By Aston
October 15 2004

Ipswich Town can possibly reclaim top spot in the coca cola championship with a win over Burnley at Portman Road tomorrow.

Burnley Preview

Ipswich Town can possibly reclaim top spot in the coca cola championship with a win over Burnley at Portman Road tomorrow.

Joe Royle looks set to continue with Lewis Price in goal as Kelvin Davis has failed to get over a back problem during the two week break, Darren Bent is out with a hamstring problem so Joe looks set to go 4-4-2 with Ian Westlake coming back in the side with Kuqi and Bowditch or Couñago up front, defender Jason De Vos is also a doubt with a possible fractured toe so Scott Mitchell or Jerrome Sobers could be in line for a start. Fabian Wilnis has served two games of his three game ban after tomorrow he will ok to play.

Burnley have the best defence in the league so far this year conceding just 7 goals, only one of which has been away from home they have also lost just one out of six games away from Turfmoor on the flipside though the have only won once and scored once away the other four games have been 0-0.

Town boss Joe Royle believes that Town will have to patient to break down Burnley and win the game, saying: “They have a very solid back line and it's important that we show patience on the pitch and in the crowd, Steve Cotterill brought in a number of new players in the summer and they have tightened right up at the back and have made it difficult for a lot of clubs this season.

“We have got to keep the ball and find a way to prise them open but it might take time.

“It was the same against Millwall when we had to wait until the last 10 minutes before scoring twice.”.

Ipswich Town Squad: Dean Bowditch, Aidan Collins, Pablo Couñago, Jason De Vos, Drissa Diallo, Kevin Horlock, Shefki Kuqi, Jim Magilton, Tommy Miller, Scott Mitchell, Antonio Murray, Richard Naylor, Lewis Price, Matt Richards, Shane Supple, Ian Westlake.

Burnley boss Steve Cotterill has a near fully fit squad to choose from, unlike his predecessor Stan Ternent who only had 15 players available for this fixture last season, which Ipswich won 6-1.

Speaking ahead of the game Steve Cotterill has said: “I think a few of us had a bit of time off which was nice really, because it was a hectic period before that and now we've got another one ahead of us, we're ready to go again now and we're looking forward to the game with Ipswich.

“They're a good side and Joe has done a terrific job wherever he has been and he's someone you would like to aspire to, managing in a 1000 games.

“That's a remarkable feat, especially in manager's terms these days. I saw him the other week at Coventry and he was very complimentary about us and that was very nice.”.

We Couldn’t let this match preview come to an end with out a few words from former Town defender John McGreal: “It's going really well for them. Joint top and I'm sure Joe and Willie will be going all out to finish top.

“At the moment, we know after 12 games that no one team is going to run away with it. I'm sure they will be feeling confident in themselves and, with their terrific home form as well, it's going to be a very tough game for us.

“But we will set our stall out again for a clean sheet and try to turn our own possession and chances into goals.

“The pitch there is so big. Joe makes it a big pitch to suit the way they play but I was there five years and it has always been that way.

“I can't see Joe changing his ways and that means Ipswich will always be very offensive. Everything he does in training is geared to scoring goals and that is borne out in their goal-scoring record.

“They play 4-3-3 and they have goals everywhere, from Kuqi's power and strength, Bent's pace and Bowditch's touch. Tommy Miller from midfield scores his fair share of goals, so there are goals right through their team.”.

Sources: Ipswich Town - The official website, Burnley FC - the official site, EADT.

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