BLACKPOOL'S win at Watford was the final nail in Adie Boothroyd's coffin and Tangerines boss Simon Grayson has warned Ipswich his side is capable of beating anyone on their day

Derek Davis

BLACKPOOL'S win at Watford was the final nail in Adie Boothroyd's coffin and Tangerines boss Simon Grayson has warned Ipswich his side is capable of beating anyone on their day

Boothroyd was sacked after the 4-3 defeat at Vicarage Road as Blackpool took their record to one defeat in nine games, leaving Grayson and Jim Magilton among the six longest-serving Championship bosses.

Dave Jones who won the October manager of the month award, Steve Coppell at Reading, Bristol City's Gary Johnson and Colin Calderwood are the others.

Grayson has respect for Ipswich, but does not fear any club now.

He said: “Ipswich are another big team with good players. They have a lot of experienced players and good young players coming through.

“They've been a Championship team for a long time, Premier League before that, but we've faced a few teams like that and all we will try to do again is to go out and play as well as we can.

“It's 11 v 11 and we feel we can beat anybody on our day.

“It's a game we are thoroughly looking forward to. Ipswich will have a lot of respect for us but we've got a lot of respect for them. “Hopefully it's a good, entertaining game and we'll get a positive result.”

Blues boss Jim Magilton is confident his side are better equipped to win at Bloomfield after getting a 1-1 draw there last January.

He said: “Blackpool have their tails up and it will be a tough game for us but we are looking forward to it.

“Our players are relishing away matches now. They have the bit between the teeth and we are going into games now knowing we are competitive and that was not the case on many occasions last year.”

With both teams on form and free-scoring, Grayson is hopeful of an open game with both teams looking for maximum points.

He said: “It has all the hallmarks of a decent game. Jim has a good philosophy of trying to play the right way.

“We do that as well. We are two decent teams going into a decent run of form. Look at Ipswich. They are probably in a little bit better form away than at home so we are fully aware that it is a difficult game.

“The roles are reversed because when they came to Bloomfield last year they had a terrible away record.

“It's been the reverse a bit this year. We are fully aware of what we can do but I'm sure they know what we can do too.”

The long-serving Blackpool boss warned that just because they are at home, a victory over Town, who have lost one league game in 12, is not a given and Town will not be phased by the unusual ground lay out with just two stands built.

Grayson said: “I think managers are fully aware - and tell their players - what to expect when they come to our place.

“Ipswich won't struggle because they're aware of where we play and how we play.

“More for Jim to worry about is how well we're playing. I'm sure he will pass that on to his players, as well as letting them know exactly what Bloomfield Road is like if they've not been here before.

“Players are more used to it because they were here last year. They've seen it on the TV.

“All we can keep trying to do is try to make it better and that's what we're doing with the work on the south stand starting.

“It's one thing saying we've got two home games coming up and it's a chance to pick up points but Ipswich and Preston are two hard games.

"They are two very good teams and everyone should be well aware by now that there are some very strange results in this division and you can't take anything for granted.”

The Tangerines are sitting in 13th place, level on points with Ipswich, but nine goals worse off.

Grayson added: "We're playing well and I'd be lying if I didn't say I am absolutely delighted about the result at Watford and how we have done so far this season in general.

"We are playing good football, getting good results and we are in a nice position in the table.

"Supporters are right to expect us to win our home games, I'd be disappointed and worried if they weren't.”

With no fresh injury worries Blackpool are likely to stick with the same side that beat Watford last weekend.