With as many as ten players away on international duty, it has given me a chance to look at some players playing for their respective countries.
On Thursday evening, I was torn between watching Dara O’Shea captaining Ireland to a defeat at Kosovo, who had none other than Aro Muric in goal, or taking in Serbia’s game at home to Greece to run the rule over Saša Lukić.
I chose the latter as there is more to learn about our new midfielder than there is from Dara. In the event, Lukić did not start but came on for the second period.
He certainly put himself about a lot but had little influence on the game. With Greece stealing a 95th-minute winner, there was little for the hosts to enthuse about.
I note that in his second game of the break on Sunday, Lukić started but was booked in the 12th minute. He did join us with a reputation for a booking!
Karl watched Sasa Lukic in action over the first week of the international break (Image: Ross Halls)
I also caught some of Daizen Maeda’s 63 minutes that he played for Japan on Thursday morning as they beat Uruguay 3-1. It was the first time Ipswich had a player representing Japan. Which one of our ten players away on international duty did you watch?
On Sunday afternoon, my attention turned to Town’s Women’s team. What a cracking result they had when they beat Wolves 3-1 and that was after going 1-0 down.
It has been a great start to the season for David Wright’s team. They currently sit third and unbeaten after four games. It is safe to say that with significant investment over the summer, the women’s team are progressing nicely.
I think back to less than a year ago when I saw them held to a 1-1 draw at Durham Women. Only three of Sunday’s starters had played in that game and at the time, it was viewed as a good result in the quest to avoid relegation. Looking at the latest table, Durham Women sit bottom with four defeats from four games played. Here is hoping that Wright can continue with the upward trajectory.
Karl took part in the Ipswich half-marathon on Sunday (Image: Karl Fuller)
Before that game on Sunday, I took part in the Ipswich Half Marathon. It was my third time of entering this race and once again it was a great occasion to be a part of.
It was the first of my ‘Sir Bobby Half’s’ where I am raising money for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation. The second race takes place in Barcelona in February 2027.
As always, the crowds lining the streets were immense and I enjoyed looking at many of the signs that had been made. With plenty of people running in Ipswich shirts, I am sure the majority would have enjoyed one sign held up by a youngster which read: ‘Run faster if you hate NCFC.’
My finishing time was two hours and one minute. Whilst I was slightly disappointed not to finish in under two hours, it was still enjoyable to take on this race once again. Well done to those of you who took part in any shape or form.
For those of you who have any of my four Ipswich Town books that have been published so far, you might be pleased to hear that my fifth book is not too far away.
Town on the Telly 2 will be released in the next week or so and covers the Kieran McKenna era of live TV games. There were 61 in total.
Karl’s fifth book will be out soon (Image: Karl Fuller)
Please keep a look out on my socials and a column in the near where I will release information as to how to purchase this new book.
Talking of books, I have just taken delivery of Grant Bage’s book: The unseen Sir Alf – A different kind of hero. I am really looking forward to getting stuck into that and finding out more about Sir Alf Ramsey.
Next up is Fulham at home. I will speak to you after that, with – hopefully – three more points in the bag.