The agony and ecstasy of being a Town fan continues. Nothing much changes around here…

Alf and the Ipswich faithful should be well pleased by Town’s good start to the season and things could have been even better if they hadn’t succumbed to last season’s weakness of conceding crucial late goals.

Burnley came to Portman Road with the clear aim of not losing. Typical of a recently relegated sides they lacked ambition and creativity as they relied on the methods employed in last season’s survival fight; tight defence, swift counter attack and set piece pressure. As clarets go this wasn’t vintage.

But for a fabulous first half save from Marton Fulop, Burnley’s strategy nearly earned them an early lead. Alf can see why Roy Keane was so determined to sign the Hungarian international keeper. He looks every bit the part and his class shone through.

Whilst Town dominated the first half proceedings they failed to force keeper Jensen into a meaningful save. The Burnley back door was firmly bolted and marshalled by the impressive Clarke Carlisle.

Town’s midfield unit is a revelation. Disjointed and wasteful last season it has made a staggering transformation into a balanced, solid and creative unit at the start of this one. Skipper David Norris is benefitting by being given the freedom to get forward, the battling Grant Leadbitter is the perfect complement to him with rising star Luke Hyam giving ‘Keane like’ security behind.

The Roy Keane knockers should soon be eating humble pie as he didn’t go for the quick fix of buying a top strike to mask the team’s deficiencies but has opted to build a solid defence first then a slick midfield unit. The final piece in the jigsaw will be a potent strike force and if the rumours are true that may be close to a reality. That is just how Wolves got themselves out the Championship a couple of seasons ago and it looks like Town, if the jigsaw is completed, will have a chance to emulate them come next April.

With Leadbitter snapping at everyone’s heels it was always likely that he would miss time a challenge and come off worst. It happened on the stroke of half time and with his absence Burnley began to get more into the game in the second half however, like Town they lack the killer touch in front of goal.

The sending off of Edgar had little effect on the course of the game but Ipswich turned up the pressure in the last quarter and it finally paid off as Stead’s goalward header was turned in by David Norris’ deft backheel. At last Town fans had something to cheer about. Can’t remember too much of that last season.

Alf was amused by the seagull that landed on the pitch and moved up in perfect sync with Burnley’s back four but the smiles were shortlived.

The equaliser was all too predicable. Town have a poor track record of defending corners in extra time and Clarke Carlisle’s glancing header flew into the top corner to leave Town fans deflated.

There were plenty of positives out there though. Loan signing Andros Townsend is a flying machine and the prospect of him teaming up with a predatory striker like Jason Scotland is a mouth-watering one. John Stead put in a battling shift and Alf hopes that he can stay rather than be makeweight in a transfer deal. He does have the happy knack of making an impact from the subs bench.

Alf was impressed with Burnley’s away support, over 800 made the journey and like Ipswich they are a small town who punch above their weight in terms of travelling supporters.

It will be ten games before Town’s future is clearly defined but so far the signs are good.

Up the Town!