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On the Beach – Ipswich Preview
The Lee Clark midtable bandwagon moves on to Portman Road this weekend in what is probably one of the first truly midtable clashes of the season. Neither side have particularly much to play for as the division winds to a conclusion.
Ipswich Town
Ipswich come into this game fourteenth, three points and four places behind Birmingham City. They’re in a fairly good run of form of late, taking 11 points from their last six games and only losing one of them. They still stand a mathematical chance of going down but with just one point needed the likelihood is their safety will be assured at the final whistle regardless of the result.
It’s a far cry from the team languishing at the bottom when they two teams faced off at St Andrews, with the Tractor Boys winning 1-0 thanks to a goal from DJ Campbell. Since then Mick McCarthy’s men have picked up fifty points and have moved away from being relegation dead-certs to midtable mediocrity with surprising ease. They have no new injuries or suspensions reported for the game with Blues.
Blues
Blues are sweating on the fitness of Morgaro Gomis and Wes Thomas prior to the game but both would probably have to make do with spots on the bench if they are passed fit as Lee Clark will in all likelihood name the same team that beat Leeds United.
With nothing to play for but pride I did wonder if Blues might experiment somewhat but it looks like we will see the same 4-5-1 which has been so successful in recent weeks, with Hayden Mullins again preferred to Callum Reilly in the middle.
This isn’t a game I’d like to call results-wise; potentially both teams could be “on the beach” and as such I’m expecting a bit of an anticlimax of a match. Whilst it would be nice for Blues to finish higher in the table than they currently are there is no financial incentive to do so and I think the fact that we are in 10th with 2 games to is probably much better than most of us hoped for four months ago.
Tags: Hayden Mullins, Ipswich Town, Morgaro Gomis, Wes Thomas
20 Responses to “On the Beach – Ipswich Preview”
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I wondered if Lee might give Doyle a look at? He would want to give Butland a bow at home to Blackburn and it seems fitting that Colin Doyle would deserve some recognition for his contribution to the club and to see if he still wants to remain a Blues player after the summer. Doyle still only 28 in June has played second fiddle to Vaesen, Taylor, Kingston, Hart, Foster, Myhill and Butland. What’s your thoughts Dan?
Being a number 2 for so long says it all really.Personally i don’t think Doyle is good enough to be first choice but due to off field circumstances then clarke may well be forced to sign him up in the summer and use him.
My thoughts are that there must be a reason why he plays second fiddle to all of those.
Todays game is pretty meaningless regarding the league which in itself is an achievement if you consider what a really poor season it has been in the main.I think it has been more through luck than judgement that we have improved.Without the injuries would the kids got their chance ? because clark continue to play players despite their lack of form.Crikey he even made cauldwell captain after dropping him despite how bad he still played.I am off to ipswich now but for once this season the result isn’t as important as the day out.
4 5 1 again and a 2-2 draw which will suit both sides – big zig to get on score sheet
Not a word about your mate peter pan after you spent a year telling blues fans we should get behind him for the good of the club I bet you feel a bit silly now that it turns out he’s been on the take for 3 years and not even the rest of the board new ?
Now is not the time too put your head in the sand give him some shit or don’t you want to upset the crook?
Doyle? time to go. End.
Well I’m off in 10 minutes. Really looking forward to the trip. Just two games left before I quit the Blues. I applaud your efforts OP with regard to the clubs mismanagement and will campaign for a statue of you to be built on the Big John’s roundabout. I expect some will criticise me for turning my back on the club but I’ll take the critiscm while others hand over their hard earned to the clubs non resident thief.
Ta ra.
This may be of interest Dan
http://www.football-league.co.uk/features/20130404/where-are-they-now-paul-moulden_2293307_3129521
I doubt very much Lee Clark will allow his players to slack off, he wants to finish the season on a high with as many points as possible. Plus Birmingham have a proud away record to keep intact. I would like to take this opportunity also to thank all the hard work and effort being put in by OP in respect to information about what is going on in Hong Kong. Lets hope some common sense will prevail and the club is sold ASAP
Imo dan – clark will want to finish both games on a high. Still a 451 and hopefully play with alot of feedom. Maybe reilly on bench still? Hopefully we return with all three points. Hopefully 1900 bluenoses will be in good voice to spur the lads on…….cmon you blue boys…kro
I disagree. I think this will be a high temp game. Many players are playing for new contracts and those that aren’t will wish to prove they’re capable first team members for next campaign. Chuck in that we’re the form team in the league over the last 8 games and I think we’ll see a full throttle attacking game. There will also be a big gate as a full Blues contingent along with Ipswich kids for a quid means they’re expecting their biggest gate of the season. I expect a cracking game for all those attending.
Its supposed to be party day in Ipswich today and I’m hoping that after a pretty “horrible” season Blues can spoil that party. Not sure what the stats are against a Mick McCarthy side but he has turned them around as they were rock bottom last October.
I’m gonna go for a 1-0 win for Blues today as 2000 travelling Blues fans will roar us on.
KRO
PS I’m not going in fancy dress!!
The fact that successive managers have been unconvinced by Doyle as a No.1 just about sums him up to be honest. He’s a decent back up keeper, but I can’t for the life of me see a reason to offer him another contract.
Best to make a clean sweep and bring in a keeper/keepers that will at the very least, challenge each other for a 1st team place. I’d say Butland (on loan) plus one new keeper, plus Townsend…. or two new keepers plus Townsend.
Colin Doyle is underestimated.He played a vital roll in our promotion under Bruce,and started next season as first choose,and if given a run in team he is surely good enough for championship.
i dont think doyles cut out to be a no 1 goalkeeper, hes played second fiddle
to all our previous goalies over the years, and i cant see it being any diffrent
next season.
ps whats this ive heard about the motherwell goalkeeper, any truth in that?
ps. so annoyed about missing the last away game at ipswich today. but work prevails!
In fairness to Doyle he was still a young lad when Vaesen had the shirt, and all the others were internationals. Kingston, also a marginal figure, perhaps the only one of the bunch he could realistically compete with. Timing of Butland’s meteoric rise a bit unfortunate for him.
I would like to put on record that, in my opinion, Lee Clark has done a remarkable job of steering Blues’ fortunes this season. He has put his heart and soul into the job and if hard work is the sole criteria he must be Blues’ best manager.
He has had to operate under very tight financial limits,far tighter than the majority of his Championship peers, but has never complained and has consistently tried his best for the club.
I look forward with interest of how he will further develop the squad this summer.
I hope clark gives the likes of Koby Arthur minutes on the pitch. What better time than in a meaningless end of season game.
25 minutes in and it’s Blues who appear to be on the beach :( A goal disallowed for Zigic which would have made it 1-1 but also one for Ipswich which would have made it 3-0! Let’s hope we turn up for the 2nd half.