They might have had an international break, but Saturday’s seaside trip to Blackpool will be no holiday for Ipswich Town as they look to relaunch their campaign.
Vital Quotes:
August was a rollercoaster ride for Ipswich, enjoying the highs of a very productive summer in the transfer market and an opening day victory at Bristol City before plummeting to the lows of conceding 12 goals in two matches against Southampton and Peterborough United.
Their downfall was proof that the Blues were not yet ready for the new campaign, and in response to the false start, manager Paul Jewell brought in more new faces to help his side bounce back against Leeds United. Having had the international break to recover and with the squad looking much stronger – assisted further by the arrival of Danny Collins on Friday – Town will now be hoping to start afresh this September.
To get off to the best possible ‘restart’, they will need to beat a Blackpool side that are also eager to step up their campaign. After starting the season brightly, they too have suffered a slump of late with just two points from their last three league matches. However, despite being relegated on the final day of last season, Ian Holloway’s side impressed during their maiden Premier League campaign and will still fancy their chances of a swift return. Having retained much of the squad that battled so valiantly in the top flight – as well as acquiring the services of veteran hotshot Kevin Phillips – they could be there or thereabouts come May 2012.
Saturday’s trip to Bloomfield Road will be Town’s first away game since the Peterborough debacle, but even though the Tangerines will have home advantage, the offer of free coach travel will see the Blues take a bumper crowd to Lancashire. They might have hated that day at London Road, but here’s hoping they will like being beside the seaside this weekend.
Blackpool Team News:
Blackpool made two signings on transfer deadline day, with defender James Hurst and one-time Ipswich target Daniel Bogdanovic in line for their debuts on Saturday.
Elliot Grandin could miss out with a foot injury but Matt Gilks, Craig Cathcart and Stephen Crainey are all fit to play after returning from international duty.
Former Town striker Billy Clarke looks likely to start in attack, while Kevin Phillips should feature despite suffering from a back problem.
Player to watch: Kevin Phillips
He may be 38 now, but Kevin Phillips still looks as sharp as ever.
The veteran striker joined Blackpool in the summer and has already shown the same eye for goal that he demonstrated with the likes of Sunderland, Southampton and most recently Birmingham City. Phillips has netted over 250 goals in his career, including 4 in 4 matches so far for the Seasiders.
Town manager Paul Jewell revealed earlier this week that he had targeted Philips during the transfer window. Fingers crossed that Saturday’s game doesn’t give the Blues a demonstration of what they could have had.
Ipswich Town Team News:
Ipswich have been boosted by the signing of Danny Collins ahead of the trip to Blackpool, and the on-loan Stoke City defender looks set to be handed his debut at Bloomfield Road.
Collins’ arrival means that Blues manager Paul Jewell will have an unprecedented selection dilemma at the centre of defence. Ivar Ingimarsson has finally returned to fitness, while Damien Delaney and Ibrahima Sonko impressed in the 2-1 win over Leeds United two weeks ago, though the latter is a slight doubt with a hamstring problem.
Elsewhere Jimmy Bullard could be handed his first start since returning to Town in August, while fellow midfielder Lee Bowyer looks to have recovered from a hamstring injury.
Player to watch: Keith Andrews
There are a number of players worth keeping an eye on in the Ipswich team this weekend, but there can be little doubt that Keith Andrews is the man in form.
The on-loan Blackburn Rovers midfielder has been impressive since arriving at Portman Road in August and has shown the kind of threat that made him a hero at Milton Keynes Dons, netting 3 goals in his last 3 appearances.
After playing his part in securing two points for the Republic of Ireland’s Euro 2012 qualification campaign last week, Andrews will be hoping to maintain his good form against Blackpool – even if Jimmy Bullard tries to overshadow him!
Match Facts & Stats
FLC – (8th) Blackpool 1-0 Ipswich (17th)
6 March 2010
Goalscorers:
Blackpool: Euell 54
Teams:
Blackpool: Gilks, Eardley, J Martin (Burgess 90), Baptiste, R Edwards, Southern, Vaughan, Adam, Euell, Campbell, Dobbie (Clarke 78)
Ipswich: B Murphy, Delaney, McAuley, Peters, C Edwards (D Healy 67), Leadbitter, Norris (Counago 76), Colback, Rosenior, Walters, D Murphy (Wickham 66)
Match Prediction:
Despite this game being the longest away trip in the league for Ipswich this season, it looks like we will have over 1,300 fans at Bloomfield Road, and I will be one of them. That’s why I’m desperately hoping we don’t have another Peterborough!
Regretfully, I reckon we might all end up disappointed. Even though Blackpool have lost a couple of their top players this summer, they still have a decent squad and Kevin Phillips will always pose a threat. Whilst our defence is much improved with the recent signings, it could take a little while for them to get accustomed to one another.
Even so, I fancy an entertaining match, but the hosts will probably edge it by the odd goal.
Editor’s Prediction: Blackpool 2-1 Ipswich
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Next Fixtures:
19/09/2011 FLC Coventry City (H) LIVE on Sky 19:45
24/09/2011 FLC Middlesbrough (A)
27/09/2011 FLC West Ham United (A)
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