x

Third Time Lucky at Wigan - Ipswich Town News

Aaron Cresswell believes it could be a case of third time lucky for Town at Wigan on Sunday.

A quirk of the computerised fixture list means Mick McCarthy’s men will have visited, within the first few weeks of the new campaign, all three teams relegated from the Premier League last season.

While Town lost narrowly at both Reading and QPR left-back Cresswell is confident the outcome will be different when he returns to his native North West.

He said: "Every game in the Championship is a very tough game but there’s no reason why we can’t go to Wigan and pick up three points. We’ll be flying full of confidence after back-to-back victories at home.

"They’ve just won the FA Cup and they’re playing in Europe, plus they’ve got millions of pounds to spend. We haven’t really got that type of money but there’s no reason why we can’t go there and compete with them.”

Liverpool-born Cresswell’s biggest dilemma is trying to get his hands on sufficient tickets for the game to satisfy demand from his own personal fan club.

He laughed: "I’m dreading trying to get my hands on enough tickets. I think I need about 20 because it’s only half an hour up the road. But it will be nice for the family to come along and see me playing.”

Cresswell is certainly in a more positive frame of mind than he was at the same stage last season when little was going right for him and his colleagues.

He recalled: "At the start of last season we had seven points from 13 games, if I’m correct, and now we’ve got 10 points off seven games.

"We just have to keep looking forward to every game, take every one as it comes and try to make sure we pick up points along the way.

"Since the gaffer took over on November the first I think we’ve done exceptionally well. We were fifth in the form table from November through to the end of the season, which is obviously play-off form, so if we can do that throughout the 46 games this season then hopefully we’ll be there.

"Our performance level, whether we’ve picked up wins or not, has been consistent. We weren’t at it as much in the first half against Yeovil but in the second I thought we were excellent. We just have to keep performing well and the points will come along with it.

"A lot of people were probably thinking ‘It’s only Yeovil, we’ll stuff them 3-0’ but it doesn’t work like that. We had to work very hard for the win and that’s how it is in the Championship every week.”

What to read next:

O'Shea: To Get the Chance to Lead This Club Is Special
New Town captain Dara O’Shea says he is eager to take on the added responsibility of wearing the armband for the Blues ahead of the Championship season kicking off on Friday against Birmingham City.
Town Turn Down Forest Bid For Hutchinson
Town have rebuffed a bid from Nottingham Forest for Omari Hutchinson.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
McKenna: We've Had High Expectation Before and Dealt With It Really Well
Boss Kieran McKenna says the expectation on Town for the season ahead is very different from when they were in the Championship two years ago and sees similarities with the 2022/23 League One promotion season.
McKenna: New Signings Have Settled in Very Well
Blues manager Kieran McKenna says the club’s new signings have settled into the squad well during pre-season.
McKenna: I Can't Be Happier With the Players Who Are Here But There's Still a Lot to Do
Blues boss Kieran McKenna says he can’t be happier with the squad he has worked with throughout pre-season but admits there’s still lots to do to get numbers up to where he wants them before the transfer window closes on September 1st.
Azón 'Won't Sign For Town'
Como’s Spanish striker Ivan Azón is reported to have told his club he will not sign for the Blues on loan and will only leave the Serie A side to join Valencia.
McKenna: Interest in Muric But Nothing to Confirm
Town boss Kieran McKenna has confirmed there is interest in keeper Aro Muric, who has been strongly linked with a move to Turkish Süper Lig side Çaykur Rizespor.
McKenna Tight-Lipped on Akpom and Cajuste
Town boss Kieran McKenna kept his cards close to his chest when quizzed on the Blues’ moves for Chuba Akpom and Jens Cajuste, but admits it’s getting close for anyone to come in and be involved in Friday’s season opener at Birmingham.
McKenna: No Change in Broadhead Situation
Manager Kieran McKenna says there’s been no in change in Nathan Broadhead’s situation with the Wales international the subject of an approach from newly promoted Wrexham last week.