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Wilson: We're Playing Well and the Wins Will Come - Ipswich Town News

Town may have drawn their last five games over 90 minutes, three of which were League One fixtures, but defender James Wilson believes it will not take much for them to revert to winning ways.

In the league, the 1-1 weekend stalemate against Coventry followed those against Blackpool and leaders Wycombe at home, while the FA Cup tie with the Sky Blues also ended level and Town and Peterborough could only be separated by the Blues' third successful penalty shootout in their history in the Leasing.com Trophy at London Road after another game had ended 1-1.

Asked what it would take to turn the draws into wins, Wilson replied: "Not a lot. I think we’re nearly there.

"On Saturday, especially in the first half, I thought we played really well with some really nice football. It’s just on the edge of being something really good at the moment.”

Asked what it would take to turn the draws into wins, Wilson replied: "Not a lot. I think we’re nearly there.

"On Saturday, especially in the first half, I thought we played really well with some really nice football. It’s just on the edge of being something really good at the moment.”

Town turn their attention to the FA Cup tomorrow evening with a second round replay against Coventry after the first of the sides’ three meetings in the space of 10 days also ended 1-1 and the prize for victory is a trip to face either Plymouth or Bristol Rovers, who are not in action until tomorrow week.

Wilson agreed Saturday’s draw at St Andrew’s was one of the most frustrating of Town’s recent run because Paul Lambert’s men had been so dominant in the first period and could have been done and dusted by the interval.

He said: "I think so. It’s always a good thing when you’re frustrated that you are drawing and as long as we can keep the hunger to get the wins they will come.”

Victory would have reduced the gap between second-placed Town and leaders Wycombe to just two points but Wilson insisted: "There are no concerns from within, definitely not. I think, like I said, that we are playing well and I think the wins will come.

"A second first-half goal would have made such a difference on Saturday. It would have made everyone’s life a lot easier, but it’s not far away, that side of it. We had some really good chances so I think it will come.”

Asked if the Ipswich players will be sick of the sight of their Coventry counterparts by kick-off time tomorrow, Wilson laughed: "Yes, I guess so, but we want to get through this tie. It doesn’t really matter who we are playing, we just want to win and be in the next round.

"They are one of the better sides we have played this season. They play some nice football so it will be another tough game but I think we’ll come through the other side.

"It seems like ages since we played at home. We’ve had quite a lot of travelling so it will good to be in front of our own crowd.

"Don’t get me wrong about the travelling, it can be tough at times, but we are all used to it now and it’s not really a problem.

"The club looks after us with good food and good hotels, stuff like that, so we can’t complain.”

Wilson, whose initial six-month deal has since been extended until the end of next season, has had the added thrill of skippering the side this season. Indeed, such has been the effect of manager Lambert’s squad rotation policy, that he has already named seven different captains in the current campaign.

"It has been brilliant [to captain the side] and I really enjoyed it. I particularly enjoyed doing it at Lincoln, one of my old clubs. I was captain at Colchester as well — it’s a massive honour.

"I was captain for a season when I was at Oldham and while it doesn’t really make any difference to how you play it’s still an honour and a role I enjoy.”

Midfielder Flynn Downes, 20, became the youngest-ever Town skipper when he led the team out at St Andrew’s for the first FA Cup clash with Coventry, and Wilson added: "Flynn’s a great lad and he’s always good around the place. He’s the perfect choice.

"I heard about him being the club’s youngest-ever captain and that says a lot about him as a player.

"He’s got a massive future ahead of him and I can see him as a future captain, 100 per cent. The more characters like that we have in the side, the better.”

Wilson is also a big fan of Luke Woolfenden, another youngster who has captured the attention of Premier League and Championship scouts this season, and has partnered him on a number of occasions this season at the heart of the Town defence.

He said: "He’s been brilliant and I would say he has been one of our best players this season. He’s another young player with a massive future ahead of him.

"Can he go all the way? I don’t see why not because he’s got everything you need to be a great player, so hopefully he will.”

Earlier in his career, Wilson was at Bristol City when current Town midfielder Cole Skuse was also on the books at Ashton Gate.

"Cole was exactly the same back then as he is now,” he revealed. "He hasn’t changed and he hasn’t slowed down at all. I still think he’s got a good few years left in him, definitely.

"I haven’t seen him slow down one bit so I think he can keep going for a while yet. He’s vice-captain and another good guy to have at the club.

Asked if Skuse was the perfect role model for the club’s rising stars, Wilson replied with a grin: "You don’t see everything, don’t get me wrong. No, I agree, he’s the perfect role model.

"He played centre-half last Tuesday at Peterborough and he can definitely do a job there, although I’m not sure he enjoys playing there as much as he does in midfield.”

With club captain Luke Chambers battling a neck problem and Toto Nsiala almost fully fit again after a minor hamstring injury, Wilson and Woolfenden are set to partner each other at the back for Coventry’s visit tomorrow.

"Luke’s a massive miss,” said Wilson, "but the thing with Luke is that he’s always around, even if he’s not playing, so he’s available to help anyone who needs it.

"He’s not going to be out for long and will be back soon, definitely. Toto trained today as well so I imagine he’ll be in amongst it, if not tomorrow at the weekend.”

With strike pair Freddie Sears and Ben Morris both on the way back from their ACL injuries, Wilson believes Town will carry an extra goal threat during the second half of the season.

"Freddie has been looking really good, really sharp, in training. It will be like a new signing for us, brilliant to have him back.

"We’re all looking forward to getting Freddie back in the squad and Teddy [Bishop] is another one who’s not too far away so we have some good players coming back.”

Finally, with Wilson yet to break his scoring duck for Town, he was asked if he felt he should be chipping in with some goals? "I should be, yes,” he smiled. "I like to get at least one goal a season so hopefully it’s coming!”

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