Town boss Mick McCarthy believes the Blues are capable of beating anybody at Portman Road as his side begin what looks to be a crucial month of March with a home game against Nottingham Forest.

Having built last year’s sixth-place finish on the division’s joint-best home form - 15 wins, five draws and just three defeats along with Middlesbrough - the Blues have been rather less impressive when in Suffolk so far this season - won six, drawn six, lost four - and have picked up more than half of their 51 points, 27, on their travels.

March sees Town face first Forest, who are 15th and have lost their last three Championship games, 16th place Blackburn and third-bottom Rotherham at Portman Road, on paper all very winnable home games.

However, McCarthy points out that life’s not as simple as that in the Championship: “It’s easy when you just look at the league and see where they are.

“I bet Hull thought that was winnable last night [before they lost 1-0] at Birmingham and I’m sure Derby thought it was winnable at Wolves [when they lost 2-1 last week] as well.

“That’s just the way it is. The league is relentless, it’s very tough, it’s uncompromising and it’s very to call results in it.

“It’s a game we want to win, it’s a game we’re capable of winning. We’ve got to play well in it and if we do and we play to the best of our ability, I think we’re capable of beating anybody here, so let’s hope we do that.”

Last week’s 1-0 win at Huddersfield moved Town up a place to ninth, four points plus a goal difference of 14 behind Sheffield Wednesday in sixth with Birmingham and Cardiff in seventh and eighth separating them.

Does McCarthy believe that the Blues are competing with those three for the final play-off place? “I think so. But I wouldn’t write any of them off who are six or seven points away.

“If you put three or four wins together all of a sudden you don’t know where it might take you.

“I think Crystal Palace showed that a long time ago when Ian Dowie was in charge and they were in the bottom three in September and just kept going and going and going and they ended up in the play-offs and won and were in the Premier League.

“I wouldn’t be writing any of them off. I saw Sheffield Wednesday play against Hull and I thought they were a really good team.

“Cardiff beat Brighton really convincingly, they’ve still got good players left from their time in the Premier League. And then there's ourselves, it’s a right royal scrap for it.”

Forest have had more than a few players sidelined of late, however, the Town boss says other clubs - including the Blues - have had similar problems.

“They’ve had injuries, like the rest of us,” he added. “It’s a great club, we’re not talking about a little club coming here that we should just be turning over, it’s a really good club with really good players and an experienced manager in Dougie Freedman.”

McCarthy has said one or two unnamed members of his squad have niggles which will be assessed in the morning but if everyone’s fit his team is likely to see Bartosz Bialkowski continue in goal with skipper and former Forest man Luke Chambers at right-back, Jonas Knudsen at left-back and Tommy Smith and Christophe Berra at the centre of the defence.

In central midfield, Luke Hyam, back after his hamstring injury, could come in for Kevin Foley alongside Jonathan Douglas with Cole Skuse still absent with his foot injury but expected to return for the trip to Bolton on Tuesday.

In the wide roles, Freddie Sears is likely to continue on the right and Ben Pringle on the left with Brett Pitman up front with Daryl Murphy.

For Forest, Jamie Ward missing out with a hamstring problem but Ryan Mendes is expected to be fit enough to start following a groin injury. Oliver Burke has fractured his hand but could play with a specially made cast.

Henri Lansbury (ankle) and Britt Assombalonga (knee) are close to a return to training after long-term injuries, while Daniel Pinillos (knee), Andy Reid (groin) and Matty Fryatt (achilles) have all been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign.

Forest had hoped to sign former Crystal Palace forward Andre Moritz in time for the game but they are still to complete the deal.

Despite the Brazilian being a free agent - he recently left Thai club Buriram United - Forest's FFP embargo complicates adding players - they are limited to free signings and loans, wages of around £5,000 and a squad of 24 senior players - while international clearance is also required.

Forest boss Freedman says he'll be changing his team's system after their three successive defeats

“I believe this time we’ve got to change the shape a little bit," he told Forest Player HD.

“We’re disappointed with how the last couple of games have gone, especially at home where we’ve been ever so close but unable to get over the line.

“We’ll have a different approach against Ipswich, a more attacking approach, because frankly we have nothing to lose at this particular stage of the season. We need to push on and hopefully we’ll get a result.

“Ipswich are a long-ball team, they try and play in behind you. You’ve got to compete against them — stand up and be strong. They are a good side but not an invincible one.”

Blues captain Chambers joined Town on a Bosman free transfer after departing the City Ground in the summer of 2012, while still sidelined striker McGoldrick signed on loan from Forest in January 2013 before putting pen to paper on a permanent deal the following summer.

Historically, Forest very much have the upper hand, winning 34 of the games between the two sides (31 in the league), 18 (17) ending in draws and Town winning 20 (19).

In October, on-loan former Town midfielder Liam Trotter - who has since returned to his parent side Bolton - denied his old club their first win at the City Ground since 1999 with a debut goal deep into injury time as the Blues and Forest drew 1-1. Earlier, sub Jonny Parr’s 74th minute goal had given Town the lead.

The teams last met at Portman Road in April in last season’s penultimate Championship match when Sears netted a deflected 83rd minute goal to see his side to a 2-1 win.

Murphy put the Blues, who moved up to fifth as a result of the win, in front with his 25th goal of the season on 22 but Berra’s 53rd minute own goal handed the visitors a lifeline before Sears’s late winner.

This weekend is Supporters Weekend with various events happening around the game and fans from around the globe at Portman Road, including the Italian Branch and supporters from Sweden and Norway.

Saturday’s referee is Andy Woolmer from Northamptonshire, who has shown 84 yellow cards and two red in 28 games so far this season.

Woolmer’s most recent Town game was the 2-1 FA Cup replay defeat at Portsmouth in January in which he red-carded Piotr Malarczyk for two bookable offences - the only yellow cards of the night - and also awarded a penalty against the Polish defender.

Before that he was in charge of the 2-1 win at Wigan in September 2014 in which he booked only Tyrone Mings and Christophe Berra.

Woolmer also refereed the 3-3 pre-season friendly draw at Notts County in July 2013 and the 3-0 home victory over Bristol City in the Championship in March 2012 in which he booked three Town players and four Robins.

Squad from: Bialkowski, Gerken, Chambers (c), Knudsen, Foley, Berra, Smith, Digby, Malarczyk, Hyam, Douglas, Tabb, Bru, McDonnell, Pringle, Maitland-Niles, Touré, Sears, Pitman, Murphy, Varney.

Photo: Action Images

flimflam added 16:46 - Mar 4 Must be watching a different game to me then as we have only really played well at home to Leeds & Burnley. Our home form is shocking and the reason why we are so far away from play offs at the moment
27

Mark added 16:48 - Mar 4 Come on lads, we really need a win tomorrow to raise spirits at a time the season ticket renewal packs are about to be sent out. 6 wins out of 16 at home this season coupled with a long ball style approach shows why some fans are considering not renewing, especially after today's announced price increase. We need to get back to winning ways to renew optimism.
5

Langdon_Blue added 16:57 - Mar 4 I wouldn't call 4 points with a game in hand away from the play off places that far away...Forrest have looked poor of late so hopefully we can capitalise on that tomorrow. COYB's!!
4

Cakeman added 17:07 - Mar 4 We would be capable of beating all at home if we didn't continue to play players out of position i.e. Mr Sears who instead of playing up front in the middle has to make do with cuddling the linesmen
15

footyblue added 17:08 - Mar 4 Has MM not watched us at home this season then!! we have only played well in a couple of games Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds all the other games have been far from memorable our home form is abysmal
16

ChrisFelix added 17:17 - Mar 4 We can beat anyone utter rubbish We probably have our worst home record since relegation. Failed to beat most of the teams above plus Preston, Huddersfield & Bristol
13

paulcooperisgod added 17:28 - Mar 4 Try playing the players in the right positions ie SEARS upfront FOLEY at right back and KNUDSEN in the reserves :)
6

therein61 added 17:29 - Mar 4 What we capable of and end up doing is down to poor management and selection.
6

prebbs007 added 17:31 - Mar 4 Not with these players and your hoofball were not !!!! Idiot !!!!
8

derby123 added 17:35 - Mar 4 Keyboard warriors out in force I see, funny how I didn't see or hear any of you at Huddersfield last week. Just 900 plus fans behind manager and team. Strange that but I suppose were the minority. If you are all that fed up with mick and
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Bluetone added 17:35 - Mar 4 "Town boss Mick McCarthy believes the Blues are capable of beating anybody at Portman Road" Well yes at hoofball but at football? Nah I don't think so.
12

derby123 added 17:43 - Mar 4 May I just add that if your all fed up with mick and want him out, why don't you demonstrate after the match. As you state your the majority it would be interesting to see if you really are. In other words put up or shut up.
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jas0999 added 17:44 - Mar 4 Really? Easy to say when we primarily play the bottom clubs at home for the remainder of the season. Sadly, Burnley aside we haven't been great against the better sides at home this season. Poor in fact.
16

Cakeman added 17:55 - Mar 4 derby123 Please accept that I respect your opinions. However please remember that many including myself cannot afford to attend all matches so yes I a can be classified as a keyboard warrior but I do not need to attend every game to see what is going on.
9

therein61 added 18:12 - Mar 4 derby123, I went to Huddersfield and while we gained 3 very welcomed points(we were very lucky to get them!!) I didn't see anyone with rose tinted spectacles on amongst our loyal following were you actually there!??
15

blueboy1981 added 18:16 - Mar 4 To be able to beat anyone, home or away, you need to get shots on target - How many have we had in the last couple of matches ... ?? The only way you'll be as good as your words Michael - is change your tactics, and whilst you're at it incorporate players in their best, and rightful positions. Then, and only then, we have a decent chance.
8

Ipswichbusiness added 18:19 - Mar 4 Look at the table and compare our record with that of the teams above us. Our away record is very respectable, our home record is mediocre. The reason for the poor home record? We don't score enough goals.
6

derby123 added 18:22 - Mar 4 Therein61 yes I was there, granted it wasn't pretty and we more than rode our luck. My statement was more to do with people singing duper mick McCarthy at the end. Did you not hear it? If not were you not there?
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therein61 added 18:39 - Mar 4 derby123,Yes I was there as I have been(more than not) home and away since 1958 I heard some singing re Mick while applauding the boys off the field but it was from the minority I respect your views and statement as I do anyone's on the site all I want as any decent supporter is to see our boys in blue successful( and I've witnessed our best seasons home and abroad) but at the minute I feel we are going back instead of the preferred direction

15

Guthrum added 18:49 - Mar 4 OK, I can put up with grumbling about the style, but not outright inaccuracy, chrishants. This is by no means the worst home season since relegation. Thus far we have accrued 50% of the points available at Portman Road (24 out of 48). The ratio was almost exactly the same in 2012-13, 2009-10 and 2002-03. It was only marginally more in 2011-12. In 2008-09 and 2010-11 it was 48% and in 2005-06 just 46%. Only in four seasons has it risen above 60%: 2004-05 (78%), when we made the play-offs, Magilton's miracle home season of 2007-08 (75%) and the two just gone (61% followed by 72%). The remaining two were 2003-04 (56%, play-offs) and 2006-07 (59%).

12

blues1 added 19:04 - Mar 4 Paulcooperisgod. What are you on about. Knudsen has been our most consistent defender for some time now. Yes, it's taken him a bit of time to settle but I'd playing well now. Take a look at where the vast majority of the goals we concede come from and you'll see it's down our right hand side. Very few are on Knudsen's side of the pitch
3

Steelmonkey added 19:15 - Mar 4 When we were letting in shed loads of goals a few seasons ago, we were still able to score fairly freely at times as well, just not enough to take the points. Now we are not letting in the goals, but can't score and we still don't get the wins when we should. It's so easy for teams to come here and employ the tactics to out play our one dinensional style. So whatever happened to the three year plan.

2

eastwell_blue added 19:23 - Mar 4 No we're not. Does this man watch our performances or does he just trot out the usual dross?
4

eastwell_blue added 19:26 - Mar 4 Shall we just look forward to the summer?
0

TimmyH added 19:59 - Mar 4 What an absolute load of bilge!...if this was last season with Murph in top form, Bish, Mings, Sears playing then yes I would agree with Mick but at the present he couldn't be further from the truth!
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