Omari Hutchinson played his first pre-season game (Image: Ross Halls) WELCOME BACK!
The main takeaway from this game is that Omari Hutchinson came back with a bang.
Town’s club record signing had been given some extra time off this summer after starring for England Under-21s at their victorious European Under-21 Championship campaign. During that period, the Blues knocked back a £35m bid from Brentford.
Hutchinson returned to training last week, but didn’t travel with the squad for a friendly win at Aberdeen last Friday. Kieran McKenna insisted it wasn’t anything transfer related and that a return to action was simply deemed ‘too early’.
I wrote in my last verdict that it would be interesting to see what the 21-year-old’s body language would be like when he did take to the field again. We soon got our answer when he was introduced, to a hearty cheer, just after the hour mark last night.
Within seconds, he’d clipped a lovely forward pass into the box. Moments later, he twisted and turned down the right side of the area, bamboozling a defender, before tinging the palms of the keeper. Not long afterwards, he somehow kept the ball alive on the byline with a sharp Cruyff-turn.
Every time the skilful attacker got the ball down the right there was a crackle of anticipation in the crowd. With the ball seemingly glued to his boots, he looked a class above everybody else on the pitch.
This wasn’t the performance of a player downing tools in an attempt to force a move away. If Town can keep him – and that’s still a big *if* – Hutchinson will be like a Championship cheat code.
Jack Clarke impressed (Image: Ross Halls) LEFT WING BATTLE
With Nathan Broadhead on the merge of a move to Wrexham and Sammie Szmodics having been repurposed as a central No.10 this summer, it looks to be a straight battle between Jaden Philogene and Jack Clarke for the inside left forward role.
Philogene has shown why he prefers that flank this pre-season, winning a penalty at FC Blau-Weiss Linz and scoring twice against Aberdeen.
Clarke, meanwhile, showed he is far more effective on the left in this game. His deadlock breaking goal came following a piece of trademark direct dribbling. After picking up the ball 30 yards from goal, he set off with intent, sidestepped a defender at speed and crashed a finish across the keeper on the run. There were other examples of his quick footwork and ball carrying ability too.
It’s hard to know who will get the nod for the Championship opener against Birmingham a week on Friday.
Broadhead leaving is sad given he’s arguably the purest footballer in the squad, but getting £7.5m for a player in the final year of his contract makes sense given the strength in depth for this particular role. Town now have to reinvest the money wisely.
Aro Muric made a surprise return (Image: Ross Halls) REDEMPTION SONG?
Alex Palmer was rested for this game, Christian Walton started and summer signing David Button was the only keeper listed among the subs when the team sheet came out. Yet it was Aro Muric who took a place between the sticks for the start of the second half.
This was the big Kosovan’s first public appearance for the Blues since the 2-1 home defeat to Southampton on February 1 and subsequent deadline day signing of Palmer. And it’s one he can be pleased with. Muric made one smart near post stop and another fine reaction save to tip over a powerful header at a corner late on.
McKenna insisted recently that Muric was simply working his way back to full fitness following a shoulder injury and that ‘anything was possible’ regarding his future. Is this the start of his redemption story? I doubt it, but things can change quickly in football. Think back two summers when Walton suffered a foot injury on the eve of the season and Vaclav Hladky took his chance with both hands.
Charlton’s goal came from a corner (Image: Ross Halls) CONCEDING AT A CORNER
I’ve got absolutely no concerns about Town’s ability to score goals from open play. Once again, there was plenty of evidence of well-drilled patterns of attack in this game.
There’s some convincing to do on the set-piece front though. Charlton’s equaliser came from a corner that was not cleared. They made first contact on a few other dead ball deliveries too.
In terms of attacking set-pieces, Conor Townsend’s deliveries had variety. Ipswich weren’t able to create chance or pressure from them though.
With two set-piece specialists now – analyst Michele Aragona having joined coach Mark Hudson – this is an area the Blues should have an advantage in.
Ali Al-Hamadi celebrates his goal (Image: Ross Halls) ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Al-Hamadi spurned a couple of first half chances, but never stopped working hard. He got his rewards when racing onto a long Johnson ball over the top to slot home. Once more he rubbed his newly-shaven head in celebration. It’s good to see him playing with a smile on his face.
Cedric Kipre looked really assured as left-sided centre-back. He reads danger well and is composed on the ball (much like Luke Woolfenden).
It’s important not to expect too much, too soon from Chiedozie Ogbene. In what was his first public start since snapping his Achilles last October, the flying winger seemed reluctant to take on his man on the outside. He’s going to need time to get fully up to speed.
Ashley Young came on at the same time as Hutchinson for his first Ipswich appearance. The 40-year-old made one late tackle, but on the ball his class showed with some crisp forward passes. He’s still got it.
Ashley Young’s still got it! (Image: Ross Halls)