Boss Paul Jewell was delighted with the three points as his side defeated Sheffield United 3-0 at Portman Road, their third league victory on the spin. The Blues boss compared striker Connor Wickham’s brilliant third with a Thierry Henry goal from years gone by.

Jewell said: “At the end of the day, let’s not kid ourselves, it’s an important three points. The first half, with the windy conditions and the lively pitch, it was never a classic.

“We said at half-time that if it was going to be ugly again in the second half, if we have to win horrible, we have to win horrible.

“As a footballer the worst conditions are those gale force winds and I don’t think you can appreciate how bad it was at pitch level.”

Even so, the Town manager felt his side performed much better after the break: “In the second half the game opened up a little bit, certainly after we got the second one and we looked a different team.

“That belief only comes with winning matches, scoring goals, keeping clean sheets and all the stuff you need to do to be successful.

“To win three league games on the bounce at any level is very difficult, so a big credit to them, but now we forget about that, try and learn from it and move on towards Barnsley next week.”

Jewell hailed Wickham’s goal, the youngster’s best for the club so far: “It was a great goal, if anyone else had come on the pitch he would have gone past them as well! It was a great goal and it should do bundles for his confidence — and his price!

“He’s got that in his locker. In a 17-year-old player you’re going to get inconsistencies, he’s going to be up and down. He can do that and we’d like him to do stuff on a more regular basis but we have to be patient with him because he’s just a young player.

“It was just a brilliant goal, it was like Thierry Henry’s against Tottenham all those years ago in a north London derby where he picked it up went past everyone.”

Blades boss Micky Adams was honest in defeat: “Can it get any worse? I hope not. You have to be fearful that it could. We’re disappointed. It’s hard to think of any positives at this moment in time.

“Taking away all the goals, the two sendings off were ridiculous from our point of view. I’m not complaining, there’s no need for Lee Williamson to get involved, I can’t condone what either of them did really.

“Kozluk was upset with the tackle on him and I could see why he was upset, but it had gone. He’s experienced and he should know better.

“Having said that, the game was already over anyway. We’re having a problem when we get to the final third, we either don’t deliver the right ball or because confidence is so fragile at the moment, we’re looking to set people up rather than pull the trigger ourselves.

“We have to defend properly and obviously the first two goals were killers because we haven’t defended two set pieces, which is disappointing. Things that can be avoidable, we got wrong today.”

Photo: Action Images

tractaboy added 20:19 - Feb 5 Does anyone know why I can't Listen to Radio Suffok's live commentary on the internet anymore? Last game I managed to get was the Leicester game and know al I get is a message saying it's either a contractual or technical issue.
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bobble added 20:20 - Feb 5 looks like the shiny one has expelled the dark lords negative force and hoofy horse will rise again
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Paul_Jewell_Manager added 20:21 - Feb 5 Good game and Good result. I have said a number of times before though,Wickham and Norita up front will be a great combination. Civelli looked world class. Yellow and Green beaten 2 =good day
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Theblueyy added 20:23 - Feb 5 the tractor wheels are rolling again , at last
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whippet added 20:30 - Feb 5 finally something to cheer about the "woeful and teary" years under roy keane. the dark lord has well and truly gone. three wins in a row and the entire club feels different and a win against barnsley could put us into thirteenth in the table. great ovations for priskin and martin from the crowd and a small return to action for our wonder-winger civelli. superb goal from wickham and fulop was unbreachable all game. my son is starting to support again after so many tears at pr and the football tactics now look so different from the dark ones. the wheels are turning turning turning!

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StowTractorBoy added 20:30 - Feb 5 Great day all round but disappointed with the Norris interview on Radio Suffolk after the match when he clearly evaded the question 'did you state you wanted to join Portsmouth ?' The answer came back was that 'I leave that sort of thing in the hands of my agent'. If he didn't say it then he should have denied it so a bit disappointed with Mr. Norris as my reading of the situtation is that he did say it. Of the game itself once we had 'weathered' the first 15 minutes I thought we did very well in the awful windy conditions and I think I may have to eat humble pie regarding Lee Martin. Today he was a constant thorn in the side of Sheff U and long may it continue. Feel sorry for Priskin as he just does not get the rub of the green but am sure he will score a wonder goal one of these days. Talking of wonder goal - take a bow Connor Wickham. Thank you PJ for your refreshing honesty at the moment you are indeed a Jewell.

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ClassyIpswichLass added 20:31 - Feb 5 Paul_Jewell_Manager Nolito won't come here if you keep calling him Norita (Little Nora). Anyway, where has all this Nolita stuff come from? Players don't come to Ipswich from Barca unless Harry Redknapp gets involved.
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petermorris added 21:02 - Feb 5 Harry is always involved with everything .....and as PJ just said Conner's goal 'did wonders for his confidence ....and his price'. Great to see such a growing team this afternoon - Martin was a pain in their arses, Conner full of running, and Big Mac a rock as ever..... Bullard is superd and I loved his exit from the dug out to congratulate Wickham on his sublime goal.

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ClassyIpswichLass added 21:03 - Feb 5 *Nolito - not an easy name to get right is it?
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bluearmy89 added 21:14 - Feb 5 Get in town! Makes such a difference to the weekend when we win, im so happy! Only way is up! Bullard is a breath of fresh air which people have mentioned and I agree. Wickham's goal well deary me I wont mind seeing that over and over again. I know you shouldnt get carried away etc but I keep analysing the league table and how far away we are from the playoffs, I know I shouldnt but I cant help myself. Im hoping we finish above the scum especially as im a Norwich based fan and most my mates are budgie fans who gave me horrendous stick from the last derby. WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND! haha COYB!

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Mark added 21:16 - Feb 5 It that was Ipswich "winning horrible", I'd love to see us on a good day! Despite the conditions, Town were full of attacking intent, created loads of chances and could even afford to miss a penalty as we won 3-0. I think Lee Bullard made a big difference with his presence, personality and experience, and his set piece ability is something we have needed for years. A big well done to Lee Martin too today, as he was everywhere and never stopped running. For me, Paul Jewell has been perfect as the new manager of Ipswich Town thus far. He clearly can motivate and organise the team, he plays the right type of football, says all the right things, even has a sense of humour.

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Back_The_Boss added 21:19 - Feb 5 Another fantastic result, 3 wins in a row now, COYB!
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debendavey added 21:31 - Feb 5 Great victory despite dismal first half. I do hate it when (as in match report) it claims we won against 9 man Sheff Utd. They were sent off in the 88th minute !!!! Also, Wickhams wonder goal. He picked it up on the by-line level with our 18 yard box, not the half way line. It was a wonder goal - even better than has been claimed.
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tractorblue99 added 21:45 - Feb 5 What a great game and what a great atmosphere. Its not just the players that have been reborn its also the fans. Its fantastic to see the players enjoying it at last after the year and a half under keane. PJ you are a god in my eyes. COYB!!!
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gypo added 21:55 - Feb 5 Nice one boys cracking game . Jimmy bullard what a legend running the show on the pitch running out of dugout to celebrate with boys and then steaming in when lee martin was getting pushed around .As for you lee Martin keep it going mate fergy could be coming back for you to replace Ryan giggs.
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Premiertown added 21:58 - Feb 5 How 3 goals and a grand finale of 2 sent off diminishes the memory of a wretched first half. 2 attempts on goal and hoof ball for 30 minutes. My wife was at her first ever game and said what have I done! Errors of panic in defence and only Martin playing well. then second half we realised that good passing on the ground with the wind behind you and closing down puts defenders under pressure like they did us most of first half creates opportunities. Pass and move worked well and chances taken made us look so much better than SU, who missed connections in the penalty area at least a dozen times. Great goals all three, penalty was a great save and post hit by unlucky Prisken and enterprising on the ground football most of the 2nd half was wonderful, even my wife might come back! But why cant we start that way? If we can outplay a top half team I will beleive we are getting there and maybe the players will see 90 minutes of controlled football... on the ground. great result and a great day as Norwich and Man U lost!

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michaeldownunder added 22:00 - Feb 5 Great win for the boys in blue can we win four in a row ? my head is in a spin PS can anyone post the goals on u-tube for me as I am in Oz?
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Garv added 22:10 - Feb 5 That Lee Bullard ey Mark ;)
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Mark added 22:12 - Feb 5 > That Lee Bullard ey Mark ;) He and that Jimmy Martin, superb! :-D
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muhrensleftfoot added 22:13 - Feb 5 It's great to leave PR with a smile, but let's get it into perspective. The recovery is there but it's very fragile. The 1st half was dreadful & a better side than Sheff Utd might have done us. 2nd half was much better. The signs are good though, & I really believe that the game is 80% confidence & 20% skill. Look at Norwich, on paper their team is nothing but with a great manager they are up there. If PJ can provide the team with the confidence & motivation, then man for man there aren't many better sides than us in this league. Onwards & upwards I hope.

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My_Favourite_Dress added 22:47 - Feb 5 Best game I've seen for an age. Bullard was first class today. Have to agree with comments about Jewell and Hutchings on the sidelines encouraging the team forward. Far better than seeing Keane sat in the dug out doing nothing. Great team performance allround. Happy days
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Blackbirdblue added 22:59 - Feb 5 We have a RENAISSANCE at Portman Road!!! hope things continue like this--- the renewed confidence is there for all to see---- great team effort----certainly Norris , McAuley , and Delaney merit a new contract!! --- they give 100%+ every time.
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GiveusaWave added 23:37 - Feb 5 After the first 20 minutes it was a truly great game of football (hoofball by both sides for the first 20!). Bullard ran things in midfield and Martin is clearly showing why he was considered such a youth talent. Wickham's goal was a delight to see and a very pleasing result. Most importantly, the atmosphere inside Portman Road has changed considerably. As they say, the crowd creates the 12th man. Fulop was very solid once again. Personally, I feel he is the best keeper in this division. Nice to see Luca get a moment on the pitch!

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BrettenhamBlue added 00:29 - Feb 6 There are going to be a lot of VERY late posters tonight (including me), especially after seeing the amount of people celebrating in the pubs and clubs around Ipswich (the centre was heaving tonight!) What a performance! Don't get me wrong, the first few minutes we were dreadful (but so were they), but once we got into our stride we completely overran them! Lee Martin (or Jimmy Martin!),- bloody brilliant! Wickhams goal!!!!???? When was the last time an Ipswich player scored a goal like that!!!!???? Priskin- Know a few have criticised him for his performance today but he was bloody brilliant! Bloody Brilliant! Come on and bring it on Barnsley!

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BrettenhamBlue added 00:31 - Feb 6 BLOODY BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "3-0 to the Tractor Boys!!!"
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