THE Blues go to Blackpool today searching for back to back wins for the first time since last February something Jim Magilton believes would send a powerful message to their Championship rivals.

Derek Davis

By Derek Davis

THE Blues go to Blackpool today searching for back to back wins for the first time since last February, something Jim Magilton believes would send a powerful message to their Championship rivals.

The last time Town won consecutive games was in February when they beat today's opponent Blackpool 2-1 at Portman Road, just after winning at Crystal Palace.

Blues boss Magilton is looking to build on the win at Plymouth and at home against QPR with the draw with Charlton in between.

He said: “Getting back to back wins would be a massive statement. We won at Plymouth, not so good against Charlton but got a draw and then beat QPR so we are disappointed not to have won three in a row then.

“We are still progressing and I'm very pleased with the attitude of the squad. If we can get a result at Blackpool then we are more than capable of keeping that going by working hard collectively and individually.”

With one end behind a goal a building site, the away section and open terrace and only two completed stands, Bloomfield Road represents a challenge in its self.

Magilton said: “It is not an easy place to go as we found out last week but morale is high and we go there on the back of one defeat in 11.

“I hated it when they were building the south then north stands as the atmosphere seemed to vacate the ground. It will be the same there but these things are sent to test you and we are better equipped to go away and dig in to get a result.”

While Town have lost just one league game in 11, Blackpool have lost just one in nine and Magilton knows Town may have to settle for winning ugly.

He said: “Saturday against QPR was particularly good because they had to be patient and they had to do the ugly side of the game in bad weather conditions.

“The players showed tremendous character and will have to do the same at Blackpool because that side have no regard for reputation.

“If you don't work as hard as them then you will lose so you have to match them for that first.”

After coming off the bench and bagging the two goals against QPR Jon Stead is in line for a start against Blackpool in what could be just the one change.

Although Ben Thatcher played in a reserve game on Monday he is not included in the squad that flew up yesterday.

With Moritz Volz on four bookings, one away from an automatic one-match ban, Magilton is giving Thatcher extra fitness work.

He said: “Ben came through well against Charlton reserves but is not quite ready yet.”

Pim Balkestein is also ready and Alex Bruce is still in the frame despite his contract negotiations.

Danny Haynes has an abdominal strain so is unlikely to be involved.

Blackpool squad: Rachbuka, Gilkes, Barker, Coid, Evatt, Edwards, Broomes, Camara, Vaughan, Hammill, Southern, Taylor-Fletcher, Jorgensen, Fox, Mitchley, Gow, Burgess.

Ipswich Town squad: R Wright, Supple, D Wright, Volz, Bruce, Balkestein, Naylor, McAuley, Shumulikoski, Miller, Garvan, Walters, Quinn, Lisbie, Counago, Rhodes, Stead.