[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

It's amazing how much can change in two and a half months. In the last week of November, Albion went up against Ipswich at home and Cardiff away in back to back games that we won, despite Ipswich being in 2nd place with a lead over the playoff contenders that looked unassailable. And yet little by little the wheels came off for them after that defeat, with their last eight league games yielding a record of DLDDDWDL plus a cup catastrophe against Maidstone. As a result, they now sit directly above us in 4th, albeit with an 11-point cushion; but if Albion can pull off an unlikely win at Portman Road in Saturday's early kick-off, you wouldn't bank on that cushion being intact two and a half months from now.

It's our first trip to Suffolk since November 2018, and after three consecutive defeats on the road without scoring, the unlikelihood of that potential victory can't be emphasised enough. The Tractor Boys just haven't been in the business of losing at home, and loanee Kieffer Moore is in good goalscoring form while Conor Chaplin has hardly put a foot wrong this season. Moreover, Semi Ajayi remains absent as he contemplates Sunday's ACON final, but Ipswich are able to welcome the returning Cameroon Burgess, boomeranging back to their defence from international duties with Australia. Take the draw if it's there? Absolutely.

There are far fewer excuses against Cardiff on Tuesday night, if any at all. They can certainly win on the road, having done it at QPR and Watford so far in 2024, but having got back to winning ways ourselves against Blues last week, we need to keep getting the job done at home. A first league double over the Bluebirds since 1974-75 is the prize at stake, and it's well within our grasp.

[Baggievicar]

I never expect anything from Portman Road - I seem to remember going down by 7 there when Paul Mariner was in his pomp. Hoping that my unrelenting negativity leads to a bonus result.

[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

I never expect anything from Portman Road - I seem to remember going down by 7 there when Paul Mariner was in his pomp.

Ah, that was the same week Showaddywaddy released Under The Moon Of Love. Not suggesting there's a connection, but these kind of civilisational cataclysms do tend to come all at once.

[Baggievicar]

I'm sure you're powered by AI and not a human brain, Ska'd. Though since I live in a farming area I have to be a bit careful with that accusation.

[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

Well, as the kids (probably) sing at school nowadays: Old McDonald had a bot-farm, AI-AI-o.

[drewks]

Woohooo great goal, apparently, from Fellows! 1-0

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1-0 h/t.
Apparently Kipre AND Bartley struggling with injuries.
Hurry back Semi

[talkSAFT]

Just back from pub to see TheGoodfellows' brilliant goal!!

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Shit! 1-1 46'

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Unbelievable what Dike must be feeling. He's been on < 10 mins, and stretchered off!!!

[Stairs]

Poor guy. Naturally in tears. That’s potentially the season over for him

[Salopbaggie]

I really like Dike as a player but you have to start wondering if Dike's career nearing being over. Over the years we have seen many 'biscuit man' players, but rarely are they long term injuries as Dike's seem to be every time. Of course this might not be a long term injury but it does not look promising and how many clubs are going to take the chance of losing a player for 80% of every season?

A a more positive note 1-2 Swift boing boing

[talkSAFT]

Sub Swifty scores 1-2 76'
COYB!!!!

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Shit again! 2-2 93rd minute (5 to go)

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I'd have settled for a draw. Played well apparently. 2-2