Ipswich Town: Karl Fuller on race for top two in Championship

I have yet to speak to someone who is equally as chilled as I am right now. At least I think I am. I am really making the most of this fortnight that we have off.

Don't get me wrong. I kept an eye on matters on Saturday. I had a sigh when Leicester won. I felt good when Southampton lost. And I had a cursory glance at the league table. But that was about it.

I do wonder if having seen it all before is helping. I am a veteran of the late 1990’s and all the drama that came in that era. 1995/96 and 1996/97 had their own theatre in the play-offs.

But it was the following two years that are on a parallel with what we could be about to go through.

The last day of the regular 1998/99 season saw us beat Sheffield United 4-1. We momentarily thought that we had gained automatic promotion, only for Bradford to defeat Wolves to seal second place just one point ahead of us.

Karl says living through the 90's and that promotion in 2000 has made him calmer about this season (Image: Jamie Niblock)
The following season, we went through the same emotions again. A 2-0 win at home to Walsall on the final day had us dreaming of a top two finish once again, only for Manchester City to win at Blackburn to finish second. This time, we missed out by two points.

It is no matter that it happened over 20 years ago. In football terms, 20 years feels more like five. Those last day disappointments still feel raw.

Thankfully, we made it through the play-offs in 2000 to soften the blow.  Perhaps going through those experiences has mellowed the mood for me personally. Does anyone else who went through those times understand me?

Look, if I were 20 to 25 years younger and without those days behind me, I would be a nervous wreck.

I see that coming through on social media from fans I am guessing to be in their early thirties and younger.

You have not seen much to shout about before last season. You crave being in the Premier League. I do too. And I want it as much.

But what I refuse to lose sleep over is anything outside of our control. Of course, Leeds losing at Middlesbrough tonight would aid us superbly, and I hope for nothing less.

Skipper Sam Morsy is a big fan of following the process and not worrying about outside factors (Image: Ross Halls)
And if they can lose again at QPR on Friday night, then boy, that would put us in such a strong position. But if those results do not come, let us worry about only what we can do.  

I get that if we do not finish in the top two now, there will be a lot of disappointment. It would be a terrific opportunity to seal automatic promotion gone.

But I am always pragmatic about what I want and what I then get. I am a level-headed guy. I do not expect too much. I place ambitions realistically.

I said that finishing around 12th place would be good for our first season back in the Championship. I certainly would have taken a play-off place if offered last August.

By the time we get to kick-off against Hull City, our picture will become clearer. It is from 8pm on Saturday night that I will start to expend some mental energy, and not a moment before.

It is a mindset I developed in October last season. I thoroughly enjoyed watching us gain promotion last season and intend to do so again this season.

I know we all have our own coping mechanisms. We all have our own stress levels. But you must enjoy these moments as much as possible.

The Blues are just three games from the Premier League (Image: Stephen Waller)
Finally, I would like to congratulate my son Craig and any other Town fans and members of staff who completed Sunday’s London Marathon.

They would all have had to overcome some physical and mental challenges to prevail and achieve their dreams. They were strong enough to do so.

This marathon season is heading into its final straight. Hopefully, Town will be equally proficient in getting over their own line. Keep the faith.