BLUES boss Joe Royle rated the come-from-behind victory over Coventry as the most important win of the season so far.Royle admitted Town did not play particularly well but feels if they can still get results when not performing then it bodes well for automatic promotion.

By Derek Davis

BLUES boss Joe Royle rated the come-from-behind victory over Coventry as the most important win of the season so far.

Royle admitted Town did not play particularly well but feels if they can still get results when not performing then it bodes well for automatic promotion.

He said: “It was a typical Ipswich display. We started badly, slowly and went one down. Then we inched our way back into the game and equalised before half time. We got in front, gave a penalty away and then went back in front. Instead of shutting up shop we went for four, five six goals, but that is then only way we know.

“In many ways it is the most important win of the season for us. If you play not at your best yet score three and win then that is a great omen for us.”

Royle was delighted that his side did not fail at home for the third time in a row and kept on course for an automatic promotion place.

He said: “It was good to get the three points at home. Our form at Portman Road has been the mainstay for us and we are back to averaging two points a game and that is a formula that never fails.”

His strike partnership of Darren Bent and Shefki Kuqi grabbed all three goals and mirrored Town's whole being.

Royle said: “They never give us anything less than 90 minutes and Darren has looked sharp in training, his pace will always give teams problems and those two goals will change him. Strikers thrive on goals and that will do him the world of good. Shefki typifies us. He gives a penalty away, scores the winner and then misses an easy chance from seven inches which only Shefki can do. That is us in a nutshell, that is what we do. But we have scored three goals and we are the leading scorers, which I'm proud of.”

Royle believes Adrian Heath should be given the City manager's job even though the lost and would be the best man to replace Peter Reid, who quit earlier this month.

He said: “If Coventry had played like that all season then my mate Reidy would still be in a job. Adrian has galvanised them and they performed well for him.

“He deserves the chance to get the job and I know it is not my decision but they have played for him and done well.”