Forster McCarthy fonte Yoshi target scheider reed isgrove long Gallagher gape? something like that- keep some experience in defence and down the spine. Worry about playing a weaker cb pairing with both target and McCarthy.
How many of the kids? What team would you suggest? For example I don't think we have enough youth defenders ready to play. So assuming Yoshida is still around: Gazza/Davis McCarthy, Yoshida, Gardos, Targett Reed, Gape, Isgrove, JWP, McQueen Long (or even Seager) Is that what you mean? Interesting but unlikely to happen. I think Koeman would consider that disrespect to the competition. But it would be nice if the majority of the above are in the 18 in some way
http://www.exeweb.com/2015/01/01/fa-cup-201415-3rd-round-referee-appointments/ Southampton v Ipswich Town Referee: Martin Atkinson Assistant Referees: Mark Scholes and Timothy Wood Fourth Official: Kevin Johnson
Apparently we are bringing the largest number of Away supporters to St Mary's for the game! 5,500 of us Townies which is a very good effort. It should mark for a brilliant atmosphere. Mick has already said that he will be making quite a few changes so it won't be our full strength side either. We have a much more important game coming up against Derby so he will be resting a few of the guys. Looking forward to a freebie as we aren't expected to win!
5 and a half k is a fine turn out Warky. It should be an entertaining game with both teams on top form. Safe travel down and good luck for promotion so we can renew our epic tussles of the 80's in the top league....
Would be a brilliant effort for the Tractor Boys to bring 5-5k fans to SMS...I hope they get promoted this season as they are a great family club ~Time to blood young Mr McCathy
Although he'll be making some changes from his first choice XI, I still expect Magilton's side to prove a stern test for us. They have to be better than Arsenal defensively!
January cannot end soon enough as we are arguably a little short in central defence. Unless both McCarthy and Stephens form part of the first team squad next season we may have to look at that area (if we make Europe).
5.5k, sounds good. Declaration of interest: I am from Ipswich, so I hope they can stay up there with Bompey. To get you in the mood someone has kindly uploaded highlights of the 2-5 win to Youtube. Goals from Rickie x2 and Dave Connolly (and some other guy).
Cheers for the nice comments lads. We have been waiting 10 long and miserable years for a decent crack at promotion back to the PL and most of us Townies are really starting to believe that we can do it this year. Mick and Terry have worked miracles in getting us to where we are now bearing in mind our team has only cost 10k to build! The team spirit is the best I have ever known and every player knows their jobs collectively and individually. We must be the hardest working team in the league and we play are hard pressing game, none of this fancy fancy stuff! We have had some cracking games against you especially at your place and the most memorable must be the 3-3 draw when our Marcus Stewart scored a sublime hat trick. Best of luck with grabbing 4th place I really hope you do it as your brand if football deserves to be successful. I'm looking forward to the game more in hope than expectation! It will be a very good benchmark as to how far we are away from competing with the better sides in the PL.
Good side Ipswich - McCarthy is a really good manager in the Championship isn't he? Forster, McCarthy, Fonte, Gardos, Targett, Reed, Schneiderlin, Wanyama, Davis, Long, Pelle,
I think it would be unfair for Reed to lose his place after his recent performances. A lot had been made of Targett before he made it into the first team yet I think Reed genuinely looks like the next big deal to be produced by the academy. He is a tough, unfussy player and I like to see more physical-minded players pull on a red and white striped jersey. Long and Pelle up-front should do the business. I don't think Ipswich will be a push over and expect a hard and full-blooded cup tie. After the let down at Sunderland last year, it would be nice to make a go of this season's competition.
To clarify my off the cuff comment of 'play the kids' means I would not risk any of our very important players unless we have to i.e. bench for Tadic, Pelle, Schneiderlin, Wanyama, Alderwe...Toby, Bertrand, Fonte, Davis. I would play Forster because keepers rarely (eek) get injured or 'tired'. I would start Long, JWP, Gardos, Targett, Reed for sure. So second string and youth with a strong bench for me As for Koeman disrespecting the cup. Would it be that? or just Koeman showing he believes we can get top 4 in the league? either way I think we need to treat the FA cup as second priority unless we are getting to QF stage.
Ipswich will play a lot of their second string players, they have more to lose with a cup run than us. My concern is these players will put themselves about to try and prove themselves which could result in injuries to our top players. Better for us to rest our top players and have a few match winners on the bench. We wil certainly need these youngsters come the end of season.
Koeman takes cups seriously, especially after the team let us and themselves down against Sheffield United. He has played various people because of suspensions and injuries and has seen them do well...he won't put out a weakened side, but may put out a tactical side. However, no one will be risked who may be carrying an injury, so we may not see Tadic or Mane (especially the latter with a tournament coming up). .
Unless we get quite far in the cup we shouldn't be putting out too strong a team while we sit 4th. Certainly not with United next. I know that sounds a bit of a catch 22 but I reckon it makes sense.
