3 Ipswich players are will hit milestones in their Town careers in Saturdays match at Hillsborough. Captain Jim Magilton returning to the club he left in 1999 to join Ipswich will make it 300 appearances, longest servant Richard Naylor will make his 250th appearance, and Matt Richards will achieve a century of games.
With half a season over and both clubs at the wrong end of the table, each of the sides will be looking to start the busy Christmas period with a vital 3 points.
Vital Quotes:
Town Assistant Manager Willie Donachie on the Wednesday Manager and his team:
?I know Paul (Sturrock) from watching him as a player and manger’
?They try to play the right way and, like everyone, he needs time and maybe a couple of players. But then that is the same for everyone. We are all looking at players from the lower divisions but the money teams are asking is ridiculous.?
?It is going to take them a long time to get back into the Premier League but it can be done in time. If they keep stability, and give the manager time, I’m sure they can carry on in the right direction.
?Teams tend to mirror their manager and they are a honest, hard working and passionate team, which we will have to match.?
Wednesday Boss Paul Sturrock on Ipswich:
‘They’ve taken about 50 goals out of their ranks through the transfers of Kuqi, Bent and Miller and they haven’t handled it. We’ve had the same problem, through injuries so it’s a mirror image of ourselves.’
‘They have vast experience in all sorts of areas and if you allow them time on the ball they are the best passing team in the league.’
‘If we get in their faces early, like we did against Leeds, I’m confident we can get a win.’
Sheffield Wednesday Team News:
The Owls have no injury worries ahead of Saturdays match, although a small bout of illness hit the camp on Wednesday Paul Sturrock will have a full compliment of players to choose from, most notably Drissa Diallo who completed an hour of a reserve match during the week and is looking for a recall against his previous club.
Player to watch: Chris Brunt
The Northern Ireland international has played mainly on the left flank for Wednesday since arriving from Middlesbrough in 2004. A strike rate of 1 in 5 for the Ulsterman, Brunt has a deadly left foot and can put in pinpoint passes over long distances.
Brunt scored the only goal in the Owls win at Carrow Road in October against Towns rivals Norwich.
Ipswich Town Team News:
Town are still struggling with Injury problems, with Kevin Horlock (knee), Billy Clarke (elbow), along with long term absentee Sam Parkin (ankle) all missing out. With young Striker Dean McDonald not due to finish his loan spell at Hartlepool till after this weekend and Dean Bowditch just returning from an achilles injury, youngster Danny Haynes looks to make his first start for the club.
Player to watch: Danny Haynes
The 17 year old who marked his home debut with the equalising goal from the bench, in Towns 2-2 draw against QPR last weekend, looks set to make his full debut at Hillsborough. Another of the many youngters to progress from the Ipswich Academy, Danny has lightening pace and an unpredictability that Joe Royle will hope can inspire Ipswich to a much need 3 points.
Match Facts & Stats
Sheff Weds: 1 win and 3 draws in the previous 6 home games, scoring 5 and conceeding 8
Ipswich: 3 draws in previous 6 away games, scoring 6 conceeding 12
Sheff Weds: 22nd in Championship, 20 points from 23 games
Ipswich Town: 17th in Championship, 26 points from 23 games
Next Fixtures:
Preston North End v Sheffield Wednesday – 26/12/05 1.30pm
Ipswich Town v Crystal Palace – 26/12/05 3pm
