After last year’s adventure to the semi-finals, Ipswich Town know they have a tough act to follow as they kickoff this season’s Carling Cup campaign with a rematch against Northampton Town.
Vital Preview:
Town’s 2010/11 Championship campaign might have been a dreary affair, but the accompanying Carling Cup run was anything but. Against all the odds, the Blues charged all the way to a final four faceoff with heavyweights Arsenal; a contest which earned Tamas Priskin a place in Ipswich history as he struck a famous winner in the first leg at Portman Road before a late collapse in the return leg at the Emirates Stadium.
Having come within half-an-hour of going to Wembley last season, Town now start the adventure all over again with a First Round tie against Northampton Town, the side they knocked out in the Fourth Round of that remarkable campaign. An early screamer from Liam Davis had threatened to cut short the Blues’ adventure before Carlos Edwards, Damien Delaney and Tamas Priskin eventually secured Town’s place in the quarter finals.
However, Northampton will surely want revenge in Tuesday night’s sequel at Portman Road, and what’s more, they also have their own recent history to live up to in this tournament. Before falling at Portman Road that night, the League Two side had pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the competition’s history, knocking out Liverpool on penalties after a 2-2 draw at Anfield in the Third Round. That should be warning enough for Ipswich not to underestimate their visitors.
Even if it isn’t, Town only need to look at themselves to be reminded that they are not immune from an upset. For all their achievements last year, Ipswich have been knocked out before the third round in six of the last ten years, going out to lower league opponents on five of those occasions. Indeed, the Blues have faced either extra time or penalties against lower league sides seven times in the last decade, including tense extra time victories against Exeter City and Crewe Alexandra last season. Reason enough therefore for Northampton to fancy their chances.
Ipswich Town Team News:
Such is the immaculate timing of international fixtures that Ipswich will have to face Northampton with three players away on international duty. Goalkeeper David Stockdale has been called up for England’s friendly against Holland – and would have been ineligible under the terms of his loan deal from Fulham anyway – whilst Tamas Priskin has travelled to Hungary and Josh Carson is with the Northern Ireland U21s.
Damien Delaney had also been called up for international duty with the Republic of Ireland, but he is instead set to miss out on any action at all due to the ankle injury he picked up in the win over Bristol City on Saturday.
Manager Paul Jewell is therefore set to include a number of fringe and youth players in his team for the tie. Arran Lee-Barrett will be in goal with 18-year-old Cody Cropper on the bench, whilst Tommy Smith and Nathan Ellington could also start having come on as substitutes at Ashton Gate.
Jewell is also understood to have drafted 15-year-old midfielder Byron Lawrence into his squad for the match.
Player to watch: Lee Martin
It might have been Michael Chopra stealing all the headlines on Saturday, but fellow goalscorer Lee Martin was also one of the standout performers in Ipswich’s 3-0 win at Bristol City.
A virtual exile from Roy Keane’s team this time last year, Martin has improved significantly since being recalled from his loan at Charlton Athletic in January. Going on to claim three assists for the Blues last season, the 24-year-old was one of the stars of Town’s pre-season campaign, netting at Southend United and putting in a Man of the Match performance against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
A stunning goal at Ashton Gate on Saturday capped off another impressive display from Martin, and the former Manchester United midfielder will be eager to continue that good form against Northampton on Tuesday.
Northampton Town Team News:
Northampton manager Gary Johnson has a number of injury problems for the trip to Portman Road, with Shaun Harrad, Andy Holt and Nathan Wedderburn all long-term absentees.
John Johnson is a big doubt after sustaining a dead leg in the Cobblers’ draw against Accrington Stanley on Saturday, with Ashley Westwood potentially in line to replace him. Kevin Thornton and Tadhg Purcell also missed out on Saturday and are unlikely to feature.
Player to watch: Michael Jacobs
He might be the butt of a few ‘cracker’ jokes, but Northampton youngster Michael Jacobs should be taken seriously.
Last season was Jacobs’ first in the senior squad at Sixfields, but the 19-year-old went on to win the club’s Player of the Year award after a campaign which saw him finish as the Cobblers’ leading provider with 9 assists.
Jacobs also claimed 8 goals in all competitions last season, most notably an extra-time strike in their famous 2-2 Carling Cup draw at Liverpool. Having also netted in the decisive penalty shootout that night, the young midfielder has shown why he and his side are not to be underestimated.
Last Meeting:
CC4 – Ipswich 3-1 Northampton
26 October 2010
(Click here for Match Report)
Goalscorers:
Ipswich: Edwards 26, Delaney 44, Priskin 88
Northampton: Davis 16
Teams:
Ipswich: Murphy, McAuley, Delaney, Smith, Eastman, Leadbitter, Edwards (Griffiths 90+2), Norris, Townsend (Peters 67), Scotland (Murray 67), Priskin
Northampton: Dunn, Rodgers, Hall, Clinton, Thornton (Holt 68), Gilligan, Osman, Wedderburn, Jacobs, Davis, McKay
Match Prediction:
It’ll be interesting to see how Paul Jewell decides to approach the Carling Cup this season. Last year’s charge to the semis was a great experience, but it could also have played its part in the downfall of our league campaign. Whilst it would be nice to have another cup run, the Championship has to be the priority.
Knowing our record in the early stages of this tournament and given that we are likely to field a weakened team, it would come as no surprise if we were eliminated on Tuesday night. However, I think the quality we do have and the advantage of playing at home should be enough to see us through to another round – though I can’t say I’ll be hugely disappointed either way.
Editor’s Prediction: Ipswich 2-1 Northampton.
Next Fixtures:
13/08/2011 FLC Hull City (H)
16/08/2011 FLC Southampton (H)
20/08/2011 FLC Peterborough United (A) LIVE on Sky 17:20
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