Boss Joe Royle had praise for new striker Alan Lee after the Irishman netted the two goals which gave the Blues a 2-0 win at Southampton. After the game, former Town manager George Burley conceded that it was unlikely that his Saints side would win promotion this season.

Royle said: "I'm pleased for Alan, he's come to us to start scoring goals again. I've always liked him as a player, and you could see today that he can play; he isn't just a physical presence.

"Before he arrived we've been playing a 4-6-0 formation as we've had no strikers. That's hard for a side that likes to go forward.

"We're not getting too excited, we're a long way from the play-offs, but with a few more players coming back you never know."

The Town manager says he is still looking at bringing in another senior forward on loan: "Sam Parkin is still our top scorer and he's been out for two months. You never know what will happen, we're still talking to people."

Royle felt his side weren't ever in any serious danger: "Shane Supple only had one real save to make and it was a magnificent display from the team.

"I never felt we were threatened at any stage, only a few shots from distance, and it shows that we are continuing to move forward, as we have done over the last four games."

Southampton fans spent half-time and much of the second half calling for the head of chairman Rupert Lowe. Burley says that dissent from the terraces was not unexpected: "Fans get frustrated at any club when things don't go right on the pitch, and they haven't gone right here for the last two years.

"And when you lose the best young player in the country, it's even more frustrating. I can understand the reaction

"But losing Theo was not the fault of anyone at Southampton. The chairman was as disappointed as anyone as he has built up the academy.

"I'm not looking for excuses because we didn't deserve anything out of the match. We had an experienced team out there but there are areas that clearly need changing. But it's not going to happen overnight.

"We have a big squad here and virtually everyone has had a chance to play now. I don't think we'll get promotion this season to be honest. But I want a squad in place here, in six months or a year, that will push for promotion."

Burley also had praise for Lee: "He scored two and was a constant threat. We were looking for a good start and then we concede out of nothing after just three minutes. And the longer the game went on Ipswich looked lively on the break."

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