23 min: Ipswich are nearly undone by a long ball as Awoniyi wins a foot race with Woolfenden. Awoniyi has support from Elanga, who blazes high and wide when he had Danilo screaming for the ball to his right.

21 min: “Re Jeremy Boyce’s email, writes Mark Hooper, “it looks like Forest have finally agreed with Nottingham council to remain at the City Ground and improve the stands rather than relocating, which is great news … EXCEPT it means Nottingham Rowing Club will need to relocate their boathouses instead. Not too far and paid for by Forest, but there’s not many better feelings than standing on the pontoons on a summer afternoon before a game watching the rowing boats go by (Murillo backheels notwithstanding).”

18 min: Right on cue, Forest press high and a loose pass from Palmer so nearly allows Elanga a free shot on goal! Ipswich got away with one there.

16 min: Booking for Luongo, who was playing for Ipswich in League One two years ago and who trips Hudson-Odoi in a dangerous area for Forest. From the free-kick, Palmer does well to punch clear. The English goalkeeper has made an assured start in front of Thomas Tuchel, dealing with several tricky balls into his box (including a couple of dodgy backpasses).

14 min: Ipswich made eight changes from last Wednesday’s defeat at Manchester United and I can’t say I am overly impressed by the standard of their second XI here. Cue a 3-0 away win and egg all over my face.

12 min: Elanga is causing all sorts of bother with his pace, and Woolfenden does well to hoof the ball away for another Forest corner. But from the set-piece, it’s a poor delivery that doesn’t beat the first man.

9 min: Forest go close! From a corner, Sangaré glances a head just past Palmer’s far post. The home side had applies good pressure there, with Murillo showing fancy feet to set up an Elanga cross which led to the corner.

6 min: A round of applause for Forest fan, Sam Perkins, who died last month. Here is some context, with Forest releasing a statement over the weekend.

Nottingham Forest Football Club was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our dear friend, Sam Perkins, on Sunday, 9th February 2025 at the age of 43, following a courageous battle with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

Sam was not only a cherished member of the Forest family but also an inspiring figure whose strength and resilience in the face of adversity touched the lives of everyone around him.

After his diagnosis in 2019, Sam took it upon himself to raise awareness and funds for MND, establishing the Stand Against MND charity. Through his tireless efforts, he raised an incredible £320,000, which will continue to support vital research into this devastating condition.

Throughout his illness, Sam remained a constant presence at the City Ground, never allowing his condition to overshadow his passion for the club and his unwavering support. His spirit, kindness, and determination will forever be remembered by all who knew him.

As we mourn the loss of Sam, we also celebrate his extraordinary legacy—one defined by his bravery, generosity, and commitment to making a difference.

In tribute to Sam’s life and his fight, we invite all supporters to join us in a minute’s applause during the 6th minute of Monday’s match against Ipswich Town, symbolising the six years he faced MND with unyielding courage.

If you wish to donate to Stand Against MND in Sam’s legacy, click here.

5 min: Townsend crosses nicely for Ipswich, where Broadhead is waiting. The Ipswich forward gets a neat flick on but Sels collects. It would have had more of a chance if that was a flick on towards the far post.

4 min: “If that picture was pulled back just a little bit, it would include Meadow Lane, just across the Trent, Notts County’s home ground,” emails Joe Pearson. “Two of the closest stadiums in English football”.

Correct, Joe. And here is the picture to prove it.

2 min: A scrappy start. Ipswich press high and win the ball before Morsy lumps an aimless cross into the Forest box, where no teammate is waiting.

Peeeeeeeeeeeeep!

The teams are out! Red against blue. The City Ground, under the lights, rarely disappoints. Let’s have a few goals, shall we.

Some FA Cup-related news, right here.

Kieran McKenna, Ipswich Town, speaks to the cameras:

A few changes. A lot of the boys did well in the last round against Coventry. Palace away [on Saturday] is a really big one and we have a competitive squad. We picked a side tonight who you think will compete with a strong Forest side.

There’s only nine teams left. Everyone sees this as an opportunity. We know who is next in the draw [Brighton].

Another email, this time from Andrew Goudie.

“Looking at the teams remaining in this year’s competition reminded me of JL Carr’s excellent book ‘How Steeple Sinderby Wanderers Won the F.A. Cup’. If you haven’t read it, you have a treat in store. Surely there is no finer football-related novel?”

I would argue that Steve Bruce’s Striker would take some beating, but I have not read Steeple Sinderby Wanderers’ epic, so who am I to judge? However, just in these past five minutes, I have read this piece on another book by JL Carr, so I can at least vouch for this article.

Our FA Cup-flavoured Football Daily, for your reading pleasure.

“Nice aerial photo of the Clough Arena, thanks and isn’t it great to see so many top level sports all within walking distance?” notes Jeremy Boyce, via email. “As an ex-oarsman/rower I have to point out that you totally overlooked the the boathouses of Nottingham Rowing Club and their jetties/pontoons between the City Ground and the Trent Bridge itself. The Trent is a hothouse of top-level rowing and not far from the national rowing centre at Holme Pierrepont. Our rowers, unlike our footballers, consistently win World Championships, Olympics and anything else going, so I think they deserve mention. Interesting match up tonight, recently promoted side doing well versus recently-promoted side suffering a big reality check. I suspect they will both take it seriously, chance for glory, chance for salvation. 2-1 to Ipswich but relegated all the same.”

A great email, Jeremy, thanks! I was completely ignorant to the Trent’s reputation for rowing. Although I have to disagree with your prediction. Hard to look past Forest tonight, especially with those line-ups.

Will Unwin, our correspondent at the City Ground tonight, has been in touch to say he’s been reliably informed that England manager Thomas Tuchel is in attendance tonight (with his first game less than three weeks away). The bad news for Tuchel is that Morgan Gibbs-White and Liam Delap are both on their side’s respective benches.

Could Alex Palmer wiggle his way into being Tuchel’s third-choice keeper? He’s certainly got an outside chance, given recent performances.

Callum Hudson-Odoi is possibly the only person who could make the squad, although you might remember that he and TT fell out at Chelsea.

Nottingham Forest have, Chris Wood and Morgan Gibbs-White aside, named a strong side. Ipswich have not, with manager Kieran McKenna obviously (and sadly) prioritising Saturday’s trip to Crystal Palace.

The teams!

Preamble