IPSWICH Town striker Alan Lee says the pressure will be on when the Blues entertain Southampton in the Coca-Cola Championship tomorrow night.It was yet another inept away performance at Cardiff City on Saturday when the 1-0 defeat made it 13 matches without a win away from Portman Road.

By Elvin King

IPSWICH Town striker Alan Lee says the pressure will be on when the Blues entertain Southampton in the Coca-Cola Championship tomorrow night.

It was yet another inept away performance at Cardiff City on Saturday when the 1-0 defeat made it 13 matches without a win away from Portman Road.

Town have pocketed just four points out of 27 on their travels, and leading scorer Lee knows that it is imperative to maintain the 100 per cent home run if Ipswich are to remain serious promotion candidates.

He said: “Failing to win away puts the pressure on us at home.

“We will feel it tomorrow night because we know the importance of gaining three points.

“We may have won our previous 11 home matches, but losing on Saturday will make it tougher against Southamp-ton.”

Lee is, however, confident that Ipswich's home winning sequence can be extended to 13 by the end of this week.

He added: “By seeing off Southampton, and then Barnsley on Saturday, we will be back up there again.”

It is the first time in 41 years that Ipswich have failed to score against Cardiff with Lee going closest in the first 20 seconds.

Playing against his former club he lobbed the keeper only for the ball to rebound off the woodwork.

Lee said: “I was certain I was going to score, but the ball hit the bar and then the post. I struck it in the one place I could.”

Lee offered no excuses for another lacklustre display in this chalk and cheese campaign.

“We have got to look at ways of creating more chances away from home,” he said.

“It is our fault we are struggling.

“No one is trying harder than the players to put it right. We lacked composure, although we did improve in the second half when the damage was done.

“We approach away games the same as home games and an early goal could have changed things.”

Welshman Gavin Williams' return to action was a bonus for Ipswich, as was the fact that no injuries were picked up.

“It is a huge bonus having Gavin back,” said Lee. “He is potentially our best player.

“When he is on song he is brilliant.

“We have a busy period coming up with five home games and just two away before Christmas.

“We have a virtual clean bill of health, which is important as we approach a vital part of the campaign.

“We will come out all guns blazing tomorrow and to pull together for another winning home performance.”