Joe Garner and Dominic Iorfa make their Blues debut in what looks to be a 3-5-2 formation as Town, who lined-up 4-4-2 throughout pre-season, take on Birmingham City in their opening game of the season.

Iorfa, on loan from Wolves for the season, appears set to start at right wing-back with Jonas Knudsen on the left and Jordan Spence, skipper Luke Chambers and Tommy Smith the central three.

In the middle of midfield, Cole Skuse is joined by Andre Dozzell and Grant Ward with Garner and Freddie Sears up front.

David McGoldrick and Bersant Celina are both on the bench having been ill for last week’s 6-1 friendly defeat at Charlton. Also among the subs are midfielders Flynn Downes, 18, and Tristan Nydam, 17. There's no place for Danny Rowe on the bench.

Town: Bialkowski, Spence, Chambers (c), Smith, Iorfa, Ward, Skuse, Dozzell, Knudsen, Sears, Garner. Subs: Gerken, Webster, McGoldrick, Celina, Downes, Nydam, Kenlock.

Birmingham: Stockdale, Nsue, Grounds, Morrison (c), Roberts, Davis, Gardner, Ndoye, Maghoma, Donaldson, Adams. Subs: Kuszczak, Shotton, Kieftenbeld, Keita, Brock-Madsen, Harding, Gleeson.

Photo: TWTD

Len_Brennan added 14:21 - Aug 5 Spence at right wing back & Iorfa in the back 3 would have seemed more natural.
2

MooseJuice added 14:24 - Aug 5 Doesn't come across as the strongest line up in Ipswich history, but does look relatively offensive... on paper at least. Hopefully a new start and a new approach.
3

ClausThomsen added 14:24 - Aug 5 Nice
2

legoman added 14:24 - Aug 5 Iorfa has tremendous speed.
3

Devereuxxx added 14:26 - Aug 5 The system makes sense with the players available. Sounds like Webster isn't fully fit otherwise I think he would have been included. Shame Knudsen got the nod ahead of Kenlock as I think Kenlock offers more going forward and has more cover behind him in a 3-5-2. Also, MM said last season he prefers Dozzell in a 3 man midfield, so hopefully this formation is meant to bring the best out of him as well. COYB

5

Kentish_Tractor added 14:26 - Aug 5 Would rather have Kenlock over Mick's mate Knudsen at left wing-back. Knudsen is better at LB in a back 4 or LCB of the 3, but not LWB. Other than that, pretty pleased. Skuse I guess has to play due to no Huws or Adeyemi and the inclusion of 2 attacking CMs. Hope Dozzell grabs his chance today.
7

mkbobby added 14:28 - Aug 5 Think iorfa will play central of the 3 with spence at right wing back can not believe he's playing chambers as the central of the 3 glad he's playing garner and sears together the brum defence will be run ragged by these 2 with mcg ad Celina to come on later
0

dirtydingusmagee added 14:28 - Aug 5 it'll be interesting to see how Freddie gets on up front with Garner, hopefully he will have a good game and show how he has been wasted in past by Dino playing out of position .
1

Tractorboy1985 added 14:30 - Aug 5 As some have stated.. due to injuries and players coming back this system was pretty much forced.. when Tom and emyr come back it will make the midfield stronger.. agree with kenlock over Knudsen as a wing back but this line up smells 'do not lose the opening game' all the best boys! COYB!!!
1

Blue_Moses added 14:39 - Aug 5 6-3-1
2

TimmyH added 14:40 - Aug 5 Well there's a shock, Knudsen, Chambers and Skuse all start though looking less than impressive in pre-season, so McCarthy reverts to type. On another note what sort of illness has Adeyemi got??...has he played at all for us yet?
4

BlueandTruesince82 added 14:42 - Aug 5 Harsh on Rowe to not make the bench. Feel like he could be a rely exciting player for us. Think a system forced on us due to availability today.
3

Keaneish added 14:43 - Aug 5 Very interesting. Looking forward to seeing how Ward and Dozzell pull the strings in the middle. Please bag one today Freddie and put the doubters mind at ease.
2

OwainG1992 added 14:48 - Aug 5 Same as most wanted Kenlock over Knuds. Excited for Dozzell to get a proper chance. Good luck lads! #uptheblues
1

Palestine added 14:48 - Aug 5 Knudsen....
0

BlueMachines added 14:50 - Aug 5 Something a bit different. I like it. Think we could win if they are allowed to play.
1

midastouch added 14:57 - Aug 5 Where is Rowe? You've got an exciting prospect with pace to burn and he's not even on the bench, and yet you've got a pedestrian midfielder who couldn't shoot his way out of a paper bag who by all reports looked totally clueless last week in the 6-1 embarrassment to Charlton and somehow he's starting. Rowe should at least be on the bench and Skuse should be going half on the taxi fare with Bru!

6

mow_the_lawn added 15:02 - Aug 5 Contrary to MM's pre season comments, this looks like a negative 5-4-1 diamond midfield to me.
1

madmouse1959 added 16:52 - Aug 5 Knudsen left midfield....and Kenlock @ left back in a 4-4-2.......Iorfa right back....Spence/Webster......................then Ward- Dozzell-Huws-Knudsen........Garner and Cellina...................(Skuse & Sears should be last two subs on the pitch)
0

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