Town boss Roy Keane is pleased to be back in the top six but says it counts for nothing unless his side can stay there until May. The Blues face fourth-placed Derby County at Portman Road this evening with skipper David Norris, fellow midfielder Grant Leadbitter and defender Tom Eastman all injury doubts.
West Ham manager Alan Pardew expects wounds from last season s play-off semi-final to resurface when the teams meet at Portman Road on Nre Year s Day (KO 1pm). The Hammers boss also says he has been particularly impressed with Town s front two this season.
Town 1-3 Wigan Athletic Saturday, 7th Feb 2004 21:40
Yet another dismal home performance saw the Blues to a 3-1 defeat against upwardly mobile Wigan Athletic. Goals from Jason Roberts, Nathan Ellington and Gary Teale put the Latics three-up before Shefki Kuqi netted a consolation for Town.
Tommy Miller recovered from his thigh injury and lined-up in the midfield with Jermaine Wright replacing Fabian Wilnis at full-back. Pablo Couñago and Chris Bart-Williams returned to the eleven after missing out at Coventry last week, Georges Santos dropping to the bench with the Blues moving back to 4-4-2.
Former Town loanee Alan Mahon made his debut for Wigan and received a warm welcome from the Town support when his name was read out prior to the kick-off.