DEAR old pals, jolly old pals.Alex Bruce and Stephen Bywater, warring factions less than 12 months ago yet the best of buddies today.And Bruce today revealed how his Ipswich Town team mates had acted as peacemakers after Bywater joined the Blues last week on an initial season-long loan from Derby County.

Elvin King

DEAR old pals, jolly old pals.

Alex Bruce and Stephen Bywater, warring factions less than 12 months ago yet the best of buddies today.

And Bruce today revealed how his Ipswich Town team mates had acted as peacemakers after Bywater joined the Blues last week on an initial season-long loan from Derby County.

Both were sent off when the Rams visited Portman Road towards the end of last season - with Bywater having to be restrained as he chased Bruce off the pitch.

But all that is forgotten now with Bruce saying: “There was a picture of our confrontation pinned by my peg in our training ground changing room last Thursday - the day that Stephen arrived.

“And written in big letters was 'Round Two'.

“It is typical of the banter that exists in our dressing room, and it broke any ice there might have been.

“Stephen is a great lad, and tempers boiled over on both sides last season when they shouldn't have done. But I think it shows we both like to be winners.”

And winners Town were on Saturday when a stunning goal from Alan Quinn and a striker's finish from Alan Lee saw Ipswich win on their travels for the first time in 19 games.

Bruce, who likened himself to Ronaldo after his left wing cross led to the winning goal, said that perhaps critics will now get off the backs of the team.

“We are sixth place in the table, and it is time people stopped writing negative things about us.

“We should be praised for what we have achieved, and not knock us down.

“The manager has brought in some excellent newcomers and they have fitted in well.

“But it should not be forgotten what the team achieved prior to the transfer window. We have played better and lost than we did on Saturday.”

Bruce says that the future looks rosy at Portman Road, and that Town deserved a bigger win than the 2-1 success against struggling Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

“We had a blatant penalty turned down,” added Bruce, who acted as player spokesman to thank supporters.

“To look up and see the visiting end packed with our fans gave us a big lift,” said Bruce. “They have been brilliant home and away, and it meant a great deal to us all to give them something to cheer on their travels at last.

“We were chatting after the game, and promotion is what we were talking about. This win can be a starting point

“I felt like Ronaldo skipping beyond a defender down the flank and picking out Alan Quinn beyond the far post for Alan Lee's winning goal.”