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Williams Set for Debut Against Birmingham
Friday, 28th Feb 2014 15:09

Manager Mick McCarthy looks set to hand new loan signing Jonny Williams his Blues debut when Birmingham visit Portman Road on Saturday. The Town boss again has decisions to make regarding his frontline with David McGoldrick probably out for the rest of the season with a knee ligament injury.

McCarthy has no new injury concerns with McGoldrick and midfielder Luke Hyam, who has a hamstring problem the only players sidelined at present.

The Blues manager expects Hyam to be available next week: “It’s still the same, still the Middlesbrough game. He’ll train on Tuesday.

“Everybody else was fine today, they’ve all trained, except for Didz, of course, we tend to gloss over that one now because we know he’s injured, but everybody else is OK.”

Despite the 3-0 defeat at Leicester last week, the Town manager seems likely to stick with goalkeeper Dean Gerken and his regular back four of Luke Chambers and Aaron Cresswell at full-back and Tommy Smith and Christophe Berra at the centre of the defence.

In midfield, if McCarthy goes with a 4-4-2 formation, new signing Williams could come into the middle ahead of Cole Skuse in his usual holding position but it’s more likely that the Wales international would take one of the wide roles, probably the left where he impressed and scored for Crystal Palace’s U21s against Town on Monday. That could see Stephen Hunt drop out of the starting line-up or move to the right.

Paul Green and Jay Tabb are McCarthy’s other options for the central role alongside Skuse, while the on-loan Leeds man and Paul Anderson are the Town boss’s other likely alternatives on the right.

Up front, McCarthy will have to decide whether to partner Daryl Murphy with Frank Nouble or Paul Taylor, who impressed him in the U21s on Monday.

Alternatively, the Town boss could opt for a 4-3-3 system with Williams one of the front three along with Murphy and probably Nouble, while three of Skuse, Green, Tabb and Hunt would be the midfield.

Striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake is likely to play some part from the bench as he works on his match fitness.


Town did the double over Birmingham last season with the win at St Andrew’s coming in McCarthy's first game in charge, while the victory in Portman Road’s final match of the campaign confirmed Championship status for another year.

“Both of them were very important, as all wins are,” McCarthy recalled. “But it was quite poignant as the first one was my first game and the other one secured Championship status.”

Birmingham have won seven games on their travels this season but only two at home, something which McCarthy says can put pressure on a manager: “It’s difficult if you’re starting to struggle at home and as the Birmingham crowd have had Premier League football over the last few years they become quite demanding and are expecting more. It can be counter-productive.

“I think they’ve got a good squad of players. I don’t seen anyone in the league who has got a bang ordinary squad of players, we’ve all probably got workmanlike squads speckled with a bit of talent.

“Chris Burke’s their real threat, Nikola Zigic can beat anything on any given day, they spent a whole chunk of money on him.

“They’ve a lad from Manchester City called Emyr Huws, who Jonny Williams knows from Wales squads. Like the rest of us, they're probably workmanlike, hard to beat, work hard and then they’ve got a little sprinkling of talent in there that can win the game for them.”

The visitors will be without left-back Mitch Hancox (ankle) and on-loan Manchester City midfielder Albert Rusnak (groin), who picked up knocks in training on Thursday.

Midfielder Callum Reilly, striker Matt Green, full-backs David Murphy and Neal Eardley (all knee), and frontman Akwasi Asante (hamstring) will also miss out.

Winger Chris Burke is OK despite being subbed during last week’s 2-1 win at Blackpool with a head injury and Brian Howard is continuing to play despite a broken little toe.

At the end of August at St Andrew’s, Christophe Berra scored his first goal in English football as the sides drew 1-1.

The Scotland international headed home before the break with Town well on top, but Burke’s deflected 76th minute goal grabbed an undeserved point for the home team.

The teams last met at Portman Road in Town’s final home game of last season in April when Carlos Edwards, Luke Chambers and Daryl Murphy were on target as the Blues finally confirmed their place in the Championship with a 3-1 win.

Edwards hammered in a stunning strike in the sixth minute, Chambers headed in the second on 17 and Murphy added the third before Burke pulled one back late on for the visitors.

The only former Blue on Birmingham’s books is midfielder Darren Ambrose but he is currently on loan with Greek side Apollon Smyrni.

Historically, the Blues have had the better of Birmingham, winning 32 times (29 in the league), drawing 13 (13) and losing 27 (21).

Town are supporting Football League sponsors Prostate Cancer UK by wearing their logo on shirts, which will subsequently be auctioned, during the game. Prostate Cancer are encouraging fans to take the Men United test.

There will also be a collection for the charity before the game, while a guest of honour will walk out with the teams and deliver the ball to the referee.

The banners designed and funded by TWTD posters will be in place in the Sir Alf Ramsey Stand for the first time.

Saturday’s referee is Keith Stroud from Hampshire, who has shown 126 yellow and seven red cards in 28 games so far this season. Stroud’s most recent Town match was the 3-2 FA Cup replay defeat at Preston when he booked four Blues and one Lilywhite.

Squad from: Gerken, Loach, Chambers, Richardson, Cresswell, Mings, Berra, Smith, Skuse, Tabb, Green, Williams, Anderson, Hunt, Edwards, Wordsworth, Murphy, Nouble, Taylor, Ebanks-Blake.

Photo: ITFC


Photo: Action Images



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Stato added 15:21 - Feb 28
In place of Skuse ? If that proves right I'm a dutchman
1

ericclacton added 15:26 - Feb 28
It has to be Tabb on the bench , if not I'm a gay mermaid.
9

JimmyJazz added 15:28 - Feb 28
Is that picture of Tabb's younger brother?
0

StuartBrett8 added 15:36 - Feb 28
surely Williams is an attacking central midfielder? Round pegs in round holes please :)

Gerken, Richardson, Chambers, Berra, Creswell, Anderson, Williams, Skuse, Hunt, Murphy Taylor.
14

NoelTheDub added 15:58 - Feb 28
Stuart Brett8 ...Thats my dream team on the X BOX but dont think Mick plays a computer.That team has width, a bit of pace up top, a passing center mid,a holding mid and a balanced back 4.Mick thats all I ask we are safe and 6th is worth a crack for a laugh..
7

PhilTWTD added 16:03 - Feb 28
Williams played on the left for the Palace U21s on Monday and was very good, I suspect he'll play there.

Not sure how the above has been taken to say I think he'll replace Skuse!
4

PavlovsCat added 16:11 - Feb 28
'. . . ahead of Skuse', refers to his position on the pitch. Not the fact that he's been chosen in preference.
5

StuartBrett8 added 16:12 - Feb 28
Mick obviously manages Ipswich in my career mode on Fifa 14, Messi can't get in the team ;)
0

Kesgraveblue57 added 16:54 - Feb 28
Short term loan what is the point of this we must blood our youngsters give them a chance to gain experience now the season is over. Best of luck Jonny I hope you enjoy your stay with us
2

Surco72 added 16:58 - Feb 28
For me I have thought Hunt has been one of our better players in recent weeks and that Tabb and Nouble would struggle to get in a sunday morning team perhaps I am watching a different game ?
My team for what its worth
Gerken
Edwards, Chambers,Smith Cresswell
Anderson, Skuse,Williams , Hunt
Taylor , Murphy
0

GerkensBeard added 17:01 - Feb 28
The most I've been looking forward to a game in a while simply just because we have signed a heck of a talent, not only will he be a class individual but he will open up the whole game and make the whole team better. Forwards and wingers love having midfielders who can play them through and we have finally found a player who can do it. Just a shame we have zero chance of signing him permanently. But for now we have to enjoy his presence, it will be so nice to see us playing the ball forward than just passing it sideways or hoofing it to Murphy. I think tomorrow you will see that because of this lad our style will change as we now have quality to play the ball between the lines and worry opposition teams. Yes he is just one player but I rate him that highly!! Praying he starts
1

LordMamu added 17:02 - Feb 28
The photographer's been a bit lame with that background. Christ, you might as well have taken a photo of him in front of a skip.
1

CharlieITFC added 17:07 - Feb 28
I think at home we have to go 433.
Gerken, Chambers, Berra, Smith, Cresswell, Skuse, Green, Williams, Taylor, Murphy, Hunt.
4

Tractamatt added 17:34 - Feb 28
MM will not play Taylor and once again Nouble will partner Murphy upfront prepare for another draw or worse
2

thebeat added 17:59 - Feb 28
Surely Hunt cant be dropped, hes been great, but i wouldnt be suprised if micks brought another central midfielder in and plays him on the wing, tunnicliffe, green, now williams. Mick doesnt do playing players on their best positions.
For me the team picks itself same as StuartBretts above with Anderson/Edwards on the right, Hunt left and Skuse sitting with Williams playmaking in front of him Murphy and Taylor upfront.
Sad thing is we all know that wont happen cus its too adventurous at home against the mighty Birmingham and it would mean his pets wouldnt be in the team.
Be prepared for an uninspiring midfield of Green, Skuse,Tabb and Williams with Murph and Smithers up front.
I cant wait!
8

TimmyH added 17:59 - Feb 28
Thank God he's starting! so hopefully no Tabby as Mick likes to call him, if only Nouble could pick up an injury (saying that Mick would still probably play him). Personally would like to see Taylor or SEB upfront with Murphy.
8

masetheace added 20:35 - Feb 28
Surco 72 - If you would leave out Berra you are definitely watching a different game !!
1

thebeat added 20:54 - Feb 28
masetheace i know what u mean cus Berra has played well but in fairness to Surco 72 Chambers and Smith last season was a better partnership than Berra and Smith have been.Berra's lack of right foot has been a problem at times.
2

wayway added 20:55 - Feb 28
First sensible thing I have seen on here for weeks. The team StuartBrett8 has put forward. Sorry but that is the last team Boring Billy will put out
6

WickedBlue added 21:17 - Feb 28
Have our supporters dropped so much in Intelligence, that people are now picking teams based on how well the players play in a f**king video game?
-4

superkevinwilson added 21:25 - Feb 28
Come on wicked blue, get a sense of humour
4

GerkensBeard added 21:26 - Feb 28
Yeah but tbh On my season Leicester are top, Yeovil are bottom and I'm stuck in mid table mediocrety. FIFA knows
2

sereneblue added 21:43 - Feb 28
Careful Mick, putting a new attacking midfielder straight into the side. He must of been outstanding in training !!!!!!!!!
2

GerkensBeard added 22:26 - Feb 28
All of the fans saying that Mick is a dinosaur and we're going nowhere under him are idiots. And here are my reasons for that. I believe Mick wants to play the style of football that we would all love to see but currently doesnt have the personnel to do it, to get quality and the cutting edge you have to invest and he has had no money to spend but now we have signed this lad I fully believe that in March we will play the best football we have seen all season. As mentioned in the comments above you need balance, and this signing has added it. Mick knows how to get out of this division and knows how to do it. Just look at his Wolves 09 team. (bearing in mind some arent as good now)

Midfield: Kightly, Jones, Henry, Jarvis
Strikers: SEB (25 goals) Iwelumo (16 goals)

Pacey wingers, Jones creating and spraying it wide, box to box, Henry Holding. Big man little man partnership.

Mick has some foundations in place and next season I can see us lining up (providing money)

new right mid, Skuse, New attacking mid, Hunt
SEB, McGoldrick.

Mick knows that is whats needed and if given money youll see that in the summer.

And everyone wanting a miracle in a day to get to the prem it just wont happen. This team and club was a mess just over a year ago. Everyone knows to save a team from relegation you have to make the team hard to beat (job done) then work on bringing in quality players to turn things around. If he was given money in the summer we would be in the top 6 at this point but instead has had to invest in free agents and quality players cant be picked up in free agency, apart from Mcgoldrick. Apart from Palace I can't think of a team in the last 10 years that has gone from relegation battle to winning promotion next season but they already had quality players. And remember so many points left to play for. The team that gets the best run going outside the top 6 in these last lot of games is often the one that makes the top 6. And as Williams said its only 2 wins seperating us from top 6 and I'm pretty certain that if we win our next 2 games you will see that poll on this site change dramatically. All in all IN MICK WE TRUST
-3

muccletonjoe added 22:34 - Feb 28
You all should know by now that Tabb and Nouble will more than likely play , why kid yourselves ?
4


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