Our Head Coach previewed the upcoming Sky Bet League One clash against Ipswich Town on Tuesday evening.
ON TEAM NEWS
“There’s no injuries, so the same squad of players to pick from, which is good. Cadds comes into the thinking, obviously I think it’s slightly harsh that he missed the three games – I didn’t think it was a red card – but Ziyad has done well; we’ve conceded one goal in the three games that he’s played in, so it’s probably the hardest team I’ve had to pick going into it, which is good because we’ve got a good squad of players.
“It’s tough to get into the 11 at the minute.”
ON SELECTION HEADACHE
“Tedić has had two starts and scored three goals. Luke Thomas didn’t get on the pitch at the weekend – the same with Brad Collins; there are people in the squad who I’d be quite comfortable if they were starting.
“They’re good problems to have – tough ones – because we need to pick the right team. But there’s quite a few of them in the last few weeks, people like Boban and Ziyad, who have put their hand up and said: “I’m ready”, and that’s all we can ask for.”
ON JAMES NORWOOD FACING IPSWICH
“It doesn’t take a lot to get him going, but he’ll want to play in this one, I imagine – it’s his old club. Without having a point to prove, I know there’s a little bit of fire in him that he wants to get another promotion, as we all do.
“I think I’ve probably said it four or five times already; they’ll all want to play in this one.”
ON MADS ANDERSEN IN TEAM OF THE SEASON
“I think he’s been fantastic in terms of, at one point at the start of the season, he could have turned around and asked: “Why am I still here?” because everyone else got sold. But he didn’t; he didn’t sulk.
“I remember having a conversation with him on the astro turf and told him we were going to make him captain. He’s been unbelievable to work with – anyone who knows him, he’s a good kid. His attitude and the way he goes about his business, he constantly wants to learn, so I’ve really enjoyed coaching him and working with him but, ultimately, his performances have been deserving of getting in Team of the Year.
“We’ve probably got a couple of others that are unlucky not to be in it.”
ON IPSWICH TOWN
“It’ll be a great game that everyone wants to be involved in. I’m sure the atmosphere will be slightly different to what it was on Saturday. It’s a brilliant game and they’re bringing 5,000.
“Statistically, they’re the best team in League One history, so I’ve been told. It’s a data-run club, so we get a lot of data on opposition. They’re not top of the league, but statistically they’re the best in League One history.
“A lot gets made about the money they’ve spent – which they have, there’s no getting away from it – but they’re a big club and have got some good players and a definite way of playing, so it should be a really good game.”
