Boss Roy Keane was disappointed to be handed yet another away cup tie, the sixth in a row since he joined Town, when the Blues were paired with Crewe Alexandra in Wednesday’s Carling Cup second round draw. The Railwaymen have confirmed that the match will take place on Tuesday 24th August (KO 7.45pm).
Keane says he is yet to be given a home draw in either cup competition since joining Town: "Six away cup draws since I’ve been here, I think we’d have been shocked if we got a home draw. I don’t know who pulled the balls out, I think it was Paul Merson or Iain Dowie. Clowns!”
The Blues boss says his side will have to be wary of the League Two team: "You can win any game of football if you put your mind to it, but you can also lose. We saw that on Tuesday and Wednesday night with teams better than us going out.
"It’s another tough game for us, another away game, six as I say since I’ve been here, including the FA Cup.”
Crewe manager Dario Gradi says his team is capable of causing an upset: "It was a good night against Derby [which Crewe won 1-0] and that has continued with another home draw against Ipswich. I think it is an attractive one for the club and the fans because we are at home and we have to look at it as winnable.
"The players responded and we beat Derby, so they will go into the Ipswich game full of confidence and why not? I think we have a decent chance and I'm looking forward to it. I thought it was an exciting game against Derby and I'm sure Ipswich will come and pass the ball like they did.
"We haven't had a decent cup run for a few years and we want to go as far as we can in this competition because it is good for the players and for the supporters."