Garvan slams Town schedule

By Derek Davis

OWEN Garvan has slammed the decision of schedulers who have forced Ipswich Town to travel to Sheffield United less than 48 hours after playing in a high-octane away match at Norwich.

Although the Blues wanted to push the game back a day the Blades refused and the Football League did not order a change.

Garvan is refusing to use any sort of tiredness as an excuse and refuses to even contemplating not playing if he is selected.

He said: “Two games in less than 48 hours, no matter what age you are, is asking too much for all players but we have to get on with it.

“I want to play every game and if that means three in a week then I will do that.

“The teams that get through these games with a good amount of points will be right up there at the end of the season.

“It seems a bit much to be travelling a long way after another away trip and would have been better had it been on a Wednesday.

“There is nothing we as players can do so we have to accept it and go out there and do our very best. Hopefully we can go to Sheffield and get that first away win.”

The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international feels that Town need to get off to a good start at Bramall Lane, and keep their noses ahead.

He said: “We will need to find an edge if we want to win.

“We will be looking to get a good start and put Sheffield under pressure. An early goal will settle us and get the away crowd on their backs.

“It happened on Sunday at Norwich but unfortunately we let them back into the game.”

Although Town have not won in their past 11 away games, Garvan is confident that they will end that run and is not stressed about the record.

He said: “Personally I just look at it as another game of football. We are still top six and it is our home form that has put us there so we know that if we want to push on then we need to win away.

“Last season we lost a lot of games away, this year we are drawing quite a few so it is an improvement and the next step is to win more.”