SOCCER: Ipswich Town fans have been labelled "spoilt." This was declared by Paul Goddard, former Blues coach who was an architect of Sunday's 3-2 West Ham triumph at Portman Road.

By Dave Allard

IPSWICH Town fans have been labelled "spoilt."

This was declared by Paul Goddard, former Blues coach who was an architect of Sunday's 3-2 West Ham triumph at Portman Road.

It left George Burley's crestfallen side still looking for a first Premiership win since the opening home league game of the season in August against Derby.

Goddard, the ex-Blues player and first team coach who left his youth coaches job with Town in the summer to become Glenn Roeder's number two at Upton Park, says: "The Ipswich fans have been spoilt by last season, there is no doubt about that.

"Standards were set so high with qualification for the UEFA Cup and there was even a possibility of the Champions League at one stage. It was a phenomenal achievement, and as a result supporters have taken an unrealistic view of this season.

"So the start this season has been a big disappointment and, at the moment, it is a bitter pill to swallow for those who had particularly high hopes."

But Goddard, whose team have now won three matches after a 5-0 defeat at Everton followed by a 7-1 thrashing at Blackburn, had words of comfort for the Blues faithful after yesterday's 2pm kick-off Sky pay-per-view match.

He said: "There is no need for panic. I think that in the end Town will be fine. There are too many good players there, and too much character and quality for them to be where they are for long.

"Things can turn around quickly and we know all too well that we can get sucked back into the drop zone. We worked hard, very, very hard, as a group in training after the Blackburn match. We've had three straight wins now but are all to aware that it can quickly go the other way again."

Four from bottom of the table Town were watched by a 22,834 crowd in a match where their goals came from Hermann Hreidarsson and Matt Holland.

The visitors goal heroes were Paolo Di Canio, Frederic Kanoute and Jermain Defoe.

The home side were without central defender John McGreal who failed a fitness test on a back injury. New Dane Thomas Gaardsoe came in for a Blues debut.

The other Ipswich change yesterday saw Martijn Reuser return to the midfield in place of Sixto Peralta.

Striker Richard Naylor failed a fitness test on his ankle injury.

Ruled out again were the long term injured Titus Bramble (Ankle) and attacker Finidi George (fractured cheekbone).

England Under 21 central defender Bramble, who has started light training, will be going with the squad to Sweden tomorrow ahead of Thursday's UEFA Cup second round second leg with Helsingborg. The tie stands at 0-0 after the first leg at Portman Road.

A landmark is coming up for Town midfield man Jermaine Wright on Thursday. He is set for a 100th appearance.