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Despite being at Plymouth Argyle for just eight weeks, Ian Foster is well-versed in the team’s recent history with Ipswich Town, and he thinks that knowledge will bring “a little spice” to tomorrow’s match at Home Park.
Last season, Argyle and Ipswich engaged in an exciting League One title match. The Pilgrims finished with 101 points, holding off Ipswich, who finished with 98, to win the championship.
After ten months, the Pilgrims are in 15th place in the Championship and are hoping to stay in the second division of English football through 2024–2025, while Kieran McKenna’s young Ipswich team is aiming for consecutive promotions.
After winning four straight games, Town is now in third place, tied for second place with Leeds United and six points behind leaders Leicester City. Foster anticipates another sell-out Home Park crowd for a great game.
With all the chaos that accompanies a championship-winning run, he remarked, “I think this game means just a little bit more to the players who were involved with the title win.” I believe it to be slightly more than just a typical Championship game.”
Foster went on, “I’m sure it will mean something to their players as well. I know the recent history of these two clubs.” Many of their players were engaged in those games from the previous season, so if you would like, they can correct the record.
“In my opinion, it simply gives the game a little extra flavour and spice, which is wonderful for the fans. Without a doubt, our players will rise to the occasion.”
Even though Argyle finished higher than Ipswich in League One the previous season, Town defeated the Pilgrims 3-2 in a dramatic Championship match that took place at Portman Road in October.
Foster stated: “They are undoubtedly enjoying a fantastic season; a squad that has the potential to receive two promotions in two years is not to be taken lightly.
“We only consider Saturday in isolation, but if they succeed in doing that, that may be an incredible accomplishment. At Home Park, we are desperate to win three points.”
With their fantastic 2-0 victory away to Middlesbrough last weekend, Argyle went up to 40 points and might be three or four wins away from guaranteeing their spot in the Championship in 2024–2025.
Foster responded, “I’m going to give you the most boring cliché ever, which is we just try to win the next game,” when asked if he had set a point goal. To be honest, I never get ahead of myself or look too far ahead.
I’ll let the football club’s statisticians handle that. For myself and the guys, we only think on the upcoming football match. We strive to get as many points as possible, and then we’ll see where it goes.
“We can only handle one game at a time, but we are aware of the statistics and what has been done in the past. All we have to do is glance at Ipswich Town. We have a chance to get three points there, and we’ll do all in our power to do so.”