x

Changes Unlikely - Ipswich Town News

Town are unlikely to make too many changes when they face West Ham at Upton Park on Saturday, despite Tuesday's 3-2 defeat at Stoke City. Manager Joe Royle is still unhappy at a defeat he felt better defending could have prevented.

The Town boss said: "I'm still upset, and that is the second time this season we have lost 3-2 after being 2-1 up. But at the same time we are not too far away.

"We are still the leading scorers in the division, so there is no need to panic. I'm disappointed we lost, but not with the group of players. They have taken us to the top, but it was a generally bad night for certain individuals."

One of those individuals is likely to be right-back Drissa Diallo who was arguably at fault on all three goals. However, the Guinean international's presence in the backline has largely been a success this season.

Were he to sit out, Fabian Wilnis is likely to move to his more regular right-back role, with Matt Richards coming in at left-back.

Town might make a switch up front, with Pablo Couñago or Dean Bowditch coming in for Shefki Kuqi, although the big Finn has been preferred by Joe Royle this season and the manager may consider him a better bet away from home.

The Blues have no new injury worries and Royle names an unchanged 17 for the trip to east London, Scott Barron (groin) remaining the only player on the sidelines.

Conversely, it will be a much-changed West Ham squad which faces the Blues from the one they came up against in the play-offs only a few months ago.

In recent days the likes of Malky Mackay, Carl Fletcher and loanees Calum Davenport and Chris Powell have moved to Upton Park, while Sergei Rebrov and Teddy Sheringham joined in the summer.

Moving in the other direction have been Brian Deane (Leeds), Michael Carrick (Spurs), David Connolly (Leicester), Jobi McAnuff (Cardiff) and Town's Kevin Horlock, who will face his old side for the first time.

Manager Alan Pardew says his summer wheeling and dealing has assembled a squad which can gain promotion: "We have a squad I feel is good enough to win this league.

"There have been times when we have struggled to overcome teams with a negative type of game-plan. However, after the recent signings, I now feel we have a squad who can play their way out of this division."

The Hammers welcome back Andy Melville and Bobby Zamora after injury.

Saturday's referee is Rob Styles from Portsmouth, like Tuesday's official Mike Dean, on the Select Group List of referees. Styles has shown just three yellow cards in three games this season. His last Town game was the 2-1 win against Wimbledon at Milton Keynes last March.

Town squad: Bent, Bowditch, Counago, Davis, Diallo, De Vos, Dinning, Horlock, Kuqi, Magilton, Miller, Mitchell, Naylor, Price, Richards, Westlake and Wilnis.

What to read next:

McKenna: New Coach Stanislas Comes Highly Recommended
Town manager Kieran McKenna has spoken about the additions of new first-team coach Junior Stanislas and set-piece analyst Michele Aragona.
McKenna: Young Will Bring Experience, Competitiveness and Edge
Blues boss Kieran McKenna says new signing Ashley Young can give the club different things in different areas, among them his experience, competitiveness and his edge.
Hirst: I Thought We Played Really Well, But Aberdeen Gave Us a Massive Challenge
Town striker George Hirst was pleased to add to his pre-season goals tally during the Blues’ 3-1 victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
McKenna: Philogene Very Good Tonight, His Off the Ball Work Was Outstanding
Town manager Kieran McKenna was delighted with Jaden Philogene’s performance in the Blues’ 3-1 victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
McKenna: We Got What We Wanted From the Game
Town boss Kieran McKenna said he got what he wanted from the 3-1 friendly win at Aberdeen and believes his side is in general on the right track.
McKenna: Nothing in the Air Regarding Omari's Situation
Town boss Kieran McKenna says there’s “nothing in the air” regarding Omari Hutchinson’s future with the forward having remained behind in Suffolk to train while the Blues were in Aberdeen for this evening’s 3-1 friendly victory.
Aberdeen 1-3 Ipswich Town - Match Report
Jaden Philogene scored twice and George Hirst once as Town beat Aberdeen 3-1 in their friendly at Pittodrie. Philogene stroked home from close range after good work from Sammie Szmodics and Hirst on 28, then Hirst added a second with a predatory rebound 10 minutes later, before Philogene netted the third just before the hour with Aberdeen pulling one back in the 79th minute remaining and the Blues having replaced their entire starting XI.
Aberdeen 0-2 Ipswich Town - Half-Time
Goals from Jaden Philogene and George Hirst have given the Blues a 2-0 half-time lead in this evening’s friendly against Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
Strong Blues Team Starts at Aberdeen
Town have named a strong line-up for this evening’s friendly against Aberdeen at Pittodrie (KO 7.30pm, live on TownTV).
Luongo Completes Millwall Move
Millwall have confirmed the signing of former Blues midfielder Massimo Luongo on a one-year deal.