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Should Ipswich dare to dream about more than survival?
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- Should Ipswich dare to dream about more than survival?
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On this page a couple of weeks ago, I wrote of slight disappointment when it came to Ipswich Town's points return going into the international break.
I felt Gary O'Neil's side had been worthy of more after an undeserving loss at Everton . Fast-forward to now and Saturday's late heroics against Fulham at Portman Road have certainly lifted spirits.
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Town continue to look far from a team here to make up the numbers, and they have had their moments in every fixture.
What's more, the manager appears to have unearthed a couple of gems who would almost certainly not be at the club had he not returned to the UK from France during the summer.
Striker Emersonn is one of those. It is possible the 22-year-old may have first appeared on O'Neil's radar after netting the winner against his Strasbourg side in a Ligue 1 fixture in May, but Abdoul Ouattara was already there, having been a part of the squad inherited from Liam Rosenior.
O'Neil is clearly a fan of the young Ivorian and told us a few months back he had a specific role in mind for the player despite his obvious versatility.
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Well, it appears Ouattara has very quickly staked a claim to be first-choice right-back, having shone in that position since making his full Premier League debut at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
While players at other clubs who cost up to six times what Outtara did struggle with the pace and physicality of the English game, the 20-year-old has had no such issues - and has now proved he has a special goal in his locker as well.
You sense the player will be relishing what is likely to be his biggest test since joining Town this weekend.
There is so much uncertainty surrounding this season - largely because of the noise surrounding Manchester City , Town's opponents on Saturday - but from an Ipswich perspective, I am loving the campaign.
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The three wins on the board are just one fewer than the Blues managed during their previous stint in the top flight, and Town have got to nine points after six games, having required 12 to reach that tally last time around.
If they have hit double figures in points come 5pm on Saturday, do fans dare to dream about far more than just survival?
Join Graeme Mac for The Matchday Preview every Friday from 18:00 and subscribe to the Ipswich Town page on BBC Sounds - plus, listen to BBC Radio Suffolk for full commentary of every Tractor Boys game.
