Town goalscorer Ellis Harrison says the Blues are now playing with no fear under new boss Paul Lambert. The 24-year-old netted his first competitive goal since joining the club from Bristol Rovers in the summer in Saturday’s 1-1 home draw with Sheffield United.

“He’s improved everyone’s game," Harrison said regarding boss Lambert, who took charge towards the end of October following Paul Hurst's sacking.

“He’s said to us ‘don’t go out there and be scared’ and that’s what everyone’s doing.

“We’re going out there, getting on the ball and making angles for each other. Before, we didn’t really have that and were shy on the ball.

“Now, even the keepers are getting on it and passing out, which is great to see. We’ve gone two games unbeaten and hopefully we can carry that on.

“We’re always confident and the gaffer tells us to go out there with no fear which, as you can see from the sidelines, is how we played. Before we weren't scared but didn’t play with freedom.”

The former Wales U21 international, who was signed from the Pirates for £750,000 by ex-boss Hurst, was making his first start since September, having come on as a sub in the games against Bristol City and Stoke.

The 24-year-old, whose only previous Portman Road goal was in the pre-season friendly against West Ham, started the campaign in Hurst’s team.

But having failed to find the net he dropped out of the side and then suffered an ankle injury in training shortly after returning to the XI in the 1-1 draw with Brentford.

Reflecting on his season up to now, he added: “I got off to an okay start but then dropped off a little and didn’t play as well as I did against West Ham because I was trying too hard.

“When the injury happened I was devastated because I just didn’t want to be on the sidelines, knowing the position we're in. Then a new manager’s come in and I’ve got a new lease of life.

“We need goals, there’s no hiding away from it, and if I can chip in to get us points then great.

"I’m just enjoying my football and it's a relief, because I’ve been out for ten weeks and am looking to prove myself under a new manager to get in the team.

“As long as we get the three points, though, I’m not too bothered if I score. Competition is there and it’s healthy. There’s no bitterness and we all go out together and enjoy each other’s company.

“When anyone is playing it’s always ‘come on, come on, come on’ and they’re the same as well.”

Turning to Saturday’s match, the Newport-born frontman continued: “It was a great point which we deserved. I'd take that against them because they're an unbelievably good team.

“The Championship is very tough. I’ve played in the National League, League One and League Two and they are tough in different ways, but the Championship is unbelievably hard.

“It’s quicker, people are stronger and more clever. No disrespect to those leagues but I’ve had to come in and adapt to that. Hopefully I can set my mark in the next few games.

“I don’t want to jump the gun after one goal because I have to keep working hard and keep learning to become a good Championship player. Ipswich have had good strikers and hopefully I can become one of them.”

The Blues, now four points plus goal difference from safety, are back in action on Boxing Day at QPR, who are 10th having won 1-0 at Nottingham Forest on Saturday, a game which will be show live on Sky Sports via the red button and on iFollow Ipswich.

Photo: TWTD

OwainG1992 added 06:56 - Dec 24 All positives and happy he got his 1st goal. A draw at QPR would be a fine result with the way they have been playing last month or so.
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drewcudders1963 added 07:17 - Dec 24 Great goal and a good performance from Harrison.... he just needs to keep it going !!
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BotesdaleBlue added 08:14 - Dec 24 More evidence, if it were needed, how things were very wrong with Hurst and his henchman. Now with Lambert we have a chance. It will still be difficult, we we have a chance and that is something we can all hold on to for the second half of this season.
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muccletonjoe added 08:31 - Dec 24 Most of them playing far better than they did under Hurst, if Saturday is anything to go by. Chalobah looks much better player now and Nolan looking like he has stuck with and now improving game by game. One exception to that is Edwards , who doesn't seem to have the same enthusiasm for taking people on as he did in August and September. Hopefully that will return.

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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 09:19 - Dec 24 Edwards probably tries to take people on too much in my opinion. He often does something positive but then doesn't top it off by passing the ball at the right moment, and he ends up losing it instead. He tackles back well though and puts in a lot of effort, so I'm not being too negative about him.
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Dissboyitfc added 10:41 - Dec 24 Mucclcton.... I would agree that Edwards has gone off the boil a little and does not seem the player he was earlier in the season. However I don't think Spence has improved, in fact he is getting worst! Will we ever see the best of Bart again? All that said, there are many positives to be seen, so glad we have Lambert as our manager!
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dirtydingusmagee added 11:28 - Dec 24 oh ,thought we had changed our sponsor .Seriously, i do believe the lads have come on since PL came in ,and certainly they are looking more adventurous . Cautiously optimistic about survival now, but the next few games will be crucial to our recovery .
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Dissboyitfc added 12:47 - Dec 24 I said before the Wigan game we needed a minimum 7 points from our next 5 games if we are to realistcly to have a chance of avoiding the drop. So far so good we have 4 from a possible 6, now a minimum of 3 from our next 3 games, I can honestly see us picking up 1 draw and win from the next 3. The improvements are there to see, long may they continue! COYB's
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Pecker added 14:15 - Dec 24 Hope he can continue to improve and score the goals we need to stay in this division. The whole team still need to continue on improving and contributing to the score sheet also. Only positive things since PL took over. I see us beating QPR, drawing with Boro and beating Millwall to give ourselves the Christmas presents we all deserve. As Yazz once sang, the only way is up.

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blueboy1981 added 20:34 - Dec 25 Four points from our next two games, and we are in the mix with a fighting chance. It's now we need to step up, as the others around us are faltering - a golden opportunity that we could well rue if we miss it.
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ArnieM added 23:05 - Dec 25 “WE ARE STAYING UP, SAY, WE ARE STAYING UP”
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chepstowblue added 00:35 - Dec 26 I continue to watch with fear as opponents waste countless chances against us. I can see very little improvement and 0pts from these two tough away matches. If somehow we're still only 5pts from safety come sunday it'll be an achievement.
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