Conor Chaplin hailed Ipswich Town’s 2-0 win over Derby County as a “perfect away performance” as the Blues made it seven straight wins — leaving promotion to the Championship currently in their hands.

Town’s top scorer made it 20 for the season as Ipswich maintained their own impressive form — and took further advantage of a slip from stuttering Sheffield Wednesday.

Another professional performance, including an eighth consecutive clean sheet, saw Chaplin finish off a devastating counter-attack to open the scoring before George Hirst smashed home a second to continue his own fine recent form.

Chaplin said: “Derby are a good side with brilliant players. We didn’t expect anything less than a tough game. But I thought, in some ways, it was probably the perfect away performance.

“Two counter-attack goals and counter-attack chances where we probably should have done better and put the game to bed. I thought we should have had a penalty as well.

“They’ve scored a goal which they probably will be a bit disappointed that it’s been chalked off. But I think, on reflection, it was a great away day.”

In front of Town’s ecstatic travelling fans, Chaplin grabbed number 20 with a cool finish. But it was the nature of the goal — the fact just 11 seconds had elapsed between Christian Walton’s throw, Nathan Broadhead’s ranging crossfield pass, Wes Burns’s cushioned header and the final decisive strike — which made the opening goal one of the best of the season.

When told of the 11 seconds, Chaplin simply said “wow!”. He added: “We’ve said in previous weeks and months that [counter-attack goals] were something we wanted to add to our game.

“We feel like we’ve got pace and the quality to do so and I think at Bolton and then twice today, we’ve shown that we can do it. Long may that continue.

“Broady’s pass to Wes was unbelievable and Wes’s header was a rock of a header to miss the man and find me.”

Chaplin said he was “over the moon” to reach the magic 20 mark, admitting: “It was something I was eager to hit but I’m not done yet. I want to keep going and keep pushing. But it’s a proud moment for sure. My teammates have played a main part in that. I’m not just saying that to be a team player.

“Like Wes’s one today, he’s put me in on a one-on-one and it is an easy chance really. I score that nine times out of 10, it’s not exactly a tough chance.

“The amount of assists Wes, Leif [Davis] and other boys have got for me, it’s been easy in terms of finishing. Some of the quality that I’ve been provided with has been nothing short of really good for this level.

“It’s the best feeling [celebrating with the fans when you score] — if you could bottle that and give it to someone, it’s worth an awful lot of money. It makes you smile just thinking about it. It’s honestly the best feeling in the world.

“It’s important for everyone to feel together and be together. You feel such support from them and they give us so much energy on the pitch. To spend that moment afterwards and share it together is a beautiful thing.”

Ever the professional, Chaplin was actually left disappointed he — and Town — didn’t leave Derby with even more goals, the forward having a headed rebound chance to keeper Joe Wildsmith shortly after putting the Blues in front, before later being denied a penalty when he was clearly tripped in the area by veteran Rams defender Craig Forsyth.

He said: “I think I should have had another goal, to be honest. The defender [Eiran Cashin] has done well. I think I was there first but it’s just hit him. I was a little disappointed with that. I feel like I am good in the air and I can finish — I enjoy it.

“And we 100 per cent should have had a penalty. Forsyth said to me afterwards ‘how has he [the ref] not given that?’, so I think that says it all.

“Obviously, he hasn’t meant to. I’ve gone to cross the ball with my right foot and he has clipped me as I put my foot back. I don’t know what the ref’s thinking there, it looked an easy one to give. I haven’t seen it but he clipped me and it’s a penalty and he knows it. That would have been nice.

“But we are very proud of this record and we want to continue it. I know we have been keeping clean sheets but we are so, so, so good going forward at the moment — we are in a real groove.

“Both ends of the pitch are clicking and, I guess you can say, we are getting the rub of the green when we weren’t at other times in the season. Though to be honest, we’ve been doing nothing different to what we have done the whole season.

“A little bit of learning, a little bit of experience from some types of games, but I think we have been having the same consistent messages throughout the whole season.”

Chaplin also paid tribute to those unfortunate not to make the matchday squad, saying: “I couldn’t be happier right now. I’m proud of all the boys — that’s the overriding feeling. Even the boys that aren’t in the matchday squad, I think we work so hard at times.

“It’s just worth it on away days like that. I just feel like everyone has contributed to that victory, whether they are here or not. They are such a good group and such good players, even the ones that aren’t in the matchday squad. It’s a win for the whole squad.”

The away day win rounded off a great couple of weeks for Town who, despite not playing during the international break, saw promotion rivals Sheffield Wednesday and Barnsley lost points.

For Chaplin personally, he also scored a hat-trick, his first for the Blues, during a behind-closed-doors training game against Tottenham Hotspur.

But he said: “The training ground doesn’t count. Unless it is in front of these people, it doesn’t count.”

Chaplin laughed when he was reminded manager Kieran McKenna has subbed him on a hat-trick in competitive matches six times this season.

“You could say that, I won’t speak too loudly, he’s only over there! It was a good practice for everyone. Everyone had good minutes and it was good to see.

“The performance Greg [Leigh] has put in was absolutely outstanding. Leif has been massive for us this season, such a big part of the squad and a big part of the way we play, and Greg was unbelievable.

“It’s not actually been that nice to be fair, I’ve missed the games. We’ve had a while to wait for a game. But I think we were full of energy today and I think maybe that’s given us a bit of a boost to go again.”

When suggested that 20 goals was a real landmark for a striker, Chaplin quipped: “I’m not a striker — them days are gone.

“We have eight big games left. Seven games left this month, which we all focus on to the next one on Friday. I want to score more and help the team more, I’m keen to do that. I can’t wait to get back to Portman Road on Friday and go again.

“We are only looking at Friday — it’s so naïve to look any further than that. No one is going to get caught up in that in this squad. They will come down with a crash from the rest of the lads if they do. Friday is the only objective.

“I think any goal is a big goal at this stage of the season. There are eight games left, it’s crunch time as such. I know it sounds like a broken record or a cliché, but genuinely every single staff member and player is just focused on Friday.

“Rest and recovery this week, we’ve got a shorter training week because the game is a day early, we’ll be back in on Monday and go again.”

After one reporter reminded Chaplin about Ipswich’s spectacular form that has heralded seven straight wins and eight consecutive clean sheets, he simply said, “Friday, Friday, Friday” to underline that the Blues are taking it just one game at a time — even if excitement is reaching fever point all around IP1 and beyond.

Photos: Pagepix/TWTD

Scuzzer added 09:34 - Apr 2 Apart from getting two silly yellow cards for time wasting. Dont know why teams still do it as it's just added on at the end...3 minutes first half 7 minutes second.
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Ipswichbusiness added 09:40 - Apr 2 I agree with him; it was a superb away performance and we should concentrate on Friday.
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Buryblue78 added 09:43 - Apr 2 Everyone at the club are having the time of their lives Best time to be a Town fan for 22 years I'd say Enjoy the ride You've earn't it!!!
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Karlosfandangal added 10:47 - Apr 2 I was very lucky to watch Town in the 70's and 80's and of course the promotion to the Prem. Have to say this is the best football I have seen from Town for a very long time. I was not sure about Hirst was not sure why KMK wanted him……..I can see why now. Never thought our 20 a season a man we all wanted would be Chaplin…….looks dangerous ever time he has the ball. Clarke is getting better and better…..but for me Broadhead reminds me of Mariner…..what a player he is the cross to Chaplin was unbelievable. If he stays with Town I can see him beating Crawfords record as he will only get better and better.

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Bazza8564 added 11:25 - Apr 2 Definitely feels like the 70s again, crowds building and club being rebuilt in a sustainable way. As Conor says, those feelings of celebrating are spine tingling, everybody who was in that corner yesterday will have memories that will last ages. Its just amazing to be on this journey again
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norfolkbluey added 12:22 - Apr 2 Definitely feels like the really old days again. Started teaching in 1970 and went to almost all the home games in my first teaching post despite having to teach on a Saturday morning. Away games were almost impossible. In McK there has been a long overdue change in footballing styles which he has bought to the club. I just hope the board sees what a great manager in the making we have. The players he has assembled is not accidental and most will do well next year in the Championship. This is a must year as we haven't seen the like for a long time. COYB Well done to the whole squad what a pleasure to watch.

4

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 13:09 - Apr 2 Agree this squad could hold its own in the Championship. Just got to get there first. COYB!
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Gforce added 13:27 - Apr 2 Nailed on to be player of the year although Morsy fully deserves to be a fairly close second.
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Suffolkboy added 14:11 - Apr 2 KM ( ably helped by MA & co) remains the key here – a potentvially great man manager, a super Coach, and an articulate intelligent hinge and speaker . ITFC are responding well in every area and it must be a true delight as a Player and member of Club staff to witness and be a part of a project so exciting ! COYB
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joyousblue added 14:58 - Apr 2 Clubs will be looking at mckenna , but its a money game , and they will want to see him progress up the leagues which suits us fine , and what i love is if we do get promoted they are looking st a caliber of players to achieve the higher standard , how great is this , just rcstatic
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Suffolkboy added 15:25 - Apr 2 Whoops ! – for ‘hinge ‘ read thinker !! COYB
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BobbyBell added 16:08 - Apr 2 KMK has built this squad with patience, calmness and a standard of coaching that has improved every player. The club have never pressured him and he has been given everything he wanted. Better pitches at the training ground, a new PR pitch coming, backing in the transfer market and an awesome staff behind him. This is so much like the backing that Bobby Robson was given back in the day. The family club atmosphere is back and things are on the up.

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Nobbysnuts added 17:18 - Apr 2 The first goal was just pure quality....what a move..devastating
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BurleysGloryDays added 18:44 - Apr 2 Chaplin - what a hero he's becoming, long may it continue and our new era is finally underway. Exceptional stuff from the owners, board, manager, players and fans. As one, we will go very far. And the owners will be vindicated in choosing ITFC. The more they put in, the more they'll get out. Suffolk will come out in ever bigger numbers. And the amount of people I speak to the world over that have an old love for ITFC from our former glory years. It all lies ahead if we stay as one.

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flyingdutchman added 01:59 - Apr 3 Mcarthy last famous words be careful what you wish fore. Tell that to Blackpool lmfao my
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barrystedmunds added 14:40 - Apr 3 I suspect it's sour grapes but casting an eye over the Rams fans forum a few (bitter and twisted no doubt) suggest that we are a team of time wasting, injury feigning, ref baiting, whinging t*# !!! Kinda flys in the face of Connors claim!!! 😂😂😂😂😂 Admittedly, a considerable amount acknowledge we're the best team to have played them this season.
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Linkboy13 added 08:39 - Apr 4 Stayed up in beautiful Derbyshire for a few days so a bit late with my opinions on the game. Yes agree with Conners assessment on the game. The only danger apart from Mcgoldrick who looks way too good for league one came down Derby's right side where Leigh got beaten on his out side a bit too easily at times although in his defence he didn't get much help defensively from a midfield player dropping back as Burns does on the other side of the pitch who i thought was man of the match for me having a hand in both goals as well as his defending work such a good team player. Finally great support from the Town fans even i was singing what a superb day.

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