10 or more points from eight games, only 12 have gone on to be relegated and, if broken down to just promoted teams, a mere six of 33 have returned to the second tier - with the last being Blackpool in 2011.

However, that's not to say that Hull aren't desperate for a victory given it is 63 days on Saturday since their last league win came against Coventry on 29 August. Sergej Jakirovic's side have certainly made themselves hard to beat, but a run of six matches without a top-flight victory (D4, L2) is the joint longest along with Manchester United and Sunderland.

The Tigers will not want to become only the fourth side in Premier League history to win their opening two matches but fail to record a victory in any of their subsequent seven, especially as they are one of the previous three teams to do so who went on to be relegated, in 2016-17.

Continuing their strong home form – they are unbeaten in nine at the MKM Stadium in all competitions – will be crucial for the rest of the season. They could become only the second promoted side in the last 11 years to go unbeaten in their first five home games of a Premier League campaign after Sunderland did so 12 months ago.

Not wanting to give Tigers fans a fright, but the 13 defeats they have suffered on 31 October is the most of any side on Halloween in Football League history.

Tractor Boys again show their fight

Ipswich Town once again showed their never-say-die attitude as they salvaged a point from their clash with Nottingham Forest last week.

It took the Tractor Boys to a healthy 10 points from eight games. The only previous time they have reached double figures in fewer matches in their six previous Premier League seasons was after five games in 1993-94.

Their Forest fightback increased their tally of points won from losing positions to a top-flight leading seven this season, three more than they managed across the whole of their last Premier League campaign in 2024-25. They also top the charts for goals scored while trailing with six, so it's no surprise to learn that only Crystal Palace (51.2%) have spent a greater percentage of games in a losing position this season than the 46% Ipswich have.

Head coach Gary O'Neil would much prefer his side to not always have to battle back in games and will also be searching for an improvement in defence, having seen his side ship 16 goals in eight games.

One of only two sides along with Manchester United yet to keep a clean sheet, Ipswich's last top-flight shutout came in a 2-0 win over Chelsea on 30 December 2024. Their 27-game run without one is the longest since Watford went 30 matches between March 2020 and January 2022.

Both of these promoted teams have got 10 points so far, which shows what decent starts they have made.

I've not picked either of them to get a win yet in my predictions but that is going to change this week despite the obvious result to go for being a draw.

I could easily make a case for Hull because we know they will give this a real go, but I am actually going to back Ipswich to nick an away win. The Tractor Boys have definitely got a goal or two in them and have already won once on the road, at Crystal Palace.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here

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Ipswich captain Dara O'Shea has highlighted the main differences between playing in the Premier League and the Championship.

The 27-year-old has had three seprate stints in the top flight, with two at Ipswich and one at his previous club Burnley.

"It's probably a small bit of everything, really," O'Shea said in his pre-match news conference. "Definitely the speed of things and how the opponents will take their chances. You don't really get much [room for] error in the Premier League and attackers are ready to pounce on it.

"There's probably a slight better understanding of the game and the tactical side of it as well, where they're moving you about in the positions they are trying to get on the ball.

"All in all, the Premier League is quite different to the Championship and there's a lot that comes with it. They both have different feels."

When asked what he expects from Saturday's trip to Hull, he added: "Hopefully an exciting game where we come away with three points but we know how tough it's going to be.

"It's always tough to come away from home and to go away somewhere where they've had a lot of success is going to be difficult. It's going to be important to settle ourselves in as quickly as possible and try and take away the atmosphere from them."

Hear more from O'Shea on BBC Sounds

Josh Lobley
BBC Sport journalist

Ipswich Town boss Gary O'Neil has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Hull City at MKM Stadium (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Sasa Lukic is available for selection but O'Neil says he has a "big call" to make on the midfielder: "He's had a little bit of a groin injury that has taken some time. I'd love to have him in the starting XI for us, but we need to make the right call."

• He said the rest of the squad are all fit, adding: "The only decisions are tactical and technical ones rather than fitness ones."

• O'Neil described his side's mentality is their "biggest strength", adding: "Every team has quality and we're never going to be better than everyone because of that. What we need to be the best at is resilience and togetherness. If we put all our focus into that it will get us points throughout the season - as we've shown so far."

• Dara O'Shea has adapted to the Premier League "much better" this season compared with two years ago: "I am over the moon with how he has done. He has adapted unbelievably to leading the group and is an excellent voice around the place. His performances have been what you'd expect from a leader. We need to keep pushing him."

• On Saturday's opponents and if it is an opportunity to showcase his possession ethos: "I have a lot of respect for what Hull are doing and I don't think it matters what way that is. They have a style that's caused almost all of their opponents problems. Trying to make it [about us] dominating possession - we're not PSG or Manchester City. We are going to go there and be us."

• More on Hull's style: "They are direct, hard-working, win loads of duels and defend with a lot of numbers. I don't care that they were promoted through the play-offs - it will be a real tough test away from home."

Hit play above to hear more from O'Neil or listen on BBC Sounds here

All the key lines from Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

The BBC Radio Suffolk team have been discussing who should be starting against Hull City on Saturday.

They say the ever presents who are nailed-on starters include Christian Walton, Leif Davis, Exequiel Palacios and Julio Enciso, but who else should be in Gary O'Neil's starting XI?

"If I was the manager, I'd start Jack Clarke," Ipswich legend John Wark said.

"I would play him because he is a real good player, and in the last game [against Nottingham Forest] he played very well.

"If Clarke comes in, he will do his best to try to do the business and he should definitely be playing."

Hit play below to hear more or listen on BBC Sounds here

Graeme McLoughlin
BBC Radio Suffolk sports editor

Image source, Getty Images

I'm fairly certain, particularly given the dour first half, that most Ipswich and Hull City fans who attended their meeting in East Yorkshire last year would not have had this one down as a Premier League fixture less than 12 months later.

Similarly, the fact both teams already have 10 points on the board this season, and have beaten opponents involved in European competitions, will also have raised a few eyebrows.

What is perhaps less surprising is that Saturday's latest meeting at MKM Stadium is already being labelled by some as a "six-pointer" and one their side simply cannot afford to lose.

I'm not ready for talk like that yet, especially given how well both the Blues and the Tigers have shown they can compete against others well established in the top-flight. Hopefully, I'll still feel the same way by the time the reverse fixture comes around in late January.

That is not to say the result this weekend lacks significance. A win for either side would provide a welcome boost and could even dent the confidence of a fellow newly promoted rival.

After a perfect start, Hull are now six league games without a victory. Town, meanwhile, are yet to go three league matches without a win under Gary O'Neil, although they have not opened the scoring since their trip to Old Trafford in August.

That could be a significant factor on Saturday. In a game that feels likely to be tight, striking the first blow may prove crucial. It could also go some way towards creating a little breathing space in an increasingly congested table.

Join Graeme Mac for The Matchday Preview every Friday from 18:00 and subscribe to the Ipswich Town page on BBC Sounds - plus, listen to BBC Radio Suffolk for full commentary of every Tractor Boys game.

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Ipswich Town fan James has been discussing the significance of facing Hull City on the latest episode of The Blue Hour, from BBC Radio Suffolk.

The Tractor Boys have made a solid start to their return to Premier League football and currently sit 12th in the table. However, they will not be taking anything for granted with just four points between them and the relegation zone.

Speaking on The Blue Hour, James said: "I think the way the table's looking, we're looking in a seemingly good position in 12th but actually we're not that far from looking over our shoulders territory.

"If we could get a point - maybe all three against our relegation rivals in Hull - that could put us in a very, very good position. The Hull match looks like a big fixture."

On debate around whether Zian Flemming should come into the side for this match ahead of Emersonn, he said: "It's a difficult one. I think Emersonn has certainly earned his spot over the last few weeks. He did have a quieter game on Friday night, but it has to be put in the context of being against not two, but three man mountains at centre back in [Nottingham] Forest's backline.

"I wouldn't be averse to giving Flemming a run and there's [Chuba] Akpom in the equation as well. I think Emersonn could be due a break, and why not throw Flemming into it on Saturday."

Listen to the full podcast below or on BBC Sounds here

We asked for your thoughts after Friday's Premier League game between Ipswich and Nottingham Forest.

Here are some of your comments:

Ipswich fans

Matt: Good to hold on for a point. Two seasons ago in the Premier League we would have lost that game. Not sure Jaden Philogene is the same player he was last season. Not totally convinced by Emersonn. Julio Enciso is a seriously classy player. We look much better at the back than last time and yet again Christian Walton was outstanding.

Paddy: Went to the match - Town were quite lethargic and too many sloppy passes. A draw a decent result as Forest missed so many opportunities

Andrew: We keep showing we have the fight to get back into games when going behind, misplaced passes got the nerves going especially in 2nd half but thought we might steal the points in last few minutes. Happy to have another point in the bag.

Ricky: Extremely poor home performance. Gave the ball away far too often in dangerous positions. Struggled to get three successive passes together. They had no threat in the final third, and produced little worthy of note. They struggled with the Forest high press. Fortunate to get a point.

Nottingham Forest fans

Tucker: Good performance but lack a goalscorer. They're a good team with no end product. Difficult to play against. Unlucky against Palace and Arsenal. Definite red card for Diop though.

Andy: Really poor end product. We have better finishers than Delap. He's just not cutting it. Also what does Glasner see in NDoye? He was virtually invisible again. It's like playing with 10 men. We need finishers on from the start.

David: It's much worse if we were not creating chances and making multiple individual errors - those have been the issue in the past. If we took our chances we would have battered Crystal Palace and Ipswich and been five points better off - without even considering the VAR issues in other games. Creating chances gives me confidence we will be fine, and a good away point given the horrendous conditions I guess.

John: Forest are sleepwalking into a relegation battle. They can't carry on missing goalscoring chances like they are week after week after week. Every other aspect of their game is solid but the offensive part of their game is woeful to say the least and that is purely down to the players.