Ipswich Town FC

Gareth Southgate is looking for his England U21 side to turn on the style in a manner that fits with his memories of Ipswich Town. 

Portman Road plays host to the U21s’ European Championship qualifier against Lithuania on Tuesday night, kick-off 6pm.

It will be Southgate’s first visit to the Club as a manager but he has plenty of memories of Town from his playing days – and beyond. 

“I have mixed memories in terms of results there as a player. I don’t remember winning too many times at Portman Road,” the U21 boss told Ipswich Player in an exclusive interview. 

“As someone who loves their football history, I grew up watching the likes of Frans Thijssen, Arnold Muhren, Alan Brazil and those guys of that era.

“Whenever I go back to grounds like Portman Road I always think back to those who have trod there in the past.

“I know Ipswich fans are knowledgeable supporters and like the game played in a certain style and we will be doing everything we can to play in that fashion.”

Town have sold more than 13,000 tickets for the game with many more expected to purchase on the night. For full ticket and hospitality details and news of where you can watch England’s crunch World Cup clash with Poland at Portman Road after the final whistle in the U21s’ game, click here.

Subscribers to Ipswich Player can watch the full interview with Gareth Southgate later today as Player goes behind the scenes with the U21s.