Manager Paul Lambert remained tight-lipped today when he was asked about his side for tomorrow night’s League One encounter at Rochdale. I have heard, however, that he explained to one of his coaching staff that he was intending to put Tomas Holy back in goal and he was tempted too to continue with Luke Woolfenden as a wing-back.
He would replace Kane Vincent-Young again who has undergone a minor groin operation – similar to that of James Norwood and will be out of action for some weeks to come. Also missing will be the excellent Flynn Downes who has accumulated 5 yellow cards and is banned for one match. Gwion Edwards could be the one to replace Downes in midfield, as the coaching staff consider him to be a bit of a liability in a wing-back role.
Ipswich Town are in second place and just three points off the top spot with two games in hand. The Blues also have a better goal difference so a win away at Rochdale tomorrow night but put them in a very strong position, as we head, with ever-increasing rapidity, towards Christmas. In fact, on our travels, the Tractor Boys have done exceedingly well! Apart from the recent defeat at Accrington, Ipswich have won six and drawn one, which is the best away record in the division.
The thing that worries me most I suppose is the enforced absence of Downes. On the two occasions that we have underperformed and gained zero points it has been when Downes has been absent but Lambert is not the superstitious type and reads nothing into this. He does, however, believe that it is important that Town start well and said in his press conference today, ” Every game we’ve started well we’ve gone on to win, and I think that’s an important thing. So we have to start well and if we do that hopefully we get another good result. But I’m really happy with our form at this moment.”
The Blues will take at least 800 supporters to the Crown Oil Arena tomorrow night, and it could rise to almost a thousand if the remaining tickets available for away supporters are sold. At the weekend only Wycombe won from the leading clubs, so here is another chance for the Suffolk club to stamp their authority on League One and return to the top of the table in the process.
F.W. – editor of Vital Ipswich
