THEY might have won just twice in their last 15 games – a dire run that has seen the Blues plummet towards the wrong end of the Championship.

But stand-in skipper Ibrahima Sonko insists there is no crisis of confidence running through Ipswich Town.

In fact, from Paul Jewell at the top right through to the youngsters who have entered the team at such a critical stage, Sonko believes no one is feeling the pressure at Portman Road.

He explained: “He (Jewell) has been a manager for a long time and I am sure he is dealing with the pressure. And he has put no pressure on us, he just keeps telling us to win the next game.

“For someone who is meant to be under pressure, I have got so much respect for him. Sometimes a manager in that situation might get nasty, but he has been superb – we owe him.”

And it seems a similar story for youngsters such as Luke Hyam, Josh Carson and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas who have been told to forget about Town’s worrying league position – they are currently just four points and three places off the relegation zone.

Sonko said: “They are under no pressure. They are here to prove themselves but nobody will say anything if they get it wrong. In a few years’ time, they will be the older ones and people will be on their case. But right now, if they work hard and keep it simple, I am sure they will all come through like they did last Saturday.”

A Senegalese international, Sonko was one of the ‘old heads’ in a Town side that started last weekend’s match against Blackpool with an average age of under 25.

Town fans went home hopeful after Hyam and Carson belied their tender years to put in an impressive performance, let down only by their failure to see out the victory.

All eyes will be on Jewell this afternoon as he decides whether to keep faith in youth or restore older heads with Damien Delaney, Grant Leadbitter and Jimmy Bullard all hoping to win back their place.

If Leadbitter has to settle for a place on the bench, Sonko should again lead Ipswich after he was given the armband against Blackpool.

And he said: “It was a big surprise for me but I was happy. But right now we need 22 captains in the squad. Even if I don’t have the armband, we all want the same thing.”