ipswichfan
A. Trialist
The lowdown
If you had told me last Friday that we would get 6 points from our Easter fixtures I would have laughed at you, a lot. First a win against one of the most in-form teams in the division and then a 3-1 away win at Pride Park where teams often leave empty-handed – even Newcastle lost there 3-0!
Those two wins must be confidence boosters and we 99% sure of being safe from relegation now. We are also 99% sure to miss out on the play-offs, it’s almost statistically impossible. But it’s looking like a solid end to the season which is what I wanted to give both players and fans confidence going into next season. Saturday’s test of 3rd places Nottingham Forest has come just at the right time. On paper this fixture looks to be in our top 3 most difficult of the season but following our Easter successes I would be surprised if Roy Keane didn’t take the players to the City Ground with the intention of causing an upset and taking all three points.
The stats
Prior to Monday’s 0-0 draw at home to Cardiff, Forest had won their previous 12 home games. In fact, their three home losses this season all came within the first 8 games of their season. Ipswich lie 6th in the form table while Forest lie 9th, this is mainly down to Forest’s poor away form since losing their “away unbeaten run” to local rivals Derby.
It will important for Ipswich to get to half time without Forest leading because they’ve gone on to win from all 15 of their half-time leading positions. In other words, they are yet to not win having lead at half time. Ipswich, on the other hand, are the third worst team in the division at holding onto half-time leads. We are however the second best at coming back from losing positions at half time. So we could be the team to finally stop Forest’s perfect half-time leads to win conversion rate.
The player-to-watch
Unsurprisingly, given their high position in the table, Forest have a number of footballing talents to choose from. I’m personally a fan of their midfielder Radosław Majewski. 21-year-old midfielder, Lewis McGugan is also definitely one for the future while Paul Anderson is a pacy and tricky winger, usually down the left flank but is versatile enough to play down both sides. Luckily, Anderson appears to be injured for Saturday. Lee Camp in goal is, I reckon, one of the league’s best keepers and we all know about Alien Earnshaw up front. But my dangerman for this week is striker, Dexter Blackstock.
The Oxford born 23-year-old made a name for himself at Southampton as a teenager before being snapped up by QPR in 2006 where spent 3 seasons and scored 30 goals in just over 100 appearances. In July last year he signed for a seven-figure-fee for Nottingham Forest and has gone on to score 12 goals this season. It is little surprise given his work rate and attitude. He has a “never back down” attitude and chases every lost cause. This, combined with his youthful speed and terrier-like attitude will ensure Delaney and McAuley have their work cut out on Saturday.
The team news
Connor Wickham had two of his best games for the club over the Easter weekend but a full 90 minutes on Monday may have left him a little worse for wear. Hopefully the days of rest make him available for another start on Saturday but it is debateable as to whether he would be able to last the full game. Peters and O’Connor look likely to continue in the full back positions against Forest’s pace on Saturday while the only other change could come from the introduction of Edwards, despite making little impact other than his goal on Monday.
ipswichfan’s predicted team – B.Murphy, Delaney, McAuley, Peters, O’Connor, Leadbitter, Norris, Walters, Colback, Wickham, D.Murphy
The man in the middle
David Foster from Newcastle has only refereed 5 Championship games so far this term, out of his 23 games in total. He is yet to officiate a game involving either side.
ipswichfan’s final word
I’m relieved to have made it to mid early April with the knowledge of being practically safe and not having to worry anymore. Because going through some months of the season there has been that pressure to keep getting results and the fear of relegation. The ability to enjoy the game in the sun is pure bliss. It helps all the more that we’re the underdogs so my expectations aren’t set too high. Forest have turned into a Jekyll & Hyde side like we were a few seasons ago and their winning runs at home are going alongside their losing streaks away from home. They should have enough about them to see past us on Saturday but we’re not easy opposition these days and I’m going to go for Ipswich-taboo word – draw.
ipswichfan’s prediction – Nottingham Forest 1-1 Ipswich Town
