A WAY THROUGH THIS
IPSWICH TOWN v MIDDLESBROUGH
Jonathan Way, 6 Feb 2010
Moving Forward...
Is what Boro seem to be doing after a 0-0 draw with Bristol City made it three games unbeaten for Gordon Strachan's side. Despite the loss of Adam Johnson to Manchester City, the new additions of Scott McDonald and Lee Miller upfront will hopefully replace his 12 goal loss. With seven new additions and the transfer window now shut, Middlesbrough fans seem to have renewed optimism on promotion this season.
If we thought we were having a bad season, then words couldn't describe what Ipswich fans have gone through. Chairman Marcus Evans stuck with Roy Keane despite it taking him 15 attempts to secure his first win of the campaign. However, since October, the Tractor Boys have only lost two games to lift themselves out of the relegation zone.
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Arran Lee-Barrett v Danny Coyne
Lee-Barrett - A four month injury for first choice keeper, Richard Wright, led the way for Lee-Barrett to take his place back in December and he made a dream start by keeping a clean sheet on his debut. Following a string of impressive displays, the 25-year-old was rewarded with a new 18 month contract two weeks ago.
Coyne - Will have been pleased with Saturday's clean sheet, but more likely disappointed with dropping another precious two points. Our defence has certainly looked tighter over the past few weeks and hopefully this will continue at Portman Road against an Ipswich side who are fourth bottom scorers in the division.
Damien Delaney v David Wheater
Delaney - The Republic of Ireland international was one of a number of players brought in by Keane in the summer to bolster his defence. Delaney will be hoping to put his performance against Preston last weekend behind him as losing out to Collins' header led to the Blues' first defeat since Boxing Day.
Wheater - The 22-year-old was once again a big presence at the back for the Teessiders as he made numerous important tackles and had a great chance to snatch all three points with a diving header at the end of the match. With the arrival of Celtic captain Stephen McManus it seems that Wheater and Grounds' developing central partnership may come to an end.
David Norris v Willo Flood
Norris - The Tractor Boys' number 10 started just his sixth game of the campaign at Deepdale, after finally recovering from ligament damage which he picked up on the opening day of the season. Having now regained his place back in the starting 11, Norris will be looking to get back into the same form he produced at his former club Plymouth.
Flood - Since signing from Celtic, Flood is quickly becoming a fans' favourite at the Riverside. The winger put in another great display against Bristol City as he commanded the wing and charged forward whenever he could. If Willo's form continues, he will hopefully turn out to be the right sided player we have been searching for.
David Healy v Scott McDonald
Healy - Having recently fallen down the pecking order at Sunderland, Healy sealed a deadline day loan to Ipswich to be reunited with his former manager. Northern Ireland's all-time leading scorer is still yet to score his first goal of the campaign and is likely to come straight into Roy Keane's team this Saturday.
McDonald - Middlesbrough captured the Bhoys' legend just before Monday's deadline for a reported £3.5 million. Having scored 51 goals in 88 appearances at Celtic Park, Boro fans will be praying that McDonald will be able to find a similar record on Teesside and fire us into the top six.
Despite their current position in the table, this will be a hard fixture against the Tractor Boys who have scored 10 goals in their last four home games and are unbeaten at Portman Road since Newcastle beat them way back in September.
With Strachan's new signings, I really think the play-offs seem more likely now but we still have quite a way to go. I think we will extend our unbeaten run by defeating Ipswich 2-1 this weekend and shortening the four point gap on sixth place.
