GOOD NEWS: Former EFL star impressed by Ipswich’s ability to perform at any moment

Adrian Clarke, a former EFL star, has highlighted Ipswich Town’s knack for altering games through their use of substitutes this season.

Their bench players once again proved pivotal on Tuesday night, helping Ipswich stage a late comeback to secure a 3-2 victory against Bristol City at Portman Road. This win maintained their second-place position in the league, just three points behind leaders Leicester City.

Kieran McKenna’s strategic substitutions around the hour mark played a crucial role in shifting the momentum of the game, particularly as Ipswich struggled against a resilient Bristol City side. Wes Burns, Ali Al-Hamadi, Jack Taylor, and Jeremy Sarmiento were among those who contributed significantly to the turnaround, securing all three points in their pursuit of automatic promotion.

Clarke emphasized that this pattern has been consistent throughout Ipswich’s season, with their substitutes consistently making decisive impacts in the Championship. Speaking on the What The EFL Podcast, he noted, “It’s always the subs that seem to be making the difference.”

While Leif Davis stood out with two assists and a goal, the pivotal moment occurred when Burns, Sarmiento, Taylor, and Al-Hamadi entered the game, each playing a significant role in Ipswich’s resurgence. Clarke observed that Ipswich possesses the ability to utilize multiple substitutes effectively, capable of changing the course of a match swiftly and decisively.

This trend was also evident in Ipswich’s previous victory over Birmingham City last month, where players like Sarmiento and Omari Hutchinson made impactful contributions off the bench with goals.