- Home
- Birmingham City
- Current Squad
- Adam Legzdins
- Jonathan Grounds
- Paul Robinson
- Ryan Shotton
- Maikel Kieftenbeld
- Robert Tesche
- Stephen Gleeson
- Clayton Donaldson
- Diego Fabbrini
- David Cotterill
- Rhoys Wiggins
- Che Adams
- Lukas Jutkiewicz
- Viv Solomon-Otabor
- Jacques Maghoma
- Greg Stewart
- Jonathan Spector
- David Davis
- Michael Morrison
- Tomasz Kuszczak
- Paul Caddis
- Development Squad
- Academy
- Ladies Team
- Sophie Baggaley
- Alex Windell
- Meaghan Sargeant
- Jess Carter
- Kerys Harrop
- Freda Ayisi
- Kirsty Linnett
- Bella Linden
- Andrine Hegerberg
- Abbey-Leigh Stringer
- Melissa Lawley
- Charlie Wellings
- Chloe Peplow
- Rebecca Lloyd
- Connie Schofield
- Emily Westwood
- Cheryl Edwards
- Corina Schröder
- Ashlee Brown
- Coral-Jade Haines
- Aoife Mannion
- Ann-Katrin Berger
- Out on Loan
- Former Players
- Boards and Advisors
- Appearance Data 2014/2015
- Current Squad
- Factfiles
- Series
- Sponsorship
- Website Info
- Social Media
- Contact Me
Another win on the road for Blues? Ipswich Preview
Lee Clark’s Birmingham City side make the long trip to Suffolk to face Ipswich Town today hoping to build on last week’s win against Blackpool.
Ipswich Town
Mick McCarthy’s men sit in tenth place in the Championship, nine points and six places above Blues. Last Saturday’s defeat against table-toppers Leicester City was the Tractor Boys’ first defeat in six games, with Ipswich having only lose one home game in all competitions since November.
Johnny Williams could make his debut after signing on loan from Crystal Palace but Luke Hyam is ruled out (hamstring) and top scorer David McGoldrick is out for the remainder of the season with knee ligament damage.
Blues
Chris Burke has been passed fit for this game after a knock to the head against Blackpool along with Jonathon Spector who received a black eye but Mitch Hancox (ankle), Callum Reilly (knee) and Albert Rusnak (groin) are out. Brian Howard could return after a fractured little toe and Reece Brown faces a late fitness test on a swollen ankle.
This is a chance for Blues to build on their excellent away form which has seen only Leicester and Derby win more away games in the Championship. Although there are a few knocks in the side, players like Jordon Ibe and Nikola Zigic will be pushing for a start along with other players who have missed out on playing of late. I’m hopeful of a draw and another point towards safety; if we can nick a win it will all be the better.
Tags: Chris Burke, Ipswich Town, Jordon Ibe, Nikola Zigic
106 Responses to “Another win on the road for Blues? Ipswich Preview”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Ipswich have only won 2 games at home since Xmas and, with our away form so good, the chance is there for an upset. I still think it will be a draw, but am hopeful of another 3 points.
I would not disagree with you regarding a draw today, it would be a good point.
Hopefully we are confident away from home everything possible for us to go on and win there…..
Let’s see what another week of Watson and Beale brings. I’m hoping it’s an upping of tempo and better passing under pressure. I also would like to see if Ibe can repeat his Blackpool performance. Wingers are often inconsistent as Ferguson has showed us
Clark got more options to change things if we are tight……
I said this last week. We have many more options all over the pitch now, compared to earlier in the season. The loss of Bartley, Burn, Lingard, etc doesn’t seem such a blow now as it was at the time. I think the players that have replaced them are better all round.
Staffsblue clark has done exceptionally well with finding other players quickly enough when the rug wad pulled from underneath him……… I very disappointed in some fans attutude regarding this matter …….
The only problem we had, was the interim between those players going back and Man U and Man City agreeing to let those players join us. The squad was depleted in that period and we lost a few games. But Lee Clark deseves all the credit going for bringing in quality players to replace the ones we lost.
The only problem was the interim?We’ve won 2 at home all season.
I’ve never known us do any good at Ipswich so I’m only expecting a draw at best hope I’m wrong but I doubt it. KRO.
you were right Gary.It wasn’t good.
got one all written all over it !!
i was at blackpool last saturday and saw another blues victory and 3 valuable points but
cant make ipswich due to work commitments so fingers crossed for another victory today
and ime feeling sort of confidence in that i dreament we won 2-1 the other night though
our record at ipswich is not good so even a draw would be a good result as the bottom
three have all got tough away games also so come on you blue boys!!!! KRO.
If we win, the most we’ll be is one place higher. .. but one place higher will always be better than one place lower.
the fact we could go 12 points clear of the bottom three with 13 games left is vital
in out quest to totaly destroy any chance of rellegation..thats motivation in its self. KRO.
It’s always a mathematical possibility for all teams in the bottom half to be relegated.. but I can say, with hand on blue heart, I’ve never once considered relegation. Never crossed my mind.
I was worried after the Huddersfield match, Staffs, I will admit.. Seeing the Live Match report on BBC didn’t offer any great hope .
your a hell of a fan Staffs! , if you have been that sure that we will stay of all season , then your a better man than me ,cos while i agree that we will stay up , there have been times when i was worried, well more than worried. KRO
Some dodgey homegames coming up so i reckon clarkey will go for the win. Predict 3-2 to us, slow start, changes at half time, then attack-attack-attack! KRO
He didn’t go for it SOTV.Slow start,slow middle and a slow finish.
sounds like blackpool last week, slow start, changes at half time, then attack, attack, attack
win 2-1, thats my prediction again. KRO.
A draw would be a damn good point. Hope all the away bluenoses have a great afternoon.KRO
The team let the support down today Harbs.Probably only about 500,but we were vocal.I think the journey puts people off.
Its a hell of a trip to Ipswich so well done to all the Bluenoses who are going. I will be listening on the radio whilst I am decorating! I fancy 1-3 Blues :-) KRO!
Lets hope we can get something as our home games coming up fill me with dread
Full of praise for LC. He probably spends more time trolling through player paperwork trying to bring in players in than he does at home. Some fair quality players have been taken on with so many going in the last window. I hope he gets the much needed three points today from the tractor boys. Shame we hav’nt got a player called John Deere to put some more furrows in McCarthy’s brow !!.
KRO you blues boys. Sorry blue pupils.
Just listens to the the game tom ross said and I agree
No positives out of that game at all.
One defensive mistake and 3 points lost. Never mind, onwards and upwards. QPR next.. I watched them live on the box today and they were sh*te. Gives me a bit of hope that we can do them.
Could be worse, we could have had three players sent off.
I agree Staffs, I think Harry is being found out at last!
Forget any hope Staffs if we don’t improve vastly.
yes we didn’t fire on all cinders we had couple close efforts, shame really that one defensive mistake cost us……..as i mentioned before individual errors do cost us……..a draw would have been well deserved………..
Disagree
Due to a family illness I have had to give my ticket up for the trip to Ipswich.
Surprised, though I really shouldn’t be, that LC made so many changes from last weeks win at Blackpool.
Apart from Hancox’s enforced changed and either Martin or Caddis reinstated to the back four, no LC had to mess with the midfield, introducing Caddis without Burke is like Morecambe without Wise, Ant minus Dec. To rub salt in the wounds he ditched a midfielder, Adeyemi or Burke for Zigic.
That man should never put a Blues shirt on his back ever again….
I never saw today’s game but from reports he was his usual inept self, arms flailing at every opportunity and , though he was winning headers they were just that, no direction or intention.
LC has to take responsibility for today’s result 100%.
KRO+DNM
Zigic was my man of the match last week. Why should he never wear the shirt again? Please enlighten us all with your views.
Probably the same as you saw him as man of the match last week, one knock down that ended up with Novak scoring, your opinion.
He is idle, never attacks the ball, rarely does he win a header to a team mate, never chases back, though you will point out he defends, spends most of his time on the pitch berating the referee and assistants every time he is beaten or loses the ball or if another player steps near him, and those are his good points. Basically he is bone idle, overrated, over paid and one of the worst players I have had the misfortune to watch over the last 50 plus years, my opinion. I don’t expect many to agree as he scored at Wembley and many think the sun shines from his ****. For me he will just be another waste of money, useless football player, and I use the word player loosely….
KRO+DNM
Thats a bit harsh Chris, there have been plenty worse than him over the years.
I never said he was THE worst, but he up there with the best of the worst.
Tanrantini, if only for his haircut, Terry Twell, Darren Anderton to name just three with Zigic among them.
My opinion and many will disagree, but the one thing that OP and Dan allow you is to express your viewpoints and providing they don’t cross any legal or ethnic boundaries they can be left for others to knock, mock or enlarge upon.
KRO+DNM
I think Terry Twell holds the highest goals conceded record for BCFC – 5.00
Never forget the Portsmouth goal by Allan Campbell a lob from almost the half way line, we signed him the following week, 6 goals in two appearances.
I think Terry died last year, I remember him playing for Bromsgrove.
KRO+DNM
You can’t just blame Ziggy today. Only Randolph can come away with any credit today.
I’m not blaming Zigic for the result, as I said I couldn’t make it, only the second away game I have missed though.
As I said Clark has to take the blame 100%, the team at Blackpool should have started today and like Blackpool, gone gung-ho! second half, too many changes and to start three up front was strange to say the least.
Stats claim we only had one shot on target and just four all match, for me, and again my opinion, either 3-5-2 or 4-4-2 away from home. both have been successful on the road, just don’t understand why we struggle with either formation at home.
Successful teams start with 11 players and they stick with them as often as possible, I think LC is trying to please everyone and not looking at the general set up with the right personal.
I have a good feeling for the Q.P.R game, not expecting anything against Burnley and a draw v Reading with an away win at Sheffield in between.
KRO+DNM
I agree Chris.He messed up today .He should have started with last weeks finishing 11.It’s not his first balls up is it? Nobody tinkers like elsie.
True, just when you think he has found the right format and team, out comes the hat again.
I don’t think LC has ever played the same team twice in a row, without going through the last seasons team sheets I certainly can’t remember one this season, I think Leicester have played the same eleven for the last 12 games bar the odd change for an injury or suspension, same goes for Burnley and I think they have the smallest squad in the league.
I dare say we have some stat wizards that will either support or dispel.
KRO+DNM
he has, more than once
Thanks for the update Dan, but I bet he hasn’t done it very often. I know he has had to swap and change due to injuries, suspensions not to mention all the loans he has to use.
I still think he should be a little more consistent than he has been over a longer period.
I’m not knocking, just trying to work out his logic.
KRO+DNM
Chris , you just cant write a post without attacking Zigic, can you, You are obsessed with him and making yourself look more silly every time.
No I’m not obsessed with Zigic, I have posted some good points in the past and probably will in the future.
I was asked to explain my reasoning to why I do not think he should play, many have posted similar reasons as many have counter argued. These are my opinions just the same as yours are in favour of Zigic, LC obviously tries to use him but fails to play to his strengths, whenever Ziggy plays we go one dimensional, either players don’t read his knock downs or vice versa.
I was one of those at Wembley who thought he was a hero, not this season or last for that matter, my opinion this season is one of frustration with him, he is running his contract out for little effort, that is my opinion and mine alone.
KRO+DNM
Zigic, Marcheda and Novak starting the game doesn’t feel quite right for a tough away game. It worked in the second half at Blackpool but Ipswich was always going to be a tougher ask. Leaving out Adeyami seems a little strange for this game as was Caddis on the right hand side of midfield. It’s going to be interesting to see how he sets the team up next week. QPR are having a bad time currently but I would still take a point now as we can’t afford to go on a losing run.
I could see it coming playing Caddis on the right of midfield with Specs at right back, it has a solid look but Caddis hasn’t been great of late and we have too much talent in midfield to play players out of position, it just didn’t work. It could have been different today had Novak put away a simple chance at 1-0. LC cannot seem to resist the temptation of over complicating things but im not going to have a go at him for trying.Ipswich have lost only once at home since November so it was not all together unexpected. Bring on the cockneys!
I agree. Too many players out of position. Robinson at left back, I assume Novak played on the left hand side of midfield and Caddis at right midfield. Adeyami is probably our most combative, athletic midfield player and ideal for this type of game and he doesn’t play. Well done to the 500 or so who did go – Ipswich is a long way to get to and back in a day.
1st time writing on here although i always read op & agree or disagree with Blues fans opinions,
i as a supporter for over 40yrs & a season ticket holder for a majority of that time must say i am baffled by Lee Clarks tinkering with the team, The top 2 teams in this division have settled sides & it shows, i understand Lee has had a lot to deal with but why so many changes from a team that beat Blackpool last week. I spend nearly £1000 on season tickets taking my 3 boys 2 of them don’t want to come anymore so i am taking them to Sheffield away hoping they manage to see a win & witness some sort of atmosphere because there’s very little of anything at st Andrews anymore.If things don’t change by next season i’m afraid i wouldn’t be able to justify buying st next season. This is supposed to be a entertainment business i come away feeling depressed & am paying for the privilege. Delay no more & kro.
Welcome aboard Paule, as you know there are many opinions here about what ,or who is to blame for our current situation.
What a crap day.Terrible journey,poor game,poor performance.1 shot on target. No positives at all to take from this game.Baffling selections again. After this performance and our current home form,i fear the next two games. Maybe i will see things differently in the morning,but i doubt it.
Two very poor sides today. Ipswich were equally as pants. The two key moments seemed to happen in slow motion. Their goal was a disgrace – clear your bloody lines. Novak, shocking miss. Was boredstupid today. For entertainment probably the worst game all season. God knows how Ipswich are sniffing around the play-offs. Dire stuff. 500 Blues, piss poor turnout.
It is a long haul to Ipswich, not necessary mileage wise, about 150 so 300 round trip, somewhere near 3 hrs without stops driving, and with a decent well maintained car some £60 in fuel, plus ticket and food it is an expensive day out. Probably one of the hardest places to travel to, being a coach driver for the best of 40 years I didn’t like travelling that way to often, took a few squadies to Colchester but that was all.
I think the next poor turnout away will be a Tuesday night to Middlesbrough another 300+ round journey, 500 mile for me in Nottingham, so I might be on my own that night.
KRO+DNM
Reasibs to be cheerful part 294:
1. Carson Yeung’s verdict is due on Monday.
2. It was only a 1-0 defeat.
3. Everyone else at the bottom lost.
4. Those young players will learn from this defeat, surely.
5. QPR are on the slide.
6. We are Birmingham.
7. We, as fans, have the best club blog in the world in the form of OftenPartisan.
8. If you think we’re in trouble, look at Blackpool, Leeds, Rangers, Coventry, Portsmouth, Sheffield United, Cardiff, Fulham etc etc
9. We won the League Cup three years ago.
10. We have been going since 1875 and will continue to the end of the road.
Just been pedantic regarding point 3 but Yeovil got a draw at Reading. Having said that I think there are sufficient even more crap teams below us to ensure our safety this season.
you get some unexpected results towards the end of the season SB.We might even win at home.If our away forms drops off we could be in a fight.
They also had three players sent off, so they will have to miss a few games.
Re point 1 – I wouldn’t guarantee it – with 66 pages to read I have a suspicion it could be Tuesday
another slow read then lol carson will have another cosy night……………….
Blues lost a game
Deal with it
KRO
Good for you if you can deal with it. Some of us actually have some ambition.
Terry Twell’s average goals conceded was 5.0
Terry Twell, Second worse Goalie I have ever seen at Blues.
Who was the worst. Borgstaad was a centre half
Bragstad?
No, His name was Beel. we got him from Shrewsbury’s Reserves, he was supposed to be Worcs. Second 11 W/K and couldn’t catch a football /. He played his one game against Blackburn in the last home match of the season and let in 5 goals in a 5-5 draw. He wasnt very good.
When I were a lad and going to St Andrews every other Saturday; Jim Herriot was our goalie and what a great one he was too. I remember Twell and how he somehow got picked over Herriot. Poor lad had sieves for hands.
Terry was picked because Jim Herriot was injured in the 4-2 win over the Vile at their place.
KRO+DNM
I saw Twell in a Reserve match at St’ans one evening. He spent more time trying to stand in front of three young women than concentrate on the Match.
Certainly not a keeper to remember for his goalkeeping skills, only beaten by Len Beel I think or maybe John Cheesewright.
KRO+DNM
Drew 2-2 at home to Portsmouth then lost 4-2 away to Norwich, terry never played another game for BCFC again, giving him an average of conceding 3 goals a game.
KRO+DNM
Ta Chris – glad some old Bluenoses have still got good marbles!
Welcome, every time I think or hear Terry’s name mentioned I see that goal flash before my eyes, the other one is when TF flicked the ball over the defenders head, ran round him and volleyed the ball home, one of his four v Bolton.
KRO+DNM
Football is a team game so logically keeping the same starting eleven gives you synergy beyond eleven individual performances. That synergy takes time to develop so chopping and changing means it has no chance to develop.
Leaving players out who have played well for ‘tactical’ reasons is inherently demotivating because your default reward is ‘you may still not play in the next game’. Some players will just accept it but others could think ‘what the hell’. It might be the reason Ferguson and Allan aren’t in the team
Clark can only pick 18 so you are never going to please all…….. if there is such a thing as starting eleven they all need be be at their top of their game, sadly with a team overhaul twice, injuries, suspensions, young players, loanee sometimes you have to suck it and see.
re your list Doc ,We must be in great shape if you could only think of 8 teams who you say are in worse place than us , of those 8 how are Fulham and Cardiff in worse shape than us ? (still in the prem with billionare owners ) Rangers and Leeds have better long term futures than us (their fan base is bigger than ours ,sad to say) I will grant you the others are all right in the sh*t* ,but it aint much of a list.
What have QPR got to do with anything?
i have looked at the list again , you were being ironic, yes?
Hope to god that we are at the bottom of this slump , and therefore the only way is up , if we can stay up and we can find new “proper” owners .then next seasons reasons to be cheerfull , could look a lot moe solid .KRO
Of the top 6 teams, only 1 has beaten us out of sight.. Burnley. After the QPR and Burnley games, out of the next 10 teams we face, only 2 have beaten us this season.. Reading and Leeds. So I’m fairly optimistic about the next series of games.
That’s ok then. As long as they don’t absolutely stuff us we have all got to sit back and accept it. We are going to need to win at least four and it is very difficult to see where they are going to come from especially with the abysmal home form this season.
We won’t be relegated.
When I said QPR are on the slide I was referring to them because we are up against them next so it’s not a bad time to be playing their top-earning team of fallen premiership idols. As for my other nine points, I was trying to find something warm and fuzzy to hang on to as we sit here in the midst of Carson Yeung’s verdict. One day this will all be 30 years ago and Dan will be holding forth at his local boozer, dining out on tales of the time he ran a top Blues blog and sat in the courtroom in Hong Kong to report on our then-owner’s trial. Yesterday’s 1-0 defeat will be but a footnote in history.
It already is Doc. QPR next. :)
I don’t think we’re going down.But if there is any money available next season,then some of it should be used to sack Lee Clark. Before anybody asks who will take the job.You never know until we start asking people.
The gap from Charlton is 9 points but with their three games in hand is more like 5 points in reality. At least we don’t play any of the teams below us at home which at least will restrict them of easy points. Seven home games left, four of which are against the current top 7. We probably only need to win another four. Can’t help feeling at least one is going to have to come from a home game. Surely we can’t go through a season only winning two at home.
I dontnu8sually bother with Goal Diff., but ours is so much better, I cant see any of the bottom catching our G/D up.. Maybe famous last words, but the G/D is worth an extra point.
‘I don’t usually’, that should have been. Damn fat fingers.
Steve, I think that’s really harsh. Clark has been given nothing to work with and then had what’s left taken away from him. Name another quality manager who would touch our club under the current ownership tyranny? We’ll end up like Blackpool with a player/manager and that’s a slippery slide towards lower leagues.
No, it’s not Lee Clark whose head should be on the block – look higher up that that mate!
It’s always the same…. a manager works his bollox off with sod all to spend, keeps the club afloat, then as soon as money comes in, he’s sacked. Typical knee-jerk reaction by people who know sod all about the game. Look at Warnock and Mackay. Where are QPR now? Where are Cardiff headed?
You’re saying i know nothing about the game Staffs? I’ve missed 4 games this season whilst you listen to Tom Ross. Huddersfield have said the same about him. And i’ve seen enough to say that i wouldn’t trust him with any money. It’s different bringing players in on loan.They’re after 1st team football.I bet none of them would want to sign permanently, Cardiff are in trouble because of the owner,not Mackay. Why don’t you apply Staffs? You think you know it all. you read wikipedia and then tell us elsies bringing in a decent player.As i said before Aussie,you don’t know who would want the job until we start asking the question. He has done exactly what Huddersfield fans said he would.
I suggest you read what I said again steve!
I’ll do it for you, to save you the effort. I was talking about OWNERS, not fans. As far as I’m aware, a fan has never sacked a manager yet. Jezus, some people!
Just re read it.I apologise Staffs.Still nice of you to call me jesus though. My dyslexia lets me down at times.
I suppose we’ll never hear the end of the “Clark Out!” debate until he’s gone. Much the same as Zigic. For me, whether Lee Clark stays or goes, at least he had the bottle to stay and fight for the club… which is more than the previous 2 managers. That puts him way above them in my eyes.
But, if he had to go, so be it. I’d support the next manager 100% the same, just as I did with Hughton and McLeish, although I couldn’t stand either of them. It’s what I do, I support the club, so I support the manager and players too while they’re here.
I don’t think i’ll ever change my view on him. But as i’ve said many times,at the games,i get behind the team and manager.I never abuse or boo them,even at the end of a poor performance.I do all of my moaning on here.But,i won’t be sorry to see him go.He seems to keep making the same mistakes.
With every manager at every club, there will be some who like him and some who don’t. That’s fair enough. Fans have every right to their opinions. I just don’t think it’s helpful to constantly criticise the manager or players, especially during a (very tough) season. If at the end of the season, fans want to walk outside with placards aimed at getting rid of the manager, or take out a full page ad in the local rag, that’s fine. That, for me, is the right time to do it.
I don’t know for certain, but I would imagine that, at least, some of the coaching staff, players and officials read OP, it’s pretty well-known after all. It can’t be very encouraging for them to read some of the comments on here… whether deserved or not. All I believe is leave it until the end of the season and get behind the lads every game until then. After that, whatever will be will be.
That’s their problem if they get upset by things on here. Simple answer is don’t read it.Are you saying that we shouldn’t come on here and moan about them ? Are they beyond criticism? The important thing is that they are not abused at the game.The blogs and forums are the places to vent our anger.
Fair enough, as long as it makes you feel better.
Nothing to do with making me feel better.you’re saying we shouldn’t criticise them on here.What is the point of these blogs and forums then?they’re about peoples point of view.
I never said any such thing. I said that it doesn’t help that’s all. You can say whatever you like, that’s your perogative. I prefer to stay positive. It’s a simple difference of opinion. get over it!
Clark is there because he is getting well paid for it, there has been little or no interest in him from other clubs and the owners don’t want to pay him off and don’t give a toss anyway. I don’t doubt for a second that he isn’t working very hard but sometimes that just isn’t enough. You have to have the ability in the first place.
He’s not gonna walk away with nothing when he can wait to get the sack and pocket the compo.
Why should he walk when fans love him……….
There are just as many that don’t like him.If you think he would stay if he got a better offer Mark,then there is no hope for you.
I wouldn’t be so sure of that. It might be a better offer…. but, would it be a better club?
Lee Clark is desperate to do well for Birmingham City, especially for the fans. I can’t see him just upping and leaving with the job not finished, especially after all the hard work he’s put in. I’d be very disappointed in him if he did. I personally think he’d only leave us for Newcastle or Fulham. But time will tell.
Lee Clark says what we want to hear. A better club? At the moment we’re on our knees. There is no loyalty in football.If new owners ever come in he is gone imo.So why wouldn’t he walk.As much as i dislike him,he has done his reputation no harm.He is in a win win situation. Having said that,i think he’s reached his limit.So no,it probably won’t be a better club,but a more secure club.