INSPIRATIONAL Richard Naylor has praised the tactical switch by Joe Royle that led to the Blues thumping six past hapless Nottingham Forest.The Ipswich Town defender was outstanding on the left side of a three-man back line and despite it being a novel experience, handled it well.

INSPIRATIONAL Richard Naylor has praised the tactical switch by Joe Royle that led to the Blues thumping six past hapless Nottingham Forest.

The Ipswich Town defender was outstanding on the left side of a three-man back line and despite it being a novel experience, handled it well.

He said: “It was the first time I had played in a three but I felt comfortable with Jason (De Vos) and David (Unsworth) alongside me. It obviously suited the players and Fabian (Wilnis) and Matt (Richards) did extremely well.

“The manager had us practising it during the week and it worked really well.

“We needed to do something after losing and not scoring for a couple of games and this was the answer.

“Everybody played well and deserved it.”

The club's longest-serving player, with 10 years' service under his belt, is convinced the victory will go a long way to getting the team back on the right track.

He said: “It was a big win for us and will give everyone, supporters and players, a big lift.

“But we won't get carried away, there is still a long way to go and lots of things can happen yet, although this will put pressure on the top two.

“We go to Cardiff on Tuesday and that is never an easy place to go with their fans getting right behind the team.

“It will be a tough game but we will go there high on confidence knowing we are capable of winning.”

Naylor settled the nerves and set Town on their way to victory with a 27th-minute headed goal from a Jim Magilton corner but revealed he had Jason De Vos to thank.

He said: “Jason had spotted something in the Forest defence and so he told me basically to follow him in. He drew the defenders away and I was able to get my head on Jim's corner.

“It was important to get that first goal because that is what we have lacked recently, playing well but not getting that goal.”

Naylor also praised the contribution of midfielder Tommy Miller and striker Darren Bent, two contenders for man of the match.

He said: “Tommy is an excellent player and showed that by getting on the ball and everyone was made up for Benty when he scored.”

Ex-Ipswich Town and current Derby County manager George Burley was in the directors' box to watch the game, while former Blues defender Jamie Clapham was also among the crowd and is convinced Town will go up this season.

Clapham said: “I have never seen Ipswich lose when I have come to watch them and I clearly picked a good day to see them.

“The system worked well for them, it gave Jim Magilton the opportunity to get on the ball a lot first half and Tommy Miller stepped up even more in the second half.

“Getting Shefki (Kuqi) back was obviously a big boost for them and overall Ipswich were excellent.

“There is no reason why they can't go up, they have come through their bad patch and look strong but there is still some way to go yet.”

The Blues' squad will travel down to Cardiff this morning with skipper Magilton an injury worry after he was taken off at half time complaining of a tight calf muscle.

Naylor confirmed he should be fine although he will rest his sore hamstring today.

derek.davis@eadt.co.uk