Expect more grumbles from Mick McCarthy

It's probably fair to say that Mick McCarthy has been keen to stress that AFCB's good fortune is more to do with their bank account than any other factor from the comments he has made in previous encounters with the Cherries. Attracting good capital these days though is half the problem for many teams that are finding it difficult to manage their finances. AFCB should not be looked down upon though because they are now doing things right. Perhaps other clubs can learn from how AFCB have secured better funding and have been able to come through the league and to compete against clubs with much bigger fan bases.

AFCB v Ipswich last November.

Ipswich are of course one of those clubs that AFCB fans would consider a big club and they have also been bringing in some loan players ahead of the run-in with Johnny Williams and Zeki Fryers joining from Crystal Palace. The Suffolk side have also kept hold of Luke Varney and Richard Chaplow until the end of the season. Mick McCarthy also brought in Freddie Sears from Colchester who has done well since joining Ipswich. Elliott Hewitt has also been recalled from Colchester as possible cover for Tyrone Mings who will miss the clash with the Cherries. Striker David McGoldrich might also be back for the big match against the Cherries, along with Darren Ambrose perhaps.

Ipswich will know that a win against Bournemouth would draw them just three points behind the Cherries and could give them vital distance points over some of the teams vying for a play-off place. But Mick McCarthy will also know that a defeat would make it very hard for Ipswich to finish in the top two being nine points behind the Cherries. Ipswich need to make up ground and whether that means they come at the Cherries and leave holes in behind we will have to wait and see. Previous encounters in the Championship between the two sides have ended in draws but I don't think either side would be overly pleased with a draw this time around.

Ipswich's home form is pretty strong and with the TV cameras at the game it should be a very lively game, because AFCB never go to any ground and hold back these days. I'll be looking forward to Mick's post-match comments though. It will probably go something like - how can they afford someone like Kenwyne Jones? Only kidding Mick, you were the first to stop calling us "little Bournemouth" - just don't tell him AFCB's players have been training in Dubai. UTCIAD!

Ipswich Town Home Form
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AFCB Away Form
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Make sure you check out Cherry Chimes tomorrow as we have a Rival Lines interview with Independent Ipswich fan site TWTD.