New manager Mick McCarthy appears unlikely to make many dramatic changes as he goes into his first game as Blues boss at Birmingham City on Saturday. McCarthy and his assistant Terry Connor officially took over at Portman Road yesterday and haven’t had too much time to work with their new players.

Speaking at yesterday’s press conference, McCarthy said that reducing the number of goals which the Blues are conceding — 26 in their 13 Championship games so far this season — will be his priority: “I’ve got to look at the personnel and see if I can find some formula of how to get a clean sheet, of being hard to beat first and foremost.

“I haven’t got really any time to work with them. If I come in [on Friday] and change everything that they’ve been doing, that would just confuse the issue completely. I’ve got to try and inflict my beliefs and my personality on them.”

While he feels not too much can be gleaned from one training session, he says some of the younger players impressed him as the Blues make the first of two tricky away trips with a visit to Crystal Palace on Tuesday to follow: “St Andrew’s is a tough place to go and play.

“A couple of the young ‘uns have impressed me in [Thursday] training. I’ll see, I’ll have a look [on Friday] and make a decision on it.

“I loved being back out there and we had a good session, with plenty of the lads giving me something to think about before I select my first team,” he added.

McCarthy said yesterday that the remaining coaching staff from the previous regime had told him keeper Stephen Henderson had done well since his arrival, so the on-loan West Ham man is likely to keep his place in goal.

The back four will also probably be unchanged with Aaron Cresswell on the left and Luke Chambers and Danny Higginbotham in the centre. Skipper Carlos Edwards is set to be at right-back, although having been employed largely in a left wing role during his short loan spell under McCarthy at Wolves in the 2008/09 season.

McCarthy has a lot of options in midfield where Luke Hyam and Richie Wellens started in the centre last week. Either or both could keep their places, although Wellens — who says his outburst after last week’s defeat to Sheffield Wednesday was a heat of the moment thing — was laid low with tonsillitis earlier in the week.

The new manager mentioned Nigel Reo-Coker’s Premier League experience yesterday, although questions remain regarding the short-term signing’s match fitness. Guirane N’Daw and Andy Drury are other central options.

Massimo Luongo has tweeted that he will be in London tomorrow and again looks likely to be the domestic loan player missing out with the Blues only able to name five of their six in a matchday 18.

The new boss also has dilemmas out wide. Lee Martin may be used behind a lone striker or on a wing, as might Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, while Daryl Murphy could be used as a frontman if McCarthy utilises a 4-4-2 formation or alternatively out on the left.

Josh Carson could also come into the equation having started last week, while DJ Campbell and Michael Chopra will be vying for inclusion from the start up front.

Town’s only injury at present is striker Paul Taylor, who is still sidelined with a cracked bone in his foot, while fellow frontman Nathan Ellington missed this week’s U21 victory over Brentford as he was also one of a couple of players suffering with illness.

Right-back Elliott Hewitt played most of that match but is not likely to be considered ready for first team duty after his hip surgery and recent bout of tonsillitis.

For Birmingham, Serbian international frontman Nikola Zigic, who at 6ft 8in tall always provides a threat, is back after a three-game suspension, while another striker, Peter Lovenkrands, is expected to be back in contention after a groin injury.

Manager Lee Clark welcomes the added competition they will provide with Leroy Lita and Marlon King having started recent games: "It's great to have options in terms of the four.

"But for the two lads coming back now it's going to be difficult to dislodge the two in there at the moment because they are playing very well together. If players are playing well, it's up to other players to get the shirt off them."

Centre-half Pablo Ibanez (broken foot) is on the mend but not yet ready for a return and full-back Paul Caddis is out having undergone shoulder surgery. Another defender Stephen Carr is sidelined with a knee problem.

Clark says the change of boss at Portman Road will give the Ipswich squad a boost: "Certainly the new manager they’ve brought in will give them that impetus.

"He’s been successful in this division and he’s worked at the highest level both for club and country, so it’s a tremendous coup for Ipswich Town.

“I’m just hoping he hasn’t got enough time to get his ideas across and we can take maximum points. It was always going to be a tough game but Mick coming in will make it a little bit harder than it was going to be for us."

The former Norwich coach says he has a lot of time for McCarthy: "I’ve got to know Mick quite well since I’ve become a manager.

"Since I first got into the managerial game he was always on the end of the phone. He rang me and we spoke on a regular basis over a period of time and one of the first people to call me after I lost my first job was Mick.

"He’s been very supportive of me and I’m sure lots of other young managers around the country. But hopefully I'll repay him by beating him on Saturday and then sharing a drink with him!"

In April, second-half sub Jay Emmanuel-Thomas scored his seventh goal of 2012/13 as Town drew 1-1 at home to Birmingham City.

The visitors went in front against the run of play in first half injury time via Chris Burke, Emmanuel-Thomas equalising in a second period completely dominated by the Blues.

Earlier in the season, in January at St Andrew’s, two goals from Zigic saw Birmingham to a 2-1 victory. Town deserved more from the game with Lee Martin slamming in a superb equaliser and the midfielder should have been awarded a second half penalty prior to the Serb’s final-moments winner.

Paul Jewell’s post-match comments about the penalty, female assistant referee Amy Fearn not having spotted the trip on Martin, were taken out of context by some newspapers leading to a brief media furore.

Historically, the Blues have had the better of Birmingham, winning 30 times (27 in the league), drawing 12 (12) and losing 27 (21). The Midlanders currently sit in 17th in the table, nine points and seven placed above table-propping Town.

Blues midfielder Guirane N’Daw was on loan with Birmingham last season, making 25 starts and four sub appearances, while another of Town’s loan legion, DJ Campbell, was with the Midlanders from January 2006 until July 2007.

Former Town man Darren Ambrose, who came through the ranks of the Town academy and later had a loan spell back at Portman Road while a Charlton player, joined Birmingham from Crystal Palace in the summer.

Tickets will be available to Blues supporters on the gate at St Andrew's at no additional charge.

Saturday’s referee is Stuart Attwell from Warwickshire, who has shown 42 yellow and two red cards in 15 games this season.

Attwell’s last Town match was the infamous snow game against Leicester at Portman Road in December 2010 which the Blues won 3-0, Roy Keane’s last victory as manager of the club.

Squad from: Henderson, Loach, Lee-Barrett, Edwards, Cresswell, Ainsley, Chambers, Higginbotham, Smith, Mohsni, Hyam, N’Daw, Reo-Coker, Wellens, Drury, Martin, Carson, Emmanuel-Thomas, Murphy, Chopra, Campbell, Scotland.

Photo: Action Images

TimmyH added 19:54 - Nov 2 No first things first and he'll notice Edwards IS NOT a right back, he should have moved into right midfield a season or so ago, hopefully he'll see Hyam's tenaciousness in midfield and he'll get more regular starts.
0

Talbs77 added 19:59 - Nov 2 Its one of those games were we have to fight for every ball, fight for every header and scrap for a point or preferably 3. We HAVE to start winning ugly, I know it wont go down well with fans but to do well in this league thats whats required. Agree with TimmyH, Carlos needs to step away from right back and I think he will include Hyam. Lets hope we start turning the corner tomorrow.

0

alfromcol added 20:04 - Nov 2 Edmunds5 fair point.
0

TimmyH added 20:07 - Nov 2 We'll get at least a point tomorrow (he said) - new manager syndrome. Anybody know about the bonus that MM is supposedly getting if there is any truth behind it? Best of luck tomorrow lads!!
0

alfromcol added 20:07 - Nov 2 3-1 to Town would be nice, pay for the trip to Birmingham. Any ideas on how many are going, begins to feel like everyone will be there!
0

RegencyBlue added 20:17 - Nov 2 To be honest I think everyone is putting too much pressure on MM. An improved performance tomorrow would be a step in the right direction and any points gained a bonus. We have to give MM a chance to assess the situation before he can sort it out!
0

marcus9 added 20:27 - Nov 2 the only change that i feel mm must make is loach for henderson i for one do not rate henderson he didnt want to join us in january so i think the sooner he is sent back the better. loach is a better alround keeper and he is a true blue henderson looks like a walking mistake .
0

warbeat78 added 21:56 - Nov 2 If not ainsley why not smith at right back, if mm been looking at DVDs should notice 2 away draws and jiggle squad round that! Or there abouts taking into account of opposition strenghts.
0

BuckieBlue added 22:04 - Nov 2 Maybe two tough-ish away games is good- less expectations, points more of a bonus and terrific away support.
0

WarkyWonderLand added 22:26 - Nov 2 First thing we need to do is to become hard to beat. Have a feeling he will go 4-5-1 tomorrow. Would like to see 3-5-2 with loach in goal with chambers in centre with Higginbotham and mohsi beside him. In midfield have ndaw in middle with hyam and wellens either side with Edward on right and cresswell left. Would put Murphy up front with Campbell. It's down to Mick but hope all going tomorrow will make it loud Mick McCarthy's blue and white army and will he at selhurst. Coyb

0

R_LAMB3 added 23:08 - Nov 2 Jewell and Hutchings have left the club. Took all their over paid non tryers to the pub Big Mick and Terry have come to the town Now the blues wont go down.
0

scruffy added 23:47 - Nov 2 good to see mick having an early impact. i'd be more than happy with a draw, 0-0 would do. i've only been to BCFC once, 2-1 down at HT but won 4-2, long time ago but a great memory.
0

arc added 00:43 - Nov 3 Change it round, Mick... 4-4-2: Loach Chambers-N'Daw-Higginbottom-Smith Edwards-Hyam-Drury-Cresswell Mohnsi-Chopra If nothing else, it should reduce the number of crosses into the box.
0

R_LAMB3 added 00:44 - Nov 3 Starting on saturday mick has got a huge job on his hands. Somehow hes got to get some points out of the players jewell left behind. His hands are tied till january and then he start to build his own team. Lets give the guy a chance and keep off his back and let him do his job With all the new staff coming in soon to help him i think they will do well and get town back to where they should be. Lets all be patient good times are round the corner

0

Lombokblue added 03:41 - Nov 3 A recent blog said we have signed almost 90 players in the last 3 years. How did we end up with this squad going to Birmingham ? All those agent fees, lawyers fees, accommodation expenses , the cost of a scouting team and our best players are probably DJ Campbell and a Leicester loanee getting match fit. I see Mohnsi is already a favourite having played for about 15 minutes . Good luck MM but its going to take a while

0

oldtimer3 added 07:38 - Nov 3 Agree with lombokblue but unless he signs those two players in january he cant build a team around them. I think towns best player is Edwards by far very skillful, but cant build the team around him as he is getting near to the end of his career. MM has his biggest task ever to keep us in the championship.
0

Bob7881 added 08:15 - Nov 3 Its Funny that its taken the performance last week to see that the players we have are not up to it or cant be bothered. Jewell became the story and alas most could not see the players are as much to blame. They all get a fresh start now but its nice to know if players dont put in a full shift they will be on their way. It will be Micks way or the highway. Good luck Mick and the club as for the players some of you have got to earn my support and respect.

0

Dissboyitfc added 08:40 - Nov 3 Bluetone......i think you need to be a little more realistic and perhaps a little more patient .... 7 points and a clean sheet from 3 games is promotion form, not realistic is it? Its gonna take a few games b4 we start to see the shoots of recovery, something i am sure will happen, but if we expect too much too soon heads will drop and then all the negativity will begin all over again.... COYB

0

wkj added 08:53 - Nov 3 Do we have to win 17-0 to avoid a bunch of people ending their posts with McCarthy Out! ?
0

shamboy added 09:03 - Nov 3 Mick may take a game or two to assess what he's got, but I think it is far more likely that he will gamble on Mohsni up front with Chopra today. If those two gel in the way they should, it will be a massive bonus, and he will know all about both players. 1-1 draw. Mohsni scoring first. Win at Palace.
0

Stunnicliffe added 10:00 - Nov 3 Will be interesting to see how MM goes about building his team. I would like to see him start by considering what formation(s) he wants to employ, and then which of the current staff that are committed to the end of the season are the best bets to fulfil the roles within that formation. He should then analyse where the weaknesses are within that team, and whether any of the copious loan signing options currently on the books can paper over those cracks in the short term, making permanent signings in those positions the priority in January. One of the major problems for ITFC over the last 4 years or so is that they seem to have been trying to build on ever-shifting foundations. Keane had no patience whatsoever, & Jewell's over-reliance on loan signings smacked of a lack of fundamental forward planning. Loan signings should primarily be to cover the loss of key players through injury - I'm not averse to bringing one or two in to guard against complacency and provide options, but 8 is frankly rediculous, and no more than 2 or 3 should ever be on the pitch at the same time unless the squad is seriously decimated with injuries. It should be glaringly obvious to MM that the defence lacks height & dominance, and that if Carlos is playing at right (wing) back then extra defensive cover is needed. For these reasons I think Mohsni may need to be employed alongside, or just in front of, Chambers and Higginbottom. Failing to sign an adequate partner for McCauley was one of Keane's main failings, and failing to adequately replace McCauley (who himself took a while to demonstrate that he could be an adequate replacement for De Vos) has to be seen as the biggest of Jewell's many errors.I saw Mohsni at Southend & to be honest didn't like his attitude, but he can at least bring some height & physical presence to the side, and at the moment these qualities are urgently needed in and around the defence. On balance I would go with the following starting line up this afternoon:- Loach, Edwards, Chambers, Mohsni, Higginbottom, Cresswell, Hyam, Carson, Martin, Murphy, Campbell. I'm not expecting miracles whatever side MM goes with, but it would be nice to see them demonstrate some character, commitment & concentration - I'll take a 1-1 draw for starters (but am hoping for more).

0

Stunnicliffe added 10:12 - Nov 3 By the way, before anyone points out that there are 4 loan players in my suggested team, more than the max. of 3 that I said ought to be used at any one time, I'm afraid that's the legacy of what Jewell has left, heightened by the fact that at the moment JET & Chopra can't be relied upon to do a job. If I was rigidly sticking to a max. of 3 then Scotland would probably come in for Murphy, but I think I'd rather start in this particular game with Murphy.

0

cressi added 11:27 - Nov 3 LOACH CHAMBERS MOHSNI HIGGINBOTTOM EDWARDS N,DAW HYAM REO-COKER CRESSWELL SCOTLAND MURPHY
0

eaii added 14:10 - Nov 3 I do not expect miracles regarding today's result but playing players in the right positions would be an immediate improvement from the previous twit but playing Edwards at right back and strikers in wide positions will defo be the start of the end for yet another manager! maybe he needs to see a couple of games to realise this and that is what I am hoping.
0

Blogs 296 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls