Cole Skuse has underlined Town’s aim to push for the play-offs during what remains of the current campaign and to try to replicate their top-six finish of two seasons ago.

The experienced midfielder is a key member of Mick McCarthy’s side as they sit ninth in the Championship table, five points adrift of sixth-placed Sheffield United, having won 10, drawn two and lost nine of their 21 games as the season’s halfway point looms large.

Skuse said: “I think we should be happy with the start to the season that we’ve had. Obviously, it was a disappointing result last weekend, but to go to Middlesbrough and concede a goal just before half-time and again just after half-time meant we were chasing the game against a very good team. It is going to be a tough task for anyone.

“They camped in behind the ball and to break them down was very tough. But on the whole I and the rest of the lads have been happy with our start to the season. We’re sat in a reasonable position and we’re looking to have a real push towards the top six in the second half of the season.”

One of the keys to gatecrashing the play-off places in 2015 was a tremendous home record, recording 15 wins at Portman Road and banking a total of 50 home points, a tally that only Middlesbrough were able to equal.

With five of their next seven games, including an FA Cup third round clash with Sheffield United, in front of their home crowd, Skuse is hoping that he and his colleagues can take full advantage.

He added: “The recent home performances — beating Preston, drawing with Sheffield Wednesday when we should have won and then beating Nottingham Forest — have been good and we’ve been happy with them.

“Sitting on the bus for umpteen hours up and down the road makes you feel like a tin man when you step off, so it will be nice to have a few home games.

“The home form has been good this year and our fans have been very vocal in getting behind us.

“Beating Forest 4-2, we’d take that every week. Well, 4-0 would be better, but we’ve been playing some good stuff and it’s not as if we’ve been nicking points. We’ve played some fluent, exciting football and I hope it’s being appreciated.

“Going to the likes of Aston Villa, Derby and Middlesbrough, our last three away games, is so different to playing at home. When you are playing teams that have spent millions, have flair and maverick players, you have to set up a little bit differently.

“We went to Derby and I thought it was an outstanding performance, and up to just before half-time at Middlesbrough I thought we were comfortable.

“We’ve had some real good displays away from home but we want to make Portman Road a fortress and put the onus on other teams.

“If you’ve got a really good home record it gives a lift to everyone and we all know it formed the backbone of our play-off season.”

Meanwhile, Skuse played down his contribution as skipper to the win over Forest. With his pal, regular captain Luke Chambers, suspended after collecting five bookings manager McCarthy turned to the ex-Bristol City man to wear the armband and deliver the pre-match words of wisdom via the players’ huddle just before kick-off.

Asked to describe his style of captaincy, the laidback Skuse grinned: “Mellow. I wouldn’t say I change from any other week just because I’m the captain.

“I like to think I just go about my business and do what I do in my sort of manner, and hopefully the rest of the lads can come off the field thinking ‘Yep, Skusey’s done a shift’.

“If I’m asked to do it I am comfortable with it. I had it for a long period at Bristol City and it doesn’t faze me. I don’t go out there thinking ‘Oh, Jesus, I’m captain this week’. It is what it is, just another thing.

“Like I’ve said before, Chambo is probably the best captain I’ve ever played under. The huddle’s not an issue, it just rolls off the tongue what I say. I’m not going to say I’ll be standing up once my playing career is over and making rousing speeches but whatever needed saying was said.”

Photo: TWTD

TimmyH added 16:48 - Dec 14 Tell the owner that not us Cole...any way something needs to be done about the defence if we are to push for a top six place but personally can't see it happening. Wasn't it over 2 seasons ago we finished sixth? 2014/15.
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Seasider added 17:37 - Dec 14 Think if the football was a little more adventurous away from home,I could probably agree that we are in WITH A CHANCE OF MAKING THE TOP 6. What worries me a bit still, is the McCarthy mindset that somehow having more possession than the opposition is not the done thing;as he has described teams that do this as playing tippy tappy football. It would be nice if once in a while,especially at home, the stats showed that Ipswich had more possession than the opposition.However no one dare mention this to the 'Great Man'(his opinion) for no doubt he would take umbrage,and would cite Leicester & Burnley. He would not mention the majority of teams who are promoted from the Championship,all of whom,to my witness,have tried to play a more passing game;not hoof it up the field,especially Chambers,who did this 11 times(according to a witness)on Saturday,giving back possession to Boro.

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muccletonjoe added 08:52 - Dec 15 We are in a good position at the moment. The christmas fixture list together with key injuries will see us well out of the running by 201 though..
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chepstowblue added 14:21 - Dec 15 This was actually meant to read.....sixteen !!
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