IPSWCH manager Jim Magilton today said that his side will go into two tough games this weekend showing no fear.The Blues travel to West Bromwich Albion tomorrow to face the club managed by former Ipswich defender Tony Mowbray.

By Elvin King

IPSWCH manager Jim Magilton today said that his side will go into two tough games this weekend showing no fear.

The Blues travel to West Bromwich Albion tomorrow to face the club managed by former Ipswich defender Tony Mowbray.

Town then have a home encounter with runaway Championship leaders Birmingham at Portman Road on Monday afternoon.

The manager said he has no injury worries and is likely to name an unchanged side at The Hawthorns, and he added: “The weekend matches will be a good guide for us and show how far we have come.

“We will have no fear and they are games that players love to appear in.

“After Monday we will have a better idea of how much impact we can make on the division in the second half of the season.”

And looking ahead to 2007 Magilton, who took over the Ipswich reins in the summer from Joe Royle, added: “I am sure next year will be a better one for our supporters than what 2006 has been.

“We have made progress but have lacked consistency.

“If we can put this right we have the structure at the club that can take it forward.

“People are slowly but surely realising what the new regime requires and I am confident about the future of this football club and my goals are exactly the same as they have always been, to take Ipswich into the Premiership.

“Of course if it does all go wrong I might be sitting in a fishing boat off the coast of Cork, Ireland in 12 months time. But I don't intend to.”

Talking about his policy of continuity in team selections Magilton added: “We discussed some home truths before our victory at Coventry on Boxing Day and the players responded.

“I thought the team played better in the home defeat against Stoke than they did in the win over Leeds.

“They deserved another chance at Coventry to right the wrongs that took place and they certainly came up trumps.

“West Brom have some excellent players and we know how tough it will be but if we need any extra motivation to do well then having lost 5-1 at home to them earlier in the season will do that.

“It was the best performance by any team against us this season and Tony Mowbray and his assistant Mark Venus are great lads and slowly but surely turning things round at The Hawthorns.”