After the hellish week of hammerings by Southampton and Peterborough, Paul Jewell looks to get his redeveloped Ipswich Town team back to winning ways against Leeds United.
Vital Preview:
Ipswich fans might have thought that it couldn’t get any worse than the 5-2 home defeat against the Saints, only to then suffer the humiliation of last weekend’s 7-1 thrashing at London Road, all screened live on TV. For all the optimism surrounding the club after the opening day win at Bristol City, 12 goals conceded in two matches suddenly had the pundits talking about Town as if they were in the midst of a relegation battle.
If the supporters had needed a pick-me-up after that experience however, the week since then has represented something of a rebirth for the Blues. Recent results might have been proof that Paul Jewell’s squad was not quite ready for the new campaign, but three arrivals this week – including the return of the talismanic Jimmy Bullard – have gone a long way to filling some of the gaps, and with the atmosphere buzzing again, this weekend could give Town a chance to kick their season off all over again.
Such has been the shift in mood around Portman Road since last week that Leeds United might be cursing their luck that they happen to be visiting now. The West Yorkshire club have had a mixed start to the season themselves, a 4-1 home win against Hull their only league victory to date having picked up just one point more than the Blues.
Leeds have slowly been improving however, that point coming from their previous outing against Championship heavyweights West Ham United last Sunday, and Simon Grayson will be hoping they can maintain their momentum by going one better this time. As they say though, a week is a long time in football…
Ipswich Town Team News:
Having spent much of this week remodelling his team, Ipswich boss Paul Jewell looks set to ring the changes for the visit of Leeds.
Ivar Ingimarsson is still out with injury, so Ibrahima Sonko is likely to join Damien Delaney at centre-back. Fellow new arrival Daryl Murphy could also be handed his second debut, though Jimmy Bullard may start on the bench as he seeks to regain his fitness.
Lee Martin begins his three match suspension for his red card at Peterborough, with Tommy Smith also ruled out through suspension. Also set to miss out is Lee Bowyer, who missed the trip to London Road with a hamstring problem.
Player to watch: Ibrahima Sonko
Jimmy Bullard has been somewhat hogging the headlines at Ipswich this week, but it could be one of Paul Jewell’s other acquisitions that makes the biggest impact on Saturday.
Following the defensive disasters against Southampton and Peterborough, Jewell will be counting on Ibrahima Sonko to help plug the leak. With youngsters Tommy Smith and Jack Ainsley having struggled at centre-back in recent matches, the 30-year-old will bring some much needed experience to the Town backline.
Sonko is almost certain to be handed his debut against Leeds on Saturday, and if all goes to plan, the Senegal international will ensure there are no repeats of last week’s nightmares.
Leeds United Team News:
Leeds manager Simon Grayson could be boosted by the return of striker Billy Paynter, who has been out since the opening day of the season with a thigh injury.
That could go some way to alleviating Leeds’ striking problems, with Luciano Becchio still short of fitness and Davide Somma ruled out after undergoing knee surgery.
Meanwhile midfielder Michael Brown – who was reportedly targeted by Town earlier in the summer – will miss the trip to Portman Road with a calf injury, though former Blues loanee Darren O’Dea should start in defence.
Player to watch: Ross McCormack
Having taken a while to settle in at Elland Road, it looks like Ross McCormack may finally be hitting his stride.
The Scottish international joined Leeds from Cardiff City last summer but struggled with injuries and poor form last season, netting just two goals. He has already exceeded that tally this year though, scoring his third goal of the campaign in all competitions against West Ham last week.
With Leeds suffering from injuries to a number of their top frontmen, the Whites could be relying upon McCormack to maintain his good form – continuing with Saturday’s trip to Portman Road.
Last Meeting:
FLC – (5th) Leeds 0-0 Ipswich (16th)
12 March 2011
Teams:
Leeds: Schmeichel, Lichaj, Bromby, McCartney, O’Brien, Gradel, Kilkenny, Howson (Bannan 76), Johnson, Paynter (Becchio 76), Snodgrass
Ipswich: Fulop, McAuley, Delaney, O’Dea, Leadbitter, Edwards, Martin (Civelli 67), Bullard, Dyer (Drury 74), Wickham, Priskin (Scotland 80)
Match Prediction:
This could be a mistake on my part, but I’m actually going to back us to strike back against Leeds on Saturday.
Considering how gloomy things were after the loss to Peterborough, the new signings this week seem to have eradicated much of the negativity and Town will be keen to show that they can bounce back.
As much as we’ve been poor at home in recent years, we did beat Leeds at Portman Road last year, and I fancy us to do the same again.
Editor’s Prediction: Ipswich 2-1 Leeds
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Next Fixtures:
10/09/2011 FLC Blackpool (A)
19/09/2011 FLC Coventry City (H) LIVE on Sky 19:45
24/09/2011 FLC Middlesbrough (A)
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