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Joe: Super Stuff! - Ipswich Town News

Town boss Joe Royle felt his side played very well as they easily defeated Preston North End 3-0 at Portman Road. His opposite number Billy Davies claimed that Shefki Kuqi had handled the ball in the run-up to the Blues' first goal.

Royle said: "We played some super stuff and, going by the statistics, we averaged a shot once every four minutes.

"I was disappointed that one or two of the lads slackened off after we had scored our third goal, but I think 3-0 flattered Preston - perhaps I am being a bit miserly after we played so well and scored three times.

"The black mark was that we had picked up two more injuries. Fabian Wilnis has a strained hamstring with no chance of playing against Sheffield United on Tuesday.

"And Tommy Miller took a heavy blow on his calf which is still very sore. Two injuries at present is almost a crisis.

"Our front pair blended well together. Shefki's goal brought him confidence while Darren's strike was excellent.

"Shefki always gives 90 minutes of hard graft. He works for the team and is very popular with the other players. It is grand to see him doing so well.

"Our team is evolving all the time. It is a different side from two years ago and everyone has played a part, the free transfer men and those who have come up from the youth scheme.

"We play the type of football people want and keep going for goal. We work all week in trying to get our midfield players forward. That is why we have such a spread of scorers."

Wilnis is likely to be replaced with Matt Richards when Town face Sheffield United on Tuesday. If Miller is also unavailable, the Blues will probably move to 4-3-3 with Pablo Couñago coming into the starting line-up.

Preston boss Davies was clearly unhappy after the game: "It was a major disappointment when a crucial decision went against us. Kuqi handled before he scored. I've seen it on the video.

"It was an appalling decision. I let the referee and his assistant know how I felt about it. All you ask of a referee is to be fair and strong.

"We created early chances but missed them. We tried to defend well and do that right things but that handball was a blow to us.

"The second Ipswich goal was down to bad defending on our part but the third, against the run of play, was a wonderful strike from a very good player.

"We had only 16 fit players so I tried to shuffle things with one or two out of position. We tried to be positive but an important decision changed the face of the game.

"I can't change it. Now we must pick up the pieces, look at the video on Monday and prepare for the next match.

"John Curtis picked up a hamstring injury to add to our problems. We must improve our away form in the course of the next few weeks. We are looking for stability but we are also ambitious."

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