Ipswich Town attacker Conor Chaplin is refusing to get carried away with the club’s excellent run of form as The Tractor Boys continue to put pressure on Sheffield Wednesday and Plymouth Argyle at the top of League One.
Chaplin was on the scoresheet in the 2-0 win over Derby County on Saturday as Ipswich extended their winning run to seven matches, closing the gap on leaders Wednesday to just two points.
With Plymouth taking the weekend off league duties to participate in the EFL Trophy final at Wembley – where they suffered a 4-0 loss against Bolton Wanderers – the East Anglian side were able to take advantage to move level on points with their promotion rivals.
The Owls had previously looked to have been running away with the title, but Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Lincoln City was their fifth game without a win and they are now in danger of missing out on automatic promotion altogether having played one more game than the two teams below them.
The momentum seems to be with Ipswich though, and they will be full of confidence heading into the Easter weekend’s double header against Wycombe Wanderers and Cheltenham Town. There are quiet whispers around Portman Road that their four year stay in England’s third tier may be coming to an end, but Chaplin has refused to entertain title talks just yet.
The former Barnsley man has been a key component of Kieran McKenna’s side this season and has hit 20 goals in all competitions. Speaking to East Anglian Daily Times, he said;
“It’s all about Friday (against Wycombe). It would be so naïve to look any further.
“Nobody is going to get caught up with that in the squad because they will come down with a crash if they do. Friday is the only objective.
“We’re very proud of what we’ve done so far – it’s impressive. But I think we can continue it.”
Ipswich have not conceded a goal since the 2-2 draw with Sheffield Wednesday on February 11th and Chaplin believes that the club’s form at both ends of the pitch is behind their late title charge;
“We are keeping clean sheets but we are so, so good going forward at the moment and in a real groove.
“That’s something great because both ends are clicking and we can maybe say we’re getting the run of the green, which we maybe weren’t at other times of the season.
“It’s a little bit of learning, some experience, but the same consistent messages.”
Writers View
Although nobody at Portman Road will admit it, Ipswich must be considered as possibly the favourites to lift the League One crown. Their recent form has been formidable, and it is hard to see just where they will drop points in their remaining eight fixtures.
Plymouth’s heavy defeat at Wembley yesterday could have an adverse effect heading into their clashes with Morecambe and Lincoln City this weekend whilst Sheffield Wednesday seemingly cannot buy a win at the moment.
The Easter period is always a crucial one in the EFL. Don’t be surprised to see Ipswich sitting top of the table this time next week.
