George Burley must be pinching himself at his side's rise to prominence this season. Having struggled to make it past the Division One play offs over recent seasons, they made it into the Premiership last season and have made great strides this time round.

Having consistently been in the European places over the last few months, it is only over recent games that they have had to face any real challenge to their new found confidence. Their last Premiership fixture saw them concede four at Chelsea, losing 4-1. Then, on Wednesday, they lost by the same scoreline to First Division Birmingham City in the semi finals of the Worthington Cup - albeit after extra time.

So is this a good time to play them - or will they be determined to put one over us again, to get back to winning ways? Who knows? What is certain, though, is that their form at Portman Road has been impressive and that they will prove a difficult obstacle for us to overturn!

Martyn

Mills Ferdinand Radebe Harte

Bowyer Batty Dacourt Wilcox

Keane Viduka

Our popular AWAY FANS feature continues with the views of unofficial Ipswich Town site, "The Sick Parrot"...

AWAY FANS:

How will they fare with the following questions...?

*Site: The Sick Parrot

*URL: www.thesickparrot.co.uk

* Do you think you're having a good season?

I think we're doing far better than we ever thought. There's still a long way to go, but I was never expecting us to challenge for a European place, though I did not expect us to be relegated unlike the rest of the country.

* Who do you think is your best player(s) ?

Marcus Stewart grabs all the headlines and is obviously a fine player, but James Scowcroft is in my view our best player. He is one of the best target men in the Premier and is also quite nimble with his feet.

* Your worst player(s) ?

Gary Croft our right back had an awful match in the Worthington semi-final and is probably our weakest link.

*Your players to watch (youngsters or underrated players) ?

Most people know about Titus Bramble now. He is a fine prospect for us and can play in any position, though Burley always plays him as centre-back.

*Your preferred formation for Saturday's game?

I prefer playing 4-4-2 and due to injuries I guess we will line up :

Wright

Croft McGreal Venus Hreidarsson

Scowcroft Wright J. Holland Clapham

Stewart Naylor

*Your best chant ?

The Tractor Boys chant seems very popular this season, though we have to be in the lead to chant it.

*Where do you think Ipswich will finish in the Premiership this season ?

I think Saturday is a tester. If we win well, we could finish up maybe 6th or 7th, though we are on a losing streak at the moment.

*Prediction for Saturday and Ipswich scorers (if applicable)?

I think we will win well as our players are looking to bounce back. It may sound cocky but I think we'll win 3-0. Scorers? Stewart (2) and Naylor.