Is It Same Again For Town At Turf Moor?

Manager Mick McCarthy said today that although some of his players suffered a few knocks at the Amex earlier in the week, they should all be fit to play if needs be against promotion hopefuls Burnley on Saturday afternoon.

Back in contention come both Jonathan Parr and Ainsley Maitland-Niles and the only long term absentees at the moment are Teddy Bishop and David McGoldrick; although Larsen Touré is unavailable too with a persistent groin problem.

The main injury concern revolves around wing back Jonas Knudsen and that is probably why the manager was relieved to see Parr back in the mix but there is every chance that the Dane will pull through and he is likely to field an unchanged team again.

Burnley supporters have a wide set of opinions regarding their recent form which has seen them win their last two home games 4-0!

The general consensus seems to be that manager Sean Dyche is doing a reasonable job, in spite of the fact that he took them down from the Premier League last season.

There is a feeling too that there are similarities between their style of football and ours, in that they tend to play long balls up to their front men – sometimes at the expense of the midfield and the argument raised is that it is not very pretty on the eye.

In Andre Gray they have a proven goalscorer and he netted his first hat-trick when they defeated Bristol City at Turf Moor over Christmas and they remain in fifth place in the Sky bet Championship as thing stand.

Town are in sixth of course and just one point behind the Clarets so another away win would see us leapfrog the proud Lancastrians.

Perhaps another away win is just too much to ask – especially as Burnley have won their last three home games and have defeated Town at home in the last three encounters too and that is without conceding a single goal!

That said, statistics are there to be broken and given our current form, we will go there is a very positive frame of mind and let’s face it, the home side will be only too aware of our potent goal threat and away-day exploits over the last few weeks.

Personally I see this one as a score draw and that is where my money will go but anything less than a defeat and we will start the New year in a very positive position.

And to all true blue fans everywhere, my I wish you on behalf of Vital Ipswich a very happy and promotion enhanced New Year!


Editor : Frank Weston