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Post by markscfc72 on Jan 12, 2008 9:37:18 GMT
from sentinel
Richard Cresswell reckons the gold dust has settled after the Newcastle cup tie - just in time for a crack at Ipswich's near impregnable home record.
City travel to East Anglia in fine fettle after that gutsy scrap with Newcastle extended their unbeaten run to 11 games in all competitions.
But now they face an Ipswich outfit winning 11 and drawing two of its 13 league games at Portman Road, while few will read much into last weekend's 2-0 home defeat to Portsmouth in the FA Cup after that controversial first-half dismissal of youngster Liam Trotter reduced them to 10 men.
"The lads were disappointed we didn't get through against Newcastle," said Cresswell, "but the performance was there and keeps our unbeaten run going."
And he was suitably impressed with the atmosphere generated by a bumper crowd in vociferous voice.
"That was the first thing I noticed and I think it made a big difference to the players.
"Getting more than 20,000 into the ground does give you a boost and hopefully we can get them back in for the rest of the season because it would be a big help to the players.
"I had a chance myself with the overhead kick and I should have made contact. But I've scored quite a few from those sort of positions this season, so I won't worry about it too much.
"Straight after the game the lads were a bit low in the changing room because we knew we could have taken them on the night.
"But this week we have all been focussed on Ipswich."
And just as well when you consider the Tractor Boys have trampled over just about all before them by beating the likes of leaders West Brom 2-0 last time out in the league at Portman Road, while third-placed Bristol City were steamrollered 6-0 not so long ago.
"Everybody knows their record at home and we are doing well away," said Cresswell, "so it should be a good encounter.
"They have a good squad down there and are splashing out a bit of money in the January transfer window as well.
"I've played there a number of times over the years and they always try to get the ball down and play a bit.
"I played against Jim Magilton (Ipswich manager) a lot and he always liked to get it down and pass it around.
"That home record needs to end some time, so why not us? We've had some great away wins and hopefully this will be another one.
"The lads in our squad are fully confident and, at the moment, it's really good to be part of it because you think you can go out and get a result every time.
"I would like to mention the young lads like Andy (Wilkinson) and Dicko (Carl Dickinson) who've come in and done well."
And then after Ipswich, of course, the little matter of jetting up to Tyneside to most probably face Newcastle under new management following Sam Allardyce's demise.
"It was a strange decision, I think," observes Cresswell. "Managers need time to turn things around, but who am I to say?
"He was under a lot of pressure before our game and I think Newcastle fans have now got what they wanted in the end.
"I don't think it will affect the replay. It's something they will need to sort out sooner rather than later.
"They have some very experienced players who, once they go on the pitch, will give it 100 per cent anyway."
And victory at St James' Park next Wednesday, we now know, would mean a glamorous journey in the opposite direction to face Arsene Wenger's Arsenal at The Emirates.
Cresswell himself was otherwise engaged when that tie was drawn first out of the hat at Soho Square on Monday lunchtime, but he was soon getting a phone call off would-be matchwinner Jon Parkin.
"Parky rang me and said: "I can't believe I missed that chance!"
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