GAVIN Williams emerged as the one bright spot as Ipswich Town slumped to their 13th away game in a row without a win.The Wales midfielder was so desperate to get back playing he even wore odd boots against the club he supported as a boy, and once had a trial with.

By Derek Davis

GAVIN Williams emerged as the one bright spot as Ipswich Town slumped to their 13th away game in a row without a win.

The Wales midfielder was so desperate to get back playing he even wore odd boots against the club he supporter as a boy, and once had a trial with.

It all ended in disappointment back then just as it did on Saturday with Paul Parry consigning Ipswich to defeat.

Williams said: “It was good to be back playing again but I'm very disappointed with the result.

“We didn't deserve anything out of the game. We were poor in a poor match.

“It was nice in a way that my first game was back home, at Cardiff. I was a fan as a kid and a lot of my family and friends are Cardiff fans, although they are adopted Ipswich fans as well now.

“I had family and friends at the game and they probably had split loyalties.

“It is a long way for them to come to Ipswich to see me play, a few miles down the road is a lot easier.

“I'm just disappointed they didn't see a better game and a better performance from us.

“I'd like to see Cardiff do well but all that really concerns me is Ipswich and our results. That is all I'm worried about.”

Williams was wearing one Nike boot and one adidas boot for his first game back since rupturing ankle ligaments in a pre-season friendly against Panathinaikos.

Williams explained: “I had to wear a special insole on my left foot to help with the ankle and it's pretty thick.

“I can't get my match boots on with the insole in place so I had to wear one match boot on the right and the boot I wear for training on my left.”

Like everyone else Williams is at a loss to explain why the Blues have failed to win on the road since beating Luton last March.

He said: “We are two different teams at the moment. We are unbelievable at home but away we have been struggling

“I don't know why we have not done better away. Maybe it's a confidence thing but we have to put it right and quickly. Once we get one win then that will kick-start a few more but at the moment, it's finding that first win.”

Williams was the only change to the side that beat Bristol City 6-0 at Portman Road before the international break and Ipswich manager Jim Magilton has vowed to make changes in the next away game, ironically at Bristol City next week.

Williams is not sure if playing against Southampton tomorrow may be too much too soon for him.

He said: “I had played three games before the Cardiff match. I played 70 minutes for the reserves at Tottenham and then again at Peterborough and I also played in a full practice match at Portman Road so I did have some football in me before the game and I was confident I would be OK.

“I was running on empty for the last 10 minutes - my legs had gone - but overall I was pleased to get through the 90 minutes.

“Two games in four days is going to be a big ask though but it will be down to how I feel and what the gaffer and the medical team say.”

The longest run Town have gone without winning away is 30 matches, set in the 1963-64 season.