Ipswich Town
Preview: Town – Coventry
By Aston
December 19 2008
Town travel to Coventry tomorrow, hoping to get their first away win in three attempts and catch back up with the top six. Coventry could have Leon McKenzie and Stephen Wright available after injuries, Michael Mifsud could also feature after recovering from illness.
Coventry manager Chris Coleman: "I have been on coaching courses with him and he's a good fella.
"They are giving him time at Ipswich, which is right. They finished eighth last year and it is his first job.
"They always say your second season is the tough one. If you can get through that, an experienced manager once told me, you will still be doing it in 20 years - although I am not sure I want to be doing it in 20 years given the stress it brings.
"His philosophy is to pass the ball, same as us but that can be very hard in this league because it's so fast and furious.
"Ipswich are similar to us. Both teams knocking at the door of the top half but haven't got that consistency.
"They've been up and down like us, so who knows what we're going to get from them tomorrow?
"They've got some good players, but so have we.
"They are a good footballing team who can be anything or nothing, which is this league to be honest.
"You have got a chance against anyone and also a chance to lose against anyone, of course.
"It is an exciting but unforgiving league, and very frustrating because most games you play there is not a lot in it, so this will be a big three points for us if we get them on Saturday."
Town will be without Alex Bruce, Ben Thatcher and Owen Garvan who are all suspended, meaning that Ivan Campo could return to the Town side but in defence rather then midfield, although a more sensible option would appear to use Pim Balkestein somewhere in defence with Campo in midfield. Gareth McAuley is expected to partner Richard Naylor in the heart of defence after McAuley recovered from injuries picked up against Cardiff.
Town manager Jim Magilton: "We have been indifferent so far and no one is more frustrated about that than the players and myself.
"It's a marathon though, not a sprint and I know that if we can get a few wins behind us and build up some momentum then we will fly.
"The way the game is now, everyone wants instant success and think they are entitled to that success but it doesn't work like that. The Championship is a very hard league to get out of and the only way to achieve it is to work harder than everyone else. I've got a fantastic staff who are doing that and an honest bunch of players who are determined to get to the Premier League.
"I know I have my critics out there. I knew that would be the case when I came into the job. It goes with management but I have total self belief that I'm the right man for this Club and can take us forward."
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