Seven points and five places off the play-off positions, many see Ipswich’s match against Blackpool as win or bust if the Blues are to mount a serious challenge for the play-offs in the business end of the season.
Last weekend’s 3-0 defeat away to Swansea condemned Town to their tenth league defeat of the season, and with fifteen games to go in the Championship, the Blues cannot afford too many more slip ups.
Having won promotion from League One via the play-offs in the 2006/07 season, opponents Blackpool will still probably settle for steering clear of the relegation zone and currently sit 15th in the table on 37 points – six behind Ipswich. James Coppinger scored halfway through the second-half for Doncaster to give them a 3-2 win over Blackpool.
Two months ago, Simon Grayson resigned from his role as manager at the Seasiders to become boss at Leeds United. Tony Parkes is currently in charge of the Tangerines on a caretaker basis.
From the Dugouts:
Manager Jim Magilton is looking for his side to return to winning ways at Portman Road. Ipswich have drawn their last two, against Sheffield Wednesday and Plymouth. The Irishman told the club site: ‘I’m looking for us to bounce back and bounce back in style with three points against Blackpool.’
He also realises that Ipswich have got to start turning draws into wins with just fifteen games to go this season: ‘I said after the 90 minutes at the Liberty Stadium that these two home matches are must win games and while I’d still believe we could make the play-offs even if we didn’t pick up six points, it’s clear that we have to start closing the gap on the clubs above us now.
‘Some people will have written us off already but we have 15 games and 45 points still to play for, and things can turn around very quickly in this league.
‘Two wins over the next week and we will be back in the mix again so that has to be the target.’
Meanwhile, Tangerines caretaker boss Tony Parkes is looking to stop Ipswich scoring at their home ground: ‘We’ve had a clean sheet then conceded three goals, then got a clean sheet and conceded three goals again, so hopefully we’ll get a clean sheet again this week and kick-on from there.
‘An early goal anywhere is a crucial goal, I think first goals in our games are quite crucial. We’ll try and keep the crowd quiet, that’s the idea.
‘Ipswich can easily turn it on and pick results up but it’s down to us to make sure that we get something form the game.’
Ipswich Town Team News:
Richard Wright will be in goal, with the back four likely to remain the same from the past few games. However, conceding three goals to Swansea could tempt manager Jim Magilton into a change or two at the back, although the defence as a whole appears to be improving together game-by-game, especially the centre-back pairing of Gareth McAuley and Pim Balkestein.
Mortiz Volz returns to the squad following a groin injury, and he will be pushing Alex Bruce for the right-back spot. Ivan Campo is still out injured though, but could return to training next week as he steps up his rehabilitation from a torn calf.
Jon Walters had a disappointing half against the Swans and was subbed at half-time. Last season’s Player of the Season could be dropped after a less productive 2008/09 campaign, meaning that Danny Haynes could start on the right of midfield.
David Norris and Alan Quinn will miss the game after both picking up their fifth booking of the season. Owen Garvan could start on the left of midfield, as could Jon Stead or Walters.
Liam Trotter’s loan move to Scunthorpe United is on hold, and could get a place in the squad, while Tommy Miller, Garvan and Veliche Shumulikoski, who scored his one and only for the club against Blackpool at Portman Road last season, are all vying for the centre-midfield spots.
Luciano Civelli is still way short of match fitness, but could make a cameo role from the bench. However, it still remains very unlikely that the Argentine will be named on the bench after looking off the pace when playing for the reserves in midweek.
In that second string game, Ipswich beat the Colchester United reserves 9-2, mainly down to four goals from Dean Bowditch. With Town struggling for a regular front two pairing this season, Bowditch could make a shock start.
However, two from Pablo Counago, Jon Stead and Kevin Lisbie are most likely to start the match.
Player to watch: Dean Bowditch
When was the last time he started a league game for Ipswich? It seems like an age, but Deano could be given a shock start against the Tangerines and will no doubt be looking to win himself another contract at Portman Road.
Blackpool Team News:
The Seasiders are without midfielder Charlie Adam, on-loan from Rangers after being shown a straight red in their 3-2 defeat to Donny last weekend. It was the fourth game in a row that the Tangerines had ended a game with ten men for one reason or another.
Keeper Paul Rachubka returns after a one-match ban, while midfielder Claus Jorgensen is back after missing three games through suspension.
Rob Edwards and Francesco Carratta could start, with Ben Burgess and Keith Southern both out injured.
Player to watch: Paul Marshall
Usually full of tenacity and fight in centre midfield, Ipswich will have to assign someone a role to nullify the threat of Marshall.
Statto:
Ipswich Town: LDWWD
Blackpool: LWLWL
Ipswich have beaten Blackpool six times (four in the league at Portman Road), drawn six (two) and losing two (never at home).
David Norris scored the only goal of the game to give Town a 1-0 win at Bloomfield Road. He landed himself in hot water after the match though because he celebrated with the infamous ‘handcuffs gesture’ in support of his jailed ex-teammate Luke McCormick.
Ref Watch:
Phil Crossley will be in charge of this one. He refereed Town earlier in the season, when they drew 2-2 away at Southampton.
Match Prediction:
I truly do believe that Ipswich will return to winning ways at Portman Road on Valentines Day, but we should certainly not write off Blackpool. I think that they could cause Town a few problems, especially if the home side don’t score an early goal, but the Blues have enough quality and I predict a 3-0 win.
Up Next…
…Ipswich take on Nottingham Forest at Portman Road on Wednesday 18th February with a 7.45pm kick-off. Full ticket details for the Forest game available on the Town website here.
