x

U18s Host Swindon in Youth Cup - Ipswich Town News

The Blues' U18s are in FA Youth Cup fourth round action against Swindon Town at Portman Road on Saturday afternoon (KO 2pm).

The side coached by Adem Atay and Jason Dozzell reached round four by coming from behind to beat Premier League Fulham 3-2 in their third-round tie at home in December, having defeated Chelmsford 5-0 away in round two and prior to that Southend 4-1 at home.

The competition was suspended due to the lockdown in early January but was given the OK to resume earlier this month.

Atay says that Town go into this game viewed very much differently than they were for the Fulham tie.

"Last time we were probably viewed as the underdogs, but today that's not the case. We must respect Swindon," he told the club site.

"The message to our players is to treat every game the same, it doesn't matter what the badge looks like. Once the game starts there are 22 players on the pitch who should all be up for it. It is a different challenge for us so we must be ready.

"The mentalitiy that we showed in the second half against Fulham was great so we will be looking at that as an example. All of these matches that are thrown up in the Youth Cup are different to what we have in our league programme.

"It's about what we can do but we also have to be able to adapt to what challenges Swindon present. It's an opportunity for the lads involved and we want to get the job done."

If the Blues win this afternoon, they will travel to wither Swansea or Middlesbrough in the next round with the winner of that tie taking on Peterborough, Sheffield United or Bristol City at home in the quarter-finals.

As the tie clashes with the League One fixture at Wigan Athletic, Town are not streaming the game live as was the case with this season’s previous Youth Cup ties, however, Swindon are showing it on their YouTube channel.

Town, who are are currently top of Professional Development League Two South, have won the FA Youth Cup on three occasions, in 1973, 1975 and 2005.

What to read next:

Finidi Appointed Nigeria Head Coach
Former Town winger Finidi George has been appointed the permanent head coach of Nigeria.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Huddersfield Game Live on Sky
The Blues’ final game of the season at home to Huddersfield Town on Saturday is among those being shown live on Sky Sports.
London Branch Meet-Up For Coventry Match
The London Branch of the Ipswich Town Supporters Club is inviting fellow fans to watch Tuesday’s live-on-Sky away game against Coventry City at the Brondes Age public house in Camden.
Hayes Set For Second Wembley Trip
Keeper Nick Hayes will be making two trips to Wembley next month, his Solihull Moors loan side having reached the National League Promotion Final.
Former Skipper Nets Hat-Trick in Final Game
Former Blues skipper David Norris ended his career on a dramatic note, netting a hat-trick for Lancaster City in his final match, a 4-3 Northern Premier League Premier Division defeat at FC United of Manchester on Saturday.
McKenna: Players Handling Big Three-Game Week Really Well
Town visit Coventry City live on Sky on Tuesday night knowing that a victory would take them a point away from securing promotion back to the Premier League after 22 years away.
No Dividends For PLC Shareholders
The board of the Ipswich Town PLC has written to its shareholders confirming that its stake in the club has now reduced to less than one per cent and outlining that any dividends taken out of Town in future will go solely to majority owners Gamechanger 20 Ltd.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Rosenior: I Couldn't Be Prouder of My Players
Hull City manager Liam Rosenior said he couldn’t have been prouder of his players following last night’s 3-3 draw with Town which keeps the Tigers hopes of making the play-offs alive going into their final match and wished the Blues well for the remainder of the campaign.