Ipswich expect — rather than hope — to win every game they play, according to skipper Carlos Edwards.

The experienced Trinidad & Tobago international leads his men into battle against Middlesbrough at Portman Road tonight having secured five successive home wins, an impressive sequence that has coincided with a run of just two defeats in their last 11 games.

Edwards, who believes the play-offs remain a realistic target, said: “We haven’t played particularly well in our last two or three home games, but at the same time we prefer to play below our best and get all three points than play well and take nothing from the game.

“Since we started this nice little run we go out expecting to beat any team. But as much as we would like to play good football and come away with three points, sometimes you have to win ugly and we have done that in our last two home games. The main thing is that we always have the belief that we will come away with the three points.”

Meanwhile, Edwards admits he will not be surprised if he faces extra competition next season for the right-back berth he has been able to call his own.

But the 33-year-old former Wrexham, Luton and Sunderland winger, who completed a century of league starts for Ipswich at Watford on Saturday, has also made it clear he is not fazed by the prospect of others challenging for his role.

Edwards, only absent from Championship duty once this season, added: “You never know what is going to happen in football. Who would have thought I would be playing right-back for all this time? It’s over a year and a half now.

“I think I have done a pretty good job but I’m not getting carried away by thinking too far ahead. I am content to be a part of the squad and as much as some players might not like it, you always need competition in the squad.

“But whether someone is pushing me or not I always give 100 per cent. Even if there is no one making a challenge for my place, I don’t take my eye off the ball. It is not in my nature to do that.”

Photo: Action Images

mikeybloo88 added 12:35 - Mar 27 Unfortunately, us poor fans don't go expecting to win every match, we're too used to being disappointed.
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Sindre94 added 13:12 - Mar 27 Yes but next season HOPEFULLY we can transfer these hopes into expectations, as I think it takes a bit longer with us fans, were very used to let-downs. COYB !
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Kesgraveblue57 added 13:16 - Mar 27 Heard it all before Carlos you all talk a very game !
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muhrensleftfoot added 13:23 - Mar 27 You took your eye off the ball against Watford with that back pass!
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radiogaga added 13:53 - Mar 27 muhrensleftfoot (and any others referring to Edwards' mistake on Saturday as if it has ruined our season): Referring to Saturday's game, what about Chopra's big miss? and Murphy's numerous misses? and also Delaney's powderpuff defending for the Watford equaliser come to think of it? It was a horrific mistake by Edwards, for sure, but it was still a superb finish by their striker. At least he held his hand up and accepted he had made a mistake. Get behind the players....

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bluelady added 13:57 - Mar 27 well i for one after only two losses in 11 go to matches expecting a result. cant say i did a few months back. This negativity seems to have derived from one loss on saturday, which is crazy before that we were on a great run. Radiogaga spot on Edwards is a scapegoat, if we had a decent right sided CB to cover for his fantastic runs forward then he would get away with so much more. Was def his fault saturday but he has admitted it now people need to move on.

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bedsitfc added 14:16 - Mar 27 thats half the battle, if we go into games with a positive attitude we will be harder to beat.
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walberswick added 14:26 - Mar 27 Now we aren't going to be promoted or relegated can any of them be bothered for these games. PJ and this team do the minimum, so don't get your hopes up for many more points.
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Keaneish added 14:33 - Mar 27 So do i Carlos and with the exception of a draw against the Brummies, i've marked us down to win all our remaining home games too. Unfortunately with a Win at Doncaster, a draw at Palace and a defeat at Derby, my predictions give us a total of 68 points falling just short of the play-offs.
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alfromcol added 14:36 - Mar 27 I'm with Carlos on this. I now expect to at least win every match when we play at home. Going forward we are always a danger and I now expect us to score more than the opposition. Another keeper, a RB and CD and I would expect us, next season, to win away regularly as well.
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bluelady added 14:45 - Mar 27 nooo dont say that Keanish im off to the Derby game, only my second away game of the season, had got lots planned but guess which my first one was????!!
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irishtim added 15:02 - Mar 27 We can win our last 8. Tall order. But lets live in hope. A win tonight & we not too far behind boro. Cmon Town make the next few weeks exciting & give us confidence for next season which i believe with a few shrewd additions it will be our year.
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Langdon_Blue added 16:20 - Mar 27 Bluelady - I hope it wasn't Millwall...all the aggrevation with the 'train hitting a low bridge' (how can that even happen??) Meaning a long walk and game over no sooner had we got in the ground. Glad those performances are no longer being suffered!!
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bluelady added 17:03 - Mar 27 worse Langdon it was Peteborough.......... i have been a season ticket holder for a few years now, but had not ventured to away games for a while. Friend and I decided this would be our year to venture out. After Peteborough we kinda changed our minds! Did go to the Derby game last year, i do believe young Mr Bullard scored his first goal at that game!
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Langdon_Blue added 18:17 - Mar 27 Bluelady Ouch! Sorry to hear that. Fortunately I was in Cyprus for the Peterborough game, so while I endured it all on my own in the bar (everyone else seemed to be watching Chelsea in the much larger bar) at least all inclusive drinks were on hand to instantly drown the sorrows! Still, good times are ahead, of that I'm sure...so make sure you attend Derby and enjoy! :-)

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