Preview: Town – Saints

By Aston
September 9 2006

STB brings you team news, manager previews, the officials and betting odds ahead of Towns game against Southampton tomorrow (KO 3pm).

Town are missing Fabian Wilnis with a thigh injury and Owen Garvan with a viral problem. Sylvain Legwinski and Jon Macken are both included the squad after joining Town.

 

Town Squad: Dean Bowditch, Martin Brittain, Alex Bruce, Billy Clarke, Darren Currie, Jason De Vos, Daniel Harding, Danny Haynes, Alan Lee, Sylvain Legwinski, Jon Macken, Richard Naylor, Mark Noble, Lewis Price, Matt Richards, Luis Sito, Shane Supple, Simon Walton, Gavin Williams.

 

Town manager Jim Magilton: “Southampton have shown their intent by going out and buying some big players in this division, with their most recent arrival, Inigo Idiakez, a player I have a lot of admiration for.

 

“They are capable of going all the way and in George Burley, as we all know at this Club, they have a manager who has achieved that climb into the Premiership.

 

“George played a big part in my career at this Club. He resurrected my football life in some ways by getting me out of a time that I wasn't enjoying, at Sheffield Wednesday.

 

“He gave me the platform to play football again and was a fundamental part of what we achieved here. I have the highest regard for him - even though he did give me a free transfer!”

 

 

Southampton are missing: Djamel Belmadi, Claus Lundekvam, David Prutton, Mario Licka, Michael Svensson and Darren Powell while Bradley Wright-Phillips is a minor doubt and Inigo Idiakez should make his debut.

 

Southampton boss George Burley: “Jim is a bubbly character who has always been very enthusiastic. He loves training and has always been involved in discussions about the game.

 

“I took him from Sheffield Wednesday when he did not know which way his career was going but he came to Portman Road and I gave him the mantle to get us passing and playing. He enjoyed that and had seven or eight great years as a player.

 

“Six months ago he would not have believed he would now be manager but he has got the right qualities to be a success

 

“I can’t say I picked him out as a future manager because it is never black and white. Sometimes players look set to go into management but don’t while others that you never see as managers suddenly make a success of it. You can never tell.

 

“I am proud of what I achieved there and it was a great achievement to take the team into the Premiership and then into Europe.

 

“But my focus now is helping Southampton get three points tomorrow. We are still gelling as a team but are still unbeaten.

 

“The game against Preston was our worst performance of the season after a very good midweek cup win and we need to get back on track.

 

“The youngsters did very well against Yeovil and earned the right to stay in but we maybe asked a bit much of them against Preston.

 

“We have brought in a few new players but that won’t stop us introducing young players when the time is right and we now have a good blend of youth and experience.”

 

Officials:

Referee: M Halsey

Assistants: S Artis and N Kinseley

Fourth Official: D Cann

 

Betting Odds (found using Sportsnetwork Odds Checker):

Ipswich: 8/5

Draw: 9/4

Southampton: 17/10

 

Sources: Ipswich Town and Southampton - the official websites.

 

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