Are Ipswich set to shock the BWSL2?
After what many would describe as a sluggish start to the season, Ipswich Town have clawed their way back into a fight for survival.
In early January, the Tractor Girls were sitting at rock bottom of the BWSL2, with five points in eleven matches, and already 5 points from safety. Ipswich seemed destined for relegation, with few giving them any chance of survival.
So, what changed? Ipswich made the bold decision to part ways with long-term manager Joe Sheehan. Despite guiding the Tractor Girls to two promotions, the club made what was an unorthodox move and placed their trust in interim boss David Wright.
The club wasted no time and backed Wright, who oversaw a major squad overhaul through a busy winter transfer window.
Winter Spending Spree
The Tractor Girls signed nine players during the January transfer window: Colette Cavanagh, Lucy Ashworth-Clifford, Kit Graham (loan), Kenzie Weir (loan), Ava Baker (loan), Nelly Las (loan), Malaika Meena (loan), Princess Ademiluyi (loan) and Lysianne Proulx.
With multiple mid-season signings, you would expect these signings to require time to settle, but Ipswich’s recruitment strategy seems to have prioritised existing chemistry within the squad.
Colette Cavanagh and Lucy Ashworth-Clifford previously played together at Celtic, while Ava Baker and Nelly Las share international experience with England U20s, offering immediate chemistry, allowing these players to make an instant impact.
Some players have hit the ground running like Lucy Ashworth-Clifford, who scored two crucial goals since joining from Serie A side Lazio and was nominated for the Barclays Women’s Super League 2 Player of the Month award for March, while Ava Baker has also impressed on loan from Birmingham, registering two assists since her arrival.
The influx of new signings has also allowed for long-term players such as Sophie Peskett and Beth Roe to regain their form.
Who faces relegation?
With 12th place set to be relegated, the battle for survival has narrowed to four sides: Portsmouth (12th, 14 points), Ipswich (11th, 14 points), Durham (10th, 16 points) and Sheffield United (9th, 18 points). Both Ipswich and Sheffield United also hold a game in hand against each other, set to be played at the JobServe Community Stadium on Wednesday, a fixture that could prove pivotal in the relegation picture.
Goal difference adds another layer to the contest, with Ipswich on -23 and Portsmouth narrowly behind on -24, leaving little separating the two sides heading into the run-in.
Looking at the remaining fixtures, Ipswich face a mixed schedule, including Sunderland (8th) and league leaders Birmingham. Portsmouth, meanwhile, must contend with Nottingham Forest (7th) and Crystal Palace (3rd), both challenging fixtures against higher-placed opposition.
Durham’s survival hopes are also complicated by their run-in, with games against Sheffield United (9th) and Newcastle (4th) still to come.
At the other end of the spectrum, Sheffield United appear best placed to avoid the drop. They hold the strongest points tally and face what looks on paper to be the most favourable remaining fixtures, including Ipswich (11th), Durham (10th) and Bristol City (6th).
So why are Ipswich about to set the league alight?
Recent performances suggest a side getting better every game.
In a narrow 2-1 defeat to Southampton, the Tractor Girls registered more shots (21) and shots on target (5) than their oppositions and only lost out to a 96th minute winner.
Additionally in the 1-0 loss against Crystal Palace, a screamer from Kirsty Howat was the only thing that separated them against a team fighting for promotion.
Despite a difficult run of fixtures, these displays suggest Ipswich are far more competitive than results alone indicate, they are bound to get three points and put a lot of pressure on Portsmouth and Durham.
With the international break now complete, Ipswich now have an opportunity to regroup and prepare for what will make or break their season.
Word credit: Dylan Saunders
