Ipswich Town vs Plymouth Argyle – preview

By: Jim | January 28th, 2008

Portman Road is not a happy hunting ground for the Pilgrims. The last three seasons alone have seen us beaten and concede three goals into the bargain – 2005 after going two up and Ipswich having Fabian Wilnis sent off. Last season, it was Mat Doumbe’s turn to receive his marching orders – in a club-record two minutes from kick-off for a VERY debatable professional foul. Argyle lost 3-0 – the start of a three-game losing streak that finished our play-off aspirations. It’s hard to see past much of the same tomorrow night: Ipswich are formidable at home, having a P14 W11 D3 L0 record this season, and Argyle will be without two of their best three players. Marcel Seip is still struggling with his groin and, in the latest twist of the David Norris saga, manager Paul Sturrock has decided that Norris is best left at Home Park rather than play against the side that has so publicly and so disgracefully courted his talents.

Some have chosen to see this as proof positive that Norris will be a Tractor Boy come 23.59 on Thursday night. While that’s an admitted possibility, a more plausible scenario is that the pressure on him would be just too great – to say nothing of the blandishments he would no doubt receive from Town manager Jim Magilton – for him to be able to give of his best. I predict that Norris will indeed move to Ipswich – but not until July 1, probably for a fee of around £1.2 million.

It’s worth just pausing a minute to give vent to my displeasure at the behaviour of Magilton. As subtle in management as he was as a player – which is to say not at all – Magilton has waged a systematic and relentless campaign in the media to bring Norris to Portman Road, speaking repeatedly of his determination to bring the player to Ipswich. Whilst (probably) not tapping-up in the legally understood sense, such behaviour goes against all normal expectations and unwritten standards of conducting transfers, which say, you don’t speak publicly about players contracted to other clubs. Paul Sturrock, in announcing his decision not to select Chuck for the Ipswich game, expressed his disappointment at the way Ipswich have gone about their business. A man given to understatement, if Luggy says he is disappointed, you can bet your bottom dollar he means he is absolutely seething. A complaint to the Football League might not be out of the question.

Norris aside, Seip’s composure and strength will be missed tomorrow, though Mat Doumbe is a pacy replacement. Chris Clark will continue on the right, with either Luke Summerfield or Yoann Folly coming into central midfield. Up front, Steve Maclean will presumably return alongside Rory Fallon, who had another good game at Pompey. So expect a side looking something like:

McCormick

Connolly
Doumbe
Timar
Sawyer

Clark
Summerfield
Nalis
Halmosi

Fallon
Maclean

Subs: Hodges; Easter; Folly; Mackie; Jutkiewicz

Ipswich have problems of their own, with star striker Jon Walters and winger Billy Clarke both doubtful, while midfielder Sito is suspended. A point would be an extremely good return for the Greens; a win would catapult us right back up there. Away form has been good against the better sides and you can get 9-2 on an Argyle win – 15-1 on Argyle winning 2-1. Might be worth a little flutter at those odds. COYG!