IPSWICH Town were left humiliated at Portman Road last night when arch rivals Norwich City roared to their biggest win on Suffolk soil for over 60 years.

But star midfielder Jimmy Bullard says that Ipswich will still be a great place to be next season.

Town were torn apart time and time again by a rampant Canaries side that followed up their 4-1 victory at Carrow Road in November with a 5-1 thumping on Suffolk soil.

Bullard scored a fine consolation goal for Ipswich, and today he had nothing but praise for Norwich.

“We put in a good shift but Norwich played exceptionally well and they finished their chances expertly,” said the on loan player from Hull City.

“It is not all about hard work – you have to use your brain sometimes, and Norwich did that.

“I feel sorry for our fans as they were terrific and I’ve never played in a derby game that had so much atmosphere.

“It surprised me how intense the atmosphere was having played in a Fulham versus Chelsea game that is not in the same league as these East Anglian affairs.

“It did not feel like a 5-1 as we had plenty of possession and our night was summed up when we pulled back to 3-1 had a corner and then saw Norwich break to score a fourth goals.

“To be fair we were going forward at the end and leaving just two players back, but it was the first two goals that really killed us.

“We came out flying second half, but could not get back into the game.

“We were beaten by a better team, and sport is like that sometimes – it kicks you in the teeth.”

Cynics will look at the money that Ipswich managers have had to spend in recent years compared to what Norwich have been able to hand out.

But it is Norwich that has the better team by far on this evidence, although Bullard showed his class and scored a great goal.

“I struck it well and could have had a couple of others,” he added.

“I’m still really enjoying it here and looking forward to the three final games.

“We will then see what happens.

“I haven’t spoken to Hull. There are a number of Ipswich players out of contract and they deserve to get sorted before thoughts turn to my position.

“But what I do know is that Ipswich is going to be a great place to be next season – despite last night’s woes.”