Ipswich Town
Preview: Town – Blackpool
By Aston
February 15 2008
Town will be hoping to re-find the form that saw them go 19 league games unbeaten at Portman Road, when Blackpool visit tomorrow afternoon. Town's only doubt for the game is Alan Quinn who injured his ankle in the warm up against Crystal Palace on Tuesday night.
Town manager Jim Magilton: "The players were all very disappointed after the Watford game and I told them to use that disappointment as an advantage and take the game to Palace and they did that superbly, whatever they threw at us, our defence dealt with it well. Jason and Bam Bam were magnificent at the back, ably supported by Alex Bruce, Dan Harding and Stephen Bywater.
"It was Bam Bam's first start for a year and he grabbed his chance with both hands. His return from injury adds to the competition for places now and I want that all over the pitch.
"The new lads are all settling in well and will be big players for this football club. They have freshened things up a bit in the dressing-room and I don't think it's any coincidence that our results have improved on our travels since they came in and gave us a different perspective on things.
"Now we have to take it from Tuesday against Blackpool and get back on track at home.
"Simon Grayson has done a terrific job at Bloomfield Road and they gave us plenty of problems at their place last month.
"We know if we are not switched on, they will punish us so we have to be on our game but it's a match that we are looking forward to.
"There is a buzz about the place and we have to keep that going."
Town squad (from): Bruce, Bywater, Colgan, Counago, De Vos, Garvan, Harding, Haynes, Lee, Miller, Naylor, Norris, Quinn, Sito, Sumulikoski, Trotter, Walters, Wright.
Blackpool will be without defender Kaspars Gorkss, who is suspended. Midfielder Keith Southern returned to action earlier in the week so is available to play.
Possible Blackpool squad: Rachubka, Barker, Evatt, Jackson, Craney, Taylor-Fletcher, Jorgensen, Southern, Hoolahan, Dickov, Burgess, Coid, Morrell, Green, McPhee, Gerrard.
Blackpool manager Simon Grayson: "On our day I'd back us against anyone in the division. We have some good players and have given bigger clubs a shock already this season.
"We're very confident at the moment and will be doing our best to get a positive result and keep our momentum going.
"Ipswich got a good result on Tuesday, but we proved at our place that we can compete with them.
"They are obviously a quality side and are riding high with a lot to play for. Ipswich have an excellent home record and will be looking to bounce back after being beaten last weekend.
"This will probably make it even tougher and we know we have to be at the top of our game if we're going to get anything."
Match odds:
Town: 8/11
Draw: 49/18
Blackpool: 22/5
Officials:
Referee: F Graham (Essex)
Assistants: R Beevor (Suffolk) and T Mason (Kent)
Fourth Official: S J Long (Suffolk)
Source: Ipswich Town - the official website and The Evening Star
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