It seems a long time since those dark days last November when Ipswich Town succumbed effortlessly to a spineless defeat at Turf Moor. The New Year continued in much the same vein, until that remarkable 5-1 home win against West Ham United that no one could have anticipated - not even perhaps, in their very wildest dreams!

Since then of course the tide seems to have turned. Town have won their last four league games at home and with just one defeat in nine and one point behind Burnley, tonight's encounter at Portman Road promises to be another thrilling affair and another chance to re-write more recent football history.

The trouble with statistics is they have a habit of biting you in the bum. The chances of making it five wins out of five at home are much smaller than making it four and therefore we must guard against complacency this evening at all costs because Burnley still have some quality players and they have a good away record so we must stay focused! Easier said than done with our defence I know but the key perhaps is whether we can we continue to score more goals that the opposition?

Paul Jewell is of course contemplating changes and this may not be such a bad idea given the exhausting fixture list this month. Personally I would stick with Jay Emmanuel-Thomas though because he is a prodigious talent and if Josh Carson is on the bench tonight, which I expect, then Jewell can change things during the course of the game.

Another possible change involves Lee Bowyer. He could come in for Andy Drury and with his contract coming to a close with ever increasing rapidity, he may just have something major to prove! Interesting to hear that he would consider a pay cut to stay with Town and tonight we might finally discover where his allegiances lie? I would put him in myself and once again have Drury on the bench.

Town need to freshen things up I feel if they are to claim all three points this evening and this could include dropping Damien Delaney and bringing Ibrahima Sonko in. Not sure that would solve our defensive woes though and I think Arran Lee-Barrett will probably bench warm again.

In all honesty, I don't think our current number one McCarthy is discernibly any better but I guess time will tell. He is not a commanding figure in and around the penalty area and his goal-kicking is hardly any better than Lee-Barrett's come to think of it. He is a good shot stopper though so I think he will retain his place in the side this evening.

Talking of changes to personnel, I am not encouraged by the news that Town are once again taking an interest in Joel Ward and Jason Pearce. I do not doubt they are good players but do they really show any commitment to the cause? I think not. Their hearts are obviously still with Portsmouth and although this is an admirable quality in the modern game, not very admirable for Ipswich Town!

These stupid mind games played by the board and their gaffer Appleton at Pompey have gone on for far too long and it is time to cut the rope and let these players drift away into football oblivion if fate plays any hand in proceedings.

Certainly Town have found a rich vein of form of late and long may that continue and although my heart says Town will win this evening I think a score-draw is very much on the cards. Hope I am wrong. Come on you Blues!

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