Who Do You Think Mick Will Pick?

The live televised game against Bournemouth tomorrow on Sky promises much in terms of entertainment.

If Town win and Derby beat Watford too, then it is ‘game-on’ for the blues and those automatic places once more!

Here is who I think he will pick and why.

1. Bartosz Bialkowski : This was an easy call, as the manager has already said that after two wins on the bounce there is no need to tinker too much in this department. I marginally prefer the Pole because of his quick distribution and confident handling.

13. Zeki Fryers : Once again no surprises here because Mick McCarthy has already said that with Tyrone Mings out with suspension and Jonathan Parr unlikely to play any part in proceedings, he has drafted in the former Manchester United left back as cover. Elliot Hewitt has been recalled by Colchester and could find a place on the bench as back-up but Fryers will start.

4. Luke Chambers : Captain fantastic is a centre half any day of the week but our manager will play him out of position as usual and with two clean sheets in a row this makes some sense I guess.

5. Tommy Smith : Surprisingly he was not selected by New Zealand last week and I suspect that Mick the Man was relieved about this because he has played well of late and with the prolonged break should return to the team as fresh as a daisy.

6. Christophe Berra : He sat out the last international game for Scotland so he will have not exerted himself either and will retain his place at the very centre of the Town defence as usual.

27. Teddy Bishop : This is a big ask for the youngster but he has proved that he can apply himself superbly in these pressure pot situations and with Kevin Bru out with a niggly injury, I feel sure he will get a start in midfield because his creativity can open doors for our attackers to exploit.

8. Cold Skuse : He may not be everybody’s cup of tea but he is more than just a stopper. In fact, there has been even signs of a rare goal in him of late with shots that have threatened but essentially he is the buffer zone between attack and defence. Remember Roger Osborne? He was the nearly man until he scored that winning goal at Wembley to lift the F.A. Cup for Town and he suddenly became a part of local folklore. It football sometimes lightening does occasionally strike twice!

18. Jay Tabb : Known to many simply as ‘Tabbs’ this little fellow makes up with endeavour what he lacks in skill and is one of the gaffer’s most trusted performers. For his size he has remarkable jumping prowess – often getting his head to balls that players almost twice his size cannot reach.

14. Richard Chaplow : After his last gasp winner against Watford the other week I suspect that Mick McCarthy will reward him with a start against The Cherries. He is a no-nonsense player with a brain in his head and not in his feet. Does the simple things well and is worth his place in the team in my view.

9.Daryl Murphy : It is a no brainer to see a team sheet without his name on it – unless he twists his ankle in training (God forbid) or something more sinister occurs? Murphs remains the top goalscorer in the Championship and will be looking to add to it tomorrow. An early strike would do very nicely to calm our nerves!

20. Freddie Sears : He has generally started at home and in a game that the manager will feel we have a good chance of winning, I believe he will partner Murphy tomorrow and the two of them working in tandem could terrorize the Cherries defence.

And I think the subs bench will look something like this:

1. Dean Gerken

10.David McGoldrick

11 Paul Anderson

12.Stephen Hunt

15.Luke Varney

28 Matt Clarke

50 Jonny Williams

Chris Wood has been on international duty with New Zealand and will not feature and Darren Ambrose is just returning to fitness and is still not quite right.

Elliot Hewitt may have found the subs bench under normal circumstances but the manager knows the importance of this game and the need to try to get all three points.

This will be an untypically attack-minded reserve bank but if the gamble works then the blues could be knocking on that automatic promotion door once more!

Agree or disagree? Tell me your team and why?




Frank Weston – Editor of Vital Ipswich