Midfielder Owen Garvan says he expects a tough game when Blackpool visit Portman Road on Saturday. Ian Holloway’s side won 3-0 at Middlesbrough on Tuesday and sit sixth in the Championship table.

Garvan told the club site: "They are having a fantastic season. The manager there, Ian Holloway, has done an unbelievable job and they are rightly in the top six.

"They are playing some good football and I think it will be a harder game for us than on Tuesday night against Peterborough. They had a great win at Middlesbrough and they will come to our place full of confidence."

Former Town striker Billy Clarke is expected to miss out with a hamstring injury, while Matt Gilks will return in goal having been rested in midweek.

Meanwhile full-back Liam Rosenior has revealed that Roy Keane gave his players a stiff talking to after Tuesday’s 0-0 draw with Peterborough: “We were kept in the changing room for a long while by the manager after the game.

“And there was not harmony. The manager is a winner, and I feel sorry for him. He must have gone home thinking what more can he do.

“There are a lot of winners in our dressing room, and the day I accept a 0-0 home league draw is the day I need to hang up my boots.”

The on-loan Reading man says Town should be much higher in the table based on their recent performances: “We are in a false position and with just a few more goals over the last nine games we could be in the top 12 now. That would be a realistic position for us.”

New coach Ian McParland says he’ll enjoy working at Town: "It was a call out of the blue from Roy Keane, a man who I hugely respect because of his career in football and as a man.

"It's nice to get back into the game quickly and I'm sure I'll enjoy working with him, he's got good staff down there.

"I'm not desperate to get back into management. It's not the be all and end all to get back into management."

McParland joined the Blues a fortnight ago, having been sacked as manager of Notts County in October.

Photo: Action Images

SitfcB added 09:24 - Dec 10 Lets hope for a suprise.....No one thought we would have a chance a Cardiff, so you never know. Its gonna be a very tight game but i can see us nicking it 2-0 or 2-1!!! COYB!!!
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BYRNE_16 added 09:27 - Dec 10 It will be a very tough game. Billy Clarke will be coming back to PR. Blackpool are on good form. But still let's Hope something goes our way Saturday. Ipswich 'til I die.
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rml123 added 09:38 - Dec 10 I'm wondering what game would not be labelled "tough" in light of the fact we can't score more than one goal at home.
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Asdaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa added 09:42 - Dec 10 MY PENIS ITCHES.
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mugsykets added 10:09 - Dec 10 Perhaps Saturday will be the day when some of these chances go in! Come on lads, bit of confidence in the final third. Be adventurous. Be daring. Look through our squad and I think we've got some pretty good players (I'm biased, I know) I really don't believe that we're the third worst team in the division but we have to go on the park and prove it! I know, I know - the table doesn't lie! Blackpool are a decent side this season and it might be a 'tough' game but....I'll say it again, get behind the lads, make some noise! You have to believe!

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naa added 10:18 - Dec 10 BYRNE_16: did you actually read the story? It wasn't long. But it did state that Billy Clarke won't be coming back, as he's injured. Shame, as I'd liked to have seen him play.
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sirbenofmorlingshire added 10:38 - Dec 10 I think it's pretty sad I'm reading a report/comments where we're considering BLACKPOOL as a potential tough game against Ipswich at home; and realistically I can see it going either way - quite depressing really.
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bjc added 11:01 - Dec 10 o-o if we are lucky try some wholemeal flour on your penis works everytime
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MAVERICK added 11:18 - Dec 10 So the likes of Blackpool & Peterborough are tough games, this might upset a few, but these games should surely should be a stroll in the park ! I class Chelsea,Arsenal tough games. This is Ipswich Town we are talking about, not Accrinton Stanley ( sorry Accrinton)
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brockleyblueboy added 12:14 - Dec 10 If we put things in perspective and show a little respect to Blackpool, who would think Burnley would be in the premiership. It will be a tough game because blackpool have a good manager and a tight knit team and play good football. Every game in this league is tough. For example boro smash QPR 5-1 and then get thumped by Blackpool. Its very difficult to predict games. If we stick to our guns and get the ball down to feet we will be in for a good game of football. In the same vein as Rosenior, the day football becomes the same old same old and predictable, is the day I stop watching. Good luck boys.

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sirbenofmorlingshire added 12:40 - Dec 10 BrockleyBlue - I think people have every respect for clubs like B'pool doing well and Burnley getting to the PL etc. However the point is and I quote MAVERICK: "these games should surely should be a stroll in the park", can anyone explain how a team like Blackpool seems to have risen above us in the pecking order, and don't say "Blackpool got bought out etc etc" I seem to remember this happening to us too. I had us down to thump P'boro this week, what happened there? Did P'boro "fight/play well coz they are bottom of the leauge" shame we don't do the same! As I say, I just find it sad we're reading stories about teams like Blackpool being a tough game and that statement actually being true. I guess Footy really is a funny old game, shame the jokes on us a bit right now.

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devontractorboy added 13:52 - Dec 10 Don't be fooled by Ian Holloway's antics & buffonery, he knows how to manage and more importantly how to motivate a team. Shame about Billy Clarke I watched him v Preston & he looked lively & scored a belter was looking forward to seeing him back at Portman Rd. Promised not to mention him or Rhodes again!!!!
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MAVERICK added 14:15 - Dec 10 I'm hoping Keano knows how to manage as well !!!!
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brockleyblueboy added 14:54 - Dec 10 I fully agree with you 100%. FGootball always has up and downs. Blackpool have sat back, bided their time and "Built" a good team/club. Ipswich fans seem to want everything yesterday and it does seem because of our proud traditons, we expect things a bit too easily. This was always going to be an interesting season. And I hate to use it but "the transiton" of the club is a work in progress. I have no doubt that if we keep progressing through this season, stave of relegation and have a good finish, we will be challenging next season. Rouy Keane always said 2 years, we just have to patient and we will be back to what we are used to next season.

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sirbenofmorlingshire added 15:12 - Dec 10 Hope so I really do. What annoys me is we seem to have most of the pieces of this metaphoric “set” and the manual on how to make it work… but they still aren't fitting together - which is very disappointing.
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StowTractorBoy added 15:19 - Dec 10 Sirben you need to get real no game in this division is easy whether it be against one of the so called smaller clubs or the so called bigger clubs. Fact is Blackpool are better than us at the moment and they have earnt the right to be where they are. Just because you think Ipswich are a 'bigger' Club than the Peterboroughs of the world does not give us a divine right to thrash a team. Football does not work and that is the beauty of the game. Do Newcastle expect to thrash teams every week or as you call it a 'walk in the park' of course not. I hope we give Blackpool the respect they deserve and fair play to them for being where they are.

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brockleyblueboy added 15:48 - Dec 10 Totally agree with you Sirben. I just know, after 20+ years supporting this club that it will click. I know some people call it blind faith etc but if supporters can remember way back to the 97/98 region, we would draw a few games then went onto beat Huddeersfiald, barnsly, reading and a few others by 5 goals. Football has moved on in that people want that over night success. I just don't like. And I have been critisised in the past referring to Alex Ferguson and being given time. Bottom line Keane has the dressing room, the board backing him and the majority of supporters behind him. We are unbeaten in 9, playing some half decent stuff and it slowly coming together. I do reckon a team is on for a hiding whether it be at the top or at the bottom, it won't matter who it is, it will clisk and we will really steam roller a team. Besides its Christmas, the time for miracles and good will. I am so looking forward to the game and hope the atmosphere is jumping as well. COYB

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danknott added 19:55 - Dec 10 tough?.........what a joke!!!
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MAVERICK added 20:57 - Dec 10 Stow Tractor - ''Do Newcastle expect to thrash teams every week'' they have won 14 games, we have won 2. I hate to say it, but we were a very big club, but do you think we are only as good as Peterborough. we have won the FA CUP etc. ps. I said stroll (not walk) in the park. SirBen should be Knighted. So lets turn those lights out at Blackpool !
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