Town chairman David Sheepshanks says the Blues have to disregard reputations as they seek to haul themselves out of the relegation zone. Sheepshanks was impressed with the gutsy display at Newcastle on Saturday.

The chairman said: "We have got to capture every point no matter what the opposition. We have to believe that we can beat teams like Chelsea and Manchester United at home, together with Arsenal and Liverpool away. The display at high-riding Newcastle on Saturday can inspire us.

"There are eight games to go and the only thing on my mind right now is that everyone of us at the club gives 100 per cent plus to ensure Premiership status is maintained.

"A lot of people have offered a great deal of talk about difficult run-ins. We cannot be concerned about reputations or big names. Every game has three points attached to it. As a club, we have got to be single-minded in our approach to every game.

"There is no doubting that the display at Newcastle was a strong one. It served to show what can be achieved in remaining games. From the kick-off we showed our intensity to the match in full."

Sheepshanks added his words of praise for the supporters: "In the face of adversity the fans have been great. They have a big role to play, especially at Portman Road where we have got to pick up maximum points.

"I know our crowd have become nervous recently due to the displays against Liverpool and Southampton, which were totally disappointing, but I hope we can raise our game against Aston Villa on Saturday. There is perennial debate about whether or not players lift the crowd or the crowd lift the players. Both are true.

"I do urge our fans to put their nerves behind them and cheer our boys on for 90 minutes."

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