Minto Magic

Scott Minto insists he can play in the same side as Nigel Winterburn - as he did on Sunday in the win over Ipswich.
Although there is the notion that the pair are both competing for the left back spot, Glenn Roeder's tactical switch to gain the first away win of the season, which paired Nigel at wing back ahead of Scott in the back three, paid dividends.
"Maybe a few people would have been surprised about me playing there but I have done it for Benfica in quite a few games and I think if you are experienced - unfortunately I'm 30 now so I am pretty experienced - you can play in a few positions.
"I don't know if there are many people that enjoy playing wing back because there is a lot of running to do but I thought we worked well together, communicated well and feel we can play in the same team.
"What I want to do is play in the first team whether it is left back, left side of a three, or even left wing back.
"I did play a few positions for Benfica though it is a different style of football in Portugal in that you get more time.
"I also played 55 times in goal for them!
"It is difficult here in a sense in that you don't get quite the time to bring the ball out the back and set up some attacks, because the forwards press on and Shaka just has to kick it.
"My preferred position is left back but then again if we have more games like Ipswich it could be left side of a three - who knows?
"I really enjoyed the Ipswich game and I'd be happy to play there again; you always enjoy a win don't you?"
The match heralded something of a comeback for Scott, who has been frustrated by injury for most of the last campaign.
"It was nice to get my first league game of the season," he says, "I've been unlucky with my knee last year, but I've been fit this season.
"I've had to bide my time, though, and I'm probably still not as fit as I'd like to be, but that only comes with games.
"Nigel is doing very well this season so I've got to train as hard as I can, play as well as I can in the reserves, and when I get my chance in the first team do my best there."
Perhaps he could try crocking him in training...
"I've tried a couple of two foots but he gets out of the way!" he jokes.
The only thing Scott was not pleased with at Portman Road was the concession of two goals, and he says:
"I thought we were pretty solid with Christian Dailly and Hayden Foxe in the back three.
"But the scoreline didn't reflect that and I was disappointed they scored two goals.
"To be fair to Ipswich they had a lot of possession in the second half but they didn't really hurt us.
"It was a great strike at the end which left Shaka with no chance; but it would have killed us if they had got the draw from that."
So will he keep his place this weekend in the continued absence of Tomas Repka?
"Obviously it is Glenn's decision; Nigel has done nothing wrong so I still have to bide my time.
"He might want to change back to a 4-4-2 which has worked very well at home or if he stays with a back three I'd like to think I can stay in the side.
"It is just getting picked first of all, and trying to get the fitness, but it won't come for three or four games in the first team, so I have to dig deep and work really hard."
Scott is just delighted to have played his part in a fantastic week, and he says:
"It was such a big relief because the lads were under pressure before the Southampton game.
"Look at Coventry getting up to the top of the first division; when Gordon Strachan left they were 19th and suddenly they go to joint top, and the Premiership seems to be like that as well.
"You see Bolton going to Old Trafford and winning; if you get three or four wins on the spin you can go from the bottom half into the UEFA Cup positions."
And his assessment of a Fulham side including, like West Ham, a liberal sprinkling of French players in  Louis Saha, Steve Marlet and Steed Malbranque?
"They are a great side with some fantastic players," he says, "very quick up front, and it will be a tough game."