Enciso's perfect return steals the show as Town edge Sunderland

Pre-match preamble

So good to be back! Glad-handing all my seat neighbours and a big hug from Gary.

Our opponents today were founded as Sunderland and District Teachers A.F.C. by schoolmaster James Allan in 1879, renamed Sunderland A.F.C., and opened to more than just schoolteachers the following year. During the late 19th century, they were declared the "Team of All Talents".

Their nickname stems from history and legend: in 1805, a local gun battery at the mouth of the River Wear was reportedly named the "Black Cat Battery" after soldiers heard a mysterious wailing cat sound.

Their motto is "Consectatio Excellentiae", which means "in pursuit of excellence". They performed so well in 2025-26 that they are playing in Europe this season, so we dismiss them too easily at our peril. I'm sure Gary will have the team well briefed.

Goodbye to George

We said goodbye to George Hirst this week. After three-and-a-half years as a Town player, George has joined Stoke City on a three-year deal. He scored 30 goals in 125 appearances for Town, some of them very memorable, and helped them win three promotions, two of them to the Premier League.

I think many of us (including him) were frustrated with his play in the 2025-26 season, as he was much better and more confident when he wore the 27 shirt. Allegedly, he asked for the 9 shirt when Delap left. If that's the case, I think it was a mistake.

I wish him well.

He is joined at Stoke City by Ben Johnson, on loan.

On the train

Chatted to Liam and Richard on the way, about all the new players, summer friendly matches and the possible result today. We were all feeling upbeat and happy to be on our way to Portman Road.

The game

Both teams came out with intent written all over their game, and there was a heart-stopping moment early on when Leif Davis slid in to block a shot in front of goal by Brobbey. Brilliant defending. Brobbey was a threat from the start, but Leif was tenacious and linked well with Greaves and Maeda to keep him contained.

End-to-end, the ball flew for the first 20 minutes or so, with marginal dominance by Sunderland, but there were not too many credible attempts on goal at either end. Then Roefs saved a decent header from Emersonn, who was always right there when needed.

And there he was a few minutes later when Enciso's brilliant breakaway run and perfect pass in front of goal saw him score his first goal for Town on his debut.

The Black Cats stepped up their game and pushed for an equaliser with several attempted shots, but with good defending from Davis, Diop and Scherpen, a header was blocked, and a corner was scrambled away. I like how Scherpen can kick a good long ball up the pitch – it keeps the game on its toes.

Perhaps trying to repay the assist, Emersonn's nifty pass to Enciso, not quite caught right, sailed over the bar.

Sunderland equalised in the 40th minute with a blitzing 25-yard free kick by Nilson Angulo, placed perfectly in the left-hand top corner of the net. An excellent goal.

Ipswich Town 1-1 Sunderland

Both sides came out all guns blazing at the start of the second half.

A minute in, a cross from Fatawu was met by a clever side-boot flick from Enciso, with his back to goal, that went just wide of the post. Amazing effort and so close.

Next up was a dogged, battling Nunez, determined to deny the Cats a winning goal. Fighting for possession in the Town goal, he got back to make an essential block. He was a tiger all over the pitch and definitely slowed the Cats down.

Another nearly goal for us came when an Enciso cross found Emersonn at the far post, went back across goal just evading Maeda's head, before returning to Enciso, who could only loop the ball wide off the post. If that sounds like a muddle of near-misses, it was exactly that. Repeated at both ends, there were quite a few nervy moments as both teams struggled for the winning goal. Shots over, shots wide, and shots scrambled away.

The pace slowed until tired legs were substituted, but it was clear we wanted it more.

Clarke was brought on for Enciso, who appeared to be suffering from cramp.

As the game moved into the 90th minute, Clarke picked up the ball and moved nimbly towards goal before unleashing a curling effort into the bottom-right-hand corner. I love how he drifts laconically and then pounces.

The crowd went wild, and the game was ours.

Ipswich Town 2-1 Sunderland

The players

I've introduced most of the new players in my previous write-ups over the summer, but the duo from Strasbourg has just arrived. One of them needs little introduction.

Julio Enciso (Number 10)

Several months ago, during a Town wavery spell, one of the fans on a forum asked who we would bring into the team if we could. Anyone. Answers varied from Mbappe, Messi, and Beckham, to George Best, Bobby Charlton and Erling Haaland! I said Julio Enciso, please, and lo and behold! You can thank me later – ha ha.

So pleased he's back with us!

At just 22 years old, Julio has made 182 senior club appearances, netted 40 goals and provided 26 assists.

To cap all that (pun intended), he has made 37 senior appearances for Paraguay, including this year's World Cup, the 2026 Copa America and the 2024 Olympic Games in France.

Abdoul Ouattara (Number 42)

Abdoul, an Ivorian professional, comes to us from Strasbourg too, so is familiar with Gary, who has high praise for his capabilities. We had a small taste of this on Saturday, an "amuse-bouche", as he had a disrupted pre-season. He is said to be versatile, able to play in several positions and strong. At only 20, he is an exciting addition to the mix. A 5ft 11in midfielder who can play in other positions sounds like a real bonus. I have to keep reminding myself to pronounce his name properly – it sounds like "Wattara", so I remember it starts with an O, not the Q my brain keeps suggesting.

Bienvenue, Abdoul.

Man of the match

Everyone played their part in this game, but Julio Enciso, our pocket rocket, with that little bit of magic in his game, is my choice, unsurprisingly.

He was tricky yet precise, and he ran and ran. If he missed an interception the first time, he went back for more. Impressed, too, that when he could easily have taken a shot himself in front of goal, he laid it off to Emersonn, who was in a slightly better position.

He is closely followed as runner-up by Leif Davis, whose game is now showing at a whole new level, both in defence and attack.

MotM is going to become very difficult if they all keep playing as well as today, but a good problem to have!

In other news

I was surprised this week to see Town looking at another goalkeeper – how many do we need?

But all became clear: Walton is only just over his ankle injury, and Palmer, recovering from a sore elbow, is also rumoured to be moving on, with West Brom (just for you, Mike) and several other clubs showing interest. It has been an interesting story for Alex and Christian, with the two of them seemingly taking it in turns to be injured, then playing the other out of a starting spot in the team. Both decent – but I feel Christian edges it.

Also, Kayne Van Oevelen, recently acquired young goalie from the Netherlands, goes out today on loan to Valencia for a year, I suspect to build up his experience at a higher level. He played in the summer, and I thought he was excellent, especially with his clearing-kick placement – I thought he was definitely a "keeper" (sorry). But at only 23 and on a five-year contract with ITFC, he is definitely a bright one for our future.

That leaves Scherpen and Button at the moment, so another GK will be needed.

As for Exequiel Palacios, talks are ongoing but possibly closer to a resolution, with him expressing a desire to move and possibly willing to lower his financial demands?

Watch this space.

Post-match pondering

Talk is often about the team "gelling" – there are several who have played together already: Ouattara and Enciso at Strasbourg, Ouattara and Kipre for Côte d'Ivoire, Diop and Lukic at Fulham – all this will help. They are experienced professionals who know how a good team works. To me they looked much as though they had been playing together forever. They look energised and happy, and I noticed one of the players, when talking about training during the week, said they "ran a lot, even when they didn't think they were going to – and they had fun". Nothing bonds better than fun.

Another positive after our slightly "upheaved" start (sounds like the right word!) – several people have pointed out that players who know Gary and have experience of his management are happy to follow him to a new club. There surely can't be a better endorsement.

On the train

What a match – what a buzz – what a great start.

Talking to three Sunderland fans on the way home: Kevin (Grandad) and Andy (Dad), with grandson Matthew – who was slightly despondent. Having helped assure him "it was only one game", they asked me for my overview. Fairly evenly matched was my assessment, but with mistakes being seized and capitalised on more quickly by Town. Andy said, "I would have been happy with a draw." At times, it felt like their team would have settled for that too. Matthew said what they all must have been saying: "It had to be Jack Clarke."

Still my favourite player – Jack-in-the-box popped up, and Jack Clarke did what Jack Clarke does.

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