On Sky
The TV cameras roll in for Ipswich Town’s trip to Peterborough United, and after Tuesday’s farce, the Blues need to put on a show that will make the fans smile.
Vital Preview:
Early season optimism took a hefty blow in midweek when newly-promoted Southampton hammered Ipswich at Portman Road. Manager Paul Jewell was lost for words as he watched his defence crumble, conceding five on their own turf for the second time in four months. Whilst it is still early days and the boss has acknowledged that his squad is not yet complete, further reinforcements have not yet arrived despite his best efforts, meaning the Blues could be relying on the same backline to avoid a similar humiliation this weekend.
Their opponents will be keen to follow Southampton’s example, especially having come from similar roots. Peterborough were in League One with the Saints last season and, like Nigel Adkins’ side, they exhibit a potent attacking brand of football. No team in the Football League could top their 106 league goals in the last campaign; 69 of which came at London Road, where Ipswich travel on Saturday.
However, whilst Town might have a leaky defence, so do the hosts. Only relegated Bristol Rovers conceded more than Peterborough’s 75 in the third tier last season, and their fragility at the back was one of the major factors in their relegation the last time they were in the Championship in 2009/10. With that in mind, the Sky cameras could well capture a high-scoring thriller – though with any luck, it won’t be a repeat of Tuesday’s show.
Peterborough v Ipswich is live on Sky Sports 2 & HD2 from 17:00.
Peterborough United Team News:
Defender Gabriel Zakuani is a doubt for Peterborough having not played since their Carling Cup victory over Swansea due to a toe injury.
Strikers Nicky Ajose and Dave Hibbert are both ruled out, so fellow frontman Paul Taylor could well start. Goalkeeper Joe Lewis is also sidelined with a knee injury.
Defender Ben Gordon, who joined on loan from Chelsea earlier in the week, could possibly make his debut at left-back having been ineligible for the midweek game at Millwall.
Player to watch: George Boyd
Such has he impressed in his time at Peterborough that winger George Boyd has attracted interest from many prospective buyers – including Ipswich.
Arriving at London Road in 2006, Boyd has firmly established himself as a key figure of the Peterborough squad, combining excellent displays with a healthy dose of both goals and assists. The 25-year-old set up his team-mates 10 times during their 2010/11 promotion campaign, while 17 goals in all competitions last season have been followed by 2 already this term.
The former Stevenage Borough man was one of the stars of Peterborough’s previous short-lived spell in the Championship, when he finished top scorer and assister. With the influential Craig Mackail-Smith gone, Boyd could be crucial for the Posh again this year.
Ipswich Town Team News:
Ipswich manager Paul Jewell will have to decide whether to hand young defender Jack Ainsley his first league start, with Ivar Ingimarsson still injured and central duo Damien Delaney and Tommy Smith leaking five goals against Southampton in midweek.
Lee Martin and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas are likely to be restored to the starting lineup after beginning Tuesday’s match on the bench, the latter having come on to score Town’s second goal.
Jewell will also need to choose whether or not to play 4-5-1 again away from home after the success of that formation at Bristol City two weeks ago. Should he decide to play 4-4-2, Emmanuel-Thomas or Nathan Ellington could replace Jason Scotland up front alongside Michael Chopra.
Player to watch: Jay Emmanuel-Thomas
After being unceremoniously dumped on the bench from the start of Tuesday’s defeat to Southampton, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas certainly proved his point when he stepped onto the pitch after half time.
The summer signing from Arsenal played a major part in the Blues’ second half fight-back against the Saints, netting his second goal for the club in all competitions. Indeed, having also claimed an assist for Lee Martin’s goal at Bristol City, the 20-year-old has been one of Town’s stars of the campaign so far.
Tuesday’s display should see Emmanuel-Thomas regain his place in the starting lineup, and with the cameras watching, he will be keen to impress once again.
Last Meeting:
FLC – (24th) Peterborough 3-1 Ipswich (20th)
16 February 2010
Goalscorers:
Peterborough: Dickinson 47, Frecklington 63, Morgan 85
Ipswich: D Murphy 9
Teams:
Peterborough: Lewis, Morgan, Bennett, Frecklington, Rowe, Whelpdale, Simpson, Livermore, Dickinson (McLean 87), Boyd, Mackail-Smith (Reid 34)
Ipswich: Lee-Barrett, Delaney, McAuley, Rosenior, Leadbitter (Quinn 72), Garvan (Peters 56), Norris, Colback, Walters, Healy (Counago 72), D Murphy
Match Prediction:
Despite the fantastic game at Bristol two weeks ago, I believe now we are experiencing the kind of slow start to the campaign that I had expected.
I think we all knew that we weren’t quite ready for the season to start given the big gaps still remaining in the squad, and whether or not the players are able to gel, it is also clearly taking Jewell time to work out how best to use them. These things take time, and we will need to be patient.
Regretfully, as much as we’d like to bounce back on Saturday, the trip to London Road is a tougher one than many appreciate and I reckon we could find ourselves frustrated again, just like our last visit there under Roy Keane. That, and our recent record on live TV isn’t exactly one that has provided the best impression of the club…!
Editor’s Prediction: Peterborough 2-1 Ipswich
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Next Fixtures:
27/08/2011 FLC Leeds United (H)
10/09/2011 FLC Blackpool (A)
19/09/2011 FLC Coventry City (H) LIVE on Sky 19:45
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