Experienced Town midfielder Lee Bowyer is ignoring the fact that big-spending Leicester remain among the bookies’ promotion favourites as he prepares to face them on Boxing Day.

The former England international, one of several senior summer recruits by manager Paul Jewell, showed himself to be no respecter of reputations as he looked ahead to the clash at the King Power Stadium against Nigel Pearson’s men.

Bowyer, whose 35th birthday is just around the corner on January 3, said: “West Ham were the same when we went there and beat them and it has been the same with some of the other teams we have played.

“Cardiff was a tough place to go and we should have won there rather than having to settle for a draw. It was the same at Middlesbrough, where we should also have won rather than drawn. Leicester are not unbeatable.

“They have got to come out and play against us. They have to attack us and it could work in our favour. With the players and the goals we have in the team at the moment, and as long as we stay strong, we should be able to counter-attack them and nick something on the break.”

Bowyer would clearly like top scorer Keith Andrews to remain at Portman Road after his loan spell from Blackburn is over, adding: “He’s doing well. To score nine goals before Christmas, no matter what league you are playing in, is extremely good for a midfielder and I just hope we can keep hold of him.

“As a player alongside him I’m enjoying it and hopefully he’s the same. You never know how things can work out. It’s down to the money men, the people in charge upstairs, and I just hope they can persuade him to stay. But with what he has contributed here there will be other clubs after him.”

Bowyer’s career at Charlton, Leeds, West Ham (twice), Newcastle, Birmingham and now Ipswich has spanned almost 600 games and he’s not averse to passing on some useful tips to the younger players around him.

He said: “It can help if a senior player says something to a younger player. Maybe the younger lad will think ‘You’ve been there and done it so I’ll listen to you’. If the manager was to say it they could take it personally and go the other way.

“It’s all about confidence. If you keep losing games you lose confidence. That’s when you have to stick together and keep working as a team. You can’t afford to carry individuals.

Photo: Action Images

cressi added 09:21 - Dec 23 How many fans have we got going up boxing day ?
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Harwich_Blue added 09:29 - Dec 23 I have to say that contrary to popular opinion I think Mr Bowyer has been a good addition - he certainly did not hide in the bad run - small things stay in my mind , like the tackle back for the corner V Barnsely (which we conceded from) and getting straight up and berating the lef midfield for letting the guy have a clear run then his pass into Chopra for the fourth.... just little things at both ends of the pitch. Made a very good impression on me and Captain IMO

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jas0999 added 09:39 - Dec 23 Leicester have just been beaten by Doncaster. We should get a result. After that terrible run we need to - otherwise it will be 8 defeats in 10.
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CornardBlue added 09:56 - Dec 23 Agree with Harwich Blue, Lee never hides in a match works hard and seems to have formed a good understanding with Keith Andrews.
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Ipswich24 added 09:57 - Dec 23 Bowyer been very poor IMO I was expecting a lot more. I expected him to dominate games at this level. He was terrible against Derby I watched him closely he gave the ball away too many times, he also was too far off his player not close enough to make a challenge.
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Lanky added 10:11 - Dec 23 He always tries his best and shows glimpses of quality, but I sadly think his legs have gone.
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TownOnTheUp added 10:32 - Dec 23 Never mind his legs, my concern is that he can't seem to pass a ball. However, we do seem worse when he's not in the team, so perhaps his experience and leadership make up for his lack of energy and ability.
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itfcjc added 10:38 - Dec 23 I'm going so COYB let's get a 3rd straight win
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SomershamBlue added 10:39 - Dec 23 Good. Go out and beat them, then. COYB!
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bobble added 11:19 - Dec 23 lister are 1 pt ahead of us after games in hand whats so dandy about that ?
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Garv added 11:30 - Dec 23 When was the last time we scored a goal on the break for goodness sake?!
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scooterblue added 11:31 - Dec 23 no team is unbeatable, even Barcelona have lost this season and they are the best team on the planet. should be able to get at least a point out of this game.
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casanovacrow added 12:03 - Dec 23 after seeing Leicester a few times this season I would even go as far as they are very average, much better sides in this division
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Keaneish added 12:53 - Dec 23 ...because they've lost already this season!?
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rosseden added 13:05 - Dec 23 ''I would even go as far as they are very average, much better sides in this division'' they spent how much? another example of why we need to differentiate between consolidation & sorting out the mess and then pushing on with a better foundation. They will have blown so much money if they dont go up!
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tractorboy2434 added 13:41 - Dec 23 Sorry, much too good for us, another defeat beckons at Leicester and Reading.
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DiamondGezzer added 14:40 - Dec 23 My money's on a draw, but a win would be better.
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llewej_tuo added 15:11 - Dec 23 Leicester should beat us on paper, i dont believe jewell has the tactical awareness to outfox them, if he does, hats off and ill change my user name !!! JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT
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alfromcol added 17:03 - Dec 23 llewej_tuo We are not playing them on paper, we are playing on grass. Do you know anything about football??
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TractorTrog added 17:45 - Dec 23 well heres a prediction Bullard Andrews and Cresswell all score 3-1 Ipswich COYB
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tractorboy2434 added 17:52 - Dec 23 Leicester 2-0 and Nugent to score his customary goal followed by a 3-1 loss at Reading to leave us in the bottom 3 at New Year, sorry folks but with Delaney or Ingerinjured again at CB I cannot see any other results.
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TimmyH added 19:26 - Dec 23 Draw or narrow Leicester win, they're out of confidence as well...
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davekl12 added 20:11 - Dec 23 I reckon we'll win, then that feel good factor will be back in our midst, only for it to come crashing down after an awful display afterwards... That's the life of a Town supporter.
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paulnstar added 07:14 - Dec 24 leicester are not unbeatable ,ipswich r easily beatable
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