In his weekly column, MIKE BACON takes a look at Town’s upcoming FA Cup replay and asks why it is such a problem?

Is it just me or are we guilty of becoming a bit 'whingey-whiny' this season?

A campaign that started positively for the Super Blues - and is still ticking along nicely - is being moaned at because, get this... we have to play football matches!

Instead of Town's draw at Coventry and subsequent replay that, should we win, sets up a next round opportunity of progress, as we play Bristol Rovers or Plymouth Argyle, away (winnable), has been met with general malaise and misery by some.

It's a trip to Bristol or Plymouth for goodness sake not flippin' Dynamo Kiev or Galatasaray!

East Anglian Daily Times: A disappointed Paul Lambert walks off the pitch after the draw against Coventry Picture PagepixA disappointed Paul Lambert walks off the pitch after the draw against Coventry Picture Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)

The fourth round of the FA Cup is within our grasp. These are matches we can win. We should be happy.

I can't work out if the gaffer is.

"I'm happy with a lot of aspects of the game (against Coventry on Sunday). I'm not happy we've got another game with the replay," said Lambo.

Fair enough point.

East Anglian Daily Times: Paul Lambert with his assistant manager Stuart Taylor during Town's 1-1 draw with Coventry City in the second round of the FA Cup Photo: ROSS HALLSPaul Lambert with his assistant manager Stuart Taylor during Town's 1-1 draw with Coventry City in the second round of the FA Cup Photo: ROSS HALLS (Image: Archant)

It was disappointing to lose a goal in the last minute at St Andrews, just as it was total joy at Lincoln in the previous round when the boot was on the other foot and Judgey was dancing in front of the Super Blues fans. We loved the FA Cup then.

I humbly suggest that if we want to give ourselves a better chance of avoiding FA Cup replays we play our strongest side! But that's just me.

If not, fine. But I'd always rather be 'in the hat' for the next round. I suspect I'm not alone.

We've waited a decade for Ipswich Town Football Club to be able to have just half a conversation about the FA Cup. And now we have something to talk about, even though it's not riveting ... I hear grumbles.

East Anglian Daily Times: Paul Lambert with his assistant manager Stuart Taylor during Town's 1-1 draw with Coventry City in the second round of the FA Cup Photo: ROSS HALLSPaul Lambert with his assistant manager Stuart Taylor during Town's 1-1 draw with Coventry City in the second round of the FA Cup Photo: ROSS HALLS (Image: Archant)

Some toe the Lambo line about a Coventry replay... 'Oh no, not another game'... As though Town playing football matches (with a squad of 48 players by the way, if you check the match-day programme), is something we should all dread!

What's the point of being called Ipswich Town Football Club - or any football club for that matter - if playing football matches is such a pain!

I'm so glad we won at Peterborough.... I love fixtures! More, more more....

East Anglian Daily Times: A disappointed Paul Lambert walks off the pitch after the draw against Coventry Picture PagepixA disappointed Paul Lambert walks off the pitch after the draw against Coventry Picture Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)

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....And please let's knock this 'fixture congestion' thing on the head shall we?

You want fixture congestion, go back to the 1980/81 season at Portman Road.

East Anglian Daily Times: A disappointed Paul Lambert walks off the pitch after the draw against Coventry Picture PagepixA disappointed Paul Lambert walks off the pitch after the draw against Coventry Picture Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)

Then, Sir Bobby's Blue Army of international stars, had 65 official fixtures - won the UEFA Cup, got to the semi-finals of the FA Cup and the fourth round of the League Cup - oh and finished second in Division One (that's the old Premier League to younger readers) - with a squad half the size of today's. And not an ice bath in sight!

Five days training, or a midweek home game in an FA Cup replay? I think I know which most players preferred then - and prefer now.

Yes, you can get injuries, but you can get injuries in training - always has been the case.

So, let's 'take each game as it comes'.

East Anglian Daily Times: A disappointed Paul Lambert walks off the pitch after the draw against Coventry Picture PagepixA disappointed Paul Lambert walks off the pitch after the draw against Coventry Picture Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)

Let's enjoy our competitiveness in all games, enjoy an upcoming FA Cup replay under the lights at Portman Road and revel in the fact it allows us another shot at progression in this most famous and fun competition.]

And we have more matches in the EFL Trophy, fantastic.

We're in decent shape in League One, we're still in the FA Cup and the EFL Trophy - we all love a penalty shoot-out! - both of which have Wembley finals. Think of that?

Come on people... Cup half full... Always!

East Anglian Daily Times: A disappointed Paul Lambert walks off the pitch after the draw against Coventry Picture PagepixA disappointed Paul Lambert walks off the pitch after the draw against Coventry Picture Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)

UP THE BLUES!

MORE: He has the character and talent: Matt Holland on which Town

IT WAS a cold walk down to the Bristol on Friday night.

But it was enjoyable watching Maldon & Tiptree give a good account of themselves in the FA Cup against Newport County on the TV screen.

Indeed after the raucous events of the darts match the week before it was quite a chilled atmosphere...Until Milky arrived at 9.20pm.

"Why are we watching this?," he said.

"And why are they called Maldon & Tiptree? Can't be right them having two teams to choose from."

We told him to go play darts.