Boss Mick McCarthy believes Town’s Easter Monday opponents AFC Bournemouth have an unfair advantage over the Blues by having a three-day gap ahead of what could be a pivotal play-off six-pointer. The Cherries, who are ninth, one place and two points behind Town, play Sheffield Wednesday at home today, while Town travel to Watford tomorrow.
"Just when you need it most after 42 games playing Saturday and Monday,” McCarthy joked when asked about the two Bank Holiday fixtures.
"And, of course, Bournemouth are playing Friday and Monday, which will give them an advantage. Me and TC are going to watch their game on Friday to have a look at them.
"It does give them an extra day’s rest. It’s slightly unfair actually, at any stage, but at the end of the season even more so. But we’ve coped with it all along and I think we’ll cope with it again. We’ll be fine.”
McCarthy says he’s unsure whether there might have been an option to move Town’s game at Vicarage Road to the Friday: "I don’t know. That has to be done when the fixtures are decided.
"Bournemouth, playing on Friday, must be thinking ‘Happy days’ because they get an extra day’s rest. I’ve no idea whether that was an option.
"Because it’s our away fixture I’m not sure we could put ours back, so anyway we’ve got to play it. We’ve managed that before, they’ve been brilliant physically all season and I’m sure we’ll cope with it yet again.”
The Town boss is anticipating a big Bank Holiday crowd at Portman Road on Monday: "I hope so. It’s sold out on Saturday as well, so let’s see if we can get some points. There are two great games in store, I’m looking forward to them.”