Town boss Paul Jewell thought his side probably deserved to beat Burnley by more than just 1-0 after what he felt was an "excellent" second half performance.

Jewell said: “In the first half, I don’t think it was a great game, it was scrappy and I don’t think either side really dominated.

“They put a lot of passes together in their own half and we couldn’t really pass the ball.

"In the second half I thought we were excellent, created a lot of chances, played with a lot of energy, a lot of quality and showed that we’ve improved over the last two or three months in terms of getting through bad periods in games when we have them.”

The Blues boss, who was delighted with the clean sheet, felt the scoreline ought to have been more comfortable: “It should have been more than 1-0 and when it’s 1-0 you’re always worried that they can score, but I thought we created a lot of good opportunities, a lot of danger from set plays and 1-0 definitely flattered them.”

The Liverpudlian had few arguments with Grant Leadbitter’s late sending off, which will see him suspended for one game: “I thought the first booking might have been a little bit harsh.

"For the second I had my back turned to it. It was the last minute and I think he’s tried to play the old soldier and knocked the ball back to the goalie, kicked it away and the referee’s spotted it.

“That’s the only slight disappointment on the night, we’ve lost Grant for Saturday and in the second half I thought him and Lee Bowyer were excellent.”

The Blues boss thought his side should have had a penalty when Bowyer was fouled by Marvin Bartley in the first half: “Yes, but I thought the ref was good. He got most things right, but I thought he got that one wrong and it was a penalty. He said he didn’t have a great view of it.”

Inevitably, with the Blues now nine points from sixth, questions were asked about Town’s chances of making the play-offs, but Jewell wasn’t getting carried away: “It’s been an unbelievable season both on and off the pitch, it’s been one thing after another really. I’ve said all along we’re taking every game as it comes.

“We don’t want the season to peter out. We’ve got 51 points, are probably safe from relegation and we’re not even thinking about anything other Watford now, recovering tomorrow for Watford on Saturday and that’s it. But people will talk about if we win the next nine games we might get promoted.”

The Town manager had praise for goalscorer Michael Chopra: “He’s got 14 goals for us now and I thought some of his movement in the second half was excellent. He’s not just a good finisher, he’s a good player.

“He’s got 14 goals in a season in which we’ve not struggled to score goals, we’ve struggled to keep them out.”

Jewell admits that at the moment he’s still slightly concerned when Town are defending a one-goal lead late on: “When you’re sat there with our record of conceding late goals and not keeping too many clean sheets, you’re never comfortable. We want to get to a situation where we’re almost comfortable.

“In the second half I can’t really remember them having too many opportunities, if any at all, and it was a good second half display.”

He says there’s been no further progress on the move to sign Portsmouth’s Joel Ward: “We had an informal chat on Sunday and I think they said that if they won on Tuesday they might not let anyone go. That’s as far as I know. I was at a game last night [Chesterfield-Huddersfield] and I haven’t spoken to anybody today about it.”

As for further developments before Thursday’s 5pm deadline, the Town boss wasn’t sure: “There may well be, but I honestly don’t know.”

Jewell says no other moves are ongoing at present: “Nothing that will probably get done tomorrow unless something comes up. As I said yesterday, we’re trying to do things for the long-term.

“We want to try and make sure we finish the season as strongly as possible and if we can get people in place early for next season, we’ll do it, but we’ve got some good players here.”

The Town manager confirmed that striker Jason Scotland was left out of the squad after injuring an adductor in training.

Burnley boss Eddie Howe admitted his team was very much second best after the break: "I was pleased with the first half, I thought we were well in the game and I felt quite confident going into the second half that we could cause them more problems.

"But the second half was really disappointing, we didn't get going. It looked like we lacked our usual spark and zip and just looked totally flat and Ipswich deservedly won the game. We were well below par in the second half. It's hugely frustrating because I felt we could go on and win the game at half-time."

Photo: Action Images

Radlett_blue added 23:10 - Mar 21 "Probably safe from relegation". No sheet, Sherlock!
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Hungry_Badger added 23:11 - Mar 21 I half decent second half performance but if we are gunna go anywhere we have to start games better. The last few weeks the first half's just haven't been good enough. But there are still signs that we are improving, so well done all.
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arablue added 23:14 - Mar 21 Very good progress indeed - it would have been different 3 months ago when the team would be at a loss of how to turn things around... Well done PJ and team...keep having a long term view, no need for panic signings to catch the Thursday deadline... Can Leadbitter's first yellow be reversed? COYB!
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hogster1970 added 23:17 - Mar 21 yes defo a scrappy first half, not so sure on bower with leadbitter to be fair to me boywer wasnt that great, would have prefered he changed him at half time as he had a yellow and wasnt that great, but hate to say it but leadboots is starting to shine in midfield, but has took hm two years to do it, but realy every one else played well , martin was tireless in his running, jet had a good game, murphy was so so but at times good, how ever like alot on here defo dont like our current keeper, he dont comand the back 4 enough, and is sooooooooooooo slow to throw the ball out to either cressy or edwards when he has ball in hand, so we can build from the back, time and time again all he does is just hooooof it up the pitch, there was a time were jet was in achers of space screaming for the ball and we could have had a good break, but no as per usual he held the ball then blow me he tried to kick it to him what a bloody plank, ffs go back to reading will you but again well done town another 3 points and a few more places gained

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pocketsout added 23:17 - Mar 21 Losing leadbitter not the end of the world for one game ( never thought i'd say that sincerely). He and bowyer are similar (In my view - both aggressive ball winners that can't keep their gobs shut). We definatley looked different in midfield tonight. Will be interesting to see how Drury and Bowyer pair up.
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ian_marshall added 23:24 - Mar 21 Would anyone fancy Jimmy in the middle on saturday?
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brockleyblueboy added 23:26 - Mar 21 You bunch of miserable so and so's. How many points did we come away with tonight? How many goals did we concede? Come on, seriously, you lot just love having a whine and a moan. Great improvement from town, and the change in results, mentality, it's all positive. Well done Jewell and the lads, keep up the good work and who knows, could be an interesting end to the season.

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Garv added 23:30 - Mar 21 Good result again, constant pressure second half can't believe we only scored one! Leadbitter you idiot. He was having a superb game as well. I hope he's heavily fined.
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StowTractorBoy added 23:42 - Mar 21 Its easy to say it now but that was an easy 1-0 win and credit to Town for making Burnley look very ordinary. Can't agree with PJ re the Referee as I thought he was awful and would not let the game flow. Great shame about Leadbitters sending off as the first caution looked harsh to me and the second caution was just silly. Another great 3 points, now please lets put the Watford hoodoo to bed beat Middlesbrough and then who knows ?

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lscooper23 added 23:48 - Mar 21 Good win today! I thought Tommy Smith was superb tonight! Very solid and kept Rodriguez in his top pocket! Leadbitter was very good again, his silly sending off was a little disappointing. COYB!!
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carsey added 00:00 - Mar 22 I'm sure I will be told I am moaning but although we kept a clean sheet and got the 3 points I thought we looked very ordinary and it was only Burnleys lack of ability that let us take all 3 points. Bowyer shouldn't get a look in he is too both in thinking and moving. The midfield lacked energy and the sooner we get back to Hyam & Drury the better. Shame Leadbetter got himself sent off as he has really started to play well and has clearly been practising his shooting. Jet also looks well off the pace and seems to be developing a Marcus Bent attitude - he only runs when it suits him. I agree with others about McCarthy in goal - he is so slow to release the ball and his kicking from hand or on the ground is appalling. Definately need a proper 'keeper. Still a great run and here's to getting a result against Watford.

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NorthStandDan66 added 00:00 - Mar 22 Need to start games better, however, for the first time in many years, I'm not feeling on edge with our starting defence, they all looked solid out there tonight. Not a lot of expectations this season now obviously, for the sake of the fans and most importantly thereselves, fight for the highest league position they can, it will boost morale, attract players and get contracts re-signed.

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Garv added 00:10 - Mar 22 Harsh on JET that carsey. I agree with the running thing, chasing back etc, I can't work him out in that respect. But he had a very good game when on the ball tonight, constantly dangerous and YET AGAIN desperately unlucky with his long range effort.
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garethch added 00:20 - Mar 22 Carsey - "it was only Burnleys lack of ability that let us take all 3 points". Really? The stats show we had 21 shots to 2 and 11 corners to 1...surely we did something right?!
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village_blue added 07:04 - Mar 22 I just hope that PJ deals with Leadbitter like he did with Martin earlier in the season make him train with the youth team and fine him heavily,saying that Ithought that the first yellow was very harsh as he seemed to win the ball but there is no excuse for kicking the ball away and mouthing off at the officials just 2 minutes after the first yellow was sheer stupidity.Drury in for him at Watford and would probably rest Jet with Carson starting.

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Keaneish added 07:19 - Mar 22 I'm actually looking at that fixture list thinking the only points we'll drop will be away to Watford, Derby, Palace and maybe birmingham and possibly boro. Even then, I think several of those will be good draws which puts us in contention for the play-offs... Will take a point Saturday but 3 would put us in good stead for a play off charge!
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DiamondGezzer added 07:22 - Mar 22 village blue :- Agree re Drury at Watford and starting with Carson. Imagine how good JET could be if he wasn't so, [ let's be kind ] laid back ! Well done the Town, another one in the bag. A few months ago, that would have ended upa draw, or worse. Definate improvement. Bring on the empty horses.
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IvorFeeling added 07:49 - Mar 22 Didn't go as I am in Poland this week on busines, but we now have good momentum. Rememeber we are 9 points away from the playoff places but with our GD it is more like 10. I cannot think of another season when we have gone from Feast, Famine to Feast again!! The great news is that we now have a knack of grinding results, even though we outplayed Burnley a few months back we would have shipped at least a goal in the last 5 minutes. The belief is there. I hoping for the playoffs but realistically I beilieve we will fall short. Whatever, I do hope PJ has learned his lesson re loaness and builds a capable squad for next season - Cresswell has proved you don't have to spend big and looking down for hungry talent combined with old hands such as Chopra etc is a good mix. COYB

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thechangingman added 08:14 - Mar 22 Keanish: I've always respected your views on here. I would, however, like to say that when I read your post I shuddered to think of what would happen if we DID make it to the play-offs! Imagine if we won and went up!!! I support Town as much as the next person and I have vowed to be positive about PJ. What I am saying is that I think Town in the Prem at this point would be horrendous. IMHO we just aren't ready. Let's have one more season of consolodation with PJ, get rid of a some of the dead wood (yes, I am looking at you Bullard and Bowyer) and THEN make a push for the Prem having enjoyed a season of consistency. Again Keanish - no disrespect to you at all- you have always been a positive and articulate member of this forum, it's just that I don't want a season of pain and embarrassment just yet...

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bluelady added 08:24 - Mar 22 Agree totally with above post no way are we ready to go up! A good second half, why we can't come out first half is beyond me! Two centre backs played well, Martin and chopra ran their socks off, Edwards had an excellent game, some superb crosses into their box (and Unbeaten as captain)... leadbitter was on top form but silly red card. For me only real low point was Mcarthys distribution, he seems unable to pass out though the back its hoof or nothing.... Bowyer for me was excellent second half but poor first. Hard to pick MOM really, prob Leadbitter or dare I say it Delaney (whose passing seemed ok last night for a change!). Burned were poor but haven't we said that about a lot of teams we beat this season, just maybe we dont allow them to play?

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Blue041273 added 08:25 - Mar 22 Irrespective of how you view the performance this was definitely a game we deserved to win and it would have been hugely disappointing if we had conceded an equaliser at the end. That said I am left with conflicting emotions; firstly a feeling of deep satisfaction that we are going in the right direction by extending the run of good results, but secondly a feeling of frustration that the recent progress is perhaps not as solid as the results might suggest. There are still too many insecurities embedded in this team to give you any confidence that we can be serious promotion contenders any time soon. However whereas just 12 weeks ago our glass was definitely less than half full, it is now better than half full. My hope is that we can maintain the momentum for the rest of the season so that we can approach the new one with some optimism based on the evidence of an extended period of continuous development.

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CornardBlue added 08:53 - Mar 22 Why can't some people enjoy Ipswich winning always looking for neagitives, people who are knocking Bowyer could not have been at the same game as i was. He had our best chance with a header in the first half, we should have had a pen when he was knocked over in the area and was supporting Chops when he scored, i thought Lee and Leadbitter controlled the midfield.
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saffronblue added 08:58 - Mar 22 Not ready to go up, not sure anyone is ever ready to go up, but if you do it gives a platform to sign better players, get bigger crowds, more cash etc.. We have had years of consolidation and where are we? Personally I think it's still unrealistic this season but we can all dream. Great result last night. COYB
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alfromcol added 08:59 - Mar 22 Win the next 2 games and the play-offs will be a real possibility. But we have to win those games first. See u at Watford coyb
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50yearsablue added 09:18 - Mar 22 Unlike most of you I have seen some really great Ipswich teams, especially 1981 vintage, and you might expect me to be frustrated with our current ability to get out of the Championship. Yes I am but I think many of you who post here fail to understand what some players contribute and, as Cornard Blue accurately says, only look for negatives. One of the posters hated to admit Leadbitter was playing well. So you'd rather be proven right than have him play well for OUR team? Also, how can so many of you fail to see what Bowyer contributed to the performance? The 'too old' assumption is trotted out unneccessarily. Think back how many times he got on the end of moves in the opposition 6 yard box. I could go on but too many of you judge players on poor performances and then become entrenched with scathing opinions. We have got 23 points out of 30, including against some decent teams and it's not all about opposition inadequacies. Please try and give balanced opinions and engage brain before posting

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