Ipswich Town skipper Dara O’Shea insists he and his fellow Blues will shut out the noise around this weekend’s huge clash with promotion rivals Millwall.
The Blues host the Lions at 12.30pm on Saturday – live on Sky Sports – in a match which pits third placed-Town against fourth-placed Millwall, a side they only sit above on goal difference.
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With just nine games left in the season for Town, and a hectic sprint to the finish of eight matches in 27 days after the international break, every clash now feels crucial – especially when pitted against a promotion rival.
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Dara O’Shea is expecting a battle against Millwall (Image: Ross Halls)
“Yes, every game is,” O’Shea agreed. “We’ve just got to do what we do. Let’s go out every game and try to win it. And that’s the main aim. And we prep for that every week.
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“Whatever happens on the pitch happens. But like I said, it’s focusing on what we can do. And yes, obviously, there’ll be a lot of hype, a lot said about the game.
“Obviously, they’re a team that are around us and we’re going into it confident and ready for the task. It’s going to be a battle. It’s going to be tough.
“And we’re back at home as well. So nice one.”
The Blues have started slowly in many recent games, with flat first halves becoming a bit of a narrative around the side – something they can’t afford on Saturday.
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The Blues have started slowly in games recently (Image: Ross Halls)
O’Shea explained: “I don’t think it’s been a lack of trying or intensity in some of them games. I think sometimes just the ball doesn’t go your way and it’s a bit frantic.
“And look, every team that we play, you can tell that they’re up for it. We watch, obviously, the games previous that they’ve played and they come play us and they’ll play a total different way and a different style.
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“So it does take a small bit of time to adapt to them in the games because maybe we’re not prepared for it.
“But we prepare as best as possible. We know how many different possibilities they can play and stuff. And I think I’m proud of how we’re reacting to that.”