Bartosz Bialkowski goes into tonight’s home clash with Burnley determined to play his part in ensuring Town’s home form becomes the perfect platform for a promotion challenge.

Town’s haul last season of 50 points from 23 league games at Portman Road was the joint-highest in the Championship, matched only by Middlesbrough, and the Polish goalkeeper is adamant that a similar return this season is again on the cards.

Bialkowski, 28, said: “It’s massive, the home form. It’s not easy for teams coming to Portman Road because it usually means a long journey to get down here.

“Playing at Portman Road is something very special for me because the atmosphere is so good. When I played on Saturday it was the first time in a few months for me in a competitive game and I had really missed it.

“Our fans are amazing and a big help as we try to make our own ground a fortress. It was a big win against Sheffield Wednesday and also in the cup against Stevenage, and we want more of that in the remainder of the season.

“I don’t think teams enjoy coming to Portman Road, which is good for us, but at the same time they don’t just come here to lose.

“They always want to do something but we are so strong at home and I think our home form is going to be massive for us this season.”

Bialkowski & Co take on Burnley, back in the Championship after relegation from the Premier League, this evening and he will be looking for a second successive home win to follow Saturday’s 2-1 success over a resurgent Sheffield Wednesday.

He added: “I didn’t have my busiest game but that is the hardest type of game, where you don’t have too much to do.

“You have to make sure you stay focused with everything you do, not just the saves you have to make but things like collecting crosses to take the pressure off the defenders.”

Photo: Action Images

battyblue added 08:24 - Aug 18 good man you are learning Bart make sure you keep collecting those crosses and shouting instructions to those in front of you and you will be ok
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