BLUES assistant manager John Gorman doesn't believe Ipswich are trying to fit square pegs into round holes and is comfortable with players swapping positions.

Derek Davis

BLUES assistant manager John Gorman doesn't believe Ipswich are trying to fit square pegs into round holes and is comfortable with players swapping positions.

Gorman dismissed suggestions that Alex Bruce, a centre-back playing at right-back, David Wright, a right-back playing at left-back, and David Norris, a central midfielder playing wide left, were out of place against Chelsea.

He said: “David Wright reminds me of myself when I was a player. I have always liked right-footed players at left-back. You look at the old days here with Mick Mills.

“It is not quite the same as a left-back playing on the right, but there has never been a problem playing a right-back on the left.

“There is competition there. Dan Harding played very well at Palace, Ben Thatcher was out through no fault of his own, it was just illness.

“We play with three in midfield so it looks good. We still have players who can play there if we need them.”

Although they have no fresh injury concerns, Town may make changes at Barnsley tonight after their exploits at Stamford Bridge.

Gorman said: “The effects of the Chelsea game will be looked at. We will see how rested the players are and make a decision on Tuesday.

“Most of the lads are on a high because they know they played well. But we said before the Chelsea game that the Barnsley match was the cup final.”

Although Barnsley were beaten 4-0 by Norwich 10 days ago, and are struggling without a win in four games, Gorman believes they are a better side than form shows.

He said: “We know what they can do. They lost at Norwich but the performance was not as bad as the scoreline suggest.

“Anderson De Silva is a player I have always liked. Jamal Campbell Ryce is a thorn in the side. He has got a new role now and is another good player.

“Barnsley will be determined after that loss. They will be aggressive and we know in this league that a team can lose by four goals one game and win by four the next.

“They are a good footballing team and that is good for us. Chelsea played nice football and it suited us. We were able to get the ball down and we were able to get forward.

“If we get chances like we did at Chelsea we will get forward quickly and look to finish.

“It was a joy to play at Chelsea and the fans were magnificent.

“We know it won't be as passionate at Barnsley but we knew all along that this is the game where winning counts.”

Gorman was impressed with the Town players' attitude following the Chelsea defeat and hopes that will be reflected at Oakwell tonight.

He said: “We played well but didn't get the result but what impressed me was how professional the lads were immediately after the game.

“They went out for the warm-down talking about Barnsley and wanting to do it right with this game in mind.”