Ipswich Town column: ‘Cup exit to AFC Wimbledon doesn’t bother me as Fulham game is the important one’

Last season aside, Ipswich Town always seem to struggle mounting any kind of run in this competition.

Are we that bothered? I’m not. Although a defeat to League Two opposition, as a now Premier League outfit, is never a good look.

Against AFC Wimbledon we looked like a team who had never played with each other before. We were. Six debutants and 10 changes from the weekend meant we were never going to be a side which clicked right away.

But with the quality on show we should have seen better.

The more important fixture is at Portman Road this Saturday, against Fulham.

Off-the-pitch, we’ve had a remarkable few weeks with further new faces in and some serious money spent.

On it, however, hasn’t quite yet clicked. That said, I’m not sure many will be taking points off Liverpool and Manchester City this season.

Although, had we not gifted Pep Guardiola’s men three goals at the Etihad last weekend, we might have!

But we didn’t and the reality is Town are pointless and without a victory this season. Cause for concern? No. But does this Saturday give them their biggest chance to get some points on the board so far? Yes.

Fulham will present a challenge though and I’m fully expecting an intense, back-and-forth, high quality Premier League game.

I just hope we can get something out of it, and I think we will.

Marco Silva’s men are in fine form. This will be tough. But I’d fancy us to give anybody a game at Portman Road this season and think we may get a share of the points.

The transfer window has been excellent (more on that next week) but the squad now needs time to integrate.

Get something on Saturday then Kieran McKenna will have two weeks solely with his team to do just that. Bring it on.