Ipswich Town have to get better at home if they are to have any chance of reaching the play-offs.

So says Jordan Spence, after the Blues’ 1-0 home loss to Wolves on Saturday – their fifth league defeat at Portman Road this season – left Mick McCarthy’s side sitting eight points adrift of sixth spot, having played a game more than many of those around them.

Indeed, if and when Town ultimately miss out on a place in the play-offs, dropped points at home are likely to have played a major role.

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The draws with Sheffield Wednesday (2-2) and Queens Park Rangers (0-0) represent missed opportunities and, while Spence insists he and his team-mates are still pushing to make the top six, he admits the dropped points at home have been costly.

“That’s the objective,” Spence said of the race to make the top six. “It’s an objective that’s aided quite strongly if you win your home games, but if we can get back to winning ways and put some points on the board then that will take care of itself.

“The disappointing thing is we feel we are more than a match for any team, home or away, but most certainly here. We feel like we’ve dropped points here – Sheffield Wednesday comes straight to mind, but as a group of players we’ll roll up or sleeves, analyse things and try to get better.”

The defender was back in the side for Saturday’s loss after serving a three-game ban following his red card at Fulham, and while he was glad to return to action, he was frustrated to be on the losing side against the Championship leaders.

“Sitting and watching hasn’t been great but I have just tried to participate where I can and in training do what I can and try to be as ready as possible,” he said.

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“It’s good to be back out there, good to have that pre-match feeling again but not so good to have that feeling after a defeat.

“I think people will have their opinions, people always seem to have their opinions on us, how good or bad we are, but nobody gets an easy ride playing against us.

“Are we far from what they are capable of doing? You have to say yes because we are a lot of points behind them. You have to be honest about that.

“But can and should we be able to give everyone a game here? Yes – I feel like we’ve done that for most of the year.”