Carlos Edwards wants Ipswich to take the encouraging form that earned them two vital away points into tonight’s live-on-Sky home clash with Championship leaders Cardiff (KO 5.20pm).

Skipper Edwards, who will be 34 later this month, turned in one of his best-ever displays for Town in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at Brighton, which saw the Seagulls surrender pole position and the Bluebirds leapfrog them.

That result matched the one at Barnsley three days earlier and although Paul Jewell’s team remain second from bottom in the table, the draw double on the road has seen a surge in confidence within the ranks as Edwards confirmed: “We had extra belief in ourselves.”

Looking ahead to the clash with a much-changed Cardiff side, thanks to boss Malky Mackay’s summer signing spree, he added: “We don’t want to be thinking we are defeated before we kick a ball or there would be no point in going out.

“If you look at the Championship, anyone can beat anyone. Barnsley battered Birmingham 5-0 at St Andrew’s and then Birmingham went down to Brighton and got a nice 1-0 win.

“If you look at the table you can get scared but once you are on the pitch it is totally different.”

Edwards believes the pressure is on the leaders and went on: “I’m looking at it as just a normal game. Yes, they are on top of the table but they are coming to our place and we have the advantage at our ground and in front of our fans.

“They are under pressure to stay on top going into the international break. We want to bring the performances that earned us two good away points into our home games.

“We will be ploughing on, grinding away and hoping that everything is going to click together soon. Our fans can give us an extra spark. They go hand in hand with the players.

“At the end of the day it is 11 versus 11 on the pitch and once you get the better of your direct opponent — and if the rest of the lads do their jobs — I don’t see any reason why we can’t come away with a victory.

“But if a few of the guys are not up to standard, obviously that is going to cause a big problem because it will mean some members of the team having to do extra work.

“When we have the huddle before the game, and sometimes at the beginning of the second half, it is about instilling in the guys that we are all in this together and playing for each other."

Photo: Action Images

Mark added 10:02 - Oct 6 34 next month...he plays like a 24 year old with his fitness and pace! Whatever the result today, at least Ipswich play in BLUE.
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IamSpartacus added 10:20 - Oct 6 I'm getting a little tired of this 'Anyone can beat anyone in this division' nonsense. It just seems a way of lowering expectations so that a draw might be acceptable. I'm sorry, I would readily accept the current position if we were giving our younger players full games to improve their experience and consistancy, but with the amount of loanees and experienced players we have shouldn't we have had 'our turn' within the last 9 games? In addition, to say we need to build on the previous draws is disingenuous. How can we build when the team is in constant flux? I'm so frustrated with the amount of loanees, the further blockage to our younger players match day experience and the almost OCD match day tinkering with the side. The sooner we get a manager that prioritises the nurturing of youth the sooner we might actually create a foundation we can build on.

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dirtydingusmagee added 10:45 - Oct 6 HANG ON ,11 against 11,no reason why we cant come away with a victory ! i thought it was always 11 against 11, HHHHMMMM ,
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dirtydingusmagee added 10:49 - Oct 6 Weve been ''building team for past 4 years now we are trying to build on draws, who said the building industry was dead, we should be sponsered by Wimpey Homes , or Mc Alpines , trouble is the others all huff and they puff and keep blowing our house down . COYB
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Keaneish added 10:58 - Oct 6 Oh Hello Skipper... Nice to hear from you!
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hairbear added 13:58 - Oct 6 A point away from home is only a good point if you win your home games. How is our record at Portman rd this year? JEWELL OUT!!!
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dirtydingusmagee added 17:19 - Oct 7 oh dear its happened again .
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