Bartosz Bialkowski starts his first game for the Blues as Town take on Southend at Roots Hall in their penultimate pre-season friendly (KO 7.45pm). Striker David McGoldrick is on the bench and is set to make his return from his knee problems in the second half.

Bialkowski is in goal with skipper Luke Chambers at right-back, Tyrone Mings on the left and Tommy Smith and Christophe Berra at the heart of the defence.

In central midfield, Cole Skuse partners Luke Hyam with Jay Tabb back from his minor niggle on the left and Paul Anderson on the right. Frank Nouble and Daryl Murphy start up front.

McGoldrick is pencilled in to come on around 20 minutes from the end, while trialists Balint Bajner and Kevin Bru are also amongst the subs.

Southend include eight trialists, while Shrimpers legend Freddie Eastwood will kick-off the game having left the club with his retirement expected, but will play no further part in the fixture.

Town: Bialkowski, Chambers (c), MIngs, Hyam, Smith, Berra, Anderson, Skuse, Murphy, Nouble,, Tabb. Subs: Gerken, Hewitt, Parr, Clarke, Wordsworth, Bajner, Stewart, Henshall, Taylor, Marriott, Bishop, McGoldrick, Bru.

Photo: Action Images

Jimmy86 added 19:26 - Jul 29 For me this wont be far off the team that starts against fulham. Perhaps gerken in for bart and hopefully henshall or stewart for tabb, tabb isn't a winger. Would rather see anyone up front instead of nouble, yea he scored against colchester and is a better impact player off the bench, but he doesn't score enough goals for a striker
5

StuartBrett8 added 19:34 - Jul 29 So do we think Chambers is nailed on for the right back slot?
1

bluecobblers added 19:35 - Jul 29 Strong team here, and Nouble seems to be improving slowly, and I think he can cause a problem against any shaky defense with his pace, height and strength, so if Fulham's defence hasn't improved then I can see him making a start. Also possibly Parr for Mings as Parr has more experience at this level and will give us an advantage.
-1

jas0999 added 19:37 - Jul 29 Jimmy86 - agreed. This looks like the starting eleven to me. With as you say Tabb dropping out. Personally I would give the new keeper a go. Gerken was okay but no more than okay last season. Will be interesting to see how the trialists fair. I don't think we need another defensive midfielder, whilst the striker really needs to score to impress tonight. Agree re Nouble.

1

TractorCam added 19:45 - Jul 29 Why on earth are we starting Jay Tabb on the left when he have loads of options there now?
7

Jimmy86 added 19:49 - Jul 29 I would def start with BART MAN over Gerken, but what will prob happen is gerken will start as number 1 just like loach did last season and then if after a few mistakes, or in loach's case only 1, gerks will be dropped for bart
2

Roola added 20:00 - Jul 29 Where can we follow text commentary or score real time for this game?
0

AndySullivan added 20:16 - Jul 29 Although Chambers isnt a RB, he's too good to drop.
0

brittaniaman added 21:19 - Jul 29 Team very similar to last season, just minus Cresswell ?????????????
1

Seasider added 22:02 - Jul 29 Oh dear having read this,its just as I predicted,Skues and Hyam in the middle,Nouble up front and Tabby of course. See Clarke Bishop and Marriott youngsters on bench,together with exciting trio of Taylor Henshall and Stewart
-1

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls