Jonas Knudsen has echoed the sentiments of captain Luke Chambers in confirming how the Town players have total belief in their ability to beat the drop.

Knudsen, Chambers & Co go into tomorrow’s home clash with Bristol City still stuck at the bottom of the table, six points from safety and with just one win in their 18 league games.

But Knudsen insisted: “The belief that we can get out of it is strong and we all think we can do it, definitely.

“I think the new gaffer coming in has given us all a terrific boost. Ever since he came in he has been absolutely brilliant and he has picked us all up.

“I hope you guys can see that as well, and the fans also. The impact he has made has been very good and we all believe we can do it.

“We just have to make sure we keep on doing what we have been doing in the three games we have played under Paul Lambert. If we can continue to play like that I’m sure we will be fine.”

But Knudsen acknowledged the club’s plight, adding: “We have to be worried, of course, but we also have to see the difference the new manager has made and everyone has seen it with the way we have played in our last three games.

“It is not the last three games that have put us in the situation we are in now. I think we might have taken more out of the last three but that’s the small details in the Championship sometimes and we want to get better in the next games. We have to be ruthless and get the points — that’s the most important thing.”

Knudsen admitted he will be checking on the outcome of tonight’s Championship fixtures to see how it affects Town ahead of tomorrow’s visit of Lee Johnson’s men, who have dropped down the table after a run of four successive defeats.

“Of course, we will have a little look, but I am not too interested in what they do and I can’t do anything about their results,” he added.

“We have to focus on ourselves and make sure we do our own jobs, because there are still so many games to be played this season and if we do our own jobs we should be fine.

“But, yes, we all look to see the other results because we want to get over the line as soon as possible and that’s what we will be trying to make sure we do.”

Knudsen’s Portman Road future is in the balance as he will be out of contract in the summer, although Lambert has confirmed he would like to retain his services and the player, having spoken briefly to owner Marcus Evans, is happy to put the situation in the hands of his agent for the time being.

Asked if he regretted not moving on before now, with Stoke and Middlesbrough both having shown interest in the summer, he said: “Maybe there has been some talk about it but you have to be strong in situations like that.

“You can’t do anything about it — when it’s gone it’s gone and you have to move on. That’s when you have to be mentally strong and make sure you play the game.

“I obviously didn’t want us to be in the situation we are in now because it’s no fun for anyone. All the players will tell you that.

“We all want to be higher in the league, maybe where we were three or four years ago around the top six, or at least in mid-table.

“But that’s how it is and it’s always easier if you are in a team nearer the top, even in the top six. We have to show who we are now and we have to be strong and show our character.”

It has been a frustrating few months for the 26-year-old Dane, returning from the World Cup and then finding himself axed from manager Paul Hurst’s starting line-up along with another international on duty in Russia, Polish goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski.

He added: “It’s tough to talk about that because they [Hurst and his staff] are gone now but it wasn’t a funny situation for either of us.

“I was not the happiest man in that moment but that’s how it is. He wanted to do it but I don’t want to talk too much about that.”

Knudsen agrees with supporters who see the visit from Bristol City as a must-win game. “I think they are right but we don’t just have to beat Bristol City,” he explained.

“We have to be going into every single game we play between now and the end of the season trying to make sure we win and get points. I think we’ll do it tomorrow.

“It is so important that we win games and get some points on the board before the New Year. I think we can do it. We don’t want to be going into 2019 any further away than we are now.

“We have a lot of games but we must make sure we take points from them. It’s not only about playing better football, it’s about getting better results and then the points as well.”

Photo: TWTD

Suffolkboy added 16:48 - Nov 27 We NEED this man in our squad; thankfully PL believes too ! For the doubters DO compare the discreet manners of both Bart & Jonas and their reluctance , at this moment , to go into the undoubtedly dubious and dark decisions now where they deserve to be ( in the past ) ! Onwards , come on you Blues !
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KiwiTractor added 08:21 - Nov 28 I watched him, under absolutely no pressure, pass the ball straight to a WBA player last weekend - he is poor.
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ArnieM added 09:59 - Nov 28 Knudsen is a poor defender , who thinks he is one of this Clubs top players. He isn't . I wish he was but he is sadly found wanting in every game he plays. I'd rather have Kenlock in there or an U 23 than him. When Knudsen first game tonthebClub I kept making excuses for his errors saying “ he's just got to get used to the English game” etc. 3/4 years on he's no better. Constantly caught out of position. Constantly ( every game) gives the ball away so so cheaply ( don't forget he's supposed to be an international footballer), repeatedly “ jogs” back towards our box having lost possession yet again up field. Lambert might well want him given a contract extension - he can't change everything at once and is currently stuck with him. But I fully expect PL to bring in replacement full backs or bringbon our own absent players when suitable. Knudsen and Spence are shocking defenders. Simply not good enough!

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SouperJim added 11:53 - Nov 28 Yes, but do you rate him ArnieM?
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SheptonMalletBlue added 11:54 - Nov 28 I agree arnie. I'd also add Chambers to Knudsen and Spencer. They talk a good game which seems to fool a lot of fans. In reality they are very poor players!
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