Richard Stearman admits he was shocked to join Ipswich and find himself embroiled in another relegation battle.

The on-loan Wolves defender will clock up his fourth appearance since arriving from Molineux in tonight’s home clash with third-placed Watford.

Stearman, 25, said: “In the time that I’ve been here I am genuinely surprised that Ipswich are in the position they are in. There is a lot of strength in depth throughout the squad — a lot of very good players.

“Since the gaffer has come in he has pulled everyone together and got them organised. They have shot up the league and hopefully we will continue that. I certainly don’t think we look like a relegation team.”

Ipswich, currently 18th and four points clear of the drop zone, are anxious to make home advantage count again after Saturday’s 1-0 win over a Blackpool side now just two points above them in the table.

Stearman added: “We have a big chance to make it maximum points from the two home games. We looked at them before the weekend and having two homes so close together we earmarked it as a great opportunity to pick up a few points.

“We have given ourselves a great start by beating Blackpool but Watford are not up near the top of the league for no reason. They have an outstanding array of talent and a lot of goalscorers throughout their team.

“They also won 4-0 at Birmingham at the weekend so I imagine they are on a high as well. It will probably be a different task to what we faced at the weekend but hopefully we can acquit ourselves well and come away with at least one point, if not all three.”

Photo: Action Images

bluefeast added 07:56 - Feb 19 Tough ask , however a close score line i reckon. 1.1 coyb
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backinbeige added 08:40 - Feb 19 ... did he not look at a league table before he signed?
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ruds added 09:52 - Feb 19 He's shocked so much he loves to blow raspberries to the home fans after the game apparently!!
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nthstd added 12:45 - Feb 19 Well if he'd looked at the back four at the start of the season and compared it to who they are now and how they play he could answer his own question. You can have strength in depth but on the pitch if they play pants you end up where we where.
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