BRYAN Klug today had a warning for Ipswich Town fans.“Our progress might take time,” said the first team coach.Town chairman David Sheepshanks is banking on the Blues regaining their Premiership status by 2009 having announced a three-year promotion plan at last summer's annual general meeting.

By Elvin King

BRYAN Klug today had a warning for Ipswich Town fans.

“Our progress might take time,” said the first team coach.

Town chairman David Sheepshanks is banking on the Blues regaining their Premiership status by 2009 having announced a three-year promotion plan at last summer's annual general meeting.

“We will be working hard to achieve that objective,” said Klug. “But who knows?

“If we can learn from our 2-0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday on Monday and pull together the deadline can be met. But there is a lot of work to be done.

“We face a long journey to become a force again.

“It has taken time to build a strong team spirit, which is no criticism of the players as we have nine newcomers that have had to gel.

“There are signs now that this is now coming together.

“And if we are to significantly improve what we have got we will need to spend a lot of money.”

Klug was academy director for seven years before joining forces with Jim Magilton to run the Town first team last summer.

He is as keen as the next man to see Ipswich progress, and is confident that better times are ahead.

“Like all Ipswich fans I want to disappear into a dark hole every time we lose,” added the former England youth international who confirms he has no regrets about his change of direction.

Klug revealed that there will be some departures from Portman Road during the summer, saying: “One or two will be moved on to the mutual benefit of both the player and the club.

“And we will be keeping an eye on suitable players who become available.”

The season is by no means over for Klug even though one more point will guarantee Town's Championship status for 2007/08.

“We have four big matches left,” he said. “Derby and Leeds have plenty to play for, while Norwich is a game we all want to win. Cardiff will bring a lot of fans for their final fixture.

“The plan was to see where we would finish if the league had started in the middle of March. And before Monday we were fourth.”

“This bodes well for next season and both Jim and myself have learned a massive amount in the last eight months.”

Town are at home to Derby County on Saturday with an injury doubt surrounding keeper Lewis Price with a bruised foot