When The Town Go Marching In!

Town are on a roll in the Sky Bet Championship just now and although Mick McCarthy is determined to give it his best shot, I don’t think many of us will be too sad if we go out in the 3rd round of the F.A. Cup at the weekend.

It is of course a big test for the blues and it serves as a useful barometer with regard to our recent progress I guess. If we win we will be headline news and if we draw we can take them back to fortress Portman Road in front of another bumper crowd!

If we lose,which is perhaps the most likely outcome, then it will not be the end of the world. In fact it could be argued that it would be a blessing in disguise. The risk of serious injuries to key players is always a major concern.

I think Mick McCarthy will box clever though. He has already said he will play reserve keeper Dean Gerken in goal and I don’t think he will risk Daryl Murphy or David McGoldrick in this one, though they could find themselves on the bench I suspect.

This might mean that Balint Bajner and Conor Sammon start up front and I would expect Stephen Hunt to be there from the start. Supporting the forwards I would think that Darren Ambrose would be selected and Luke Hyam is likely to get a place in the team as well I would imagine.

If more players are rested at the back then Jonathan Parr will make way for Tyrone Mings which would make him a less attractive proposition for Premier clubs as he would be cup tied from there on in.

Other players that might come into the frame are winger Stewart and Kevin Bru who surely will be in from the start against The Saints.

Whatever the result on Sunday we cannot really lose and we don’t say that too often!



Frank Weston – Editor Vital Ipswich