DAMIEN Delaney believes that Ipswich Town should be in the same position as Leicester City, namely in the top six.

Carl Marston

by Carl Marston

DAMIEN Delaney believes that Ipswich Town should be in the same position as Leicester City, namely in the top six.

But he recognises that Town's downfall has been the lack of a killer touch in front of goal.

There was precious little to choose between the two teams at the Walkers Stadium on Sunday, as Town did more than just hold fifth-placed Leicester to a 1-1 draw.

If anything, Roy Keane's men looked more like promotion material than the disappointing hosts.

"We should be a top six side like Leicester, but we are still lacking a bit," insisted Delaney.

"We are proving hard to beat, but we are finding it hard to nick a second goal. If we had got 2-0 up then I'm sure we would have dug in and won the game.

"We're certainly getting some good balls across the box, which most centre-forwards playing against us would have relished.

"We had the chances, and perhaps should have nicked it.

"It shows just how far we have come. We were the team pressing in the second half. I'd never just presume that we were the better team, but it was a good point for us against a top six side," added Delaney.

Ex-QPR and Hull stalwart Delaney would never take all the credit for shoring up Town's back-line, but he has had a massive impact since his recall to the side 10 weeks ago.

In fact, Town have conceded just eight goals in 11 games since Delaney came in from the wilderness.

The no-nonsense defender insists that Town are "making massive strides," after extending the recent run to just one defeat in 14 games at Leicester, which was his first English club.

But the modest 28-year-old has made more than a few impressive strides himself. He certainly looks far more at home as a centre-half, rather than a left-back, having endured a torrid few weeks in that position earlier in the season.

"We should have won it (against Leicester). We are a little bit disappointed, but in a way that's a good thing," continued Delaney.

"It's a good sign that we were not just coming to Leicester to dig in and get a draw.

"I feel we are looking pretty solid away from home. It gives us something to build on into the second half of the season.

"I think we've made massive strides over the last few weeks. Progress is being made," concluded Delaney.