Skipper: The boys needed a big lift

By Elvin King

IPSWICH Town skipper Jason De Vos was honest enough to admit: “The boys needed a big lift.”

The inspirational 33-year old added: “And we certainly got one on Saturday.

“The game could have been over at half-time with Lee Camp making some great saves. It was satisfying for both our strikers to find the net with well-taken efforts.

“They have been working their socks off, but, if goals do not follow, it puts extra pressure on the back four to keep clean sheets.

“It is not as though we have been playing badly, but to be fair we were not at our best against QPR.

“The manager has made good signings and we are building something good at this club. It takes time with youngsters and it is all part of a learning curve.

“The manager has been under pressure from day one, but he has not wavered from his beliefs and being mentally strong is one of his assets. After this win we can go to Hull tomorrow with another three points in our sights.”

Talking about his first Town goal, 23-year-old Jonathan Walters said: “It feels fantastic and I hope it's the first of many.

“I thought I had scored in the first half but the keeper pulled off a good save and then Alan scored just after.

“I celebrated that goal more than mine as it was so important to us - and the first since I have been in the team. I think we played better in some of the games that we have lost, but in patches we were excellent.

“You can tense up a little when you haven't scored for some time.”

Gavin Williams confirmed today he will be joining in full training sessions this week and Southend on Saturday is a possible return date for him.

Richard Naylor and Fabian Wilnis are both more likely to play against Ipswich Wanderers in the Suffolk Premier Cup on Wednesday than at Hull tomorrow.

Otherwise Town have no injury worries apart from Michael Synnott's ankle knock, sustained with the Republic of Ireland youth squad.