Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy primed for QPR visit Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy admits he is "relishing" his side's Boxing Day challenge against Championship promotion rivals QPR. The Tractor Boys head into the festive fixtures hoping to bounce back from the 1-0 defeat to high-flying Derby last time out as they sit just inside the play-off zone and Luke Hyam is in contention for a place in the squad after being recalled from his loan at Rotherham. McCarthy told the club's official website: "(QPR boss) Jimmy (Floyd Hasselbaink) has made a big impact in his managerial career so far and seems to have revitalised QPR. They've got a good squad of players and will feel they can reach the play-offs. "I look at Leeds, who have won three on the bounce, Sheffield Wednesday, Reading - who have got Brian McDermott back in charge. They will all feel they can make the top six as well. So do we. It's a more competitive division than ever this season but we are right in there challenging for the top six and relishing that challenge as well." Queens Park Rangers will hope to have striker Charlie Austin available for their trip to Portman Road. Austin, who has scored 10 times for the Loftus Road outfit this season, missed the 1-1 draw at Bristol City after he sustained a hamstring injury in training. But the 26-year-old may feature for Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's side - unbeaten in his first three games since he was unveiled as the new QPR manager earlier this month. Meanwhile, Chris Ramsey is reportedly set to return to QPR as their new technical director despite being sacked as manager only seven weeks ago.
My memories are of making Mick Mccarthy an unhappy man. Maybe Stats show otherwise but I don't think we're his favourites. Didn't our new to the PL sheep schagg his Wolves silly up there early on when we were first back in the PL with Barton, Ale and DJ scoring. He never looks happy against us and I reckon we will spoil his Christmas.
Sears and the loanee Ryan Fraser are their danger men IMO. If we have Austin back then I'm confident but the opposite if not. He seems to mentally lift the other players when he starts.
A draw would be a very good result but would be seen like a loss by some. I'd be ecstatic with four points from this and Huddersfield. The test then comes against Hull when our poor codlings have to play a third game in a week.
how do they expect them to perform 3 times in 1 week the poor angels 270 minutes we expect far too much if I worked as hard as that my boss would want me to work hard for four and a half hours a week every week
