Boss Mick McCarthy believes Town’s Easter Monday opponents AFC Bournemouth have an unfair advantage over the Blues by having a three-day gap ahead of what could be a pivotal play-off six-pointer. The Cherries, who are ninth, one place and two points behind Town, play Sheffield Wednesday at home today, while Town travel to Watford tomorrow.

“Just when you need it most after 42 games playing Saturday and Monday,” McCarthy joked when asked about the two Bank Holiday fixtures.

“And, of course, Bournemouth are playing Friday and Monday, which will give them an advantage. Me and TC are going to watch their game on Friday to have a look at them.

“It does give them an extra day’s rest. It’s slightly unfair actually, at any stage, but at the end of the season even more so. But we’ve coped with it all along and I think we’ll cope with it again. We’ll be fine.”

McCarthy says he’s unsure whether there might have been an option to move Town’s game at Vicarage Road to the Friday: “I don’t know. That has to be done when the fixtures are decided.

“Bournemouth, playing on Friday, must be thinking ‘Happy days’ because they get an extra day’s rest. I’ve no idea whether that was an option.

“Because it’s our away fixture I’m not sure we could put ours back, so anyway we’ve got to play it. We’ve managed that before, they’ve been brilliant physically all season and I’m sure we’ll cope with it yet again.”

The Town boss is anticipating a big Bank Holiday crowd at Portman Road on Monday: “I hope so. It’s sold out on Saturday as well, so let’s see if we can get some points. There are two great games in store, I’m looking forward to them.”

Photo: Action Images

el_nino added 08:06 - Apr 18 It's ridiculous. Why aren't all the games Friday and Monday? Would save a lot of hassle.
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GerkensBeard added 09:02 - Apr 18 I think that while yes you can look at it as a days less rest for us but you can also look at the fact with Brighton, Reading and Bournemouth playing today, we will know exactly we have to do tomorrow, and if Reading and Brighton only get points today we will be sitting here tomorrow evening thinking that a draw at Watford would be a brilliant result
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oscarwhiting added 09:53 - Apr 18 As much as I agree that it is a bit unfair. These are proffesional footballers, they should be fit enough to play games as often as this. My local team in the skrill south are playing Saturday- Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday because of the fixture congestion because of all the postponed games. And they are all part time footballers who are towars the bottam of the league but they have won 95% of the games. So Two games in three games shouldn't affect these players. COYB

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FriskinPriskin1 added 10:05 - Apr 18 Still doesn't compute - 'we have to be worried about Bournemouth'.
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essextractorboy93 added 10:22 - Apr 18 Absolutely ridiculous Bournemouth play today, absolutely no reason we couldn't have played today. Also Reading play today and Tuesday! FA are a joke.
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TimmyH added 10:50 - Apr 18 Unfair scheduling! - are Reading on Sky by any chance on Tuesday?
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el_nino added 11:06 - Apr 18 Oscarwhiting- I don't think that 2 games in 3 days is the issue. We've done that before and will do it again. The fact is that our opponents on Monday will have had an extra 24 hours for rest and recovery. That therefore gives them an unfair physiological advantage.
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Markthehorn added 12:46 - Apr 18 Must admit I am surprised the game wasn't moved back to today... We usually play on Easter Friday..
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pistonbroke added 12:54 - Apr 18 Swings and roundabouts we have an extra days rest before we play tomorrow also reading played midweek and are playing today
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bloooosman_malta added 13:18 - Apr 18 Blues are the fitest team in the league. We can make it
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