Blues boss Mick McCarthy is well aware that fans across the country will be keeping an eye on this afternoon’s FA Cup third round tie against Vanarama National League leaders Lincoln City hoping for one of the competition’s traditional giantkillings. However, he doesn’t feel his players will be under any additional pressure.

Town's only FA Cup defeat to a non-league side since they became a league club in 1938 came back in January 1960 when they lost 3-2 at home to Peterborough United in the third round.

“I would imagine all of them [will be looking at the game as a potential shock],” reflected McCarthy, who plans to name a strong team today to reduce the chances of an upset. “It’s never been any different, that’s not going to change.

“I’ve no problem with that at all. It’s down to us in the building here to make sure we do it properly and we win the game.”

Does that add any pressure? “Not really because we’ve been under enough pressure at home. We’ve put it on ourselves, we’ve not played well enough, we’ve not won games, although we did win the last game at home [2-1 against Bristol City] and played well.

“I don’t see it as any more pressure, not at all. I see it as a game we’ve got to win, but if we were playing Blackburn here, if it was that game, I wouldn’t see it any more than that.”

McCarthy says there were plenty of positives in the performances against the Robins and also at QPR on Monday, despite that game ultimately ending in a 2-1 defeat.

“I was pleased with the way we played and everybody connected with Ipswich was pleased with the way we played until the second goal went in and all of a sudden it’s like we didn’t play well at all, which is nonsense,” he added.

“I’ve just watched it again this morning. It was a really good performance. I said we should have got something out of it but you’ve got to take your chances when you get them and we can’t give silly goals away.”

The Town boss says he would be happy enough if his team replicated those displays from now until the end of the season.

“You can only really take care of performances,” he continued. “You can’t do anything about the result before the game, you can prepare and make sure you play well and I think the last two performances have been good and I would accept that and, although it hurt on Monday, losing that game, I can accept it if we’ve played well, far more easily than if we haven’t.”

Coming back to this afternoon’s match, he says it’ll be down to the Blues whether fans across the country will have got the cup shock they will be craving.

“It really will be down to us, it’ll be about how we played, about our performance, not about anybody else," he added. "It’ll be about how we take care of it.”

Photo: TWTD

GiveusaWave added 06:09 - Jan 7 Important we play well and get through to the fourth round. COYB!
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 06:42 - Jan 7 This game is quite exciting for the wrong reasons. I don't imagine it will be a walkover, but we might win fairly comfortably. On the other hand, do we really trust ITFC to turn up and perform? It's just as likely that Lincoln will be so up for it they do a Portsmouth on us. Which ITFC will turn up this afternoon? We shall see. COYB!
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muccletonjoe added 07:06 - Jan 7 This game today will be all about us upping our game , our work rate and our commitment. If we do that then we will win because we have better players. Match them on the field and we will be going through but if we turn up thinking its an easy afternoon then get on Lincoln at 11/2.
4

BrandonsBlues added 07:27 - Jan 7 I like everyone else have two feelings about this game. Banana skin or good win? from what we have seen so far this season it is hard to tell what the team will be. Who will play, where and most importantly how. Lincoln will try hard, will we. I expect Lincoln to score against us I cannot see us keeping a clean sheet. Unfortunately I se?e a non impressive scrappy win.

3

d0nk added 07:58 - Jan 7 We dont have anything to play for in the league so we need to take the cup seriously, every club should, its the FA cup, it actually used to mean something!
5

blue75 added 08:12 - Jan 7 There can be no excuses today. McCarthy can't play for a draw gotta be full out attack from the whistle. Anything other than a easy win McCarthy should the honourable thing and walk away!!
3

jabberjackson added 08:13 - Jan 7 The real questioni is... Would any Ipswich fan be shocked if Lincoln turned us over? I wouldn't But I also hope we do win Draw Man Utd at home in the 4th Spend 2million on 3 up and coming players in the window And maybe reconsider the direction of the football club with a view to bringing the magic back to Portman Road
5

Suffolk_n_Good added 08:17 - Jan 7 QPR result was purely down to your negative substitutions, yet again setting up to play for a draw, then getting slapped. Performances will only improve when you set the team up to attack & go for the win, stop keep playing players out of position, & for f*** sake stop playing that proper bloke Dougie, a 3 legged cart horse, with 2 of its legs tied together runs faster.... A win today will not change my wish to see you tenure come to an end.

5

Cakeman added 08:23 - Jan 7 Could be exciting this afternoon. I do sense an upset though with us winning! 😉
3

Penguinblue added 08:31 - Jan 7 Yawn McCarthy OUT
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jas0999 added 08:32 - Jan 7 Nothing to play for in the league sadly, so at home to non league opposition it's a great opportunity to be in the fourth round draw and another match to hopefully look forward to.
5

blues1 added 08:59 - Jan 7 Why do people think there's nothing to play for in the league? While the play offs are a distant dream, we're certainly not clear of a relegation fight as yet. May be 7 points off at mo but if we were to lose to Blackburn next week that could be down to 4. So still plenty to do to prevent us getting really involved at bottom.
6

Dissboyitfc added 09:50 - Jan 7 its always down to you to put in the performance....Yawn! just go for it!
3

itfchorry added 10:10 - Jan 7 Talking of avoiding an upset against a Non League team and being outnumbered by opposition fans in our own ground is where you have taken our once proud Club. McCarthy/Evans - OUT
5

martin587 added 10:22 - Jan 7 Every game should be a "must win game" not just today to kick start our season.Get real MM.!!
3

Knightsy added 10:49 - Jan 7 I'd hardly call ourselves giants anymore. Win, lose or draw this Numpty needs to go.
4

brittaniaman added 11:02 - Jan 7 If we win (Which we Must) It will be another Reprieve for McCarthy !!!!! But if we draw or lose, he will still be here next week to face Blackburn ??
1

pragmatic added 11:19 - Jan 7 See all the negative "sheep" out in force whilst you all hav rights to an opinion they are now a bore hav thou ever been optimistic in your lives !
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Bluetone added 11:43 - Jan 7 Today our supporters will urge our team to win with their hearts McCarthy will be willing the team to win to protect his wallet
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martin587 added 11:45 - Jan 7 Pragmatic,yes,we are all entitled to an opinion as this is a forum.Have you ever wondered if your remarks are boring also.!! I rest my case.
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itfchorry added 11:59 - Jan 7 Pragmatic OUT !!
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Seasider added 12:24 - Jan 7 Going as usual but non plussed about result as feel Mccarthy has ruined this once great club along with short arms deep pockets Evans. Another reason not happy is because Legends not open,because no top tier. Just read on club website that crowd of 15000 expected.With cheap admission today,and no entry surcharge; will this club under Evans have made another mistake by not opening all the ground for I think the first time in Club history?

4

martin587 added 14:05 - Jan 7 Kikapu and seasider,please explain why you down marked a straight forward non afensive post.
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