TO show more grit is what Ipswich Town manager Jim Magilton sees as the answer to improving his side's away results in the Coca-Cola Championship this season.

Elvin King

TO show more grit is what Ipswich Town manager Jim Magilton sees as the answer to improving his side's away results in the Coca-Cola Championship this season.

“Our aim is to better than last season,” said Magilton. “And if so we will be in the promotion mix.”

The Blues finished one point off the play-offs in 2007/08 having lost just once at home. But just three away victories were not enough - and Magilton knows that.

He went on: “The philosophy of this club is to be hard to beat.

“We are scoring more than our fair share of goals - so we have got that part right.

“And the other bit is slowly coming right - keeping them out at the other end.

“Away from home last season at times we were disjointed and perhaps waiting for things to happen.

“There was no lack of desire by the players, but it is they who decide the attitude on the pitch once they cross the white line.

“We must show more grit and know how on our travels.

“We like to entertain - of course we do - but we are searching for a winning brand of football both at home and away.”

From 15th to seventh in the table in his first two seasons in charge shows that progress has been made.

But Magilton knows he must not let this slip.

And it is the competitive nature in him that has seen him take to management like a duck to water.

Yes, tough decisions have had to be made, and yes not every signing may have worked out a success.

But he admits to loving his job.

“It would be wonderful to be here talking away in 20 years time,” he said. “But football is full of surprises.

“I love going into work, and there has been no let up in my desire or enthusiasm.

“Okay, I can be a bit too impatient at times but this is my nature.

“It can become easy to become weighed down with the fear factor.

“To succumb to the pressure as it can quickly suffocate you. But you have to stay above that, and my staff are great at taking much of the weight off my shoulders and pre-empting potential problems.

“And when I go home I am able to unwind and forget about football for a while. This is important.”

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