ITFC: FOR the second home game running Ipswich Town will be playing ‘Arsenal’ when they look to kick-start their flagging Championship season at Portman Road tomorrow (kick-off 3pm).

Their opponents will actually be Doncaster Rovers, a team that Blues manager Paul Jewell today described as the ‘Arsenal of the Championship.’

Ipswich turned over Premier League Gunners 1-0 in the Carling Cup semi-final, first leg nine days ago and based on Jewell’s assumptions similar tactics will go a long way to seeing off Doncaster and begin a move back up the table.

And also give his players a confidence boost with Tuesday’s second leg at the Emirates with Town a draw away from reaching a Wembley Stadium final.

Jewell, who will be in charge at home for the first time since taking over from Roy Keane, rates Rovers and their manager Sean O’Driscoll.

“They are a terrific football team and are a bit like the Arsenal of the Championship the way they pass the ball,” said Jewell.

“They pass it as good as anyone in the division and every player is confident on the ball.

“I watched them play Wolverhampton in the FA Cup on Tuesday, and it was never a 5-0 game.

“At times when they had the ball they were terrific.

“We have got to be patient and when we get the ball we have got to try and make it count.

“Sean O’Driscoll is showing why he is so sought after.

“He took time to make his mark and was under pressure, but the chairman stuck by him and the club is now gaining the benefits.

“They will come and pass the ball, but we must look to build on the good work achieved against Arsenal and give our supporters more to cheer about.”

Jewell knows that he needs to get the Blues winning sooner rather than later, and added: “We really haven’t been good enough in the league.

“The wins have really got to start. We have 20-odd games to go though and with the good players that we have with a slice of luck I’m confident we’ll be fine.”

Jewell says he knows nothing about any Portsmsouth interest in skipper David Norris while Andros Townsend, who was on loan at Ipswich from Tottenham, has joined Watford on loan.