PAUL Jewell is fully aware the Super Blues have been forced to watch a lot of “dross” this season.

Which makes Saturday’s victory over bottom-table Coventry, in front of 1,146 travelling fans who braved the freezing temperatures getting to and from the Ricoh Arena, even more sweeter.

And the Town boss was quick to praise the support his side has received in recent weeks.

He said: “More than anything I’m just pleased for the fans. It’s easy to say fans are great – I think a lot people say just to try and curry favour.

“Our fans have been served up a lot of dross since I’ve been in charge, but one thing that has always been there is the support.

“Yes they get disappointed, like we all do, but over a thousand here today, the same again at Birmingham on a Tuesday night, over 20,000 for the West Ham game – brilliant, absolutely brilliant.”

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas gave the Blues the lead with his third goal in two matches but Town found themselves behind at half-time after Sammy Clingan’s penalty and a volley from Gary Deegan on the cusp of half-time.

But an improved performance from the visitors after the break saw them carve a number of good chances out and it was left to Michael Chopra to win the points with a headed brace – the first after Lee Martin’s missed penalty and then a 93rd minute winner.

Two-goal hero Chopra felt it was the kind of game Ipswich should be winning – despite making hard work of lower-placed teams this season.

He said: “I felt when we went 1-0 up, we were in control of the game and then we conceded two sloppy goals.

“We knew it was going to be tough as Coventry are fighting for their lives and they gave us a good game. They battled hard but we have to come out on top when we play teams like Coventry.

“With the players we have got, we should be beating teams like that and be further up the league.

“There is no point playing that well against West Ham and then coming to Coventry and getting beat as we would have thrown away the three points we got in midweek.”