" TOMORROW NIGHT "
Mon Apr 13, 2015 2:49 pm
Preview: Ipswich Town vs. Cardiff City
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=157111
By Callum Mulvihill, Reporter
Monday, April 13, 2015
A dramatic playoff race continues for Ipswich Town on Tuesday evening when they host Cardiff City at Portman Road.
As the eight-team battle to secure a spot in the Premier League goes on, the pressure to avoid disappointing results is higher than ever and a meeting with a side comfortable in mid-table is certain to bring its own challenges.
Ipswich Town
Mick McCarthy's side head into their latest test on the back of a victory which was far more difficult to secure than expected when Championship fans looked at the weekend's fixture list.
Despite being short of their best, Ipswich managed to battle to a 3-2 victory over relegated Blackpool on Saturday thanks to Christophe Berra, who scored a late winner to clinch three crucial points.
Although the performance may not have been ideal, McCarthy will be fully aware that results are all that matters at this stage of the season, and recovering from a winless Easter weekend was surely more important than the display in Suffolk.
Before the win over Blackpool, a draw with leaders Bournemouth and defeat to Huddersfield Town had put the pressure on, but Saturday's triumph helped the Tractor Boys regain sixth spot.
Ipswich prepare for the meeting with Cardiff just one point behind fifth-placed Derby County, but with Brentford and Wolverhampton Wanderers level on points with them, there is simply no room for slip-ups.
It could be Saturday's trip to Wolves which has the biggest say in whether Ipswich's promotion bid is successful, but taking a win into that fixture could prove to be vital.
Recent form: LWWDLW
Cardiff City
For Russell Slade, ensuring that his Cardiff players remain motivated in the closing stages of the season will surely be the biggest challenge as the Bluebirds look to clinch a top-half finish.
A season after losing their Premier League status, hopes of an immediate return to the top flight of English football were dashed in the first half of the campaign and supporters will already be looking to the summer in hope that new additions can boost a promotion bid.
The same supporters remained in the Welsh capital to protest a "derisory" 500-ticket allocation, and they missed an impressive win as Slade's men picked up a 2-1 win over Leeds United at Elland Road.
Cardiff's travelling fans will be back for another long trip on Tuesday, and recent form suggests that they will arrive full of confidence thanks to a seven-match unbeaten run away from home.
Slade will be keen to ensure that his side do not lose focus in their final four games, and they could move level on points with ninth-placed Nottingham Forest with another victory.
Home fixtures against Millwall and Blackpool follow Tuesday's test, and the Bluebirds will be quietly confident about finishing the season with an extended winning run after a campaign of frustration.
Recent form: WDWDLW
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=157111
By Callum Mulvihill, Reporter
Monday, April 13, 2015
A dramatic playoff race continues for Ipswich Town on Tuesday evening when they host Cardiff City at Portman Road.
As the eight-team battle to secure a spot in the Premier League goes on, the pressure to avoid disappointing results is higher than ever and a meeting with a side comfortable in mid-table is certain to bring its own challenges.
Ipswich Town
Mick McCarthy's side head into their latest test on the back of a victory which was far more difficult to secure than expected when Championship fans looked at the weekend's fixture list.
Despite being short of their best, Ipswich managed to battle to a 3-2 victory over relegated Blackpool on Saturday thanks to Christophe Berra, who scored a late winner to clinch three crucial points.
Although the performance may not have been ideal, McCarthy will be fully aware that results are all that matters at this stage of the season, and recovering from a winless Easter weekend was surely more important than the display in Suffolk.
Before the win over Blackpool, a draw with leaders Bournemouth and defeat to Huddersfield Town had put the pressure on, but Saturday's triumph helped the Tractor Boys regain sixth spot.
Ipswich prepare for the meeting with Cardiff just one point behind fifth-placed Derby County, but with Brentford and Wolverhampton Wanderers level on points with them, there is simply no room for slip-ups.
It could be Saturday's trip to Wolves which has the biggest say in whether Ipswich's promotion bid is successful, but taking a win into that fixture could prove to be vital.
Recent form: LWWDLW
Cardiff City
For Russell Slade, ensuring that his Cardiff players remain motivated in the closing stages of the season will surely be the biggest challenge as the Bluebirds look to clinch a top-half finish.
A season after losing their Premier League status, hopes of an immediate return to the top flight of English football were dashed in the first half of the campaign and supporters will already be looking to the summer in hope that new additions can boost a promotion bid.
The same supporters remained in the Welsh capital to protest a "derisory" 500-ticket allocation, and they missed an impressive win as Slade's men picked up a 2-1 win over Leeds United at Elland Road.
Cardiff's travelling fans will be back for another long trip on Tuesday, and recent form suggests that they will arrive full of confidence thanks to a seven-match unbeaten run away from home.
Slade will be keen to ensure that his side do not lose focus in their final four games, and they could move level on points with ninth-placed Nottingham Forest with another victory.
Home fixtures against Millwall and Blackpool follow Tuesday's test, and the Bluebirds will be quietly confident about finishing the season with an extended winning run after a campaign of frustration.
Recent form: WDWDLW
Re: " TOMORROW NIGHT "
Mon Apr 13, 2015 9:23 pm
The on-loan Blackburn forward lasted just 23 minutes of the 3-2 home win over relegated Blackpool on Saturday when sent Town back into the top six.
But boss Mick McCarthy will again be without David McGoldrick (thigh), Luke Hyam (knee), Darren Ambrose (hamstring), Kevin Bru (calf) and Noel Hunt (knee) remain sidelined.
Jonny Williams, on loan from Crystal Palace, has made two substitute appearances since returning to the club for a third spell and may now be in contention for a start.
Cardiff look set to be without Conor McAleny when they make the long trip.
The Everton loanee was forced out of Saturday's 2-1 win at Leeds with a recurrence of a hamstring injury and so Eoin Doyle, who replaced him at Elland Road, looks set to partner Joe Mason on Tuesday night.
Mason, arguably Cardiff's man of the match, will get another chance to impress with Alex Revell and Federico Macheda both expected to miss out once more with back injuries.
Anthony Pilkington and Kagisho Dikgacoi yet again miss out as they continue their return to full fitness as Cardiff look to continue their impressive away form.
But boss Mick McCarthy will again be without David McGoldrick (thigh), Luke Hyam (knee), Darren Ambrose (hamstring), Kevin Bru (calf) and Noel Hunt (knee) remain sidelined.
Jonny Williams, on loan from Crystal Palace, has made two substitute appearances since returning to the club for a third spell and may now be in contention for a start.
Cardiff look set to be without Conor McAleny when they make the long trip.
The Everton loanee was forced out of Saturday's 2-1 win at Leeds with a recurrence of a hamstring injury and so Eoin Doyle, who replaced him at Elland Road, looks set to partner Joe Mason on Tuesday night.
Mason, arguably Cardiff's man of the match, will get another chance to impress with Alex Revell and Federico Macheda both expected to miss out once more with back injuries.
Anthony Pilkington and Kagisho Dikgacoi yet again miss out as they continue their return to full fitness as Cardiff look to continue their impressive away form.