Town to Field Strong Side

[Dazza]

Manager Joe Royle says that he will field as strong a side as possible when the Blues face Portsmouth in the FA Cup on Saturday. The Town boss says that his team have progressed in recent matches.

Royle told the club site: "I said a few weeks ago that I could see signs that we were beginning to turn the corner and that has been further enhanced over the last few days.

"The players were outstanding at Stoke on Monday and I have been encouraged by our recent performances.

"We will be looking to build on those displays when we take on Portsmouth on Saturday in the greatest cup competition of them all - the FA Cup.

"We are waiting to see who will be fit and have limited options in attack, where Danny Haynes is currently our only fit striker.

"Nicky Forster may be back but Dean McDonald is Cup-tied and Adam Proudlock has had a reaction after playing the last few minutes at Stoke.

"We have players available in midfield though, and will have a head count on Friday, but I will be looking at playing the strongest team available to me and we intend to have a real go.

"Portsmouth may be looking to rest players with Premiership survival their priority, but I saw our reserves play down there a few weeks back and they had international players in that team.

"They will have plenty of players looking to come in and make an impact, so I'm expecting a real test and an exciting game. There's always something special about the FA Cup and particularly third round day."

[crazee]

lets hope pompey go the other way, a weak side so we can go though

[Vaughan8]

I'm glad! Ipswich could do with a good cup run if not for the fact we would be winning games, but also from a financial point of view!

[uefacup81]

Good to see that kinda news going into a cup game for a change. It would be good to put a run together for once and earn some cold hard cash. Then again, how will it affect the rest of our season?

[TODD66]

Manager Joe Royle says that he will field as strong a side as possible when the Blues face Portsmouth in the FA Cup on Saturday. The Town boss says that his team have progressed in recent matches.

Royle told the club site: "I said a few weeks ago that I could see signs that we were beginning to turn the corner and that has been further enhanced over the last few days.

"The players were outstanding at Stoke on Monday and I have been encouraged by our recent performances.

"We will be looking to build on those displays when we take on Portsmouth on Saturday in the greatest cup competition of them all - the FA Cup.

"We are waiting to see who will be fit and have limited options in attack, where Danny Haynes is currently our only fit striker.

"Nicky Forster may be back but Dean McDonald is Cup-tied and Adam Proudlock has had a reaction after playing the last few minutes at Stoke.

"We have players available in midfield though, and will have a head count on Friday, but I will be looking at playing the strongest team available to me and we intend to have a real go.

"Portsmouth may be looking to rest players with Premiership survival their priority, but I saw our reserves play down there a few weeks back and they had international players in that team.

"They will have plenty of players looking to come in and make an impact, so I'm expecting a real test and an exciting game. There's always something special about the FA Cup and particularly third round day."

and whos fault would that be Joe

Nice to hear that we are going to field a strong a side as possible, but what price a little forethought

[the-mole]

Seems allowing McDonald to play for Hartlepool in the cup has come back to haunt us!!!

With the way our luck was going this season that was a stupid decision to make. If he was going on a long term loan then fair enough but the lad was only there a month.

Now it could be that having him available could have been the difference between us going through or not.

But if he isn't fit I am all for throwing someone like westlake in attack. The lad can score goals and hopefully will chase everything and put real pressure on the pompey backline!!

[Bluebird]

But if he isn't fit I am all for throwing someone like westlake in attack. The lad can score goals and hopefully will chase everything and put real pressure on the pompey backline!!

Isn't that why Joe put Currie up front?

[Col-Blue]

But if he isn't fit I am all for throwing someone like westlake in attack. The lad can score goals and hopefully will chase everything and put real pressure on the pompey backline!!

Isn't that why Joe put Currie up front?

His pace would really show them up

[squiz18]

But if he isn't fit I am all for throwing someone like westlake in attack. The lad can score goals and hopefully will chase everything and put real pressure on the pompey backline!!

Isn't that why Joe put Currie up front?

probably the best place for him. He can still set up goals but without being in the middle so he hasnt got to tackle many people. Because he cant do it.

[ITFC10]

Pompey will be more intrested in the League

Whilst a good Cup run would be good for ourselves, get some extra cash coming in.

[GavITFC]

Seems allowing McDonald to play for Hartlepool in the cup has come back to haunt us!!!

With the way our luck was going this season that was a stupid decision to make. If he was going on a long term loan then fair enough but the lad was only there a month.

Now it could be that having him available could have been the difference between us going through or not.

But if he isn't fit I am all for throwing someone like westlake in attack. The lad can score goals and hopefully will chase everything and put real pressure on the pompey backline!!

I knew it would! it was a ridiculous decision to allow him to play!!

[Tim]

Lets hope a good cup run will bring in some money, boast morale in the dressing room and most importantly bring results in the league

[Missblue]

Is Bowditch injured??

[Kheffan]

Manager Joe Royle says that he will field as strong a side as possible when the Blues face Portsmouth in the FA Cup on Saturday. The Town boss says that his team have progressed in recent matches.

Royle told the club site: "I said a few weeks ago that I could see signs that we were beginning to turn the corner and that has been further enhanced over the last few days.

"The players were outstanding at Stoke on Monday and I have been encouraged by our recent performances.

"We will be looking to build on those displays when we take on Portsmouth on Saturday in the greatest cup competition of them all - the FA Cup.

"We are waiting to see who will be fit and have limited options in attack, where Danny Haynes is currently our only fit striker.

"Nicky Forster may be back but Dean McDonald is Cup-tied and Adam Proudlock has had a reaction after playing the last few minutes at Stoke.

"We have players available in midfield though, and will have a head count on Friday, but I will be looking at playing the strongest team available to me and we intend to have a real go.

"Portsmouth may be looking to rest players with Premiership survival their priority, but I saw our reserves play down there a few weeks back and they had international players in that team.

"They will have plenty of players looking to come in and make an impact, so I'm expecting a real test and an exciting game. There's always something special about the FA Cup and particularly third round day."

shouldn't that be the matter of course of all games?

[Earl Blue]

Pompey will be more intrested in the League

Whilst a good Cup run would be good for ourselves, get some extra cash coming in.

I dont think Harry Redknapp will have the same
thinking. My personal feeling is he will field his
strongest possible side as the FANS wont be happy if he did the
opposite.