Back-to-back victories for Ipswich Town have halted a slump in form that saw Mick McCarthy’s side pick-up no wins over a five-game period throughout October.

However, victory at Bloomfield Road against bottom club Blackpool combined with a 2-1 win over fellow promotion candidates Wolverhampton Wanderers has seen The Tractor Boys start November with a 100 per cent record. The game marked McCarthy’s 100th game in charge of the club, as well as him securing a victory over the side that sacked him in 2012.

Ipswich currently sit fifth in the table, ahead of their last opponents Wolves by goal difference. The club has certainly fared better at home so far, with five of their seven wins coming at Portman Road, whilst only conceding six goals in eight games at home; the joint best in the Championship alongside Wolves and Fulham. However, the club have lacked the ability to put teams to the sword and have not scored more than two goals in a game all season; only one of four teams to do so – and the only one outside of the bottom half of the table.

Striker Daryl Murphy’s brace against Wolves propelled him to the top of the Championship scoring table with ten goals, alongside Derby County’s Chris Martin. Last season’s top scorer David McGoldrick, who managed 14 in the league and 16 in all competitions, has started strongly too; managing five goals in 15 appearances.

Consistency in front of goal has been a key part of Ipswich’s impressive standing, with the club only failing to score in a match twice this season; in defeats against Norwich and Reading in August.

What makes Ipswich’s position all the more impressive is McCarthy’s ability to build a team without spending money. Since joining the club in November 2012, McCarthy has brought in 12 players on free transfers. This summer transfer window saw seven new faces, including defender Christophe Berra, who joined from Wolves on a free transfer and has gone on to start every Championship match this season; scoring four goals in the process.

In recent years Ipswich have not fared well against the Hornets; managing two wins, four draws and 14 losses against Watford in their last 20 matches. Portman Road has not offered much solace either, with the Golden Boys’ unbeaten there since 2004; a total of nine games.

In team news, Luke Hyam is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season against Wolves.

Ipswich Town’s starting XI v Wolves (4/11/14): Białkowski; Chambers, Smith, Berra, Mings; Hyam, Bru, Tabb; Murphy, McGoldrick, Hunt.