After Ipswich Town defied the odds and came away with a very creditable draw against Southampton yesterday,they must fancy their chances in the replay at a packed Portman Road a week this Wednesday.
The result went as I had hoped and it made me some money with two of the leading bookmakers I might add!
Although the Tractor Boys were up against it in the second half of a game that became attack against defence, it was a stoic team performance and the blues fully deserved another bite of the cherry.
Saints boss Dutchman Ronald Koeman was less than satisfied however; not just with the result but with the way his side played.
He fielded a full strength team in the face of six unforced changes by Mick McCarthy, who cleverly and perhaps riskily, decided to include his leading strike force in Daryl Murphy and David McGoldrick from the off. This I did not expect and I guess nor did Koeman!
I was delighted to see Darren Ambrose not only start but get the crucial opening goal with a sublime header.
He wants to stay at Town he says and although he has not played as much as he would have liked to date, his love of the game has been rekindled by returning to the club of his youth.
I hope something can be sorted because Mick McCarthy is keen to keep him and he gives Town more inventive attacking options. The more games he plays, the better it will be for the blues I believe.
The replay is guaranteed to attract another big crowd to Portman Road and I have an inkling that it could be featured live that evening via Sky or perhaps the BBC?
The sniff of a giant killing should attract a lot of attention and let’s face it, that is what the magic of the cup is all about!
Tonight we will know who Town will face should they defeat The Saints in the replay at home next Wednesday?
I am hoping for a home game against one of the big fish because not only will it bring in another huge gate, it will be another valuable test for this rapidly improving squad.
Frank Weston – Editor of Vital Ipswich
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