By Aston
February 22 2005

Ipswich Town can extend their lead at the top of the championship table to six points if they beat Watford this evening.

STB’s Match Preview: Watford

Ipswich Town can extend their lead at the top of the championship table to six points if they beat Watford this evening.

Town manager Joe Royle is without striker Shefki Kuqi who is back home in Finland recovering from gash just above his knee, defender Drissa Diallo is also missing, Ian Westlake has recovered from a small knock and should continue to play in midfield along Jim Magilton who will return to the starting line up.

Town manager Joe Royle has been unavailable for comment so instead this weeks view from the Town camp comes from his assistant Willie Donachie, who has said: “Watford scored two goals at Sunderland so they will make it difficult for us.

“Every team in this division is hard working and capable, you just have to look at Brighton beating Sunderland on Saturday, so we know that Watford and QPR won't be easy.

“We are top of the league and every team sees us as a scalp and as a test of how good they are. They come here to a great stadium, a lovely pitch and with nothing to lose, so it is like a cup game for them. But we have it every game, every one is a cup game but, at the same time, they need to enjoy it.

“The more the players can be mentally relaxed and look forward to the challenge then we can beat anyone - even if we are not playing well.

“We would not have been able to do that last year, or the year before, but now we have the team spirit and good people.”

Ipswich Town Squad: Darren Bent, Dean Bowditch, Darren Currie, Kelvin Davis, Jason De Vos, Kevin Horlock, Daniel Karbassiyoon, Jim Magilton, Tommy Miller, Richard Naylor, Lewis Price, Matt Richards, James Scowcroft, David Unsworth, Ian Westlake, Fabian Wilnis.

Watford manager Ray Lewington is without Sean Dyche (groin) and Bryn Gunnarsson (knee), Watford’s leading scorer this season is Heidar Helguson has found the net 16 times this season but could miss tonight’s game with a knee problem.

Ray Lewington has said: “We know Ipswich like to get the ball down and pass so we've got to unsettle that rhythm.

“It's a completely different style to some other teams. Each time Ipswich pass the ball, that's a chance for us to intercept. How good are they? We've got to ask them that question.

“We can't just go gung-ho at them, we've got to be disciplined, we know that.

“But the starting point for this game - and every other one for this season - is going to be that we're going to get through a hell of a lot more work than we did at Sunderland ten days ago.”

Other games that Town fans may want to keep an eye on tonight and tomorrow are Rotherham’s trip to 3rd place Sunderland tonight and Wigan’s trip to Coventry City tomorrow night.

Sources: EADT and Watford FC - the official website.

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