TITUS Bramble today told Ipswich Town fans to ignore the 4-1 scoreline in last night's Carling Cup third round defeat by Wigan Athletic.

Elvin King

TITUS Bramble today told Ipswich Town fans to ignore the 4-1 scoreline in last night's Carling Cup third round defeat by Wigan Athletic.

The Ipswich-born defender was named captain for his return to Suffolk with the firmly-established Premier League club.

“If Ipswich play like that for the rest of the season they will win the Coca-Cola Championship,” said Bramble, who was sold by Town to Newcastle for £5million but still considers Ipswich to be 'my club'.

“In the first half it was Town who looked the Premier League side.

“Our manager had stiff words with us at the interval, and we knew we had to pull our socks up or go out of the competition.

“We could easily have been a couple of goals down by half-time, and were lucky not to be.

“We scored the goal that we knew we needed, but Ipswich hit right back with an equaliser.

“It was then that we stepped up another gear, and we needed to do something.

“Ipswich supporters should not be downhearted. I believe their team is going places.

“It was wonderful to come back and there is no doubt that I want to end my playing career here.

“I am happy with my form, and it helps to keep high standards when you are playing regularly.”

Wigan manager Steve Bruce had praise for his defender, saying:

“He was with Ipswich from the age of eight and had a good upbringing.

“I know how much he likes the club and that is why I made him captain.

“Titus has his critics, but he is made of stern stuff and along with our keeper Chris Kirkland he was our best player.”

Ipswich dominated the first half, but missed chances with Jon Walters equalising a Lee Cattermole effort. Olivier Kapo, Paul Scharner and Henri Camara then sealed a comfortable Wigan victory to put them into the last 16.