Ipswich Town vs Wigan Athletic Match Preview

[Charnwood]

So much for the benefit's of having a 10 day break. Injured in training, FFS what's that all about.

McGoldrick & Sears it is then?

I wouldnt rule out Noel Hunt maybe starting?

That is of course the other option which had crossed my mind.

In Mick we have to trust to get it right cos we can't afford another slip up after losing two of our last three games.

[lucy]

Heated Tent is on the pitch ready for the game.

[alants32]

No Murphy, so presumably two out of McGoldrick, Sears and Noel Hunt- we'd better not be a long ball team tomorrow!
It'll be interesting to see how we adapt.

[marko69]

Heated Tent is on the pitch ready for the game.

Heated Tent? With a name like that, he sounds American.

Lucy, go tell him he's way too early and to go home and eat some burgers, Mick will call him in the morning.

[lucy]

Heated Tent is on the pitch ready for the game.

Heated Tent? With a name like that, he sounds American.

Lucy, go tell him he's way too early and to go home and eat some burgers, Mick will call him in the morning.

It's good thing it's on as the weather in Ipswich has gone very cold.

[Charnwood]

Heated Tent is on the pitch ready for the game.

Heated Tent? With a name like that, he sounds American.

Lucy, go tell him he's way too early and to go home and eat some burgers, Mick will call him in the morning.

It's good thing it's on as the weather in Ipswich has gone very cold.

It could be worse it's deep snow here, and even worse the golf course is closed for the second day running.

[The Don]

3-1 win easy. No problems. Especially seeing as I'm not going, we're liable to have an incredible game.

Caption: Boss, will you think I'm a tart if I have this one pierced?

Good work again boys. Great read.

Oh Marko, do I get bonus points if I'm the one who does the banning?

[marko69]

Don, there is a very rude caption in that photo but no one has said it yet!

[Bluemike]

I didnt know the feelgood factor had gone away Charny ? One point off the top and all to play for, we should be buzzing.

As for tomorrow Mcgoldrick needs to get his arse in gear and stop bloody moping about the pitch like a spoilt brat, he has been in Murphy's shadow all season and now has the chance to grab some of the limelight he so craves. At his best he can be unplayable, we just never see it now. I suspect he will partner N.Hunt up front from the off with sears waiting in the wings should it not be going to plan.

[The Don]

Don, there is a very rude caption in that photo but no one has said it yet!

I'm encouraging nothing

[herforder]

Murph's absence will impact on our midfield in terms of reducing aerial delivery options, quality balls to feet, please; with the odd midfielder trying to break past the strikers - I know, we live in hope

It might also influence MM's starting formation: three at the back, wing-backs, Sears playing just behind McG and Hunt? Probably unlikely, but an option to change to if needs must.

Believe we will/must beat Wigan: 2-0.

Murph's injury does reinforce, however, the small and fragile nature of our squad. He is a hugely important cog in the game we play - not only for his goals. But, hopefully, out of adversity........

[Frosty]

Don, there is a very rude caption in that photo but no one has said it yet!

"You are not going to believe what I got stuck in my teeth!"

Or something along those lines


???????

[lucy]

Things not going our way Bournemouth currently beating Watford 2-0

[marko69]

Don, there is a very rude caption in that photo but no one has said it yet!

"You are not going to believe what I got stuck in my teeth!"

Or something along those lines


???????

Not quite mate.

Ten points to whoever comes up with the best worded caption but linking his gesture with his tattoo.

[Charnwood]

I didnt know the feelgood factor had gone away Charny ? One point off the top and all to play for, we should be buzzing.

As for tomorrow Mcgoldrick needs to get his arse in gear and stop bloody moping about the pitch like a spoilt brat, he has been in Murphy's shadow all season and now has the chance to grab some of the limelight he so craves. At his best he can be unplayable, we just never see it now. I suspect he will partner N.Hunt up front from the off with sears waiting in the wings should it not be going to plan.

Maybe you didn't lose any buzz dropping 6 points from 9 Mike, but rightly or wrongly I did. I hoped for a minimum 5 points from those three games and didn't see us losing to both Derby at Portman Road or struggling Brighton away.

I know we should be grateful to be where we are but a couple of extra points in those games could well make a big difference come the end of the season.

I'm happy to "feel good" all of the time, but to be honest I feel much better when we win than when we lose.

Hoping to feel much more positive after a 2-0 win or better tomorrow.

[Bluemike]

No of course I wasnt happy to lose two games but as you know I predicted a defeat and a draw so not surprised at all tbh. It was down to the ref we lost one of them so all is still fine with me. A win tomorrow and we will be a single point off top spot again, very happy with that as long as we do it.

[J4ck22]

Is our squad really that small? I feel quite confident in the depth that we have tbh. Murphy is out but we still have McGoldrick, Hunt and Sears who are all good players. We have a ton of depth in midfield, but maybe lack a bit at the back but that's never really been an issue. But yeah, i've seen a lot of people worrying about the size of the squad, but I don't think it's bad at all and it's miles better than what we had last season.

[arana peligrosa]

Surely McCarthy won't receive another MOTM award regardless of what occurs in this game. January has been a poor month and hopes would have been high over the recent holiday period. We're still in a very good position but Bournemouth getting a result it would seem today is disappointing to learn. There is still a handful of 'winnable' games ahead after this including matches with Sheffield Wednesday and Rotherham, but it's merely on paper as of yet and Brighton Hove Albion provided a clear example that no opposition should be talked up as a done deal before play. The games with Norwich and Middlesbrough in March could be the critical point of the season and if we can manage two wins over those opposition, we'll at least have secured a play-off berth.

[Bluemike]

Is our squad really that small? I feel quite confident in the depth that we have tbh. Murphy is out but we still have McGoldrick, Hunt and Sears who are all good players. We have a ton of depth in midfield, but maybe lack a bit at the back but that's never really been an issue. But yeah, i've seen a lot of people worrying about the size of the squad, but I don't think it's bad at all and it's miles better than what we had last season.

I agree, I seem to be in the minority over squad size so I am glad it was you that brought it up. I don't believe we are a small squad at all, clearly there are teams out there with massive squads but by and large i think ours is fine. Much is written of the need for another striker but that would mean t least one and possibly two sitting in the stand every week so the quality of player you will attract won't improve the squad much at all. I am more than happy with what we have, it has served us well up to now and I see no reason why it should change.

[lucy]

It's snowing alot in Ipswich good thing they put Tent on

[alants32]

Is our squad really that small? I feel quite confident in the depth that we have tbh. Murphy is out but we still have McGoldrick, Hunt and Sears who are all good players. We have a ton of depth in midfield, but maybe lack a bit at the back but that's never really been an issue. But yeah, i've seen a lot of people worrying about the size of the squad, but I don't think it's bad at all and it's miles better than what we had last season.

I agree, I seem to be in the minority over squad size so I am glad it was you that brought it up. I don't believe we are a small squad at all, clearly there are teams out there with massive squads but by and large i think ours is fine. Much is written of the need for another striker but that would mean t least one and possibly two sitting in the stand every week so the quality of player you will attract won't improve the squad much at all. I am more than happy with what we have, it has served us well up to now and I see no reason why it should change.

I agree- it's not a huge squad, but in terms of quality Mick's improving all the time- much better than even the start of the season.
Had Murphy been injured two months ago we'd be choosing between Sammon and Bajner- now it's Noel Hunt or Sears. I know which two I prefer!

[Bluemike]

It's snowing alot in Ipswich good thing they put Tent on

Just stopped where I am and the sun is trying to come out. We will be fine I think.

[lucy]

More expected 3-6 but you can never rely on a Weather forecast

[herforder]

Don, there is a very rude caption in that photo but no one has said it yet!

"You are not going to believe what I got stuck in my teeth!"

Or something along those lines


???????

See my effort earlier on - right along those lines!

[herforder]

Is our squad really that small? I feel quite confident in the depth that we have tbh. Murphy is out but we still have McGoldrick, Hunt and Sears who are all good players. We have a ton of depth in midfield, but maybe lack a bit at the back but that's never really been an issue. But yeah, i've seen a lot of people worrying about the size of the squad, but I don't think it's bad at all and it's miles better than what we had last season.

I agree, I seem to be in the minority over squad size so I am glad it was you that brought it up. I don't believe we are a small squad at all, clearly there are teams out there with massive squads but by and large i think ours is fine. Much is written of the need for another striker but that would mean t least one and possibly two sitting in the stand every week so the quality of player you will attract won't improve the squad much at all. I am more than happy with what we have, it has served us well up to now and I see no reason why it should change.

Agree priority is not necessarily another striker, although we have nobody who can fill Murph's role, including the additional quality he brings in defending corners and set pieces. MM will always be trying to improve the quality of the squad. His recent comments about bringing in J Williams - or presumably a player of his quality - 'like a shot' were he to become available underlines the point. Of course it's a fine balancing act, but improving quality of our attacking midfield, and being able to sustain the options that Murph brings to our overall game, is something I would imagine being on MM's radar.

[Bluemike]

Personally I think it would be madness to bring another Midfielder in, attacking or otherwise. We have a plethora of them at the club. I believe only Three teams in the Championship have scored more goals than us so the creation of all these goals is coming from somewhere.

[Charnwood]

If you look closely at our squad the biggest weakness in terms of cover is our defence where we only appear to have any four from five to choose from. (unless i'm missing one or two).

Who else do we have other than Parr, Berra, Smith, Chambers & Mings.

Most of the competition in the Championship have at least 8 defenders to choose from, I just wonder who would play if we had one of the above injured and another suspended which is a realistic scenario between now and the end of the season.

Surely I must be missing at least one player, hopefully two?

[James Scharmann]

What a blow have Murphy out injured today not what we needed but hopefully have enough.

[barmy billy]

Is our squad really that small? I feel quite confident in the depth that we have tbh. Murphy is out but we still have McGoldrick, Hunt and Sears who are all good players. We have a ton of depth in midfield, but maybe lack a bit at the back but that's never really been an issue. But yeah, i've seen a lot of people worrying about the size of the squad, but I don't think it's bad at all and it's miles better than what we had last season.

I agree, I seem to be in the minority over squad size so I am glad it was you that brought it up. I don't believe we are a small squad at all, clearly there are teams out there with massive squads but by and large i think ours is fine. Much is written of the need for another striker but that would mean t least one and possibly two sitting in the stand every week so the quality of player you will attract won't improve the squad much at all. I am more than happy with what we have, it has served us well up to now and I see no reason why it should change.

Agree priority is not necessarily another striker, although we have nobody who can fill Murph's role, including the additional quality he brings in defending corners and set pieces. MM will always be trying to improve the quality of the squad. His recent comments about bringing in J Williams - or presumably a player of his quality - 'like a shot' were he to become available underlines the point. Of course it's a fine balancing act, but improving quality of our attacking midfield, and being able to sustain the options that Murph brings to our overall game, is something I would imagine being on MM's radar.

I wish we could get rid of this Williams fixation that seems to exist amongst some on here. I really feel that he is not that good and bringing him back would disrupt our pattern of play

[herforder]

It was MM who talked about bringing Williams back if the chance arose - he clearly rates him. Personally, I feel that he's a bit lightweight for the rough and tumble of the Championship, prone to picking up injuries and a target for the opposition.

However, with just 19 fit squad players for today's game, only able to name 6 subs against Millwall, our form dipping slightly recently and with 19 or so games to go, bringing in the right, quality, additions might help us continue the momentum. (Not necessarily JW, though!). This is to take nothing away from the truly outstanding efforts to date from MM/TC and the lads. In the final shake-out, I guess we should trust MM's astute judgement.