As Town go into another international break, midfielder Paul Anderson says he believes the Blues are in a great position just under a quarter of the way through the season. The 25-year-old’s goal helped Town to a 1-1 draw in their 11th game of the campaign at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, which saw them into 11th in the table on 15 points.

“I think we’re looking quite strong,” Anderson said. “The lads have been putting great shifts in and we know our style of game.

“I think we’re in a great position, we’re there or thereabouts. If we can put a few results together that might sneak us into the top six, which is what we’ll be aiming for.

“We’re looking forward to the rest of the season and we’re very confident that we can go out and beat anyone in this league.”

Like his manager Mick McCarthy, the summer signing from Bristol City says he’s not too concerned by the lack of away wins with the Blues regularly victorious at Portman Road: “If we can keep winning at home and keep picking up points away from home we can’t complain. It’s a good recipe to have.

“We feel solid at home and any point you can get away from home is a positive and I’m sure the win will come sooner rather than later.”

Saturday’s goal was Anderson’s second of the season and while he’s aiming for more, says it was probably the defensive side of his game which persuaded the Blues boss to recruit him in the summer: “It’s maybe why the gaffer wanted to sign me and I know the strengths of my game.

“I’m not the best going forward, I know there are better players out there but they can’t do what I can do going backwards. I’m getting asked to do a fair bit [of defending] but I enjoy it.”

Saturday’s goal was created by David McGoldrick and having played alongside the striker during their time at Nottingham Forest Anderson was well aware of his talents before he moved to Portman Road.

“He’s a great player, I played with him at Forest and he was a great player then but never got given his opportunity,” he recalled.

“He took the step back into League One [with Coventry] and proved his quality and he’s come back up and he’s been doing the job here.

“He fully deserved the reward he got this weekend with the Player of the Month and hopefully he can keep scoring, and if he keeps setting me up that’ll be even nicer!”

Photo: Action Images

bedsitfc added 06:13 - Oct 8 Great position is a bit strong I think ok position is more like it, what would he say if we were top 6 or even too 2? I don't know what's for the best someone like Ando for his defensive side of the game or someone like Taylor who will make opponents think should we push up the field and leave a counter attack opportunity.
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Dissboyitfc added 07:37 - Oct 8 Well said bedsitfc, things is look where we would be if we had taken the three points from Derby. This," we are very satisfied attitude " concerns me, they shouldnt be ! i can remember an interview with paul cooper and he said, "We go into every game expecting to win and are disappointed if we dont win". Np professional in any industry should be satisfied with mediocracy, thats what we are seeing at times, i know we are a working progress, but ffs .... COME ON YOU BLUES ... pick it up us supporters have watched mediocracy for too long....

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Alwaysablue added 08:20 - Oct 8 Sitting as high as we've been for a few season's, nearer to the play offs than we ever were under the last 2 managers and yet everyone still has a little moan about how average we are, go and watch barca if you want to watch high quality football and win every week, it doesn't happen in the championship.
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Karlosfandangal added 08:29 - Oct 8 Our defence seemed better last year, However we were not scoring goals. QPR are keeping clean sheets and not scoring many goals and they are top or second. Think we need to be able to put teams like Sheffield We'd to the sword and be able to grind out the odd 1-0 here and there
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kalypso added 09:14 - Oct 8 I'm not the best going forward, I know there are better players out there. Let's get him in.
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DanLyles added 10:15 - Oct 8 2 goals and 1 assist in 7 starts is pretty respectable from midfield imo. IF Anderson continues this over the rest of the season (roughly 12 goals and 6 assists) then he would look like a very shrewd acquisition, especially when you factor in the defensive contribution he makes. It is always just so tempting from a fans perspective to see more excitement and somebody who runs at people at pace like Taylor.

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DanLyles added 10:19 - Oct 8 the above stats are just for the league, where he has also made 2 sub appearances.
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northernblues added 14:17 - Oct 8 @alwaysablue, bedsit and dissboy are not havine a moan it is quaite constructive, i think everyone appreciates things are better under MM compared to jewell and keane, i have been a town fan since 1972, and have accepted we are not the team we once were. We have to be realistic and top 10, even top 12 would be progress.
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dubblue added 16:53 - Oct 8 Agree has been a good signing so far. Less happy with his view that we can might 'sneak into the play-offs', a little bit more ambition is what's needed against weaker teams.
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LisbieAvenue added 20:29 - Oct 8 I know a few of you guys have already mentioned it but I would agree that ITFC have, in recent years, accepted some kind of negative mediocrity. As soon as someone suggests you should "be more positive" they get pounced upon, they are in fact correct, in my opinion anyway (and I accept that is all it is, my opinion)! When I started to support Ipswich about 15 years ago they were a lot more postitive and actually scored a few goals. Granted they conceded a few too but that is football. It seems to me that the element of being entertained is being removed from watching Ipswich. I believe they do have the talent to go forward and score goals but under MM this will not happen. This is now an obvious comment and confirmed by what Paul Anderson stated in that he ain't too great going forwards. Well if a player playing in his position admits to be a lot better defensively I think we have problems! Maybe he should be playing at full back then. So one of the main wingers is poor going forwards and the rest of the midfield are defensive in nature how on earth are we going to score. As far as I can tell our main threat is set pieces. That makes for great entertainment! Our best player (going forwards anyway) is Mcgoldrick but he lacks support as we have no forward thinking players and Murphy, albeit a hard worker, is a bit of a donkey. I just think there is a lack of positivity amongst the squad. Yes, a draw away from home is OK but that is only 1 point and 2 points dropped. Go for the win please otherwise mid table will be where weend up again. One final point, when was the last time ITFC scored in the last minute to win a game or even get back to a draw. Can't think of too many instances. Leeds, even though I don't likre them and the more obvious Man United, are good examples of teams that score late which suggests they go for the win and are nogt happy to settle for what they have got. If you are 4-1 up try and get to 5 and 6 not sit back and let them come onto you. End of rant, sorry it was so long!

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Vic added 12:08 - Oct 9 I'd agree with you Lisbiea - if we weren't scoring goals. But we are which rather undermines pretty much everything you've said!
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Vic added 12:08 - Oct 9 I'd agree with you Lisbiea - if we weren't scoring goals. But we are which rather undermines pretty much everything you've said!
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