HarryfromBath assesses the mood in the opposition camp ahead of Tuesday's game by delving into their forum.

"I think that Ipswich will find us a completely different proposition from the team that played them earlier in the season. We seem to know what Championship football is all about and what you have to get are results."

This comment contrasts sharply with a remark made in September: "We have played some nice stuff and with a little more good fortune would be in a better position."

Yeovil are now a much more street-wise outfit, determined to battle for results rather than just participate. The Glovers come into Tuesday's game on the back of a five game unbeaten run, and having broken Sheffield Wednesday's nine-game unbeaten away run with a 2-0 home win on Saturday, courtesy of two Ishmael Miller goals.

Gary Johnson

"'Magic' Johnson could keep us up — believe it!", "Our season has been mainly trying to come up with a mix of loanees and signings, who are all willing to battle for survival. It seems that recent form would suggest that we finally have that mix. Certainly the manager believes we have."

The highly regarded Yeovil boss has built a small squad, blending experienced players with talented and motivated young permanent and loan signings. They play an uncomplicated 4-4-2 system with a strong emphasis on teamwork and a high work rate out of possession.

"Having lost five of the last seven away, the recent home run has helped confidence", "It seems to be growing as we keep up this unbeaten run", "Wednesday were happy to soak things up a bit and be patient as we provided most play", "They spent the first half trying to sit back and smother us."

Against the Owls, many supporters felt that their team started to control the game rather than merely strive for a win. "A great committed team performance with some excellent phases of play. Today was the first time, barring the first 10 minutes that we seemed comfortable and untroubled."

A Spirit of Determination

"If there was an upside to three red cards, at least they were from different parts of the pitch, rather than two or three from the one area", "A great three points today. I thought that every player gave 100%. There seems to be a great fighting spirit in the club right now".

The never say die spirit was best exemplified in their heroic 1-1draw at the Madejski Stadium last Saturday week, when they held out against the Royals despite being reduced to eight men.

"Epic, wasn't it? I normally get someone to talk to us from the opposition supporters, but there was a 10-minute walk to the car, and not a word", "I've still got that ‘did that just happen?' feeling. It was backs to the wall stuff with massive support by our travelling Green Army."

Salvation

"It's a real shame that the other sides won, but it makes our result today even more important. We are now 19 points off where I think we need to be, come May", "We have to concentrate on our own game now. With performances like that, we have got a great chance."

"The run is extended to five games without defeat now. Could we pull off the great Championship escape?" The Glovers are one place from safety, two points behind Millwall with a game in hand, and Blackpool's winless run is being keenly monitored.

"Forest and Derby have let us down when I thought that they were certainties to win", "I know we are in the wrong zone, but it's so close", "Steady as she goes. We're roping them in one club at a time", "I think we could push on and, you never, never know, we could do it!"

"Why does everyone else win when we win", "A great victory this afternoon. It would have been wonderful to have moved out of the bottom three, but it's a massive stride towards safety", "Still, we must keep going and look at the bigger picture."

Defence

Yeovil's recent run has been built on a stable and solid back five, who have started each of the last seven games, and who have conceded just one goal in the last four games.

"Marek had one of his quietest afternoons for a while today (against Wednesday). Aside from a smart parry early in, he was a spectator for most of it." Marek Stech, the 24-year-old Czech goalkeeper, a one-time Town trialist, is widely seen as a safe pair of hands, and he is well protected by his back four.

"I think the back four has looked very strong, yes, even with McAllister. At times of the year, criticism has been pretty rife, so I think it is right to mention that he has been much better in the last couple of games."

Former Bristol City left-back Jamie McAllister was criticised earlier in the season for his "slow link-up play" and "dwelling on the ball", but the 35-year-old has now brought some "balance to the defence."

McAllister is generally seen as a more cautious operator than 22-year-old right-back and former Arsenal youth product Luke Ayling. "Ayling is a real threat going forward" and is "very comfortable on the ball", "He likes to link up with his midfielder and isn't afraid to have a crack at goal."

Shane Duffy

The bedrock of the Glovers' defence is their centre-back partnership. "The pairing of Webster and Duffy has been tremendous this season for us", "Our defence is quite solid, and in Shane Duffy we have picked up a really talented centre-half on loan from Everton."

"Duffy showing his class once again", "Martin O'Neill is reported to be heading down to Huish Park to watch him", "He got our goal, a looping header that left the Reading keeper stranded. Before that, we hadn't created a chance."

The defender is on loan from Everton until the end of the season, and is praised for his fierce determination. "He made an outstanding tackle on Le Fondre as he seemed destined to score", "He got in an important block to prevent Giles Coke's effort reaching the keeper."

The 22-year-old is 6ft 4in tall. "Gary Johnson thinks he can be more of a goal threat. He's committed and a danger from dead balls. He puts is body on the line and is a fiery character." He captained the Republic of Ireland U21 team in their defeat last week against Montenegro.

Byron Webster

"Having Webster available was the most important thing going into the Wednesday game." The former Northampton centre-back was red-carded in the incident which led to Reading penalty, a dismissal which was rescinded by the appeals panel.

The 26-year-old is praised for his "fearlessness", for the "calm authority he radiates", for his aerial ability and for his consistency. He is also the third highest goal scorer with four goals this season.

"The appeal against Webster's card was successful", "So that's confirmation that yet another refereeing decision has gone in favour of the ‘big' club", "Without the Webster red card, we'd have gone on to win the game on Saturday."

Central Midfield

"Ralls and Edwards have been fantastic all season." Twenty-year-old Cardiff loan signing Joe Ralls will miss Tuesday's game for his red card at the Madejski. He was criticised earlier in the season for disappearing from games, but had become a "consistent and reliable" performer before his sending off.

Joe Edwards

"When Joe Edwards plays awful, you know it's not your day", "Our midfield relies on Joe Edwards week-in week-out to supply the box-to-box energy and he rarely lets us down. Why Bristol City let him go is beyond me", "Joe loves being involved and really getting into the heart of the action."

The 23-year-old is a former team mate of Cole Skuse, and played a dozen times for Bath City in a two-month loan spell when they were in the Blue Square Bet Premier League. "He is a consistent high-energy performer, and loves knocking the ball around."

Reuben Palazuelos

"I have a world-wide scouting network of one person." Gary Johnson's quip was made after being asked how he discovered the Spanish central midfielder, who was outstanding against the Owls on Saturday. "He looks a player."

"Palazuelos had a debut of real quality. He was industrious throughout but can pick a pass. He is a very capable replacement for Ed Upson." The 30-year-old replaced the suspended Joe Ralls at the weekend, and is likely to start against us.

"Palazuelos was man of the match today. Ed Upson plus experience equals him. He put his foot in to win the ball and nearly always seemed unruffled, refusing to panic. If he continues like this, he could well be the missing link to our survival."

He played over 100 times for Hearts between 2007 and 2011. "Palazuelos is class. What a great addition to the team", "He's having a cracking game", "The best Yeovil performance I've seen in ages."

Wide Midfield

"We seem to be humping the ball over the top, cutting out Lawrence and Holmes. Play it to their feet, guys!" With their widemen isolated and marginalised, the Glovers struggled to develop an effective rhythm in the early stages in their 1-0 win over Doncaster just over a fortnight ago.

"Duane Holmes struggled at times against a very good and bloody quick full-back against the Owls", "Holmes has been quiet in the second half." The 19-year-old is many Glovers preferred starting option on the left flank, and has joined on a short-term loan from Huddersfield.

"He's a fantastic prospect who is young and hungry." The American is seen as something of an unpolished gem. "Duane hasn't really put any decent final balls in, but Wednesday's full-backs have been backing off him as they struggle with his pace."

"Lawrence cuts inside and fires wide of the target." Several Glovers praised his link-up play and mentioned how dangerous he was when cutting in. "He made a superb flick to set up Miller's first goal against the Owls."

Tom Lawrence is another short-term loan signing, the 20-year-old Wales U21 international joining from Manchester United on a three-month contract, and has featured on the right flank in recent games.

There were a few remarks highlighting his occasional impulsiveness. "Tom should also have been sent off against Reading, but the referee was conscious of the mess he had made and thankfully bottled it."

Strikers

"Going from Conference to Championship is hard work, as Kieffer Moore will testify." Yeovil will welcome back the 6ft 5in former Dorchester Town target man after his one match ban for picking up two yellow cards at Reading. "Moore's red card was completely innocuous."

"Please ask Gary Johnson when Adam Morgan will be given a decent run out. He was dubbed as a future England star and is not playing", "I would like to see Morgan given a chance." Several Glovers would like to see the 19-year-old Liverpool youth-product play more.

Former Bournemouth striker James Hayter has been a regular starter. The 34-year-old joined from Doncaster and was praised for his "sharp awareness" when dispossessing Hayden Mullins for one of his brace against Birmingham in January. "What he lacks in pace he makes up for with his positioning."

Ishmael Miller

"Are all the people who were grumbling about Ishmael Miller being back in the side prepared to eat humble pie?" "He can be frustrating, but when he's hot…" "If Miller's first goal hadn't gone in, it would have killed a Sheffield Wednesday fan."

The 27-year-old striker has joined on loan from Nottingham Forest until the end of the season. He struggles for pace and fitness, but there is no doubt that Gary Johnson has been coaxing the best out of him, as his two goals on Saturday demonstrated.

"Miller hardly runs, but he is as infuriating as he is talented. Having a striker who seems able to score in every other game gives our survival bid real weight", "As is customary for him, his goal was disallowed for offside", "Miller was offside eight times and didn't run."

"He's obviously nowhere near 100% fit and yet he scored two absolute crackers. He was the difference between the two teams", "He's a big problem for opposition defences if he is fit and in the mood. Two games in quick succession may be too much for him though."

Websites

The Ciderspace website is a good source of general information and news stories. It had a very good message board, which was shut down in February.

An embryonic new message board called Allez Yeo has just been set up by Martin McConachie, a Glover who popped over to say hello on the forum on Friday. I also managed to source some comments and views from the Ciderspace Twitter feed.

Photo: Action Images

Tractamatt added 12:11 - Mar 10 Good stuff Harry as usual, never has a managers team selection been so important, MM must surely play Williams from the start and give Anderson a start with Hunt inside left midfield and Taylor,SEB and Murphy upfront.If we don't attack Yeovil from the first whistle to the last we will be thoroughly embarrassed.
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ericclacton added 13:09 - Mar 10 They played some good stuff here with pace and we only just nicked it 2-1, I'm hoping SEB starts and Hunt, tough match that's for sure Harry.
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htb added 13:27 - Mar 10 Hope we do not do the same as Sheff Weds did i.e sit back and try to smother them. We should go at them form the off, and not concede control of the midfield. Unfortunately i fear we will play our usual cautious game.
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marco007 added 13:44 - Mar 10 mmm can only see one result really. Hate to be a prophet of doom but where are our goals coming from and can we keep a clean sheet? Have we got the lowest scoring midfield in the country??
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camblue added 15:39 - Mar 10 marco007, probably the world!!!
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oscarwhiting added 16:13 - Mar 10 cheers harry, great read as always. im quite worried for tommarow.
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LiamCP123 added 16:21 - Mar 10 Unfortunately, I'm not that confident about this match. I think we could get something out of this though.
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carlisleaway added 16:25 - Mar 10 Harry....this must like a home game for you if you are attending. Great away following, 800 tickets sold although like most I am going as have not visited this ground before. Does MM know what it is like to put out an attacking line up without McGoldrick
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Tractamatt added 16:31 - Mar 10 I think, it's only a thought mind, if we lose thid
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Tractamatt added 16:39 - Mar 10 Maybe now I'll finish, bloody phone, if we lose this and lose against Wigan Saturday MM will be looking for another job. Yes we are so much better of than last season but we have stagnated so weather MM walks to save face or is fired the managers position will have become untenable but hopefully the last few weeks have been a blip and we can finish the season strongly

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Superblue95 added 16:56 - Mar 10 @Tractamatt why would MM be sacked when we are still sat in the top half of the table with a team that has no right to be up there?
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Tractamatt added 17:22 - Mar 10 Superblue95 1,At what point of my post did I say MM deserved to be sacked what I have said is that losses to Wigan and Yeovil would leave him in an untenable position based on what has happened to other managers. 2, I did say that we are undoubtedly in a much better place than we where this time last season but if the current level of performances continues we will not be top half for long and it's only our good run earlier in the season that means we are unlikely to be relegated. I accept not every agrees with everyone else, life would be so dull if they did, so what would you suggest could be done to stop the slide?

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jas0999 added 17:35 - Mar 10 After losing on Saturday, only a win will do if we want to stay in the play off hunt. It won't be easy and despite their improvement, we should still be more than good enough to beat them.
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Superblue95 added 17:36 - Mar 10 Im pretty sure Jewell and Keane both lost 6 league games in a row when in charge and didnt get immediately sacked so i doubt MM would be if we lost 3. And as for stopping the slide I dont really think we are on a slide as we have been sat 9th/10th for most the season. I agree things need to be freshened up and MM needs to find a way of incorporating his hard workers with the flair players. A 4-2-3-1 formation would be my suggestion, has worked well for the likes of Southampton in the prem this season. I dont think anymore can really be done to improve this team without some investment in the summer and that is down to Evans

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superkevinwilson added 19:21 - Mar 10 Going to be hard to get a result there, it was tough at home and we was lucky to get the win. Need to attack from the start and put them on the back foot. Need to play Williams or he might as well go back to palace. Keep Taylor in and get Tabb out, Anderson and Hunt on wings and Skuse in middle. Need to think about the right back as most of our goals conceded come from that area. Town to draw 1-1

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HarryfromBath added 00:41 - Mar 11 carlisleaway, I am really looking forward to the game. Setting off from Bath at 5.30 p.m. to watch ITFC in an evening game is a very rare pleasure, and it will be a really interesting game. Eric, Liam , Oscar and SuperKevin, I agree that it will be tough, partly because they have their tails up and partly because they have become accustomed to digging in. For what it's worth, I very much agree with the consensus that we need to get off to a high tempo. The Owls allowed Yeovil to settle into a rhythm and this was their undoing. I am interested to see this Reuben Palazuelos chap in action. I was chatting to a few Glovers this evening and they were raving about him. Cole Skuse should know Joe Edwards game well enough, but it will be interesting to see how Mick sets up his central pairing. Having a stylish Spaniard in your team really does seem to be the norm in this division. I hope that we will see Jonny Williams and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake in full attack mode. I have been feeling quite gloomy about our play-off chances since we lost McGoldrick, and a bit of mayhem from that pair will give everyone a lift. Thanks to everyone for chipping in with your thoughts, and a safe journey down to the West Country to everyone making the long trip.

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ericclacton added 07:31 - Mar 11 Enjoy the game Harry, give them a come on from me.
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