Ipswich Town remained unbeaten last month, securing draws against Brighton, Southampton, and Aston Villa. Alex Jones highlights his award winners for September.
Player of the Month
For the second consecutive month, Liam Delap takes this honor. The limited number of games, just three, may have benefited him. He struggled to make an impact against Brighton, though a remarkable shot that hit the post nearly made him the hero. In the match against Southampton, he faced tight marking, making it difficult to engage. However, his standout performance was against Aston Villa, where he scored twice, bringing his season total to three goals and helping secure a draw for his team. His overall play has been impressive; he’s not just a powerful striker but also skilled with the ball, effectively creating space and finding openings.
Surprise Package
This month’s surprise package is Arijanet Muric. Concerns surrounded him after his errors against Manchester City, where he faced criticism for mistakes that led to goals. Kieran McKenna needed a keeper comfortable with distribution, and Muric initially seemed uneasy. Despite a challenging international break, he returned to form, showcasing his shot-stopping ability against Brighton and Southampton, earning praise for his improved confidence and distribution. While he conceded three goals, little blame can be placed on him.
Goal of the Month
Delap’s second goal against Aston Villa is my pick for Goal of the Month. It began with Ipswich reclaiming the ball defensively, leading to a swift counter. Omari Hutchinson’s perfect pass set Delap on a powerful run, where he left Diego Carlos behind with a stepover and slotted a low shot past Emiliano Martinez, equalizing beautifully.
Standout Moment
Sam Morsy’s late equalizer against Southampton deserves recognition. Ipswich struggled during the match but managed a late push. Following a corner, Morsy seized the opportunity to score from outside the box with a deflected shot, igniting celebration among fans. While it may not surpass Jeremy Sarmiento’s memorable goal last season, it was crucial in salvaging a point.
Best Opposition Player
This month, I want to highlight Southampton’s Tyler Dibling. The young player, with limited experience, impressed at youth levels and caught the attention of his manager, earning him a starting role. He outperformed Leif Davis in direct encounters and scored after receiving a pass from Adam Lallana. His ability has attracted interest from top clubs.
‘Welcome to the Premier League’ Moment
This moment emerged from TV coverage rather than a game. On September 14, after the draw at Brighton, many Ipswich supporters were eager to hear praise for their defensive efforts. Instead, pundits discussed the team’s relegation prospects, noting that newly-promoted sides had only earned four points collectively. The comments highlighted the pressure on teams without wins in their opening games, showcasing how quickly the media can write off a team.
Quote of the Month
In a pre-match conference, Jacob Greaves was asked by Sky Sports to pose a question to manager Kieran McKenna. He suggested, “Are there more wheels or doors in the world?” When asked for his own answer, he hesitated, admitting, “I can’t answer my own question! It’s too tough… I’d say doors, personally, but I don’t know if that’s the right answer.” We hope to hear McKenna’s take ahead of the upcoming match against West Ham.
