BLUES boss Jim Magilton believes a win over Watford today could put Ipswich on track for an automatic promotion spot.

Derek Davis

BLUES boss Jim Magilton believes a win over Watford today could put Ipswich on track for an automatic promotion spot.

If Town maintain their unbeaten home record, and notch their 12th victory at Portman Road this season, they will move to within four points of Adie Boothroyd's promotion favourites.

Magilton said: “We set out at the beginning of the season to make the play offs but I believe that automatic is a realistic target now. Momentum is a great thing in football and we have momentum. It would be a real statement of intent of we can beat Watford and close that gap. Whoever finishes above Watford will be promoted because I feel they and West Brom are favourites in this league.

“That should inspire and not intimidate because we now have an opportunity to turn this into a fantastic season.”

But Magilton knows the Hornets are no soft touch with nine away wins and three draws giving them the best away record of the division.

He said: “Watford are a very strong side and this is a great game for us to have straight after the away win.

“They are a confident bunch and will be coming here expecting to win.

“We are ready for them and looking forward to it. We have a very proud home record and we are not looking to give it up so it ahs all the ingredients to be great game.

“Watford have a set way of paying. They are very discipline and everyone knows their roles. They have real pace and a number of players who can hurt you.

“They all defence as they have great work ethic. We have to roll our sleeves up and match that. We also have a set way of playing and we have to keep to that.”

Magilton is looking to use four of his five January signing at Portman Road today, with the fifth, goalkeeper Nick Colgan on the bench.

He said: “We will see how players are. There have been a couple away on international duty and we have seen in the past how that can have an effect with players coming back a bit jaded.

“Shumee (Velice Sumulikoski) has been away with Macedonia but he seems to have fitted in quite well. He is the strong silent type at the moment, no doubt weighing everyone up, and we will decide today whether he starts.”