Town striker Luke Varney admits home form is crucial to the club being able to revive a play-off challenge during what remains of the current campaign.

With 27 league fixtures still to be played Town have slipped down the table to 16th place and go into tomorrow’s home clash with third bottom Cardiff just five points clear of the relegation zone and a further two points adrift of a coveted top-six berth.

Varney said: “When I used to come to Ipswich as a visiting player it was always a fortress, a place where no one looked forward to coming.

“That’s always been the case from memory. When we played Huddersfield earlier this season I spoke to one of their lads, Martin Cranie, who I know. He admitted they hated coming to Portman Road and didn’t enjoy it.

“We made it hard for them that day and they didn’t play well, although they still got the result and that’s been the case this year.

“We’ve talked about the 3-0 win over QPR in our last home game I thought we won it in the first five minutes with our intensity. We showed them it was going to be a tough day for them and hopefully it will be the same on Saturday for Cardiff.”

The QPR game marked 34-year-old Varney’s first start — and second goal — of the season and he needs to carry on impressing in the remaining weeks of his short-term deal, due to expire next month, if he is going to earn an extended contract through to May.

Varney knows that if Town can achieve consistency — they are yet to record back-to-back wins this season — it will not only boost his own chances of remaining on board but also propel the team up the table and see the feel-good factor make a welcome return to the club.

He added: “We’re all frustrated and we want back-to-back wins. We didn’t get the win last week at Bristol City so Saturday’s game against Cardiff is even bigger for us.

“We bounced back really well against QPR after losing to Nottingham Forest so we’re out to do the same again. That’s been the focus this week and there’s been a lot of chat between the lads and the management. We’re desperate to get another home win.

“When you are seeking consistency you have to look back at your last good performance. Against QPR we all had an eight or nine out of 10 performance and got the result that day.

“At Bristol City maybe we were a little bit down and we felt a little bit unfortunate with the timing of the goals. It was a solid away performance until the penalty.

“Now we’re looking to replicate the QPR performance — the fact that we’re at home is a boost — and go from there.”

Varney was asked to provide an insight into what it meant when he was being hailed for his off-the-field impact at the club and responded: “Win, lose or draw we come in on the Monday and there’s no malice. I’m probably a bit more boisterous around the dressing room than some of the others and if we’ve lost I like to try to pick the lads up.

“I’ve experienced a lot in my career and what we’ve been going through, with supporters getting frustrated, is nothing. I wouldn’t say I was enjoying it but we’re looking to put it right on Saturday and I’m sure we can.”

Varney also reflected on a senior career that started when he moved from non-league Leicestershire club Quorn to Crewe at the age of 20. In a mixture of permanent and loan moves over the years he has also represented Charlton, Derby, Sheffield Wednesday, Blackpool, Portsmouth, Leeds and Blackburn, as well as Town.

He said: “I was working in quality control at a factory and used to run there and back, then I would go training. To be honest I always thought I’d be in non-league and playing for Hinckley was my dream back then.

“But after I scored a few goals for Quorn, my village team, Crewe took a punt on me and I was delighted to get the chance.

“It was Dario Gradi who signed me and his influence was enormous. In my first year there I suffered a shoulder injury and didn’t play that much. I thought that might have been it for me but he gave me another contract and showed a lot of faith in me. He had obviously seen something in me.

“I’ve been so lucky to have the career I’ve had and I count my blessings every day for the years I’ve stayed in the game.

“When I signed for Crewe I never thought I’d last this long. I’m enjoying every minute of it and long may it continue. But I’m back living in Quorn again and they might take me next year if there’s nothing else on offer!”

Photo: TWTD

TractorCam added 13:25 - Dec 9 Didn't someone say this last week? And the week before? In the position we're in now, we have to pretty much win the majority of our games, home AND away
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WadeyBlue added 14:23 - Dec 9 We need either of the following (approx.): 17 wins out of the 27 or 16 wins, 1 draw and 10 losses or 15 wins, 6 draws and 6 losses or 14 wins and 9 draws or 13 wins and 12 draws or 12 wins and 15 draws. to get to 75 points.
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WadeyBlue added 14:28 - Dec 9 actually ignore the 16 wins line
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iaintaylorx added 16:15 - Dec 9 Yeah, I like the ambition Varney! But we're not in a promition push because we're gonna be in a relegation scrap under this idiot!!
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Seasider added 17:21 - Dec 9 Luke like Douglas are both in their mid thirties,so are lucky to be playing at this level.I cant imagine that they will get much more game time after this season at this level. Would expect that in most Championship teams they would only be squad players by now. Cant imagine that McCarthy will come anywhere near the new reduced target for bringing thru youth team players,as he has yet to introduce even one player to be a regular in 4 years.

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ipswich1992 added 00:33 - Dec 10 Seasider I'm as anti McCarthy as you if not more. However the age of the players in question isn't an issue. Look at scholes and giggs at united for example playing at the top level well into there thirties. The problem is the ability and Douglas and Barney are no where near good enough. In fact they Are so far from the required level they should be floating about the SIL for 30-40 quid a game!!

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