Brentford vs Ipswich Town
Saturday 13 August Griffin Park Sky Bet Championship Kick-off: 3pm
The Season So Far
It has been a mixed start to the season for The Tractor Boys, who will be looking to improve on last season's seventh placed finish and force their way into the end of season Play-Offs. Mick McCarthy's side opened their campaign last Saturday with a remarkable 4-2 win over Barnsley at Portman Road, debutant Grant Ward coming off the bench to score a second-half hat-trick which secured the three points. However, the side from Suffolk then suffered a humbling exit in the EFL Cup on Tuesday night after a 1-0 defeat at home to Sky Bet League Two side Stevenage which left McCarthy fuming.
It was evolution rather than revolution on the player front at Portman Road over the summer, with just four arrivals, all of whom are 21 or younger. Saturday's hero Ward joined from Tottenham Hotspur while Adam Webster [Portsmouth], Connor Grant [Everton], and Paul Digby [Barnsley] also arrived. Luke Varney re-signed for The Tractor Boys this morning after being released in the summer. Among those to leave permanently in recent months are former Brentford favourite Jay Tabb, Kevin Foley [Charlton Athletic], and Larsen Toure.
The Gaffer
Mick McCarthy was appointed manager of The Tractor Boys in November 2012, taking over from Paul Jewell and saving the club from relegation. With long-term assistant coach Terry Connor, he guided the team to ninth place the following season. In 2014 they signed new contracts after taking the squad to the play-offs for the first time in a decade, losing to Norwich City in the semi-finals.
A former defender, the 57-year-old made appearances for Barnsley, Manchester City and Celtic in his playing days. He earned 57 caps for the Republic of Ireland before going on to manage them for six years, taking them to the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.
The Match Officials
Referee: Stephen Martin Assistant Referees: David Avent and Mark Jones Fourth Official: Steven Meredith
Ticket news
Advanced Tickets are on General sale for tomorrow's match until 10am on Saturday morning. Save £5 on your ticket for our home season opener here. After 10am on Saturday match ticket prices rise by £5 but they will be available until kick-off from the Ticket Office and online.
The Last Meeting
9 April 2016, Sky Bet Championship - Ipswich Town 1 Brentford 3 Brentford XI: Button; Colin, Dean, Barbet, Bidwell; Woods, McCormack; Canos, Judge, Saunders; Vibe Sam Saunders opens the scoring, with Lasse Vibe adding two as Brentford pick up third win in a week.
Head to Head
Brentford wins: 2 Draws: 4 Ipswich wins: 6
Pre-Match views
Dean Smith is hopeful of good news on the injury front ahead of The Tractor Boys' visit.
John Egan wants to make it a home debut to remember as he prepares for his Griffin Park bow.
Match Coverage
You can hear live match commentary on Bees Player from 2.30pm tomorrow afternoon, with Mark Burridge and Marcus Gayle.
There will be live match updates on Twitter from 2pm tomorrow.