Town’s improved form under new boss Mick McCarthy could lead to them gate-crashing the play-offs, according to on-loan goalkeeper Stephen Henderson.
Henderson, due to return to Upton Park on January 12th but who would prefer to remain at Portman Road, sees no reason why a top-six finish should not be possible
The keeper’s confidence comes from the fact that Ipswich occupied bottom place in the Championship when Paul Jewell was dismissed in October and replacement McCarthy has overseen an 11-game spell that has reaped 20 points.
Asked about the team’s target between now and the end of the season Henderson said: "I’d say play-offs, although I know that’s pushing it. But I think that should be where we are aiming, even if it is obviously going to be very difficult.
"If we keep going the way we have been doing and pick up plenty of wins you’d be surprised how soon people will be saying ‘Look at Ipswich, they’re only however many points away from the play-offs’.”
Despite Town’s much-improved form they remain just five points clear of the drop zone because both Peterborough and Sheffield Wednesday have managed to win three games on the trot in recent weeks.
But Henderson added: "It’s all been a bit mad. I think we’re the top form team in the league at the minute but it’s scary — look at Peterborough going to Wolves and beating them 3-0 on their own patch. That sums it up for me.
"We just need to keep winning. I think there are as many as 10 teams around us that we could drag into the relegation fight if we win on Saturday so that would be nice.
"But I’m not even looking below us in the table because I don’t feel it’s an issue and I don’t think we’ll be where we are for much longer. I can’t speak for other people but that’s how I feel.
"I know what this team has, what the manager and coach have and that we can really push on. January is a big month to see who we can bring in to help the team. I’d like to see us push on — and why not?”