Willie: We've got guts

WILLIE Donachie today paid tribute to his Ipswich players for the guts they showed in the demolition that put Town back on course for the Premiership.

And the Blues assistant manager (pictured) can now see the club making it to the top flight after the 6-0 thrashing of Nottingham Forest.

The Portman Road thriller saw style after three consecutive Coca-Cola Championship defeats.

Donachie, who has been a significant partner in manager Joe Royle's successes at Oldham, Everton and Manchester City, said: “After a trio of defeats it needed guts to go out and play like that. The players showed the character necessary to get back to winning ways.

“And they were very brave considering the pressure they were all under.

“Joe and myself did not put pressure on the lads, but it was coming from other places during the week.

“The team played some great football and I can see it working out for us.”

Donachie, who normally lets his work on the training ground do the talking for him, explained the reasoning behind a switch in formation to 3-5-2 that proved so effective.

The former Scottish international said: “Joe thought that a change would suit the players we have got.

“We have kept believing and as long as we keep attacking and keep getting in shots we can look ahead with confidence.

“Against Watford last month we had 20 shots and lost the game. On Saturday we had 20 shots and won handsomely.

“This was going to happen sooner or later.”

The victory margin was the highest in Royle's time at Portman beating the 6-1 success over Burnley, while Crewe were beaten 6-4 in an incredible game last season.

The gloss was slightly taken off the victory with Wigan and Sunderland maintaining their three-point lead at the top of the table, but that could be different if Town grab three points at a Cardiff club in turmoil tomorrow night.