NOW for the play off places.

Derek Davis

By Derek Davis

NOW for the play off places.

David Norris has set himself a personal target of seven goals for the season and is convinced the Blues can gatecrash their way into the top six.

Norris banged in his first goal of the season as he hit the winner at Blackpool and believes Ipswich can carry on their good form at Doncaster next week to lift themselves higher in the table.

Although they took all three points at Bloomfield Road Town remain in eighth place and Norris knows they have to maintain their momentum.

He said: “The league is so tight so we know, as we have shown, if you get a few results you jump up the table.

“No one looks like they are going to run away with it but if anyone can find consistency they will be up there.

“Teams are being each other every week and if we can put a few wins together we know where that will take us.”

After suffering an early season wobble Town have gone six games unbeaten and risen to within a point of sixth placed Cardiff City, who Norris feels they can overhaul.

He said: “We all know where we want to be and that is minimum the play-off places.

“We know with the set up we have and the investment we have had then we should be up there.

“The pressure is on for us to do that and we have never had any doubt we can be in there at the least.

“There was a bit of negativity but we have never really felt under pressure.”

There has been a correlation between Norris' improved form after recovering from injury, and his getting used to his £2m move from Plymouth,a nd the team's results.

Norris said: “Personally and for the team things are turning around.

“Everyone is buzzing but we have to keep it going now.

“Morale is up, confidence is up and we know Doncaster will be hard game but we go there on a high.”

Norris also feels sticking with the same side helps as Town have won three in a row when Norris has played with the same XI, and only dropped pints when he was suspended for the Charlton game.

Norris said: “Earlier in the season we were chopping and changing but it helps when we have the same side.

“We know we can change personnel or the formation just like that now if we need to.

“Having a setttled side has helped us. Everyone who plays wants to play every game but the more you play with each other the more you get used to each others game and that helps.

“The thing is we have such a big squad and everyone wants to play. We have strength in depth and we know we are going to need everyone.

““I feel at home settled into a new house and into the area and that all helps.

“I have really settled into the team now. I feel at home and all round I feel that helps.”

The winner at Blackpool was the former Bolton midfielder's first of the season and weight off his mind.

Norris said: “I was due one. I like to get six or seven in a season so to get off the mark is a good feeling.

“I have been close but that was a good one to get and being the winner makes it all the sweeter.”

Norris fired home after Gareth McAuley header was cleared to him and the Irishman was convinced his effort ahd already crossed the line.

Norris said: “Gareth thought it was in and he wants one.

“This one came back to me but Gareth will get his fair share this season.”

The midfielder was full of praise for his skipper and the defensive unit.

He added: “You need a big strong centre half to match the big strikers many teams have and Gareth and Richard Naylor did that again

“The back four and the keeper were superb.

“Blackpool were a hard-working team so we did well to hang on.

“We had couple of hairy moments but we dealt with that.”

derek.davis@eadt.co.uk