Amir Karic has returned early from his spell at Crystal Palace after failing to impress at the London club. The piece written by a Palace fan we posted a couple of days ago suggsted he was having a bad time of it and Alan Smith has decided enough is enough.

Karic will be unable to play for Town until the period of his loan is up on April 3rd despite returning to Portman Road. George Burley blamed the different approach to football at Palace for Karic's failure to fit in. He said that Palace prefer a long-ball game which didn't suit the Slovenian.

Another Palace perspective on Karic is from Eagles fan Neil McSteen:

"Amir Karic, was brought in by the Palace chairman as cover for the suspended Craig Harrison. Although Harrison had grown into the troublesome left-back role and was putting in some solid performances until his ban, Palace had no adequate cover.

Julian Gray, our pacy left sided midfielder, had been used in an attacking left-wing-back-cum-traditional-left-back role, but had looked hideously out of place. With centre-back Fan Zhiyi also serving a suspension, as well as being injured, cover in the shape of former Ipswich target Matthew Upson was also bought in.

However, unlike Upson, Karic has failed to fully impress. Thrown in from the start in the 2-0 home defeat to Preston the 38 times capped Slovenian looked average, and was out of position in more than one occasion. He did last the whole match, although this was more out of neccessity on Alan Smith's behalf rather than having anyone to replace him.

It was the Tuesday night game at home to the ever sleeping dwarves of Birmingham that Karic's lack of match fitness really told. Although he made some good tackles and made some nice touches, his positioning and all round effort was not of the level needed. Again, Palace continued their losing streak going down 2-1, with Karic lasting the full 90 minutes.

With the mouthwatering prospect of a SE25 derby looming last Saturday (10th March) Karic was again thrown in from the start - again out of need. But this was a game too far, Karic looked lost. With the squatters of Wimbledon attacking the Whitehorse Lane (Sainsbury's) End, Karic was constantly exposed by the marauding duo of Euell and Agyemang.

It was a failed tackle against Agyemang from Karic that lead to Neal Ardley picking up the ball and crossing for Agyemang to stroke home. For the first time, Palace fans started to get on his back and in the 38th minute he was substituted for Andrew Frampton - a straight swop, with the inexperienced left-back doing a better job than Karic had managed.

With Karic's loan due up on the 3rd April, hopefully he can gain some match fitness and be of use to us. It is fair to say he is strong in the tackle and likes to play it on the floor. Karic is obviously thinking 5 yards ahead of where his body is right now. Frustrating to see, but he will no doubt go back to Portman Road a fitter, and therefore better player than he is right now."

Sadly for Karic the extra match practice and match fitness that the games up to April 3rd will bring are now not something he'll get.

Town's youngsters play their FA Youth Cup match with Nottingham Forest this evening at Portman Road (KO 7pm). The U18 side have done well to reach the quarter-final stage and will want to emulate the great Town youth sides of the seventies.

Town won the Youth Cup in 1973 and 75, but in recent years have performed less well. This year's side, however, have proved themselves a good pasing side and also illustrated a good spirit when they overcame Sheffield United in an away replay after being denied a home victory when the Blades scored in the last minute.

Forest overcame Manchester United in extra-time in their last match and are tricky opposition. Coached by ex-Leeds and Forest player Paul Hart they have one or two good prospects. The highest profile of these is probably Craig Westcarr who plays for England's youths.

Town, of course have their own international youngsters with Darren Bent and Darren Ambrose recently called up for England U16s and Darren Kelly playing for the equivalent Ireland side.

Tickets are £3 and £1 concessions with the Cobbold Stand the one in use. Fabian Wilnis, Titus Bramble and Richard Logan will be in World of Punch signing stuff from 6.15pm.

Town squad: Darren Kelly, Erdem Artun, Lee Beevers, Guy Bonwick, Will Snowdon, Ian Westlake, Matt Bloomfield, Darren Ambrose, Darren Bent, Steve Burton, Robert Dickinson, Lee Chaffey, Lee Hulyer, Matt Richards, Matt Robinson, Fraser Duncan, Ed Chibogu, Mark Mayes, Benoit Subrin and Carl Murkin.

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls