Ok pop pickers, this weekends top 10 sees recent climbers Cardiff City entering the chart at number 10 and chomping at the bit to take on not quite chart topping, but very much in-form Ipswich Town in a Saturday lunchtime showdown at the CCS (and live on Sky of course). The Tractor boys are riding high again after a few minor wobbles, racking up an impressive maximum of 18 points from the last 18 on offer. Indeed Town last tasted defeat at the hands of Preston, in a 3-2 loss at Deepdale back on the 3rd of Feb with all this pointing towards another very tough task for our own improving band of warriors. If there was one small piece of solace we could seek it is that Ipswich to like to concede a goal or two and even the Wurzels (who we looked relatively at ease against) were unlucky not to come away with some points in mid-week after taking the lead twice against the home side. I must however take my hat off to Kieran McKenna and his team. I don't think anyone would have predicted their promotion charge lasting this long, especially when they were looking a little shaky a couple of months ago (including their humiliating loss at home in the FA Cup to Maidstone), but fair play, they have recruited well (not least by nicking our No'1 transfer target in January) and to be battling it out with the 'big boys' is quite some achievement. Last Time Out Our last meeting saw the Bluebirds fall to an unfortunate 3-2 defeat with two of Ipswich’s goals being a little fortunate in many ways, especially the ultimate winner. The City had taken an impressive 2-0 lead early into the 2nd half, only to see Ipswich hit back through Welsh International Nathan Broadhead with another 2 goals coming from Ladapo, the 2nd of which a cruel deflection off City keeper Runarsson’s save which went onto Ladapo as he was running in, forcing the ball over the then stranded City man – a cruel blow for sure. Our last home defeat to Ipswich was way back in 2011, since then we’ve played 6 further home ties against the Tractor Boys, winning 4 of them, 3 of which have been by 3-1 margins, can we do the same again this season? Bulut's Bulletin After 3 wins on the spin and no defeat in 4 (I can barely believe I'm typing those words) will we see the gaffer change things up yet again? It appears that Jak Alnwick is available again but he surely won't oust Ethan Horvath given the American has settled in between the sticks pretty well now, keeping clean sheets in 3 of the last 4 matches? It's been confirmed that Callum Robinson, Kion Etete and Mark McGuiness are all out until after the international break along with Aaron Ramsey of course, so the backline will pretty much pick itself with Wilson-Esbrand most likely continuing in place of Jamilu Collins. Midfield may see tweaks again, I suspect with Siopis possibly coming back in for Wintle, but you'd think Turbull, who looked pretty good on Wednesday night, will retain his place in the '10' role. Up top it'd be no surprise to see Diedhiou starting this time around following his 1st goal for the club in mid-week , we can only hope that it sparks a bit more life and energy in him because goal aside, I thought he looked like a more cumbersome version of another striker we had on loan recently! What Are The Odds On That? I did consider giving my old mate Delia a quick ring to ask her where she was and did she fancy flashing the odds up again for me but as it is, as I was just about to make the call the gaffer himself turned up and said he wanted to show me something outside in the CCS car park, apparently he thinks thought it may be some kind of omen.... (P.S. I'm wondering if the farm machine enthusiasts among us can work out what a Basak is?? - There's always Google if not). Well I Never Did you know that just a short bus-ride from Ipswich city centre, you’ll find the “Castle on the Hill” made famous by Ginger Tractor Boy Ed Sheeran. The castle is one of Suffolk’s most historic landmarks, dating back to the 12th century and once home to Mary Tudor. One look at Framlingham Castle’s tall battlements and it’s easy to see why Mary Tudor chose to gather her troops here before marching to London to claim the throne. You can even walk along its precipitous outer walls to get beautiful views over the Suffolk landscape. Though they don’t compare to Cardiff Bay or the view from the back of the Ninian Stand of course! Also, St Lawrence Church, Ipswich, houses the oldest circle of church bells in the world. Known locally as Wolsey’s Bells, they were cast in the 15th century – meaning their sonorous chimes would have been heard by the young Cardinal himself. We can only hope the Ipswich keeper drops a clanger or two in our favour on Saturday eh? Sharing The Love Time again is alas short, plus I'm becoming a lazy old bugger in my old age so another game of guess who for you this weekend - and no clues this time because Nin is far too good at it!!! Couple of possibly slightly more obscure ones and (small clue alert) I believe they have all now retired from playing... So, will we plough a furrow to victory over the Tractor Boys? Can we keep Kieffer quiet and Suffolk'ate his supply lines?? And will the Bluebirds end up singing like Canaries in celebration of an Ipswich loss come the final whistle??? All I know is we're back on the Bulut train and are gliding nicely to safety, so fingers crossed nothing derails us too much this weekend........ Blooooooooooooooooooooobirds!!!!!!! \0/<0>\0/<0>\0/<0>\0/<0>\0/<0>\0/<0>\0/<0>\0/
Fab stuff again Brizzle Ok I reckon they’re Emyr Huws, Ginger Collins, Tom Adeyami, Alan Mahon & Mark Kennedy
Great work as ever BB. Ipswich fans very cocky on the score prediction thread. Time to bring them down a few pegs.
Spot on again Nin . Can see I'm going to have to look for the REALLY obscure ones in future!!! Massively tough game ahead, but if we can stop them from creating too much then we may be in with half a shout. We know they'll keep fighting to the end though so very big performance needed.
Always up for a challenge Interesting team selection for Bulut. Will he pick same starting midfield? Turnbull didn’t shine midweek whereas I made Wintle my MOM. Will he start with Colwill and ODowda? Maybe Grant through the middle as goal aside Diedhiou offers little? Hope City don’t look for that red carpet they rolled out v Leicester & Leeds, hopefully it’s been sent to Lamby Way tip. Go toe to toe with them; they’ll be looking to make it 7 in a row to keep the heat on Leeds so there should be gaps at the back to take advantage of and as Brizzle said they do concede.
Are you Glen Williams? Wintle is a dog in the better sense of the word. He's more controlled than Vaulks, far more invovled than Sawyers and shows far more interest than Bacuna, but none of that would be difficult. Ralls is more intense to his own downfall on times but Turnbull looks the business to me. Give him a few more starts rather bringing him on for the last 15 minutes and he'll be one of the first on the team sheet. I'll echo an earlier post of mine - I just don't know what to make of Colwill. He needs to sort his legs and feet out before he engages shooting mode.
Thanks for the compliment I saw it as I saw it. Wintle has tremendous stamina and more pace than our other CM’s. Ralls and Turnbull have no pace. As for Colwill. He is ungainly but is our only fit player again as I see it with that X factor in our squad. We know he can score goals with shots but just not enough; that driving run in 2nd half by way of example. Another player to use your description is Tanner. How many times does he waste good work with a poor final touch?
Wintle is the safe option which seems Bulut's way - Siopis' raw energy for me every time, though I admit he can be reckless on times. Ralls (if fit enough) and Turnbull should start every game. You are correct about Tanner - he's Colwill without the talent.
Nervous about the giant Moore, perhaps if we can persuade him to meet BFB again, it might make him bilious for the day? Worth a try! Masky
If we want to create and bring others into the game on the front foot, I feel we need Turnbull AND Colwill starting. Turnbull as an 8, Colwill as the 10.
Clean sheet last couple of games has allowed us to get the goal to win both - I think Bulut will go down this road again and I hope it's not a mistake. Ipswich can open you up and we need a threat the other end for them to worry about - sit back and they'll be all over us like a rash. I can see a few goals in this if we have a go - hopefully we'll win it by the odd goal like they did up there.
