It has been a miserable few weeks for Ipswich Town, a diabolical run of form in the league and a 7-0 drubbing in the FA Cup means that by all accounts Paul Jewell should inherit a side in poor form and low on confidence.

Tonight though the Tractor Boys betrayed their recent form and produced a passionate and determined performance, to defeat Arsenal by a lone Tamas Priskin goal and give themselves a slim lead at half time in the semi final tie.

It was a game in which it was hard to tell which team was the meant to be the underdog as Arsenal struggled against Championship opposition for the second time in a week.

Although this was a well deserved victory for Ipswich, Arsenal are likely to provide a much tougher proposition at the Emirates in the second leg, with Gunners fans will be hoping that this abject performance will inspire some kind reaction from the players.

Arsene Wenger’s side did not seem to realise they were playing in a semi final, failing to show heart or passion with some players seeming to have forgotten how to play football.

In contrast the whole Ipswich side excelled, pressing the ball, winning the 50-50′s and really taking the game to Arsenal. at the back Damien Delaney and Gareth McAuley were as solid as a rock and 17 year old Conor Wickham produced a performance to rival any of the best from Arsene’s Wenger’s current crop of teenage proteges.

With this result Paul Jewell is likely walk into a smiling training ground as he takes his first training tommorow morning, however he will know that there is alot of work to be done if Ipswich are to build on this result and win the tie whilst the real challenge starts in the league at the weekend.

Snodgrass: One to look out for

The start of the newly named Npower football league is almost upon us and it all gets under way on Friday night at Carrow Road when Norwich take on Watford. As well as a preview I will be writing on Thursday, I thought I’d pick out 5 players from this season that are worth keeping an eye on, I expect these five lads to really shine this season (let’s see how right I am when the Championship team of the season is announced next year – probably 0 right).

1. Nicky Maynard:

In my previous blog, I spoke about how Bristol City had one of their best sides in years and with a manager like Steve Coppell who has experience of success in this league with Reading, they have become a bit of a dark horse for promotion. David James aside, Bristol City fans will be hopeful that Nicky Maynard can build upon his 20 league goals from last season and be the spearhead of their attack. At only 23, Maynard is showing great potential and he is a proven goal scorer at this level. With the addition of more strength and depth in the Bristol City line up after a summer of signings (more to come!), Maynard is bound to have a chance to get even more goals this season. He is 14/1 on sky bet to be the Championship’s top scorer and he’s the player I’m backing to achieve that award. You may recognise Maynard from his goal against QPR last season, which even made its way into some journalist’s lists of “top European goals of the season” (never mind domestic!). Check it out below:

2. Robert Snodgrass:

Snodgrass – the unsung hero of Leeds United (by the media at least). For the past several seasons, Beckford has taken the plaudits for his goal scoring ability, but he often relied upon this man to provide the chances. Snodgrass is a gifted winger that can play on either flank and has great technical ability and patience on the ball. Now that Beckford has moved on to Everton, Leeds will be hopeful that Snodgrass can provide for whoever Beckford’s replacement is and he will be an important part of their bid for survival. He was one of League One’s best kept secrets and now he will have a chance to show what he can do at a higher level, I expect him to take many plaudits this season:

3. Kris Boyd:

Yes, it’s an obvious choice, but Boyd’s season will be an interesting one considering his reputation. Middlesbrough are the bookmakers favourites to gain promotion this season and much of that is due to the signing of the SPL’s top goal scorer of all time, if he picks up a bad injury than many may be reconsidering their choice (although ‘Boro do have a lot of strength and depth this season). He’s favourite to be the top goal scorer and he is all set to prove that he can be a prolific scorer in England just like he was in Scotland; failure to do this would be a disaster for Boyd, Scottish football and Middlesbrough:

4. Gylfi Sigurðsson:

Reading had a Jekyll & Hyde season last year. After selling off players in order to balance the books, Brendan Rodgers struggled at the club and was dismissed in December. Brian McDermott took temporary charge of the club and one of his first tasks was to play Liverpool in the F.A cup. The club got a respectable draw at the Madjeski, but few predicted that Reading would out play Liverpool at Anfield. Sigurosson was the star of the show that night and Jamie Carragher seemed frightened when he came running at him with the ball. At only 20 years old, he is one for the future and Reading fans will be glad that the Premiership hasn’t come calling for their 09/10 player of the season. I think we can expect more from Sigurosson this season and if you get the chance I highly recommend seeing him as he is a very exciting player to watch:

5. Connor Wickham:

It’s ironic really, Roy Keane spends loads of money on new recruits and a product of the Ipswich youth system ends up being the most capable. Wickham was recently rumoured to be the subject of a bid from Tottenham, with Spur’s apparently bidding £5m with an offer to loan the player back to the Tractor Boys. Ipswich are holding out for more money and you know you have something good if a Premier League team is offering that sort of money to a Championship club.  He may have only for four goals last season, but the 17 year old can expect to be more involved in club matters from start to finish this season. All the buzz about Wickham was started with his impressive performances at England U17 level where he helped his country win the U17 European Championship’s, some have even asked Capello if he would consider him for a full cap:

Ipswich Town

Founded: 1878

Nickname: Tractor Boys

Ground: Portman Road (30,311)

Last Season: 8th in the CCC 69 points

FA Cup Winners: 1977/78

UEFA Cup Winners: 1980/81

FA Youth Cup Winners: 1972/73, 1974/75, 2004/05

First Division Winners: 1961/62

Sky Sports has announced its schedule of televised Championship matches for the first few months of the 2008/2009 season. Here’s the schedule:

• Sunday, August 10: Nottingham Forest v Reading
• Saturday, August 16: Bristol City v Derby County
• Saturday, August 30: Watford v Ipswich
• Saturday, October 4: Coventry City v Southampton
• Saturday, October 25: Reading v QPR
• Saturday, November 8: Southampton v Bristol City
• Saturday, November 22: Nottingham Forest v Norwich City
• Sunday, November 30: Swansea City v Cardiff City

Chances are quite good that these matches will also be shown on Setanta Sports for viewers in the United States.