Michael Chopra refuses to rule out a play-off finish to the season for Ipswich, even if the odds appear to be against them.

The club’s top scorer, on 14 at the moment but anxious to reach his 20-goal target over the remaining nine games, believes Town can continue their impressive form and results to qualify for the play-offs.

That looked to be impossible earlier in the campaign when Paul Jewell’s men hit a form slump that saw them lose seven games on the trot but a sequence of just one defeat in their last 10, reaping 23 points from a possible 30, has suddenly made the end-of-season knockout phase appear within range.

Chopra, 28, said: “The mood could hardly be more positive right now. It is a great place to be and everybody is enjoying their football. It is all about confidence and we’re on a high at the moment.

“Of course it’s a huge challenge for us to make the play-offs. We are still nine points adrift and that’s a fair gap to make up over nine games. But it can be done — it’s not impossible — and we will be trying our hardest to make it happen. We’re on a surge and we just have to keep it going.”

Town will be forced into at least one change after midfielder Grant Leadbitter was sent off for a second bookable offence in stoppage time during Wednesday’s 1-0 home win over Burnley and must serve a one-game ban.

Chopra said: “Grant’s second yellow was for kicking the ball away. He said he was passing the ball back to the keeper but somehow it hit the corner flag!”

Photos: Action Images

Photo: Action Images

Duncan added 09:56 - Mar 24 Great to hear team spirit is high everyone is enjoying themselves supporters included I believe from here we are in a win win situation if we don't make it into the play off's we are looking good for next season. I honestly don't mind what league we are playing in as long as my Saturday afternoons are taken up by plenty of excitement, passion sometimes good football and Ipswich wins so if we stay in this league at least we should see plenty of wins next season - things are looking up!!

0

tellitasiseeit added 09:58 - Mar 24 well done Chop's and indeed all of the team player's not forgetting those that are and have been on the bench,also all those striving to stake their claim for the first team. Who would have predicted our position a few weeks ago,Good time feeling is surely returning to Ipswich Town. Keep it up Make some good signing's to consolidate the team.Then show every one, we are back where we belong. COYB

0

BlueJewells added 10:03 - Mar 24 Chopra and his odds.....
0

Michael11 added 11:05 - Mar 24 Scrap the play off talk this year does anyone actually want to be promoted this year? If peterborough can put 7 past us imagine what man city and utd would do to us! Finish the season strong in confidence improve the defence for next year and crack on next season!
0

Big_Foot_Blue added 11:09 - Mar 24 @ Michael 11, does anyone actually want to get promoted to the best league in the world and give our club which is 60mil in debt, an 90 million pound windfall? ARE YOU MENTAL!?!?!?! People thought Blackpool would get destroyed too but they were financially prudent, just went down but were entertaining to watch and now are doing better than the year they went up... So ummm yeh I'd quite like to go up please ^_^

0

bobble added 11:35 - Mar 24 most of the keane fans wanted us to go down for a year so we could get to this stage,theres some worrying town fans around.
0

Langdon_Blue added 12:00 - Mar 24 Well said Big_foot_blue. I think you summed that up well enough! :-)
0

irishtim added 12:06 - Mar 24 Prob too much to ask but prefer dreaming of playoffs & premier footie than slugging it in league one. If by chance we do go up no doubt we will see some major changes in playing staff. Lets start with a win today & see where it takes us.
0

bluearmy4life added 12:16 - Mar 24 It's good that the players are hungry for success. If we can win the next 3 games on the bounce I think we can make it. We have to start by finally beating Watford on there batch! With the financial backing we have from Marcus Evans we would have a chance.
0

TimmyH added 12:26 - Mar 24 Far too early to be talking about this...we still have to play Leicester and Birmingham. It's a tall order and I can't see it happening.
0

Farmers_Union added 12:32 - Mar 24 Positive Mental Attitude... Gotta be a good thing, playoffs or not!!
0

BillBlue added 12:54 - Mar 24 Well Chops, if you are aiming for the Play Offs then good luck but a Hat Trick today would help a bit! COYB
0

Blogs 297 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls