Tough” – An Ipswich Town supporter examines the Vaclav Hladky and Christian Walton scenario.

FLW’s Ipswich Town fan commentator has spoken out over Vaclav Hladky’s performances.

Ipswich Town has had a strong start to the season, sitting in second place with 12 points from a possible 15.
In Christian Walton’s absence, Vaclav Hladky has stepped up as the club’s number one custodian and has done admirably, conceding only seven goals and keeping two clean sheets.
Hladky’s performances have impressed FLW’s Ipswich Town fan pundit, who believes he can hold his spot in the team even when Walton’s back is fit.

Ipswich Town have made a successful return to the English second division.

The Tractor Boys entered the international break in second place, with 12 points out of a possible 15.

Their lone defeat came a few weeks ago against Leeds United, in a game full of twists and turns. Last time out, Ipswich came back from two goals down to win 3-2 against Cardiff City.

Goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky has been instrumental in their early-season success.

Vaclav Hladky’s season performance so far?

Ipswich experienced a setback just before the start of the 2023/24 Championship season when regular custodian Christian Walton suffered a foot injury that will keep him out for an extended amount of time.

That meant Hladky had to step up and take over as the club’s starting custodian.

The Tractor Boys recruited the Czech Republican from Salford City in 2021, but he has struggled to make an impact for the team since then.

Prior to this season, the 32-year-old had only made 24 appearances for the club, with the majority of them coming in cup competitions.

However, he has now started five consecutive league games and has played admirably, surrendering only seven goals and maintaining two clean sheets.

Hladky has clearly been regarded as Walton’s backup, but this opportunity has allowed him to demonstrate to Kieran McKenna that he is capable of becoming a very fine custodian for Ipswich this season and beyond.

What do Ipswich Town supporters think of Vaclav Hladky’s performances?

Here, FLW’s Ipswich Town fan pundit Henry discusses Hladky’s performances for the club in Walton’s absence.

a”Hladky in for Walton for the start of the season,” he informed FLW. I was concerned when I initially learned about Walton’s injuries. He was fantastic all year, saving us a lot of points and developing his own kicking style, so he was much more secure on the ball.

“The defensive and custodian appear to be very comfortable together, and when his foot injury occurred, it was a bit of a worrying time, and people were talking about bringing in another number one keeper

”

“But Vaclav took his chance against Sunderland in the first game, saving us right at the death from that cross, great save, he pushed onto the post, and he’s looked fantastic since then.”

“He had a couple of doubts.”

Will Vaclav Hladky hold his spot at Ipswich Town when Christian Walton returns from injury?
Hladky will be hoping to keep improving, performing, and demonstrating to McKenna that he is more than capable of being Ipswich’s number one keeper for the rest of the season.

Obviously, Walton is seen as the club’s number one and will be expected to retain his position whenever he regains fitness, but Hladky will aim to change that thinking, and he has a chance if he continues to help Ipswich stay near the top of the Championship.