x

Nouble: Play-Off Place Possible - Ipswich Town News

In-form striker Frank Nouble believes Town have a realistic chance of clinching a place in the Championship play-offs this season.

Nouble has netted twice in the last four games, three of which ended in victory, and he is convinced that he and his team-mates can carry on improving over what remains of the current campaign.

A substitute in the matches against Blackpool, Leicester and Charlton, he started Tuesday’s home clash with Blackburn and put the seal on his side’s 3-1 win with an 86th minute goal.

Nouble said: "It was brilliant to win on Tuesday and it didn’t matter how it came. We’d have taken 1-0 and it was good to get two wins on the bounce.

"We knew we had a lot of ‘local’ games in the week, with Charlton not being too far away and then the two at home after that. You always feel happier when you are closer to home for some reason, I don’t know why.”

Victory over Blackburn nudged Town to within two points of the top six, although the gap was extended to five the following night as a result of Derby’s home win over Middlesbrough.

Nouble added: "We’ve been close before and maybe, after taking a step forward, we then took two back. But we’re going in the right direction at the moment and hopefully we will get even closer on Saturday by beating Huddersfield.

"We’re winning and the momentum is with us, and although Huddersfield will provide us with another tough test we are looking confident right now.

"The play-offs are very realistic, I would say. I haven’t really seen any team this season that I would describe as outstanding. There are teams on good runs and I would say Leicester are probably the best team we have played all season.

"Any team finishing above them will do really well this year. QPR, Reading, they’ve got good players, but no one’s really firing and if we can put a good run of results together we will be alright.”

Town’s chances have been boosted by the recent loan signing of Aston Villa winger Jordan Graham, although the 18-year-old is still waiting to make his first appearance for the club.

Nouble said: "Jordan’s a good player, very sharp with two good feet. He loves to take people on and we haven’t got many players in the team who want to do that.

"He’s a really good addition to the squad and hopefully he can make his debut — even if it’s coming on — on Saturday because he looks to be a really exciting player.

"It’s not that we are lacking creativity in the team but it’s always good to have more. You don’t just want the strikers scoring but also wingers chipping and midfielders too, like Luke Hyam with his first goal of the year on Tuesday. Hopefully that can continue.”

What to read next:

Released Keeper Fleischer Rejoins Heybridge
Released Blues U18s keeper Alan Fleischer has rejoined his former loan side Heybridge Swifts.
Youngster Boatswain With Montserrat
Blues U21s striker Ash Boatswain is with the Montserrat squad ahead of their World Cup qualifiers against Belize and Guyana.
Wearing Joins Scotland U23s Squad
Ipswich Town Women’s central defender Megan Wearing has been drafted into the Scotland U23s squad ahead of Monday’s friendly against Iceland in Falkirk.
Delap Chelsea Medical Set For Monday
Blues striker Liam Delap is reportedly set to undergo a medical at Chelsea on Monday.
Thomas Added to Reggae Girlz Squad
Ipswich Town Women’s striker Natasha Thomas has been added to the Jamaica squad for their friendly against the USA in St Louis on Tuesday.
Released Youngster Barbrook Joins Chelmsford
National League South Chelmsford City have confirmed the signing of youngster Harry Barbrook following the expiration of his Town contract.
Let's Make it a Trilogy, Graphic Designer Publishes Third Book of Town Illustrations
Graphic designer Marcus Parrott is publishing his illustrations recording each Town Premier League game over the course of the season in a new book, completing a trilogy following on from similar collections from the previous two campaigns.
Hallgrimsson: Delap Didn't Tell Me to F**k Off!
Republic of Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson has revealed he recently met Blues striker Liam Delap to sound him out about switching international allegiance.
U21s to Face Brightlingsea Regent in Pre-Season
Town’s U21s will play a friendly against Brightlingsea Regent at their North Road ground on Saturday 19th July (KO TBC).
Town Linked With Manchester City Striker Mubama
Town are reported to have made an enquiry to Manchester City regarding striker Divin Mubama.