Ipswich Town
Preview: You Know Who
By Aston
December 6 2008
I'm pretty sure I don't need to tell who we play tomorrow afternoon, because there is only one club we play on a Sunday afternoon, but in case you have been educated in Norfolk, Ipswich Town are playing Norwich City. Norwich will be able to welcome back a trio of defenders Norwich defenders Adam Drury, Ryan Bertrand and Elliott Omozusi but will be with out John Kennedy and Dejan Stefanovic.
Norwich manager Glen Roeder: "This week's game has nothing to do with league form, it's a cup final - not even a cup match but a cup final - and that's why the big players come out to play in the big games because that's what turns them on.
"If Jim Magilton or myself need to go heavily into motivating the players for this game, both of us will have a big problem and I'm sure he hasn't got a problem and I haven't got a problem in that department. The players will be up for it.
"The main thing is everyone keeps a calm, cool head so they can concentrate and see what's happening around them and then deal with it and go and play their football, because if you become tight and tense you are not going to play your best football. But we've got enough experience in the team to be relaxed and highly charged, highly motivated.
"There hasn't been a team that has totally outplayed us. There have been a few poor performances that we were particularly unhappy with - Burnley away, Derby away, the second half at Sheffield Wednesday - but in most games we have had long periods where the momentum was with us, where we were totally dominant and when we play like that, like we proved against Wolves, we're capable of beating anyone in this division."
Likely Norwich squad: Marshall, Nelson, Otsemobor, Drury, Doherty, Omozusi, Bertrand, Russell, Croft, Clingan, Pattison, Sibierski, Bell, Hoolahan, Fotheringham, Lita, Lupoli.
Town have a squad that should be fully fit, Jon Walters and Owen Garvan both trained this week while Danny Haynes should be able to take part despite a bruised foot.
Town manager Jim Magilton: "It is important to keep them as normal as possible during the week. My job is easy on Sunday because I don't need to motivate them I actually have to try and keep them calm and relaxed and not too over-motivated.
"Derbies are usually the most frenetic of game sand the team that wins it is usually the side that can string a few passes together and stay composed.
"It also needs a strong referee. This is our El Classico and so it needs for the referee to understand that there is a lot of hype, a lot of adrenalin flowing and take it into account.
"Danny has been coming again, he was on the bench against Sheffield United, and it has entered my head to use him in this game.
"Danny and Norwich have a good affiliation so it would be nice to have his explosive pace. It is funny that some players have a knack of doing well against a particular team. With Tommy Miller it is Preston where he always feels he will score - and generally does."
Likely Town squad: R Wright, Supple, D Wright, Volz, Thatcher, Bruce, McAuley, Naylor, Shumulikoski, Miller, Norris, Garvan, Walters, Quinn, Haynes, Ambrose, Counago, Lisbie, Stead
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Norwich playing a 4-4-1-1 while town with a better 4-4-2
