JASON De Vos is convinced Ipswich Town can now go on a roll following the re-laying of a new Portman Road playing surface.The inspirational Blues skipper took great heart from Saturday's 2-2 Coca-Cola Championship draw at Cardiff City.

By Elvin King

JASON De Vos is convinced Ipswich Town can now go on a roll following the re-laying of a new Portman Road playing surface.

The inspirational Blues skipper took great heart from Saturday's 2-2 Coca-Cola Championship draw at Cardiff City.

The Canadian central defender said: “We have a team which likes to pass the ball.

“This is what we are taught in training by Jim Magilton and Bryan Klug and we plan to open up the pitch as much as possible.

“We did that on Saturday against Cardiff when we kept possession and were able to knock the ball around on an even surface.

“This is our forte and with a better playing surface from now on we will be able to play to our strengths at home - starting with Leeds on Saturday.”

De Vos is joined in his thinking by Gary Roberts, who helped make up a balanced and effective midfield in the Welsh capital.

Roberts, who scored the second equaliser from the penalty spot, said: “We have quality where it counts - in the middle of the park.

“In two international players Sylvain Legwinski and Gavin Williams and in young Owen Garvan, we have a hold over most sides. We showed on Saturday how we can play, and with a pitch that should suit us on Saturday we can gain three points off Leeds.”

De Vos was at the centre of both Cardiff goals when the man he was marking at a third minute corner - Darren Purse - put the Bluebirds ahead, and he then conceded a dubious 66th minute penalty when he raised his left arm at substitute Steve Thompson.

“On top of everything else was the way we battled back and showed our character,” added 32-year-old De Vos, who was furious when he conceded the penalty.

“How can you jump for the ball without raising you arms? You need to do that to reach your full height. My elbow caught Steve Thompson, but it was not intentional.

“Andy Hall is a good referee, but if he felt it was an elbow why was I not sent off? I was not even booked, and he said that if he thought I had been inside the box he would not have blown.”

The impressive Jon Macken scored his second Town goal with a close-range 48th minute effort, before Roberts converted a 73rd minute penalty after the referee adjudged he had been fouled.