PAUL Taylor has been backed as the man who can fire Ipswich Town up the table.

The Blues may have dropped into the Championship relegation zone following Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Middlesbrough, but Paul Jewell’s men can take heart from arguably their best performance of the season.

A lack of cutting edge was the difference as the hosts ruthlessly exploited one first half mistake before adding a late second on the counter-attack as Town piled on the pressure.

However, Taylor – a recent �1.5m signing from Peterborough – has shown plenty of signs that he can be the man to provide the goals following two impressive displays.

“I think he’s a terrific player,” said Jewell. “He’s shown good skills, but the only thing I would say is he hasn’t hit the target enough. Maybe he’s trying that little bit too hard.”

Blues keeper Scott Loach added: “We would rather him shoot and miss than not shoot at all. When he gets on the ball, he looks a right spark.

“The gaffer bought him for a reason. I know the fans are disappointed but they can see that we are all putting the effort in.”

And Boro boss Tony Mowbray also had some words of encouragement for supporters of his former club. The Blues’ 2000 play-off hero, said: “You have to say Ipswich played very well. I was there for nine years and the culture, philosophy and expectation at that club is that they take care of the ball. They showed that today, but just lacked a bit of cutting edge.

“I really like Taylor – he’s a player who will score goals. Ipswich have some good footballers in midfield, good options in the wide areas, the full-backs are attack-minded. They’ll win football matches.”