After the 2-0 victory against Burton Albion, Town are three points off the play-offs (somehow) going into the weekend clash with table toppers Newcastle United.

We now go into a very important stage of the season where will find out if this is the start of something special or just papering over the cracks.

Reasons to Believe

Ipswich have the joint best defence in the league along with Brighton, (only conceding nine goals in the 13 league games so far) add some goals and draws turn into wins.

Players like Leon Best, Tom Lawrence, Adam Webster and Freddie Sears are getting into their groove with the more games they play.

David McGoldrick and Jonny Williams returning will only help the team find their creative spark, and increase competition for places.

We're only three points off the play-offs with relatively kind fixtures (after Newcastle) to pick up points, and be in and around the play-offs by January. With the Daryl Murphy money not being used on deadline day, I am convinced Mick will add one or two in January to strengthen the squad.

October 2016
Newcastle V Ipswich Sat 22 Oct
Ipswich V Rotherham Sat 29 Oct

Should beat Rotherham, anything against Newcastle is a bonus (three points).

November 2016
Sheff Wed V Ipswich Sat 5 Nov
Ipswich V Nottm Forest Sat 19 Nov
Ipswich V QPR Sat 26 Nov

Always close games with Wednesday, would take a draw and we should be getting at least four points from the two following home games (five points).

December 2016
Bristol City V Ipswich Sat 3 Dec
Ipswich V Cardiff Sat 10 Dec
Birmingham V Ipswich Tue 13 Dec
Wigan V Ipswich Sat 17 Dec
Ipswich V Fulham Mon 26 Dec
Ipswich V Bristol City Fri 30 Dec

First three should be close games I would take four points, and we should looking to win the last three especially Fulham and Wigan (11 points from December).

We should be getting at least 19 points from a possible 33. Which is 1.7 points per game, which should see us close in on the top six but in this crazy league my prediction could be completely off.

Time will only tell whether there is still life in Town's play-off push, or whether the three points just delays the inevitable.

There’s defiantly potential in the squad with enough quality and togetherness to be a threat in this league, and if we are around the play-offs by January (within three points), then who knows who mick could pull out of the hat.

Keep the faith Town fans, because in a month's time we could be right back in it. COYB!

DurhamTownFan added 15:53 - Oct 20 I'd question that Sears is 'in his groove'. Let see see how nick uses him in the next few games. While I admire your optimism, we've only won one game. I'd suggest we wait and see how well we do in the next two games (one very difficult, one probably easier) before commenting on MM's future. In case you can't tell-I'm still deeply sceptical!
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prebbs007 added 16:46 - Oct 20 We beat Burton not Barcelona !!! We were lucky to do so. Could and should have been 2 goals behind at HT. Sears 1 goal in 38 is hardly "in the groove". Yes We have players coming back but there is no way this dinosaur will play them. We win without Skuglas combo and he immediately says Douglas will play Saturday. We start to play passing creative football on the floor with Grant, Ward, Lawrence, Bish (Didz & Joniesta would add to this) but skuse and Douglas will be reunited asap and we will continue to lump it past our midfield. I really hope your predictions are right and I'm so very wrong but based on evidence over last 4 years I'm worried he won't have the guts to play the right players in the right positions. I see maximum 15 points from those games which will have us mid table mediocrity. Just what this owner, manager and players are comfortable with as none of them (bar a couple of players) could cope with premier league !!!

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Blue_Moses added 17:01 - Oct 20 We've got the joint best defence because we have been playing with 6-7 defensive minded players, hence the pathetic goals for. Tuesday night showed how good are defence really is, a better team than Burton would have converted at least 4 of those chances, possibly more.
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Brownie added 22:47 - Oct 20 Hope your right because I love the positive spin! My own view is the only predictable thing in this league is you can't predict it. I think MM plays on that and is too defensive. That said i want the team to succeed so hope I am wrong! Interesting blog and well done for putting your opinions on line..
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SpiritOfJohn added 08:22 - Oct 21 Your glass is not just half full it is overflowing. In order to register more than a single point per game we need to put the ball in the net more than twice a month. All the same, let's hope you are right.
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