Ipswich Town vs Birmingham City Match Preview

[Charnwood]

Yes Lucy I am going Sunday, it will be a tense affair and a point would do very nicely indeed.

I have no idea how long Murphy needs the mask but hopefully not too long.

Spot on Mike, a draw would be a great result against a team on a run of five straight wins.

This run could work in our favour if they under estimate what to expect.

Looking at tonight goals it didn't look that difficult to have kept a clean sheet as both goals looked suspect and within Bialkowski's reach.

[Bluemike]

Exactly Andy, he had a mare and while I still believe barts to be a good keeper I really do think we need to consider Gerken coming back in at this moment in time. It wasnt just the two goals, he flapped at quite a bit first half too, one we got away with that he spilled in a crowded box was very lucky.

[Charnwood]

Exactly Andy, he had a mare and while I still believe barts to be a good keeper I really do think we need to consider Gerken coming back in at this moment in time. It wasnt just the two goals, he flapped at quite a bit first half too, one we got away with that he spilled in a crowded box was very lucky.

We certainly don't want a flappy keeper on Sunday at Carrow Road where I suspect we will get bombarded and will need a high degree of concentration at the back.

To be honest after struggling against lowly opposition it'd just the sort of place we go to and spring a surprise.

How good would that be.

With Skuse injured maybe we'll sign Knockeart tomorrow, have a shuffle found to accomodate him and he scores the winner on his debut.

[hallamblue]

Fantastic 3 points, but boy do we make it hard for ourseleves. One thing you can be sure of. Defend like that sunday and the scum will stuff us! Our GK is looking decidedly dodgy now and the back four uncharacteristically shaky, and we must sort this by the weekend.

As Mike has said Sears is a breath of fresh air up front. Had McG been in the side the result would have been a draw at best. He simply cant run, and rarely even bothers to try now. For me Sears : Murphy is the front two paring and McGokdrick Could be dynamite sitting just in behind those front two.


Sunday.

...........................Bart...............................

Parr.........Chambo ......Berra........Mings

............................Skuse.......................

........................Bru..............Tabb..................

............................McGoldrick..........................

....................Sears.............................Murphy............

[Shed on tour]

Exactly Andy, he had a mare and while I still believe barts to be a good keeper I really do think we need to consider Gerken coming back in at this moment in time. It wasnt just the two goals, he flapped at quite a bit first half too, one we got away with that he spilled in a crowded box was very lucky.

Not making excuses for Bart as he was poor tonight but it doesn't help the situation with the defence looking so shaky at this moment in time either.

There seems to be a complete lack of confidence at the back and it needs sorting quickly. Fortunately Sears was really on his game tonight and was impressed with Chaplow's contribution when he came on.

[hallamblue]

Exactly Andy, he had a mare and while I still believe barts to be a good keeper I really do think we need to consider Gerken coming back in at this moment in time. It wasnt just the two goals, he flapped at quite a bit first half too, one we got away with that he spilled in a crowded box was very lucky.

We certainly don't want a flappy keeper on Sunday at Carrow Road where I suspect we will get bombarded and will need a high degree of concentration at the back.

To be honest after struggling against lowly opposition it'd just the sort of place we go to and spring a surprise.

How good would that be.
With Skuse injured maybe we'll sign Knockeart tomorrow, have a shuffle found to accomodate him and he scores the winner on his debut.

Mick has apparently said in post match interview, no signings before derby game.

[Charnwood]

Fantastic 3 points, but boy do we make it hard for ourseleves. One thing you can be sure of. Defend like that sunday and the scum will stuff us! Our GK is looking decidedly dodgy now and the back four uncharacteristically shaky, and we must sort this by the weekend.

As Mike has said Sears is a breath of fresh air up front. Had McG been in the side the result would have been a draw at best. He simply cant run, and rarely even bothers to try now. For me Sears : Murphy is the front two paring and McGokdrick Could be dynamite sitting just in behind those front two.


Sunday.

...........................Bart...............................

Parr.........Chambo ......Berra........Mings

............................Skuse.......................

........................Bru..............Tabb..................

............................McGoldrick..........................

....................Sears.............................Murphy............

I can't see MM going 4-3-3 on Sunday, I think he'd see that as far too risky.

[hallamblue]

Some of our best football this season was when we went with 3 strikers and a midfield like that with williams in pulling the strings. If we try and defend for 90 mins to nick a point we will get hammered. They are now bang in form, and we are not. Lucky barstewards are getting us just at the right time now.

[arana peligrosa]

Very important three points particularly as most other promotion chasers won also ? Four goals and not a Murphy strike in sight, it must have been quite an evening. Still believe inconsistency is our biggest enemy but we'll take tonight into the derby game and give it our best shot.

This should indeed go to the end of season but as always, we have ourselves a good opportunity here and had they offered the current situation back in August, we'd have taken their hands off. Does (only) 17,000 represent a disappointing crowd ? Yes it's a week game under lights but would have imagined maybe one or two more could have made up the numbers. Those who did attend, got their moneys worth.

That aside, and some degree of defensive concerns from reading various post-match comments, it's an impressive victory that keeps us in contention and with still very much to play for.

[Bluemike]

On thing I am pleased about is that if Skuse doesnt make it Sunday Chaplow looked more than able, I was really surprised at this.

[herforder]

Great game for the neutral! My blood pressure just about returned to normal.

No doubt the result, and the points, the most important thing. But MM's judgement regarding Sears and Chaplow proven to be spot on. Sears looked like a £M striker, whilst Chaplow clearly possesses that bit of quality most have been demanding. If we do manage to get Knokaert in, then that potentially strengthens us further. All achieved without significant outlay of ME's hard-earned!

Great night, great support, great result, Well done to the lads. Onwards now to Sunday - bugger BP's gone up again!

[number 9]

Great result! Nice to hear the down-low on Chaplow...I think I said he'd be brilliant for us. I know it's risky, but I think we should go for IT against those yellow and green buggers. They'll be expecting us to park the bus and play for a draw. Personally, I'd have McGoldrick on the bench...but I do agree with the 4-3-3. At least start with the attack, and if we go 2-0 down retreat and regroup. I hope Bish was just getting a rest in preparation for the Nodge game. I'd like to see him just behind Murph/Sears.

Here's a chant for our young Freddie since he has short hair...

"He doesn't need the shears!, He doesn't need the shears!, He's Freddie Sears!!!"

[Bluemike]

If we go 4-3-3 I believe they will rip us apart in Midfield, especially if Skuse is out, we have to stick 4-4-2 for this particular game, I believe by and large they play a Diamond and I can see us getting overrun with 4-3-3 formation.

If sKuse is out I would go with

Bialkowski (Last chance saloon)

Chambers Smith Berra Mings

Anderson Bru Tabb Chaplow

Sears Murphy

[number 9]

If we go 4-3-3 I believe they will rip us apart in Midfield, especially if Skuse is out, we have to stick 4-4-2 for this particular game, I believe by and large they play a Diamond and I can see us getting overrun with 4-3-3 formation.

If sKuse is out I would go with

Bialkowski (Last chance saloon)

Chambers Smith Berra Mings

Anderson Bru Tabb Chaplow

Sears Murphy

Yep, and that's exactly what they'll be expecting.

[Bluemike]

Maybe, but it's tried and trusted by and large.

[Mr.Punch]

at long last i got to see us win!
really enjoyed the game, just close enough to make it interesting until the last minute winner.
i would agree with others about sears and chaplow - mm does it again.
the sear's goals were exceptionally well taken, he is a class player.
i also liked donaldson who was super-fast.

onwards to carrot road, this time on the telly - i can see a sneaky win, it's about time we put them in their place!

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

If we go 4-3-3 I believe they will rip us apart in Midfield, especially if Skuse is out, we have to stick 4-4-2 for this particular game, I believe by and large they play a Diamond and I can see us getting overrun with 4-3-3 formation.

If sKuse is out I would go with

Bialkowski (Last chance saloon)

Chambers Smith Berra Mings

Anderson Bru Tabb Chaplow

Sears Murphy

Yep, and that's exactly what they'll be expecting.

That's too many square pegs in round holes for me. I would go with the following:

Bialkowski
Parr Chambers Berra Mings
Tabb Bru Chaplow
McGoldrick
Sears Murphy

[Bluemike]

I wouldnt argue with that side at all but I know that he will not drop Smith unfortunately.

[hallamblue]

If we go 4-3-3 I believe they will rip us apart in Midfield, especially if Skuse is out, we have to stick 4-4-2 for this particular game, I believe by and large they play a Diamond and I can see us getting overrun with 4-3-3 formation.

If sKuse is out I would go with

Bialkowski (Last chance saloon)

Chambers Smith Berra Mings

Anderson Bru Tabb Chaplow

Sears Murphy

Yep, and that's exactly what they'll be expecting.

Apart from chaplow for skuse thats exactly the team i went for!
That's too many square pegs in round holes for me. I would go with the following:

Bialkowski
Parr Chambers Berra Mings
Tabb Bru Chaplow
McGoldrick
Sears Murphy

[hallamblue]

I wouldnt argue with that side at all but I know that he will not drop Smith unfortunately.

You argued with it when i posted it , lol !

[Bluemike]

I wouldnt argue with that side at all but I know that he will not drop Smith unfortunately.

You argued with it when i posted it , lol !

I dont think we should play it !!! But I dont argue that it is a good looking side on the face of it.

[number 9]

I almost think Sears should be in that back up role. He can score goals, but his passing and link up play is much better than DM? I still say 4-3-3...now is the time to turn up the gas(petrol)! So what if we lose...just go for IT!

[Bluemike]

You aren't Kevin Keegan by any chance ???

[herforder]

You aren't Kevin Keegan by any chance ???

" I would just love it if we beat them. Just love it!"