Centre-half Tommy Smith says Town are aiming to make Portman Road a fortress once again this season. Smith nodded home from close range to secure Saturday’s 2-1 win against Sheffield Wednesday, the Blues’ first Championship home win of the campaign.

Town, who beat Stevenage by the same scoreline in the Capital One Cup at Portman Road on Tuesday, won 15, drew five and lost only three of their 23 home games in the Championship last season, scoring 40 goals and conceding 18, and Smith wants to see that good form continue during the campaign ahead.

“It was another home win, the second in a row, which is ideal as we are looking to make Portman Road a fortress this season,” he said, echoing comments made by manager Mick McCarthy on Friday.

“Sheffield Wednesday were a different proposition since we played them before. They have a new manager and a new style of play.

“We knew it was going to be difficult and we were going to have to be patient as they like to hold on to the ball and pass it around, and we had to be careful not to be sucked in and then they would play around us.

“There is a higher expectancy from other teams that we are a good team, which is a positive for us as it shows how successful we were last season.

“But at the same time we have to move on and build from that. We can’t stay still and we want to better last season.”

The 25-year-old says on-loan wingers Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Ryan Fraser have already added something to last year’s team:

“We have lacked pace out wide for a few years now,” he added. “But Ryan has plenty and has the tricks too. Ainsley has a bit of everything and he can go a long way in the game.

“They are two really good acquisitions. Hopefully we can keep them fit and they go on to do well for us.

“They bring balance to the team. They can switch wings and that causes problems for teams. They are top lads in the dressing room too. You might think at 17 Ainsley may be a bit quiet but no way, he says his bit and joins in the banter with the rest of us.”

As for his goal, the New Zealand international was delighted to get off the mark for the season: “It was very pleasing. It is always nice to come away from Portman Road and with a good performance and a three points — long may it continue.

“It was a case of gambling and making the run. I know Ryan and can beat anyone in a one on one and he would get the ball in. It was a case of right place, right time for me as the keeper has parried the ball straight to my head.”

The goal puts him in front in the now-annual head-to-head with central defensive partner Christophe Berra: “I’m always looking to beat my best score, which is six in a season. Christophe might have had two [late on], but I’m still winning 1-0.”

Photo: Action Images

footyblue added 06:58 - Aug 17 well we need to stop giving soft goals away then 3 in 2 league games isn't a very good start
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VulpineBlue added 07:18 - Aug 17 We do need to look very seriously at our back 4. With attacking wingers there is now far less cover for the full backs. maybe conceding more goals is the price that we will have to pay for increased fire power.
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bedsitfc added 07:49 - Aug 17 Conceding more goals will be a cost to a more potent attack they need to hold up counter attacks. Attack is the best form of defence We need to push teams back. This will come after they have played together more then teams will set up to contain us.
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bedsitfc added 08:01 - Aug 17 Just a quick word about Marcus not splashing ming cash.. Before people blast about the lack of money spent on the team I. E why have we not paid a million or 2 on a right back. It's us the fans fault not Marcus. Marcus has spent more than this and Wickham money on keeping us afloat. Our much awaited first home game see the stadium only 2/3 full so if fans turned into supporters there would be more money available.

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wkj added 08:05 - Aug 17 To be fair our attendance on Saturday was good for the first day of the season... granted SW bought a good crowd but our true show of support will be Tuesday as night games are always more accessible
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footyblue added 08:12 - Aug 17 im not saying we won't concede but all 4 goals so far this season have been gifts
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gamezone added 08:23 - Aug 17 @Champstat: Tommy Smith of Ipswich has made 21 clearances this season, more than any other Championship player #ITFC A reminder to all those so called fans!!! Who clearly think they know more about football than MM. This is why MM plays TS every week. Keep going Tommy.
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AYACCA added 08:52 - Aug 17 Make Portman Road a 'Fortress'.....? how would the fans get in? I like Tommy, i remember him from working down on the docks while the union had been on strike and he was down on his luck. it was tough, so tough.
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Bert added 09:33 - Aug 17 Great that Smithy gets a few goals each year but he has to sharpen up on the ground where he can be flat footed and turned too easily. If he can improve this area if his game he will be an asset.
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Paulblue62 added 09:34 - Aug 17 FPR will not only need the team to play better, but also for the crowd to start making some serious noise. If they deliver on the pitch, we must deliver off the pitch.
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GerkensBeard added 09:49 - Aug 17 I wouldn't say that Wednesdays goal was a defensive error on Saturday. Matias took up a good position and was lucky to get the ball as chambers had gone into a challenge on another player. He played a good ball across and Wallace was in the right place at the right time and was no where else he could of put it. And if you think about it doesn't that sound exactly how our second goal came about? Give the defence some credit on Saturday they were far stronger than Wednesdays defence who are arguably a top 6 side this season

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ITFCGloryDays added 11:20 - Aug 17 Yes. It might help, with that wish, if we were and are better defensively. When it comes to the situation of one on one defending Smith has got a habit of losing his man, which in turn leads to the opposition scoring goals, as he did in Brentford away and of Derby at home last season. Don't talk the talk, instead walk the walk...
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battyblue added 11:25 - Aug 17 Good words smithy and i really hope we do make portman road a fortress but really we need to strengthen the defense Chambo regularly gets caught out and MM seems to ignore it also problems in the center on a quite regular basis so sort out these areas and we really will be very hard to beat,,,,Mick is to loyal to cambo and smithy who seems in his eyes both must play whatever,,,,same scenario as Noble when he was here but in the end he had to admit he was not good enough .

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FenboyBlue added 13:03 - Aug 17 First rallying cry of the season. Good stuff.
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warktheline added 13:11 - Aug 17 I find it difficult to scrutinise Chambers considering his natural position is C/B. McCarthy makes the decisions and Chambers without doubt gives 100% to the cause, no matter where he is asked to play. The back four has been an issue for god knows how long, and until McCarthy finds, in his opinion, a player that fits in at right back better than Chambers, it will continue. If that elusive player arrives, in my opinion, Smith will be the odd one out, with Chambers partnering Berra in the heart of defence. That's quite a formidable pairing, and as for young Smith, I believe watching these two, assisted by a proper right back, will improve his game. Let's not forget, Smith has time on his side.

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KuqiCoup added 14:56 - Aug 17 I think we have to look at the whole picture. Mick is a clever bloke. We are playing Smith out of his preferred position on the right of the centre backs and Chambers in his weaker position of right back. Clearly Mick feels that this is beneficial overall to the balance of the whole side, which may be down to having Chambers behind a young right midfielder, having slightly more pace in a certain area. It's not like Mick isn't aware. He's playing two good defenders in their second favourite position because he feels we are stronger as a unit. While I'd rather see Berra and Chambers and a new right back, I'll go with whatever Mick thinks.

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Warkys_Tash added 19:49 - Aug 17 Tommy certainly is good enough for our team at Champ level & who knows maybe even the PL? However, so is Chambers. Whether or not they are currently being played In their best positions is obviously a topic for hot debate. This will no doubt rumble on all season. However, one thing is certain, Berra is by far our best Centre Back so therefore has to play in his best position & the ideal partner would be a right sided CB so therefore Tommy always will get earmarked by fans for the drop - rightly or wrongly. Tommy does pop up with some cracking goals & will always give 110% for the shirt - He is one of our own for sure, so if Mick picks him, we should back him. No debate.

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