I'm from Venezuela but lived in England 1976-1978. I became Ipswich supporter. Sir Robson was a genious and somehow we can see his following the path that Sir Ramsey led before (by the way, NO english football club is able to say that The best managers in England's World Cup history - Gareth Southgate still has to show that 2018 was not a fluke- came from performing miracles within their teams. Only Ipswich with Ramsey and Robson). The football books and magazines from those times (I coul get some from 80-81), e.g Shoot!, World Soccer, Football Magazine, All Stars (the firts edition by MIke Channon), etc, did not - to my understanding, really reckoned Ipswich's achievements as those by Liverpool, Aston Villa, and especially Cloughie 's Nottingham Forest ( Although most of the media agreed on the low performace against Malmo and Francis' (in)famous winner). My point is: What a line-up Cologne had at that time! and Ipswich beat them. God! Robson had the best team in England. Yes, It's a pity that he could not expand his greatness with England in '86 & '90. Long LIve those Blues and Whites!
Newcastle fan here! This Ipswich team also beat St. Etienne featuring Michel Platini, and AZ Alkmaar who were probably the best team in a strong Dutch league at the time.
Sure! Beattie was AMAZING!!! And, yes, St. Etienne were astonishing good. If you have had the chance to watch the BOYS OF '81 video ('94), you could see what Bobby R. thought of that Ipswich performance against that French side. Worth watching it, totally!
That classic time when you’d be listening to the game live on Radio 2 then see the highlights on sportsnight if your parents would let you stay up late. Beats me how Robson put together a team like this and made the best of their skills then fails to put together Waddle, Barnes and the rest effectively in a 442 system with England.
superb point..Terry Venables had the solution to the Waddle/Barnes issue, Bobby did not..(play them off the flanks and in close contact with Bryan Robson in midfield and Lineker up front as effectively two inside forwards (Gascoigne free behind), that '86-90' period should have been built around this change..maybe in a 4-2-3-1 system
In this era I was desperate for them to win the lge... I was a Swindon fan but couldn't believe they were taking on the big boys... maybe should have more trophies for how good they were back then.
Every time you see Muhren you wonder how he did it. Skin and bone, one footed but l cannot recall another player with greater intelligence and such precision in everything he did
What a great Ipswich side that was - quality names all over the pitch - mariner butcher Brazil wark thjyssen gates Muhren burley Mills Osman Beattie and gates
Ipswich score a fantastic goal which sends Ipswich into the final but unfortunately for FC Cologne they have been knocked out of the UEFA Cup. Ipswich fans celebrate as an 'Action Replay' is shown of the goal.
