Town boss Mick McCarthy is hoping for favourable weather as the Blues go into a rare period of 10 days between Championship fixtures. Next Saturday’s home game against Reading has moved to the following Tuesday - February 2nd - as the Royals are in FA Cup fourth round action against Walsall at the Madejski Stadium.

The free week means McCarthy and his staff will have more time to work with the players on the training field, as long as the weather doesn’t throw a spanner in the works as it already has done on previous occasions this month.

“If we could get on the pitches, that would be handy,” the Blues manager said. “If they’re not frozen or flooded that would be a real help.

“[When games come Saturday-Tuesday] you just turn around and get playing. It’s unusual but nevertheless [the Reading game will] come around pretty quickly.

“We’ll have a couple of days in the week but then we’ll be back to Tuesday-Saturday again.”

When they face Reading the Blues will be looking to stretch their remarkable winning run at Portman Road on Tuesday nights to 16 games, their last Tuesday home non-victory having been the 2-0 defeat to Watford in February 2013.

Town could have another free weekend due to their scheduled opposition’s FA Cup commitments in February.

Blackburn, who are currently down to visit Portman Road on Saturday 20th February, the weekend of the fifth round, face Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium in a fourth round tie this Saturday.

Photo: Action Images

BanksterDebtSlave added 20:40 - Jan 25 Isn't your voting finger getting tired yet blueboy 1981?
-1

Westy added 20:40 - Jan 25 FarCatEvans, I remember watching Muhren play and Bobby Robson signing him and I'm not saying there is anyone in our squad of his class. The point I was trying to make is that I don't like hoofball, but when it is aimed at a particular player and finds the man then that is a good pass. Look at the winner against Leeds - a long ball to Frazer (that was meant) that Frazer controlled superbly first time, beat the Leeds right back, crossed for Pitman to head a dramatic late winner - a great goal that started by with an accurate long-ball pass.

6

Dissboyitfc added 20:40 - Jan 25 If we are broke as is common knowledge, then why play a weakened team and lose out on a potentially lucrative cup game, we should be playing in the cup not having a rest day! Could have taken some much needed revenue from the cup and given the fans a little pleasure in the process! Putting out a weakened team served no useful purpose!
3

essex57 added 21:01 - Jan 25 Batty blue so by the tone of your text your willing the team to lose just so you can justify your opinions how sad is that.
-3

wayway added 21:04 - Jan 25 Tractorshark, we have to take the rough with the rough
1

ChestnutSe added 21:50 - Jan 25 It's going to be a long wait for the next game. Let's hope MM signs somebody so w can change the record
1

grumpyoldman added 22:24 - Jan 25 Westy do you really think comparing a hopeful punt in the general direction of a team mate with a long defence splitting pass usually to within a inch of its intended target is a valid point, I despair of your appreciation of the finer points of the game
0

PMK added 00:09 - Jan 26 Seems a lot of people on here agree with what Steve Evans said a couple of weeks back.
1

PMK added 00:14 - Jan 26 Scott Duncan???
0

essextractorboy93 added 00:25 - Jan 26 Tractorshark - completely agree with you, so many fickle fans around these days who want instant success and think money can just be thrown around. They don't understand the reality of football. Unfortunately they represent so much that is wrong with the modern game. McCarthy is doing a great job and fans of other teams can see that, he is one of the best at this level and we are lucky to have him. Get used to him being around because he is going nowhere and everyone in football knows he's doing well here so change the record some of you

3

airliner added 06:30 - Jan 26 Let's hope it's not another 14 years for mick to gain promotion or is that seeking instant success
0

Westy added 07:57 - Jan 26 GrumpyOldMan. Do you have anything positive to say ?. I'm not an advocate of hoofball unless it is a desperate last ditch clearance, but to say we hoof it all the time is not fair. The winner against Leeds wad a great long ball pass. The first goal, by the way was played out of defence through midfield for Frazer to cross for Chambers to score. Another great goal.
2

essex57 added 08:03 - Jan 26 Westy to answer your first question NO
-2

grumpyoldman added 08:28 - Jan 26 Essex57, if you bothered to read other people's comments you would realise I do have positive things to say. Westy my only argument with your statement was comparing the long hopeful punt upfield with a precise long pass. Yes the goals/moves you mention were good but you must admit they have been a rarity lately
3

Westy added 17:46 - Jan 26 GrumpyOldMan, Then we agree.
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls