Former Tractor Boy George Burley returned to Portman Road with Southampton to take on his old club, but was unable to overcome a Town side still containing a few connections from his era. Burley brought along a couple of fellow ex-Townies, Jermaine Wright and Kelvin Davis. Ipswich managed to score a goal in either half, and to keep a clean sheet sending the Saints home with nothing.

Jim switched Billy Clarke and Gavin Williams from Saturdays match and otherwise made no changes. Clarke took the chance to put in a hard working performance and was very busy all evening, despite sporting a rather trim Matt Richardsesque haircut.

After a brief flash of the pace we now expect from the start of home matches, the game faltered a little style-wise, with neither side really clicking or taking control of the match. It was one of those matches where both sides seemed to mimic the other, Town giving the ball away and Southampton giving it straight back for example. Chances at either end did little to test the keepers, and both teams could've done better with what came their way.

Half an hour in, lady luck was to smile upon Town and give us a lead. We were showing signs of improvement having gone close, when Billy Clarke found himself on the edge of the box and able to strike goalwards. His shot was well struck, but Davis seemed to be heading in the right direction. However the man of the moment Jon Walters ran across its path, and despite taking the sting out of the shot managed to direct it inside the opposite post, the keeper and defender looking on helplessly as it spun over the line. Walters obviously knew nothing of it but didn't look at all embarrassed to score - they all count, right?!

This had a settling effect on Ipswich, and we came close again a couple of times before the break, but were still not on top form. The first half had been unspectacular and maybe a little disappointing. Southampton showed signs of what George Burley's style of football is about, enjoying a fair amount of possession but without the finished product. Surprisingly they were a very tetchy side, bordering on dirty at times. They would not stop arguing with the officials and had gone in heavy on a few occasions.

Within minutes of the restart the visitors came close to equalising, a ball into the area the was flicked on and headed goalwards from just 3 or 4 yards by Bradley Wright-Phillips. Neil Alexander reacted instinctively and tipped it over his head and the bar for a corner. In reply Town had a couple of corners in quick succession, Owen Garvan hitting the woodwork with the first and having an effort deflected with the next.

At this point in the game Ipswich were starting to get on top and the majority of chances were coming their way. But the Saints came very close to levelling things when Alexander was chipped from a wide position, the ball came back off the inside of the post and was cleared.

After a very good penalty shout for a challenge that saw Jon Walters sent crashing to the floor, the linesman flagging but the referee overruled, Town eventually gave themselves an extra bit of breathing space and got the second goal. It was perhaps appropriately scored from a free kick, Southampton having enjoyed some lenient refereeing were punished for a foul on Billy Clarke, way our left. Gavin Williams stepped up, and having only just come on for Garvan banged in a strong kick to the centre of the box which was met by the head of Pablo Counago past Davis.

There were numerous chances for the Blues in the second period, and we were easily better than in the first. Danny Haynes came on quite late today, only getting 10 minutes if you include stoppage time. Southampton withered badly, before a brief last breath of effort before the final whistle.

A dozen games straight now, impressive stuff indeed. So why are the home crowds a tad disappointing at the moment? It doesn't get much better than this for wins, so just under 20k is strange, although we are now *only* 4th...

Another fruitless away day for Town made for a long trip back from Wales and plenty of time to mull over what exactly is wrong when we leave Portman Road. Jim will have to come up with the answer to that one, and hopefully in time to see us add enough to the nice tally of points built up from the home performances to maintain our flirtation with the top end of the table.

We started with 3 players with Cardiff connections, unsurprisingly former Bluebirds Alan Lee and Neil Alexander started as usual, and also Gavin Williams who had not featured at all this season after crocking himself in the pre-season friendly with Panathinaikos. Billy Clarke made way for the [presumably reformed] Cardiff fan who slotted into the midfield.

The opening minute was quite good for Town, Alan Lee striding forward from the off and attempting to lob the Cardiff keeper, only to be thwarted by the goal post. Then it was pretty much downhill from there.

Just after the half hour mark the home side scored what would turn out to be the winner. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink had narrowly missed from a free kick minutes before Paul Parry strode forward from his own half and was pretty much unchallenged before banging in an excellent shot past Alexander. Although Cardiff had edged the chances, they were hardly exciting enough to warrant a lead, but there you go. Cardiff almost added a second shortly after, and had another attempt before half time with Town having a go from a Tommy Miller free kick, but one nil it was at the break.

To say that the second half was dull, was an understatement. Yellow cards outnumbered efforts on goal, there were a few personnel changes which brought little impact, and apart from a late run from Alex Bruce and a close chance very late on created by Jon Walters, that was it. Nothing worth scribbling about.

A few of our previous away failures had at least been after a decent performance, or even after having perfectly good goals disallowed, but we could take little from this match and smile about it. I hope our away hoodoo changes soon, very soon.

High-flying Bristol City were trounced by 6 (six!) great goals on Saturday afternoon after Town extended their fantastic run of wins at Portman Road to 11. As with Wolves a fortnight ago, we were expecting a bumpy ride in this one but it turned out to be anything but, and after leading at half time Town went into overdrive and cruised home with ease.

As expected (well he'd be daft to tinker with it) Jim Magilton went for the regular home formation of 4-4-2, and Town were out of the blocks running and pushed City from the off. The visiting support was in good voice and in reasonable numbers considering the trip.

Jon Walters got in Town's first effort on goal, driving forward on the right and lashing a 20 yarder high and wide of goal when perhaps the cross over to Alan Lee or Pablo Counago might've been a better bet. He was very obviously a man on a mission today though, and after another similar run forward just a few minutes later he dribbled into a central position this time before seeing a gap and dispatching a shot. The low ball although well struck took a slight deflection that sent it nicely just inside the post beyond the keeper, who did not seem to be expecting it either way.

And so it started. Town passed the ball so well in the early stages that the second goal seemed inevitable. Their domination was rewarded after 15 minutes when a Walters cross was cleared beyond the box on the left, but Alan Lee muscled the defender out of possession and seemed to take all the time in the world to pick out the advancing... wait for it... David Wright who appeared to trampoline into the air and thump a header home from 7 yards or so. The look on Wright's face as he wheeled away to celebrate matching his entire tally for last season was priceless.

Now many teams would easily crumble having gone 2 goals down away from home, but give City their dues, they stuck to the task and continued to play their passing football without panic, although there was an unnecessary physical edge to some of the challenges dished out to Town players. The visitors game was almost all about defending against a hungry Town attack though, and they were not able to enjoy much in the way of possession until the last 10 minutes of the half, when Alan Lee was withdrawn due to injury. Danny Haynes came on but seemed out of place until half time, and it was obvious that we missed the creativity and eagerness of Lee.

City's final chance to influence the outcome of the game was shortly before half time when Neil Alexander came out to punch on the edge of the box, the ball falling to a City player who's attempt, with our keeper stranded was unfortunately for them straight in front of him into Alexander's arms. We did have a player on the line too though. A goal back at this point might well have rattled the Blues and given Bristol hope at the interval.

Any hope that City may have had returning to the field was quickly dashed when Town scored again from the penalty spot, with the visitors losing a man to a red card at the same time. Danny Haynes raced forwards and his speed put him clear in the box with just the keeper to beat, as he pulled the trigger on what looked like a shot to the far right beyond the goalie, Bradley Orr swung his leg and sent Haynes crashing to the floor. It was nice to see Danny looked peeved rather than jubilant at winning a penalty, he was obviously convinced he was about to score, but instead Tommy Miller placed the spot-kick just inside the post to make it 3 nil. The ref had no decision to make, it was a clear cut penalty and there was no quibbles about the red card.

At this point the game was dead for City who continued to pass the ball and look for a goal, but maybe they would have saved themselves face had they gone down the shut-up-shop route. Great that they didn't of course, its all about entertainment, and that is just what we got from hereon in.

Number 4 came barely 10 minutes after the penalty, a very lively Billy Clarke was clearly fouled whilst claiming the ball just outside his own box, but advantage was well played by the ref and Clarke battled on and ran it out before getting a forward ball to Owen Garvan who managed to find Jon Walters just inside City's half, but with no opposition player between him and the goal. He took a couple of forward touches as he ran in, set up his stride and unleashed a vicious arrow-straight shot, which was rising all the way into the back of the net from distance. The keeper got a hand to it, but luckily was not killed or maimed by the power.

The game was definitely getting that "will we make double figures" feel to it now, and Pablo Counago was next on the score sheet, with Walters feeding him out wide before the Spaniard entered the box. He tricked the ball round 2 or 3 defenders before looking up and seeing a gap then calmly passing the ball through the remaining defence into the far corner.

Strike 6 saw Walters complete his first ever hat trick and cap a simply superb performance. Pablo fed the ball through from way out, with Walters doing the running before slotting home. Jim gave the crowd a chance to show their appreciation and admiration for today's hero as Walters was replaced soon after by Gary Roberts.

The game went a little flat for periods after this, although the pressure was still on Bristol. It was a shame that Billy Clarke who had worked so well did not get the goal he deserved, but he came close with a late run but his shot was saved, and rebound just cleared off the line.

We've been treated to some great football at home in recent months and it was hard to see how it could get any better, but it did. This was a highly memorable and thoroughly enjoyable match which Town dominated from start to finish. Bristol City will lick their wounds and no doubt bounce back, but how they explain this one after good away form will hopefully complement our performance as well as berate their own. We were simply brilliant today.

Under normal circumstances this game would have been marked down as a potential win with the home side not having won in 5 attempts, but after a fast paced and physical encounter in the local derby just 2 days before, we found ourselves off the pace and with - I presume - forced changes in the line-up. Sheff U had apparently been asked to move the game by 24 hours to ease things, but stood true to form and refused.

Jim Magilton stuck with the 4-5-1 shape we have come to expect for away games, bringing in Liam Trotter who had impressed recently, to the midfield. Tommy Miller was back from injury, along with Gary Roberts and back in defence, Alex Bruce in place of Fabian Wilnis. The other unlucky ones were Owen Garvan, Pablo Counago and Billy Clarke.

Things started pretty brightly for Town, with Alan Lee getting 3 or 4 shots in within the first 20 minutes or so. In reply Neil Alexander was barely tested although James Beattie was already showing signs of being a threat and after half an hour he scored. After a neat one-two he left Alex Bruce for dead and slotted past Alexander from less than 10 yards, some poor defending had let him in. Although Town continued to make chances, the momentum was fading and by half time the home side were having most of the action in front of goal.

The second half was again quite positive for Ipswich, and within 10 minutes we were back on level terms through Jon Walters who collected a long ball straight from the keeper deep inside the Sheffield half, and only a short distance from the box he beat a defender and chipped a shot over the Blades keeper Ian Bennett. With Town's confidence now on the up once again, Walters came close to putting us ahead soon after, but saw his effort hit the bar.

The point which turned the game back in the home side's favour was a penalty, dubious to say the least. Liam Trotter had "a moment" in the penalty area when he failed to clear a high-bouncing ball, there was a Sheff U player also challenging for the ball and the linesman flagged that he had been fouled. The referee had not given the incident, but the spot-kick was given and unfortunately this time Alexander couldn't make a save and was beaten by Beattie again. It was a total injustice; Sheff U had done little to deserve a lead.

Jim made some later than expected changes, bringing on Pablo with just 15 minutes left who did his best without carving out chances for himself. Owen Garvan had replaced Sylvain Legwinski a few minutes before, and Jaime Peters took to the pitch in place of Gary Roberts with just 5 minutes left, moments before the Blades sealed the win with a great goal from Keith Gillespie from just outside the box.

A surprisingly lively showing from Town given the short time since the derby, one which we should've taken at least a point from were it not for a mad moment from the linesman for the penalty decision. Taking heart from decent enough away performances though, is getting a little wearing and we really need that win on our travels to break the run.

Ipswich Town manager Jim Magilton has extended his current 2 year deal and has now signed up until 2010.

Talking to the official club web site, Jim said "We are all delighted to have agreed the new contracts. The Club have shown faith in us and have liked what they have seen so far. The Chairman and the Board believe we are heading in the right direction, we have new investment coming in and I think the future is encouraging."

Bryan Klug and Steve Foley are also being offered fresh contract extensions.

Official web site

Town's second eagerly awaited derby game of the season ended in a rather disappointing draw with both side bagging a brace to share the spoils. A point was perhaps considered fine by most level headed pundits before the match despite many Town fans expecting a win, but having pushed the home side in the first half and taking a 2 goal lead, the result actually felt a bit flat. As, it seems for so many of Town's opponents in recent times, Norwich were playing their first game under a new manager, Glen Roeder having been appointed during the week. This always spurs a team on, but thankfully Jim Magilton had missed out on falling under the curse of the Manager-of-the-month award which really would have ruined things.

The line-up was the same team that made easy work of seeing off Wolves last weekend, and Town began the game with pace, as did Norwich of course, just what you'd expect from a derby match. Both sides had early chances and this continued without either side actually dominating, it was clear though that at this pace and with so many chances a goal wasn't far off. The deadlock was broken by Town striker Alan Lee who netted his 7th league goal of the season just before the half hour. He shot past keeper David Marshall after Lee had knocked a ball forward to Pablo Counago who then held it up before returning it into Lee's path as he raced forward. The opening goal of an East Anglian derby is always a great moment and the blues went wild on and off the pitch.

Norwich showed good character and didn't wilt after conceding, but although they had more chances and indeed came close to an equaliser it was Town who would score again before half time. Neil Alexander in the Ipswich goal had been busy with several excellent saves throughout the half, and must've been relieved to take a 2 goal cushion into the dressing room thanks to a goal from a lively Pablo Counago. A free kick was taken and seemed to have been wasted but Billy Clarke got a shot in which the keeper pushed away, Clarke picking up the ball off the by-line wide of goal and crossing it back to the centre where Pablo tapped home unmarked. The Norwich players protested that the ball had gone out and it was certainly close, but the goal stood.

The half ended shortly after Jamie Cureton had missed a great opportunity to reduce their deficit, finding himself faced with only Alexander to beat in the 6 yard box after a mad scramble, he poked the ball with the outside of his foot beyond the far post when it seemed easier to score.

A different Norwich side came out in the second half and were very fired up and desperate to get back into the match. Roeder introduced a new face for the Canaries in rotund shape of John Hartson, who was very physical throughout the half. Town kept up the pace too without creating much, and it was clear that Norwich were building and we were starting to sit back. Inevitably the home side scored and the revival was on. A dubiously awarded corner was sent in and met 6 yards out at the near post and despite the presence of 3 or 4 Town players, Taylor headed goalwards. The ball took a fortuitous deflection off Owen Garvan but was probably bound to beat Alexander anyway. The Canaries tails were up.

Town were looking edgy, the passing game almost dried up and Norwich enjoyed most of the chances. We had the odd attempt at goal on the break, but were really struggling to get the game flowing in our favour. The home side and crowd sniffed another goal which eventually came with 25 minutes to go. A Hartson ball found Cureton just wide of goal 10 yards out, he took a touch and despite the attentions of Jason De Vos he chipped the ball cleverly over the advancing Alexander and it at the far post. It was [gritted teeth] a very well taken goal.

This did seem to wake Town up slightly, maybe they could now see what the rest of us had been worrying about for the last 20 minutes. Alan Lee thought he had got a third but it was given offside, and the only other effort was from Garvan and off target, and Jim decided on changes 5 or 10 minutes later. Off came Sylvain Legwinski and Pablo, on came Liam Trotter and Danny Haynes. Ah! Danny always scores against Norwich.

The game was untidy at this point to say the least and barely another shot came from us before Jim made his final substitution with Gary Roberts replacing Clarke. Not long after this Town broke away with Alan Lee speeding down the right flank after a ball from Garvan. Lee looked up and saw Danny Haynes racing goalwards down the opposite side and he despatched a fantastic ball over beyond the stretch of the last defenders. Haynes' big moment was set up, but keeper Marshall blocked his goal-bound shot with his legs and although it cannoned up in the air and dropped towards the line it eventually bounced tantalisingly off the crossbar and behind. Haynes looked skywards in disbelief at being denied.

The only final points of note were a few yellow cards and an unsurprising red card for usual suspect Darren Huckerby who had been his normal unsporting self for the whole game. His challenge on Jon Walters was disgusting, the striker crashing his studs down both legs of the Town player who crumpled to the floor. Soon after this the 4 minutes of added time was up, and it was honours even, a result that was probably fair with both teams able to look back at chances missed as well as expensive poor defending. Neil Alexander arguably kept us in the match with some exceptional saves, but we really should have wrapped this one up with the luxury of a 2 goal lead.