RUNNING TOWARDS ADVERSITY
On Easter Sunday, Ipswich boxer Fabio Wardley – wearing the club’s colours/badge – was involved in a 12-round war with Frazer Clarke at the O2 Arena. A one stage, face covered in blood after receiving a deep cut on the nose, he looked beaten. Ultimately, however, he fought to the bitter end to secure a split decision draw and retain his Commonwealth and British belts.
Less than 24 hours later, Ipswich Town’s players replicated that resilience and never-say-die spirit in keeping with the club’s ‘running towards adversity’ mantra.
Just three days on from a gruelling, backs to the wall for the final half hour, 1-0 win in Blackburn and subsequent 250-mile journey home, the Blues were up a side that can keep the ball for fun and who possess remarkable strength in depth. Not ideal.
Leif Davis, whose game is based around non-stop running, had struggled badly with illness at Ewood Park. Influential skipper Sam Morsy is in the latter stages of Ramadan (fasting from dawn until sunset). Both were asked to go again. Not ideal.
Town led 1-0, but soon found themselves 2-1 down. Main goal getter Kieffer Moore then went off off with a back problem in the 36th minute. He was replaced by Ali Al-Hamadi who, it shouldn’t be forgotten, was playing in League Two at the start of this calendar year. Not ideal.
This special group – so strong in body and spirit – simply doesn’t know when it’s beaten though.
More than a third of Town’s points – 31 out of 87 – have been gained from losing positions this season (W8 D7).
