THE OPPOSITION
It was all change at Portman Road in the summer following Mick McCarthy's departure. Relations between McCarthy and the fans had soured towards the end of his tenure so the appointment of former Shrewsbury Town boss Paul Hurst was greeted positively by the Portman Road faithful.
Hurst instantly set about shaking up an aging squad. He brought Toto Nsiala and Jon Nolan with him from Shrewsbury and also completed the signings of Peterborough United's Gwion Edwards, Kayden Jackson from Accrington Stanley, and Crawley Town's Jordan Roberts. Everton youngster Matthew Pennington arrived on loan as did Tayo Edum from Fulham and Wolves' Jordan Graham. Those arrivals were offset by the departures of Luke Hyam, David McGoldrick, Joe Garner, Martyn Waghorn and Mustapha Carayol.
On the pitch, it has taken time for it all to gel and The Tractor Boys go into tonight's game without a win under Hurst. However, they are yet to be beaten at Portman Road, registering three draws from their three home outings so far, and all signs are that there is no panic amongst the board, or the fans, as Hurst looks to implement his style on the East Anglian outfit.
TEAM NEWS
Brentford's team news is as you were from Saturday with long-term absentees Rico Henry, Moses Odubajo, and Emiliano Marcondes the only players not available to Dean Smith.
For Ipswich, Toto Nsiala serves the final game of a three-game ban after being dismissed against Sheffield Wednesday. Hurst also has a doubt over another member of his starting XI but remained tight-lipped with the press on Monday when asked who that was. The Town manager will have to leave one of his six loan signings out to fit in with EFL rules, Janoi Donacien that man in the last two games. Teddy Bishop, Jordan Roberts and Andre Dozzell will also be absent after playing for The Tractor Boys' Under-23s yesterday.
THE MANAGER
Paul Hurst was appointed on 30 May, three days after his Shrewsbury Town side were beaten in the 2018 League One Play-Off Final. Hurst and his assistant Chris Doig, signed three-year contracts with the Club as they look to rebuild the former Premier league side.
After spending almost the entirety of his playing career with Rotherham United, Hurst landed his first big management role as co-manager of Grimsby Town. He took sole charge in 2014 and got the National League outfit promoted via the Play-Offs. Then, in his two-year tenure of The Shrews, Hurst rescued them from relegation to the four tier and turned them into a promotion challenging team, losing out in May's Play-Off final to his former club Rotherham.
KEY MATCH UP
PRE-MATCH FEATURES
Hot Off The Press: Stuart Watson of the Ipswich Star with the rundown on Paul Hurst's men
Ref Watch: Darren Bond will be the man in the middle tonight
We're On Our Way: Plan your evening at Portman Road with our Away Day Guide
HEAD TO HEAD
Brentford wins: 7
Draws: 9
Wigan wins: 18
LAST TIME OUT
Neal Maupay's late penalty proves decisive at Griffin Park
TICKET AND TRAVEL INFO
There will be Pay on the Day at Portman Road tonight, cash only, at Turnstiles 10 and 11:
Collections and duplicates can be picked up at Ticket Enquiry Centre next to those turnstiles.
Please be aware of planned roadworks affecting the A1214 London Road post-match this evening.
MATCH COVERAGE
Mark Burridge is your host for live match commentary tonight from 7.15pm. He is joined by Simon Ratcliffe and Ciaran Brett to talk through the highlights and take you to full-time on iFollow Brentford.
Tonight's match will also be broadcast live on iFollow for both domestic and international supporters. For more information click here.
Download the Official Brentford FC App to get notifications direct to your phone, plus all the latest news, views and reaction from the game. Visit the Play Store or iTunes App Store now to download.