Crunch Battle At The Bottom!

Not so long ago, I was starting to wonder if Ipswich were actually capable of winning a game this season, but now the Blues have their tails up and are unbeaten in eight. Tonight, they have a chance to make it nine without defeat against basement club Peterborough, but will go all out for their third win of the campaign.

New Posh manager Mark Cooper is still awaiting his first victory in charge, but defeat tonight would leave Town seven points ahead of his side, with the Blues climbing out of the relegation zone at last.

At the weekend, Roy Keane’s men were unlucky to draw 0-0 with Bristol City at Ashton Gate, but still the goalscoring problem remained. Peterborough rescued a point in the last minute at home to Swansea, that game finishing 2-2.

The two sides have met already this season, in the Carling Cup second round. Unfortunately, Ipswich went out that night 2-1, Tamas Priskin scoring and then missing a penalty.

From The Dugouts:

Keano once again focused his pre-match interview on the fans – he wants to give the 20,000 or so that turn up something to cheer, and has assured us that his side won’t be complacent, despite playing a team lower than his in the league for one of the first times this season, with Town rooted to the bottom for most of it.

He told the club site: ‘It would obviously be nice to give our home fans something to shout about and something to celebrate this week.

‘The shape of the team has improved over the last month or so though, the spirit in the camp is good and we are definitely making progress.

‘Peterborough have got players who have come up through the lower leagues and perhaps that makes them appreciate what they’ve got more and we’ll be in for a difficult ninety minutes, no doubt about that.

‘They maybe below us in the league but we are in no position to think we can walk through a game.’

RK also believes that his side will be rewarded with more wins for their recent good performances: ‘We had an horrendous start and we’ve left ourselves with a big job to do but if we keep performing like we have done recently, the results will come for us. I’m confident of that.’

Roy’s opposite number Mark Cooper also believes that the match tonight is winnable against Ipswich. He said: ‘Ipswich have picked up some useful points of late and have started to move clear, but this is still a game that we feel that we can win. We will go there with confidence and hopefully come away with the right result.’

Ipswich Town Team News:

Keano has hinted at changes from the side that drew with Bristol City on Saturday, not because of poor performances, but because he likes to keep things fresh. Loanee Stern John hasn’t played many games this season and may find three games in a week too much, likewise with Owen Garvan.

Arran Lee-Barrett will start in goal, with the defence also likely to be untouched from recent matches. Alex Bruce is still sidelined with a groin injury.

Captain Jon Walters and midfield playmaker Grant Leadbitter are both highly unlikely to be dropped, while Tamas Priskin could once again come into Keano’s thoughts up front.

Player to watch: Tamas Priskin

He needs a goal to boost his confidence, but he knows he can find the net against the Posh as he did it earlier in the season. The £1.7 million man will come good, I’m sure of it.

Peterborough United Team News:

Peterborough are still chasing their first away victory of the campaign, but will have striker Shaun Batt available once again after serving a one match band. Charlie Lee has a dead leg and is rated as doubtful, as is Gabriel Zakuani with a groin problem.

Player to watch: Lee Frecklington

Just don’t let him shoot from distance like he did earlier on in the season against us!

Ref Watch:

Referee for Town v Posh is Mr Andy Hall.

Match Prediction:

I got it right that Ipswich would draw on Saturday, but tonight I think they will go one better and record win number three. Hopefully with an early goal the Blues can go onto score a few, so I’m going for 3-0.