Town goalscorer Paul Anderson believes all the pressure is on Norwich City going into next Saturday’s Championship play-off semi-final second leg at Carrow Road (KO 12.15pm). Saturday’s first leg at Portman Road ended 1-1 with Anderson netting the Blues’ equaliser in first-half injury time after Jonny Howson had put the visitors ahead in the 41st minute.
"They are favourites to go up, all the pressure is on them, they finished third and should have got automatic,” the 26-year-old said.
"They have money to burn and we are small Ipswich, apparently. All the pressure is on them and we will be looking forward to it. And to do it on their patch, there will be no better place."
The winger, who replaced the injured Luke Varney in the 31st minute on Saturday, says Town are well capable of beating their greatest rivals on their own turf, citing the Blues’ impressive record against the two sides who won automatic promotion this season.
"We drew against Bournemouth twice, we beat Watford twice, and they’ve gone up,” he added. "We know we’re a good team. Regardless of the money we’ve spent, we know we’re a good team.
"We might not play the fanciest football but we get the result and we get the job done and I think we showed that we can play good football.
"So we’ll be going to win, we won’t be setting out to try and nick anything, we think we can comfortably beat them.”
Anderson, who as things stand is out of contract in the summer, has been in and out of the Blues side this season, more often out in recent weeks, but he praised boss Mick McCarthy for the way he has been treated.
"He is an unbelievable manager, his man-management [is excellent]. I haven't been playing over the past few weeks and he speaks to me, he gives me reasons, he keeps you level-headed.
"He keeps your feet on the floor when you’re doing well and when you’re not doing so well he picks you up.
"He is such a nice man and I imagine if you speak to anyone who knows him away from football you can sit and have a conversation with him like a normal guy.
"Some managers are a bit paranoid, they don't want to speak to people because they are worried they are going to speak to someone else. But he’s not like that, he’s a top gent and it’s a pleasure to play under him.
"People use the word ‘legend’, he is one of the best in the business and hopefully I’ll get to play under him for a lot longer.”
Meanwhile, Anderson has offered to pay for the repair of a ceiling a Town supporter damaged when leaping - almost as high as the goalscorer himself - and punching the air when celebrating the goal.
@P18NDO #itfc #lostmyhead pic.twitter.com/oV9GTp1zs7– Ross Morgan (@rossmorgan1989) May 9, 2015
@rossmorgan1989 tell me how much to fix it and I'll pay it mate ðŸ‘🻖 Paul Anderson (@P18NDO) May 9, 2015
Ross posted his gratitude on the TWTD forum: "That goal was enough for me. Absolute hero. Que sera sera!!!!!! COYB!!!!"