Four into two can go says John

Derek Davis

JOHN Gorman feels four into two can go quite easily.

The Blues assistant manager does not agree that Town need to stick with the same two strikers and that Ipswich are right to utilise the talents of all four different strikers.

While Jon Walters is virtually assured of being named on the team sheet every week, although not necessarily in the same position, Town have used a variety of permutations involving Jon Stead, Kevin Lisbie and Pablo Counago.

Gorman said: “They are all good forwards. We have four good front men so either or can be in.

“You get clubs where people say they are your best two but it turns out it is not, it is a different combination that works.

“Stead has come on and done well, Counago has been very sharp and Kevin Lisbie looked as if he was still suffering the effects of his infection last week.

“As for Jon Walters he can play anywhere. He is a manager's dream in many ways because h is good wherever he plays.

“I have seen him play left wing, right wing and centre forward and even right back.”

The four have netted 27 goals up to now this season, the same as the main trio of strikers used last season when Walters had 10, Counago nine and Alan Lee eight at this stage last January.

In this campaign Counago has eight, Stead, seven, Lisbie six, and Walters six, so far with Danny Haynes on two whereas he had four at this point last year.

Gorman feels Haynes is one who is coming back into his own and was impressed with his positive running against Sheffield Wednesday last week, something he hopes will continue today.

“He can go everywhere then you have Danny Haynes who has got the bit between the teeth.

“He is coming into form and we are helping him be positive in his game.

“He showed last week what threat he is when he goes at people. I would not have liked to have been that full back the way Danny was getting past him.

“Pace is a big thing and Danny is learning and his final ball will get better.”

Haynes took a knock in training and is a slight doubt but Town are hoping he will be fine by this afternoon.

Added to the equation is Dean Bowditch who is named in the squad travelling to south London, along with left back Dan Harding.

Both have returned from loan spells and have impressed in training.

With Moritz Volz a major doubt with a groin strain, David Wright out with a hamstring and Iv�n Campo missing through a calf injury, Harding adds defensive cover with Alex Bruce likely to play right back and Pim Balkestein starting alongside Gareth McAuley in central defence.

Ipswich Town squad: Wright, Supple, Bruce, Thatcher, Harding, Peters, Balkestein, McAuley, Shumulikoski, Miller, Norris, Garvan, Trotter, Quinn, Haynes, Walters, Bowditch, Stead, Counago, Lisbie.

Crystal Palace squad: Speroni, Flahavan, Hill, Hills, Butterfield, Lawrence, Ertl, Fonte, Clyne, Derry, Carle, Moses, Scannell, Danns, Oster, Ifill, Scocroft, Lee, Kuqi, Andrews.