Ipswich Town
Preview: Town – Forest
By Aston
September 15 2009
Town take on Nottingham Forest at Portman Road this evening, still searching for that first win of the season. Town are missing the three long term absentees, David Norris, Luciano Civelli and Ben Thatcher.
Town manager Roy Keane: "We're not quite a team yet, we've made changes and we need to get a more settled team. Three lads came in for their debut on Saturday. I wanted to throw them straight into the team.
"New players have been coming in, and lots have left. There are new ideas and different training methods.
"We are trying different things on the training ground. I'm a young manager and sometimes you can't put your finger on it.
"There may be a few changes. I usually make one or two when we have another game within the next three days. A home game means a different challenge for us.
"I knew that everything wasn't going to smell of roses everyday. If you want to be a manager for 20 years, it's not going to be like that.
"This is a test, and it has come earlier than I'd have hoped, but it's all part of management.
"I think you learn more about players during a sticky patch. You need characters, and I found out one or two more things on Saturday. You want players to come to the forefront.
"I've been trying different players and different systems. You have to give your new players a chance to settle in, and hopefully that won't take long, just three or four weeks rather than a few months.
"We're lacking a bit of confidence, but one victory would turn that around.
"We desperately want to get that first win, and this can affect the players.
"There can be a lack of confidence, and we can be a bit edgy.
"When you're in the habit of winning, sometimes you can't see yourselves losing. But it can go the other way as well,"
Forest could be missing striker Nathan Tyson who is currently with his wife who gave birth before Forest's game against Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend. Defender Joel Lynch is doubt after only recently recovering from a back injury. Midfielder Radoslaw Majewski and defenders James Perch and Julian Bennett are all out.
Forest boss Billy Davies: "Points away from home are always a bonus," said Davies. "If you can get points on the road it is an advantage.
"I am a little disappointed with our away results but only because the single points we picked up at QPR and Sheffield Wednesday in particular should have been wins.
"And, as long as we can keep the good vein of form going, I will be happy because we are difficult to beat at the minute.
"We certainly deserve to be sitting on a few more points than we have.
"We are unfortunate to have conceded four deflected goals - that is not an excuse, it is a fact.
"All we can do is keep working hard and it will come."
Got a prediction for the game? Leave it below.
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15/09/2009 15:26
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Not sure where the 1 or 2 changes will be - would like to see Garvan back in the middle to compliment Leadbitter (assuming we go 4-4-2)
Peters at LB perhaps with Martin going LM.
Come on you Blues!
