By Leggi
December 30 2007
STB message boarder Leggi is back giving us an insight into Town's opposition on Tuesday it's the return fixture against West Brom. WEST BROMWICH ALBION
Tuesday 1st January 2008, Portman Road Kick-off 15:00
Formed in 1878, and playing their home games since 1900 at The Hawthorns, 'The Baggies' have won the Football League Championship once, (1919-20) The FA Cup 5 times and The League Cup once. They were relegated from The Premiership in 2006 after a four year stay and just missed out on an instant return last season when they failed in the Play-off Final against Derby.
This season 'Albion' are flying and under the guidance of former Town Favourites, Tony Mowbray and Mark Venus and are probably the best footballing side in the Division and are almost certainties to go up this year. They currently sit Top of The Championship, 3 points ahead of second placed Watford, and 11 points in front of a 'slipping' 8th placed Town side.
The Tractorboys were beaten by an unfair scoreline at The Hawthorns in September, losing 1-0 at half-time, we dominated the second half but the ball wouldn't go in and we conceded 3 late goals on the break to see a final score of 4-0 to 'The Baggies'.
Form Guide
(4th) West Brom P6 W4 D0 L2
(15th) Ipswich Town P6 W2 D1 L3
*MATCHFACT* West Brom have netted 8 times in their last two visits to Portman Road.
OUR LEAGUE RECORD V WEST BROM AT PORTMAN ROAD
Played 30
Won 17
Drawn 6
Lost 7
Goals
For 65
Against 32
The highest attendance came in the year the 'king of comedy' was born, (no, not Frank Skinner, Me!)In 1976, 25,373 turned up to see Town wallop 'The Albion', 7-0.
The lowest gate of just 9,381 saw Town, again, comfortable winners 5-0 in 1997.
Our biggest victory to date is that 7-0 thrashing in the game mentioned above, Trevor Whymark netting four of the goals.
Our heaviest defeat came the last time West Brom visited Suffolk, 5-1 last term (our '1' was an own goal).
John Wark is all-time leading Scorer with 11 goals, next inline is Eric Gates with 5.
18 players have worn the shirts of both clubs, they include, Ray Crawford, Thomas Gaardsoe, Mark Grew, Brian Talbot and Romeo Zondervan.
LAST 6 MEETINGS AT PORTMAN ROAD
Played 6
Won 3
Drawn 1
Lost 2
Leggi's Player to fear: 34 year-old Striker Kevin Phillips who has scored many of his 200+ goals against Ipswich, and is always a thorn in the side of our defenders. He bagged a brace in the 5-0 hammering of Scunthorpe on Saturday and could have had a Hat-trick if it wasn't for a penalty save by former West Brom 'Keeper Joe Murphy. Still has an outstanding record of 21 goals in 20 games this season and, playing against our woeful defence, he is almost certain to score on Tuesday.
Leggi Predicts: Time for our undefeated home record to go, I think. After seeing that disgusting, gutless, performance against an (lets face it) Absolute rubbish Coventry side, we will need a miracle to get anything from this game. West Brom beat us player for player all over the pitch and I'm expecting a walloping at the former 'fortress'. I also feel that yesterdays result has virtually guaranteed our stay in this League for another season too, I only see us gaining 1 point from the next 3 games and that will leave us with a 10 point gap to make up, to even reach the Play-off spots. Unless we use the 12 million quid well and sign some real talent in January I can't see us making that deficit back up. Anyway back to Tuesday's game-- 5-0 to the blues (of West Brom).
Happy New Year to you all on STB and All at Astle Central on Baggies World.
Got your own prediction ahead of the game? Leave it below.
and Mark Venus
and are probably the best footballing side in the Division and are almost certainties to go up this year. They currently sit Top of The Championship, 3 points ahead of second placed Watford, and 11 points in front of a 'slipping' 8th placed Town side.
with 5.