Thankfully, football games are coming thick and fast, and it means we no longer have to dwell on what happened on Tuesday night. They say a change is as good as a rest, and although manager Paul Lambert will probably bring in some fringe players for the FA Cup tie at Portman Road on Saturday afternoon, it does give us all a chance to focus on a new objective.
Winning they say breeds confidence and this is a nice distraction to have. If we win, and we are due a win against Pompey in the FA Cup, then we go back into the hat, which would give our younger squad members the chance to impress again.
Some people might say that it would good to get knocked out of this tournament quickly so that we can concentrate on what matters most, and that is getting out of this division without further delay. I can understand the logic but I think after Tuesday night, we need some bouncebackability and this match gives us the opportunity to do just that.
I would like to see Armando Dobra start and I would hope that midfielder Brett McGavin Emry Huws would also get some game time. We have a big squad and even with the injury troubles we have incurred we still have enough strength in depth to win this one and I have an inkling that Oli Hawkins might get on the scoresheet too!
Whatever you think about our tall gangling striker, he had a hard time of it at Portsmouth and as he said himself, it was not just the coaching staff that was a little unkind at times, but also the impatient Pompey supporters.
The Town manager understandably sees things differently. “He brings people into the team and adds a different dimension so I’m absolutely delighted with how he’s playing. Hopefully, the goals will come but his general hold-up play has been terrific. I knew he was a handful when I saw him a few years ago, but some people have maybe been a little naïve in thinking he’s only going to be good in the air because of his height. But he’s actually really good with his feet. I’m really happy with him.”
A win on Saturday and we can turn the page on Sunderland and move on, and that is what we really need to do right now.
