Town boss Mick McCarthy took the unusual step of revealing that he will field an unchanged side when the Blues visit Bristol City on Saturday at this lunchtime's pre-match press conference.

“I think sometimes it just requires that,” said McCarthy, whose team beat QPR 3-0 at Portman Road last Saturday.

“I don’t normally, I’m not going to try and dress it up. [Robins boss] Lee [Johnson] might be thinking of doing something, they played 3-5-2 in the U23s [when they beat Town’s youngsters 3-1 on Monday].

“He’s played with one up and one in behind, he’s played with Marlon Pack sitting. I’ve watched the last three games they’ve played and if you’re trying to find a formula you do change things around.

“But if, like we did last week, you’ve found a formula that worked and it worked well, and actually it’s not just worked well last week, 4-4-2 has worked well for me all my career really, but certainly in the last four years here, [you tend to stick with it].

“And if we have to tweak it at times to accommodate something we can, but what’s the point of trying to dress it up and do something different? That’s the team, he knows what to expect. It was a good performance, let’s hope it’s the same this week.”

Former Bristol City striker Brett Pitman won’t make the trip, despite having returned to training having been out since suffering an ankle injury at Leeds at the end of September.

“Not because there’s anything wrong with him, he’s trained fully this week, he’s trained really well, but he’s just had 10 or 11 weeks out,” McCarthy added.

“I’d be the last person to think anybody could come back and compete at the level we’re playing at after 10 or 11 weeks out with an injury.

“And it would be wrong anyway. Even if I was struggling for players I don’t think I’d be asking him to do it.

“He’ll be training over the weekend and he’ll play [for the U23s against Huddersfield in the Premier League Cup at Portman Road] on Monday and if he gets through that OK then we’ll be looking at him for Cardiff and beyond.”

The Town manager says no one else has suffered a new problem while Giles Coke, Luke Hyam (both knee) and Tommy Smith (back) are continuing their recoveries after surgery.

“Everyone else is OK, there’s just the long-term lads," he added. "Giles Coke has trained with us for the last couple of weeks, he’s out of the physio room, which gives the physios a break more than anything. Not from him, just from having a body in there, it’s been a long time. He’s a nice lad Giles, there’s no problem with him.

“Tommy and Luke are rehabbing together and I think they’re doing good. They’re bitching at each other, so they’re doing alright, I think they’re getting there.

“They’re just pulling each other along and I think they’re both benefiting from that. It’s great to see Luke Hyam, who is now far more positive about it, because it was such an innocuous injury.

“It was like a little tap against Cambridge [in pre-season] five or six months ago. They’re doing great together. That’s a positive.”

Town: Bialkowski, Chambers (c), Webster, Berra, Knudsen, Skuse, Douglas, Ward, Lawrence, Varney, McGoldrick.

Photo: TWTD

Keaneish added 21:04 - Dec 1 Wangled a box for this one. Looking forward to hearing the City fans thoughts on Skuse...
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heathen66 added 22:09 - Dec 1 I think Mick is right to name an unchanged side after a win, but unfortunately this does go against everything that he has done previously. Unfortunately if you are poor week in and week out then have an average game then it tends to stand out. Skuse and Douglas has never worked for the last 2.5 years as they are both too pedestrian, both played and won 3-0 and all is rosy in the garden, despite their contributions, and no, Douglas did not set up the second goal, it was an over hit hoof forward which 999/1000 GKs would have easily dealt with.

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bongoblue91 added 22:29 - Dec 1 Douglas is in his second season with us^
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LondonBlue73 added 23:17 - Dec 1 As a season ticket holder and supporter for a number of years I have been dismayed by much at my club over a number of seasons. I understand frustrations at poor entertainment and results, I certainly feel that funding has not been made available and question the owners intentions. People have every right to express opinion but with all that said can folk please show common sense. MM is not the manager I would choose, he is however our manager and as a person desrves a bit more respect than some comments on here in recent weeks. We won 3-0 last week with out best performance since Leeds home last season IMO. Why is he getting slated for not sticking wth that team? Douglas I don't particularly rate but he was part of a formula that did work last week. For the Forest game I was so happy when I heard the team selection all around me in the Sir Bobby stand agreed with it - two mistakes a poor performance fans players in the side - boos ring - he changes the team we win with a team many turned their noses up. Maybe he knows more than us. Name players please that have left us in MMs time and done better than our club other than the big sales of Cresswell etc. I generally don't enjoy the football but support my team and question who would do a better job with the funds available. COYB

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Currie10 added 23:50 - Dec 1 Like most I would love Williams in the side - issue he has is 4-4-2. IF Mick lets both wingers push on, allows the full backs to attack slightly more too then I have no issue with Skuglus patrolling the midfield. Anyone who was at Hillsborough will know Bishop isn't ready / the answer in a flat 4-4-2, and Jonny W is wayyyyy too much of a risk from the off especially away. Far too open. Should we go 4-3-3 however, Skuse / Bishop / Williams behind Lawrence / Ward is pretty tasty. Issue then being lacking the big man. At least we have options, and AT LEAST Kevin Bru is NOWHERE near this 11.

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Fat_Boy_Tim added 00:36 - Dec 2 Doesn't anyone think that maybe there is a clause in the JW loan that says until he is 100% fit he stays on the bench? I think MM got a great deal taking him but with his injury history I'd want him treated with kid gloves. As for Skuse and Douglas they both had immense games last Saturday and frankly 3-0 was flattering for QPR who were right up for it given recent results. Same squad? Absolutely, in MM we trust COYB.

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FromIpswichToPhoenix added 04:08 - Dec 2 We had a good day last week. Let's see if the same team can pull it off again. We're far too quick to p*ss and moan before they even set foot on the pitch. Even when we win we lose and it's getting tiring.
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LondonBlue73 added 08:37 - Dec 2 Prebbs - thanks for the down mark, how about a sensible comment as to why? Genuinely intrigued as to see what others feel is wrong with that a a view
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sgtlargent added 09:00 - Dec 2 Fully understand not changing it. Don't understand revealing it prior to the game, we only ever seen to do this in the cups and I always believe this is to give the opposition the upper hand...
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RaymondovicBlue added 13:07 - Dec 2 Williams is on the bench because Lawrence is playing so well.... It has NOTHING to do with Douglas. I thought that Douglas had a pretty decent game and Mick DIDN'T play six at the back line he had so often.... JD was much more advanced providing a "nuisance" to their midfield much higher up the pitch.... Lets talk after the game, but I'm happy with the same lineup that played well and won well last game COYB

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FromIpswichToPhoenix added 15:10 - Dec 2 I get marked down for saying stand behind the team. Really? I guess some people just enjoy watching us lose so they can bitch about it after the game.
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heathen66 added 16:55 - Dec 2 Sorry bongoblue91 my mistake, it is indeed only 1.5 years, although does seem longer !!!
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thebeat added 19:55 - Dec 2 Obviously the local Mr Magoo fan club was at PR last Saturday. "Douglas had an immense game" 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
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