IPSWICH Town legend Mick Mills today gave Blues boss Jim Magilton a spot of advice.“Stay where you are,” said Mills, who watched Town under Magilton for the first time in Saturday's rip-roaring 4-1 Coca-Cola Championship win over Sheffield Wednesday at Portman Road.

By Elvin King

IPSWICH Town legend Mick Mills today gave Blues boss Jim Magilton a spot of advice.

“Stay where you are,” said Mills, who watched Town under Magilton for the first time in Saturday's rip-roaring 4-1 Coca-Cola Championship win over Sheffield Wednesday at Portman Road.

Proud to be the first to be inducted into the Ipswich Town hall of fame along with Ray Crawford, Ted Phillips and John Wark, and given a wonderfully warm reception by Blues fans, Mills watched the game beside chairman David Sheepshanks in the front row of the directors' box.

“On the other side of David was Jim all wired up to the dug-out,” said Mills, a former manager and coach who now monitors players.

“It is where he should be all season. It would do the world of good as you can see so much more.

“At ground level it is all legs and you have a much better perception of the game as regards distances and patterns from higher up.

“Jim can always pop down to the dug-out in the later stages of each half if necessary.”

While Mills praised the contribution of Town's strikers and can see a fruitful partnership forming between Alan Lee and Pablo Counago, it was Tommy Miller who he picked out for special mention.

“To be honest there was not too much energy being displayed by either midfield, but Tommy's attitude was brilliant,” said Mills, who made 741 appearances for Ipswich over 17 years and won 42 England caps.

“We know from before that both Tommy and Pablo can play and their ages are still fine.

“It was incredible how Tommy was getting back after making runs and he can be a big plus for Town. He showed he still has the desire.

“Having Alan Lee still around is a big bonus. It is very hard to replace a 17-goal a season man.”

Another Ipswich all-time great, Kevin Beattie, was also at Portman Road as Ipswich opened the season with a bang.

He said: “As a defender I would rather have marked Francis Jeffers than Pablo Counago.

“Pablo is so clever the way he twists and turns and it is a fantastic coup for Jim Magilton to get him back.”

Jeffers was jeered every time he touched the ball as Lee (2), Gary Roberts and Counago scored the goals to inflict the heaviest defeat on Wednesday since Brian Laws took over.

While Ipswich have no injury problems for their Carling Cup game tomorrow, Magilton is expected to make a couple of changes to give players a chance to get match fit.