Loachy looking for Town to keep up impressive recent home form and kick-off the Easter weekend with three points
Scott Loach believes names will count for nothing this weekend as Blues look to kick-off the Easter programme with a win against Leeds.
The Town stopper argues that tomorrow’s visitors are the biggest club in the division but insists Mick McCarthy’s side will be going into the game with the mentality of extending the recent impressive home record.
“It’s Leeds United and games don’t get much bigger than this,” Loachy told the Club website.
“They will be well organised and come here looking to win the game but we are confident ourselves, especially at Portman Road.
“Because of their name they are arguably the biggest club in the division but they haven’t been tearing the League up, neither have anyone else really.
“They are massive in name but they are in the same division as us and they’re in this division for a reason. We will respect them but we will be going into the game looking to win.
“I see no reason why we can’t continue our recent good form at home and if we can pick up three points then it sets us up perfectly for the trip to Millwall on Monday.”
Team news
Mick McCarthy has been boosted by the return of Anthony Wordsworth, with the midfielder recovering from the spine injury that has kept him out of the last six fixtures. The Town boss will be without the services of Lee Martin, who serves the final game of his suspension, and Patrick Kisnorbo who is ineligible due to the terms of his loan from tomorrow’s opponents. Long-term injury victim Paul Taylor is still some way off full fitness.
Leeds boss Neil Warnock is hoping to be able to welcome back strikers Steve Morison and Ross McCormack to his squad, after the duo missed the defeat to Huddersfield last time out. The former QPR manager will also check on the fitness of returning international trio Tom Lees, Paul Green and Rodolph Austin ahead of the game, but all three should be fit.
Where they finished last season
Town- 15th
Leeds- 14th
Where they currently stand
Town- 19th
Leeds- 10th
One to watch
El Hadji-Diouf. Former Liverpool man who joined Leeds at the start of the season. Can be a constant threat due to his trickery and direct running and is equally capable of playing as a striker or on the wing. A fans favourite and villain depending on who he is paying for, Diouf is a tireless worker. The Senegalese international also netted on his last visit to Portman Road, as he helped Doncaster beat Blues 3-1.
Match Officials
Referee: James Adcock
Assistants: John Hopkins and Alan Young
Fourth Official: Michael Blackledge
Live commentary of the game will be available on Ipswich Player, with live updates available through our official Twitter and Facebook pages. Tune into @Official_ITFC at 2pm for exclusive Town team news too.
