Town’s improved form under new boss Mick McCarthy could lead to them gate-crashing the play-offs, according to on-loan goalkeeper Stephen Henderson.

Henderson, due to return to Upton Park on January 12th but who would prefer to remain at Portman Road, sees no reason why a top-six finish should not be possible

The keeper’s confidence comes from the fact that Ipswich occupied bottom place in the Championship when Paul Jewell was dismissed in October and replacement McCarthy has overseen an 11-game spell that has reaped 20 points.

Asked about the team’s target between now and the end of the season Henderson said: “I’d say play-offs, although I know that’s pushing it. But I think that should be where we are aiming, even if it is obviously going to be very difficult.

“If we keep going the way we have been doing and pick up plenty of wins you’d be surprised how soon people will be saying ‘Look at Ipswich, they’re only however many points away from the play-offs’.”

Despite Town’s much-improved form they remain just five points clear of the drop zone because both Peterborough and Sheffield Wednesday have managed to win three games on the trot in recent weeks.

But Henderson added: “It’s all been a bit mad. I think we’re the top form team in the league at the minute but it’s scary — look at Peterborough going to Wolves and beating them 3-0 on their own patch. That sums it up for me.

“We just need to keep winning. I think there are as many as 10 teams around us that we could drag into the relegation fight if we win on Saturday so that would be nice.

“But I’m not even looking below us in the table because I don’t feel it’s an issue and I don’t think we’ll be where we are for much longer. I can’t speak for other people but that’s how I feel.

“I know what this team has, what the manager and coach have and that we can really push on. January is a big month to see who we can bring in to help the team. I’d like to see us push on — and why not?”

Photo: Action Images

bluewein added 06:31 - Dec 29 Was waiting for this to appear from somewhere. Concentrate on avoiding relegation this year and we'll worry about promotion next season. I'm sure most of us have the patience!! :-)
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greentractorboy added 07:49 - Dec 29 no chance .how much had he had to drink !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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dav86 added 08:08 - Dec 29 If the opportunity is there why not take it. We've been away too long. Up the town!
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BobbyBell added 08:42 - Dec 29 Mention it again in late Feb / March and we'll see but to talk about it now is just madness. Just keep gaining points and go from there.
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MaySixth added 09:35 - Dec 29 Henderson has been on the Guiness again
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BlueySwede added 09:45 - Dec 29 Ok. Give us four straight wins now, starting with one today, then maybe there could be some hope. We need to go on a winning run.
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itfcjc added 09:50 - Dec 29 Anyone who says we could make the playoffs is mad
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walberswick added 09:54 - Dec 29 Thanks for that Hendo. We'll definitely lose on Saturday now.
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Stato added 09:55 - Dec 29 If you look at the form league table since MM took over we are in the top 6 for those 11 games. However if all sides repeated the same form over the next 22 games as they have over the last 11 then we would not bridge the point deficit we currently face. In other words we are going to have to achieve an even bigger points haul over the next 11 games than we did in the previous 11 in order to be in with a shout in the last couple of months of the season. credit to henderson for having a positive outlook but we would need the form of Championship winners to reach the play offs from here.

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DurhamTownFan added 10:00 - Dec 29 Well said, BossMan. I would really love it if we could finish that far up the table, but we have to be realistic. I don't think its a good thing to expect too much, otherwise people might become angry if we fall short. I am optimistic almost every game, but I'm also happy if we make progress, no matter how gradual it seems. Does anyone remember how bad things were when PJ left? I fear our memories are too short sometimes!

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LankHenners added 10:23 - Dec 29 Overconfidence never helped anyone.
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Michael11 added 11:11 - Dec 29 Hahaha even as a die hard Ipswich fan if you offered me play-offs i'd say no thanks. Can you imagine what United and Chelsea would do to us if we let in 5+ against teams like Blackpool, Crystal Palace and Leicester! I'll take avoiding relegation this year then push on next year when McCarthy has his own team.
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Karlosfandangal added 13:34 - Dec 29 Even with MM's average career win rate of 53% we would only get in the mid 60 point mark would think low 70's would see a play off place
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