Lee Evans is adamant that Town’s failure to win either of their two most recent games doesn’t ramp up the pressure on them to claim victory in their next stiff test when unbeaten Portsmouth come to Portman Road tomorrow.

A 2-2 draw at Sheffield Wednesday, in a game the Blues were leading 2-0 with only 15 minutes left on the clock, was followed by a first defeat of the season in last weekend’s visit to Plymouth Argyle, where Kieran McKenna’s men were 1-0 ahead until the hosts netted twice in the space of six minutes late on to claim a 2-1 win and with it pole position in the table.

Evans said: “I don’t believe we are under any more pressure going into Saturday’s game. It’s three points, same as every league game, and we’re approaching it in a positive frame of mind.

“It will be the same on Tuesday when we play Cambridge and the same in every other league game. It’s far too early in the season to be looking at league tables and things like that.

“After 10 games I can say we are a team who are improving but there is still a long way to go. We’ll carry on looking to get better and better as the season progresses and just see where it takes us.

“There’s no doubt it’s a big game against Portsmouth. It’s two big clubs going at it against each other. But any win’s a good win and it’s still just three points for the winners.

“If it’s not to be we’ll move on to Tuesday but we’re really looking forward to the game tomorrow. There’s obviously going to be a big crowd of 27,000-plus so the atmosphere will be amazing. Hopefully, we’ll get the win and the three points.

“I love the big crowds and on a personal note I’m really looking forward to this game. We had a big crowd at Sheffield Wednesday recently but this is at home and it’s definitely a game that all the lads are keen to be involved in.

“It’s not just the big crowd, it’s a big game for both ourselves and Portsmouth, so our fans are obviously up for it and we always appreciate their backing.

“To think we will have close on 30,000 people at a League One game is fantastic and our fans have been a big part of what we’ve achieved this season and last season as well. Hopefully, we can send them home happy with the right result.”

Evans is seeking a hat-trick of promotions from the third tier, having already accomplished the feat with previous clubs Wolves and Wigan, and the midfielder was asked how the current Town squad compared to those of the other two.

“It’s right up there with both Wolves and Wigan,” he said. “I count myself fortunate to have been a part of all three.

“Experience always helps and I don’t see how being part of the squads that got both Wigan and Wolves promoted to the Championship can be a hindrance.

“They were two big experiences with two big clubs and I’m hoping to do it all over again with Ipswich, another massive club.”
Town had to surrender their place at the top of League One when they lost at Plymouth last weekend and Evans was asked if it was tough to be leading the pack, with others chasing and snapping at their heels to replace them at the summit.

He replied: “I don’t think we pay too much attention to what other people can say and do, kind of thing. We know what we’re doing; we’re working hard to be the best version of ourselves that we can be. That’s all we can do.

“We’ve been doing our homework on Portsmouth this week. We know all about their threats and what they’ll be trying to do so we’ll be ready.

“I haven’t been in touch with Joe Pigott and nor have any of the lads. He can’t play against us because he’s on loan there but it wouldn’t be right to be tapping him up for any information.”

Evans, who has won four senior caps, is still hoping he can gatecrash the Welsh squad for the forthcoming World Cup in Qatar, although he was absent for his country’s recent Nations League fixtures. He said: “There’s a massive desire on my part because I’m a proud Welshman and I want to play for my country.

“I’ll admit I was waiting for the squad to be announced and hoping I might get the call. It didn’t happen but all I can do is play to the best of my ability for Ipswich and see what happens.

“Hopefully, they are watching and I will have a chance, but players are only picked for their international teams if they are playing well and if their club sides are doing well, so I will keep doing my bit for Ipswich and see what happens.

“I was pleased for Wes [Burns] that he was called up. He has been brilliant since he came here and he earned his chance. That’s a good example of a player in form for his club being called up by his country.”

Evans was asked if team-mate Burns had been present when actor Michael Sheen, at the invitation of manager Rob Page, had delivered a stirring inspirational speech to the squad.

“I honestly don’t know but thanks for reminding me,” he said. “I’m going to ask Wes about that later on. I saw what Michael did on A League of Their Own but I’ve yet to catch up with the one he did for the Welsh lads. That’s something else I need to do.”

Evans also added his voice to the praise being showered on Town youngster Cameron Humphreys, stating: “He’s a really talented boy who obviously has a big future ahead of him and the club are very aware of that.

“We see his ability every day in training — technically he is very good — and the best thing about him is that he is eager to learn and get better.

“Not just me, but Sam [Morsy] and Dom [Ball] as well, we’ve told him that if there’s something he wants to ask us he should just ask.

“We’ll all do our best to help him because we appreciate how good he is and how good he can be in the future. He gives his all in training every day and deserves to succeed. His attitude is spot-on and he won’t go far wrong if he keeps doing that.”

Finally, Evans laughed at the idea that goalkeeper Christian Walton, who almost earned Town a point at Plymouth last week when he went upfield for a stoppage-time corner and saw his header crash back off the bar, might be of use at set pieces against Portsmouth tomorrow.

He said: “He attacked the ball brilliantly, didn’t he? I’ve been telling him to tell our central defenders to do that.

“I think he’s been getting called Zigic [after former Birmingham Serbia striker Nikola] this week in training. It was just unfortunate that it didn’t quite go in.”

Photo: TWTD

Saxonblue74 added 20:23 - Sep 30 Just keep your head together please, we need 11 on the pitch to win this one. That goes for you to Mr Morsy!
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TimmyH added 21:27 - Sep 30 I don't listen to Lee much after his 'better and better' interview of last season...three points the same as any other game BUT in different circumstances in which we've 'blown up' in the 2nd half against probable promotion candidates, it would be unthinkable if it happened again. To me slight pressure on this game to win though it is early in the season...a trend has begun that we're not beating sides currently around us, this needs to finish or it will seem we have found our limit.

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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 09:41 - Oct 1 Sorry, but I think the pressure is definitely ramped up for this game!
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