Boss says nucleus of the squad is there to move forward next season
Mick McCarthy has challenged his players to kick on from the progress made this season when the new campaign gets underway in August.
Town bring the curtain down on the 2013/14 season with a home match against Sheffield Wednesday in front of what will be one of the biggest gates of the season. A win could see Blues finish in eighth, the highest final position in six years.
“While we are disappointed that we have not made the Play-Offs and there is real frustration there because I felt we could have achieved that, that is a good indication of the progress we have made this season,” Mick says in his column in Saturday’s matchday programme.
“It’s been a big turnaround and the players deserve fantastic credit for that. I want to congratulate them for the way they have played this season and the way they have conducted themselves as well.
“We don’t have the biggest squad in the Championship but we have a squad of good players with a good attitude. They have given the fans a season to be proud of and deserve the plaudits they have been getting.
"The challenge now is to continue to move forward next season and we have the nucleus of the squad to do that.”
TEAM NEWS
Town: David McGoldrick is a long term absentee for Town as he recovers from a knee ligament and cartilage injury. Paul Anderson, Luke Hyam and Cole Skuse all miss out but Anthony Wordsworth is back.
Sheff Wed: Sam Hutchinson is back from suspension while Rafael Floro and Anthony Gardner are long-term injury absentees for the Owls.
WHERE THEY FINISHED LAST SEASON
Town - 14th
Sheff Wed – 18th
WHERE THEY CURRENTLY STAND
Town - 10th
Sheff Wed – 16th
LAST TIME WE MET
Paul Anderson gave Blues an early lead but it lasted only 60 seconds before Wednesday equalised when the two clubs met at Hillsborough in October. Michail Antonio was on target for the Owls and the honours finished even over the 90 minutes.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Carl Boyeson
Assistants: Paul Harris and Stephen Rubery
Fourth official: Gavin Muge
This game sees U16s able to watch the game for £1 in the Club's Kids for a Quid.
Don’t forget the match kicks-off at 12.15pm with live commentary also available to Ipswich Player subscribers. Our social media platforms will be bringing you all the pre-match build-up ahead of the game.
