SAM Parkin today reassured Ipswich fans it will only be a matter of time before he starts hitting the net.The 24-year-old striker - purchased from Swindon during the close-season - grazed a post and missed a couple of clear chances as the Blues got their Championship campaign off to a winning start with a 1-0 success over Cardiff City at Portman Road on Saturday.

SAM Parkin today reassured Ipswich fans it will only be a matter of time before he starts hitting the net.

The 24-year-old striker - purchased from Swindon during the close-season - grazed a post and missed a couple of clear chances as the Blues got their Championship campaign off to a winning start with a 1-0 success over Cardiff City at Portman Road on Saturday.

It was his strike partner Nick Forster who claimed the headlines with a well-taken 65th minute goal.

But Parkin (pictured) said: “I am a strong character and my time will come. It will only be a matter of time before the goals arrive.

“I am looking forward to possibly opening my account at Queen's Park Rangers tomorrow.

“I have got to stay positive, and if I wasn't getting chances I would be concerned.

“The opportunities are there and it is a case of finishing them off. Like all strikers I know that getting into the right positions is half of the battle.

“On another day it could have been me celebrating the winning goal.

“There is a lot to come from my partnership with Nick and I am convinced we will form a very good understanding.

“He was very lively on Saturday and was a handful for the Cardiff defence.”

Forster went off early against the Bluebirds, but will be fit to face QPR in the capital tomorrow.

But vice captain Jason De Vos, who suffered two broken ribs, is a definite non-starter and is expected to be out for a month or more.

The Canada international made a late decision to play and turned in a sterling display beside Richard Naylor at the heart of the defence.

And Town fans were treated to a highly impressive debut from 17-year-old Owen Garvan, with the Dublin-born midfielder catching the eye with a quality performance.

Meanwhile, early indications that this season will be the toughest-ever in the Coca-Cola Championship were provided when all three of the relegated Premiership sides failed to win on the opening day.

And Crystal Palace, despite persuading Andy Johnson to stay at the club, suffered the biggest shock.

They were beaten 2-1 at home by League One champions Luton amid claims that the relegated Premiership club did not take the newcomers seriously enough.

Hatters boss Mick Newell was angry with “condescending” remarks in the match programme suggesting the game was their “cup final.”

Newell said: I read a couple of things that disturbed me. They were saying this would be our cup final and that we would want to prove our critics wrong.

“But I'm not aware that we have any critics. I do not expect to read condescending comments from fellow professionals in the opposition programme. This was never going to be our cup final.”

And Luton proved their point even though Johnson scored, and goals from Steve Howard and Ahmet Brkovic took the points.

The two other relegated sides Southampton and Norwich both managed only draws - in a stalemate with Wolves at St Mary's and a 1-1 draw with visiting Coventry respectively.

Dickson Etuhu and David Nugent, both transfer targets for Premiership Everton, scored the Preston goals in their 2-1 win at Watford.