Ipswich lost 4-2 at home to Nottingham Forest last time out.Ipswich lost 4-2 at home to Nottingham Forest last time out. (Image: Steve Waller)
A LONG BREAK
It's been 17 days since Town's 4-2 home defeat to Nottingham Forest.
First, 11 senior players went away to represent their nations during the fourth and final international break of the campaign. That was Liam Delap, Omari Hutchinson and Jaden Philogene (England U21s), George Hirst and Cieran Slicker (Scotland), Dara O’Shea and Jack Taylor (Republic of Ireland), Julio Enciso (Paraguay), Nathan Broadhead (Wales), Cameron Burgess (Australia) and Aro Muric (Kosovo).
Tonight's hosts, AFC Bournemouth, had several players away on international duty too, including key men Antoine Semenyo (Ghana), Justin Kluivert (Holland), Milos Kerkez (Hungary), Dean Huijsen (Spain), David Brooks (Wales), Ryan Christie (Scotland), Illia Zabarnyi (Ukraine) and Dango Ouattara (Burkina Faso).
Then, a few days ago, the majority of Premier League sides were inactive during a weekend reserved for FA Cup quarter-final action. Bournemouth were not one of them. On Sunday, they led 1-0 at half-time of a home tie against Manchester City before fading to lose 2-1.
You can spin it two ways. Town might look more rusty or they might look more fresh.
Cameron Burgess produced a Man of the Match display in the reverse fixture against Bournemouth.Cameron Burgess produced a Man of the Match display in the reverse fixture against Bournemouth. (Image: Steve Waller)
REVENGE MISSION
The reverse fixture against Bournemouth, back on December 8, is one of several 'so close, yet so far', gut punch matches that Ipswich have been involved in this season.
In an enthralling, all-action game at Portman Road, Town took the lead through Conor Chaplin's 21st minute goal. Cameron Burgess, who was immense at the back, then had a second controversially chalked off for Liam Delap obstructing the keeper.
The Blues looked to be managing the game well, even after Bournemouth brought on £60m of attacking talent off the bench. Aro Muric's mad dash off his line led to Enes Unal's 87th equaliser though, nerves were suddenly in the air and Dango Ouattara snatched a 95th minute winner.
Ipswich have only won three of their 29 Premier League games so far.Ipswich have only won three of their 29 Premier League games so far. (Image: Steve Waller)
TABLE TALK
There's no getting away from it, relegation is looking highly likely now.
Wolves beat West Ham 1-0 last night. The gap to safety has grown to 12 points (effectively 13 due to goal difference). Having won just three league games out of 29, Town probably need to win at least four of their final nine.
Kieran McKenna knows the odds are slim, but insists the mindset for the run-in has to remain the same. It's about savouring every moment in the final quarter of a Premier League campaign we've all waited so long for, the team attacking every game with everything they've got, playing for pride and fighting to the death. We can't ask for anything more than that.
It would certainly be nice to go into Saturday's home game against Wolves with a feeling that it could still change the narrative.
Evanilson gave Bournemouth the lead against Man City on Sunday, but the Cherries went on to lose the FA Cup quarter-final tie 2-1.Evanilson gave Bournemouth the lead against Man City on Sunday, but the Cherries went on to lose the FA Cup quarter-final tie 2-1. (Image: PA)
CHERRIES SOURED?
Bournemouth play with intensity, power and pace. They took some big scalps in the first half of the season, including Arsenal, Man City, Tottenham and Man United. Then, at the end of January, they dismantled both Newcastle and Nottingham Forest in style.
They come into this match having not won inside 90 minutes for six matches though. Since the middle of February, they've lost to Wolves, Brighton and Brentford in the league. They let a 2-0 goal lead slip to draw against Tottenham. Penalties were required to get past Wolves in the FA Cup. As mentioned, they ran out of steam in the second half of Sunday's loss to City.
Injuries have been a contributing factor. Without the injured forward trio of Unal, Luis Sinisterra and Marcus Tavernier, Adoni Iraola had to play Evanilson (just back from a two-month lay-off) and David Brooks (still working his way back to full fitness after a cancer battle) longer than he we would have liked at the weekend. Inexperienced youngsters Matai Akinmboni, Ben Winterburn and Zain Silcott-Duberry have been on the bench of late. Now, on top of that, it was revealed yesterday that 13-goal topscorer Justin Kluivert is a doubt.
The gap to the Champions League spots is just four points though and five of their remaining games are against bottom half sides. The south coast outfit, who have just moved into a new world class training complex, will see tonight as a big chance to get themselves going again.
Will George Hirst be handed a start following his goal against Forest and subsequent Scotland debut?Will George Hirst be handed a start following his goal against Forest and subsequent Scotland debut? (Image: Steve Waller)
WHO PLAYS?
It was a while ago, so I'll remind you of the Town team that started in that home defeat to Forest: Palmer; O'Shea, Woolfenden, Greaves, Davis; Phillips, Cajuste; Philogene, Hutchinson, Enciso; Delap.
Kieran McKenna hasn't named an unchanged team once this season and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
Burgess was immense in the reverse fixture against Bournemouth, while Jacob Greaves was hooked at the break last time out. That's a potential change.
Kalvin Phillips is a doubt after suffering a nasty gash on his foot in the Forest game. That could open the door for Sam Morsy to return in midfield.
The young and tricky trio of Philogene, Hutchinson and Enciso didn't work as the attacking support unit behind Delap last time out. I'd imagine McKenna will want to try something different. Perhaps Ben Johnson playing on the right to try and deal with the left-sided danger duo of Kerkez and Semenyo?
I can't see the Blues boss starting both Delap and Hirst. Is it completely bonkers to suggest that Hirst, fresh from his Scotland debut, deserves to start ahead of 10-goal topscorer Delap? I don't think so. His running in behind could be more suited for this type of opponent (see Brentford away), while Delap could be a weapon of mass destruction off the bench.
STU'S PREDICTION
Ipswich weren't fully functioning even before this long break, while Bournemouth's will have used a lot of mental and physical energy at the weekend. Both teams have injuries. I'm not expecting either to be at their best. Ultimately, I think the host's greater chemistry and experience will prove the difference. 1-0.