By Aston
November 12 2004

Ipswich Town can go top of the football league if they beat Leeds United at Portman Road and Wigan lose against QPR.

Preview: Town Vs Leeds

Ipswich Town can go top of the football league if they beat Leeds United at Portman Road and Wigan lose against QPR.

Town have a clean bill of health going into the game the same starting 11 that faced Burnley a week ago.

Town manager Joe Royle has said: “The name Leeds United always seems to bring out the best and worse in opposition supporters. It goes back a long way, I know, so I'm sure our fans will be up for it.

“There are usually goals, so there is always value for money.”

Town have won the last three games scoring ten goals in the process and Joe added: “Out of three victories, while the Burnley game was the least glamorous for me, it was the best win as it was an omen. It shows we can win games when we are not at our best.

“We were a tight unit and never really in any trouble. When we are at our free-flowing best I fancy us against anyone but it is the other result that will matter in the long run of a promotion issue.

“You can't be at your best every week and it is these results you pick up when you are not at your best that are important.”

Leeds United will be with out Seth Johnson and Eirik Bakke who are out until the new year Stephen Crainey is also out and there is a doubt over Sean Gregan who has a thigh strain, Jamie McMaster could be on the bench after a loan spell at Swindon.

Leeds United manager Kevin Blackwell has demonstrated either a lack of footballing knowledge or a poor memory, Blackwell: “Ipswich are very similar to ourselves in that they came down and hit massive money problems, they just escaped relegation in the first year by one place, Joe then had to blood a lot of the youngsters and that's nearly three years ago now.

“Last year they were very hit and miss, started off terribly and were once again down near the relegation zone after the first 22 games and then put a great run together and got into the play-offs.

“The youngsters now are really shining, but he has experience throughout the team, Kelvin Davis in goal and their back four, then in midfield with Naylor there and Jim Magilton they have loads of experience and Shefki Kuqi up top. In the last few years their youngsters have really developed and moved on, and that's what we have to do with ours.

“I look at Ipswich and I think they play really great attractive football and that's the way we would like to evolve in time, but it has taken Joe three years to make them a force.”

Former Town player Jermaine Wright who left Town in the summer for Elland Road is expecting a tough game, saying: “Ipswich are certainly flying at the moment and it's going to be a tough game for us but I'm looking forward to it, It's going to be strange going back to Portman Road and going in the 'away' dressing-room after so many enjoyable years at the club.

“I had five great years there, playing in the Premiership, in Europe and can still remember vividly the coach journey to Wembley for the Play-Off Final and seeing all the blue ands white everywhere. It made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

“I know I wasn't maybe the favourite of the fans but they were always fair to me and I got a lot of support, particularly last year.

“The lads in the dressing-room were great as well and winning the Players' Players of the Year award at the Club last season was a proud moment for me.

“I met up with John McGreal and Shefki last weekend for a drink and still keep in touch with some of the Ipswich players and it should be a cracking game on Saturday.”

Ipswich Town Squad: Darren Bent, Dean Bowditch, Aidan Collins, Pablo Couñago, Kelvin Davis, Jason De Vos, Drissa Diallo, Kevin Horlock, Shefki Kuqi, Jim Magilton, Tommy Miller, Richard Naylor, Lewis Price, Matt Richards, Ian Westlake, Fabian Wilnis.

Fans are reminded that there is no cash turnstiles for the match, any remaining tickets for the game are to be sold from the ticket office prior to kick off.

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