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Atkins on Town - Ipswich Town News

Former Town skipper Ian Atkins says that general football opinion is that the Blues don't deserve to go down. Atkins was in the Town side which was relegated from the old First Division in 1986.

Atkins recently signed a two-year deal as manager at Oxford United and says of his old club: "It's widely regarded all around in football that Ipswich don't deserve to go down. But a positive approach, and the sort of help from luck that they got at Tottenham when they won earlier in the season, can be such a boost."

He adds that the Blues need to try to go at the Gunners in the opening stages if they are to get something from the game: "I believe Town should try and catch them on the hop early on, close down quickly and go at them from the word go. Hopefully that little bit of luck can help play a part.

"All the pressure is on George and he needs the total support of everyone, the coaching staff, players and fans alike.

"George will have various ideas in his mind and will be weighing up the situation carefully. It is a massive responsibility for him and I wish everyone all the best."

Atkins has also revealed that he applied for the job as manager of Town when John Lyall left in late 1994. He has managed a number of clubs throughout the Natiowide League including Colchester, Northampton, Cambridge and Carlisle.

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