Boss Paul Cook says he’s not taking the Blues’ next three opponents - his old club Wigan Athletic, who Town visit on Saturday, Bristol Rovers, who are at Portman Road on Good Friday and Rochdale, who host the Blues the following Monday - lightly despite the trio sitting in 22nd, 21st and 24th in League One respectively.

Town, 10th and two points off the top six following last night’s fixtures, have 11 games left with their run-in looking benign when compared to some of their rivals for play-off places with Charlton (seventh) the only side they have to face who are currently above them.

In addition to the next three games, they host the MK Dons (13th), before three away trips to AFC Wimbledon (23rd), Charlton and Northampton (20th), before the home fixture against the Dons.

Two more back-to-back away games at Swindon (19th) and Shrewsbury (17th) are followed by a final day home game against Fleetwood (15th).

But Cook rebuffed the suggestion that the upcoming three-game run might be seen as easy: “One of the good things, as you guys know, on paper we have a fantastic run-in. Unfortunately, we don’t play on paper, we play on pitches.

“You will get to know me over a period of time. I have the utmost respect for every team we play. It doesn’t matter who we’re playing, everyone wants to beat Ipswich Town.

“If you look at Fleetwood last week for an example, Fleetwood were magnificent against us on Tuesday night and they never offered much of a leg on the Saturday against Swindon at home [when they lost 2-0]. That’s what can happen with clubs with not as much stature as us.

“For us, the demands on us are set every week, every Tuesday, every Saturday, we’ve got to hit those heights.

“From there we will concentrate on the Wigan game and if we can beat Wigan on Saturday, it will put us in a great place going towards Bristol Rovers on the Friday.”

Asked how important mental strength is when it comes to putting in the run of sustained form the Blues need, he said: “It’s one of the things with you [the media], I’m sure over the years you get tired of asking me the same questions or whoever’s been in my position, we go from game to game and depending on the results it’s how the mood can change.

“I think people know, we are massively a work in progress as a club now. We are what we consider a giant in this division that doesn’t want to be in the league.

“To get out of the league, you can’t keep talking about it every week and keep coming up with stupid statements. Less talking and more action.”

Photo: Matchday Images

Europablue added 11:45 - Mar 24 Cook is saying exactly what we want to hear. I look forward to an impact on the pitch.
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TimmyH added 11:51 - Mar 24 Problem is these teams are scrapping for their lives to avoid relegation and in a league which is fairly tight from top to bottom these are all banana skins particularly away from home...they might look easier on paper.
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Suffolkboy added 13:43 - Mar 24 Resolute, positive , unfussed, direct and calmly intent : go to it PC , make sure we all set and live up to the standards and example you aim for ! COYB
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DifferentGravy added 16:38 - Mar 24 Yep......4-4-2 or 3-5-2............players in the box, chances created, shots at goal, goals, wins........theres your action for ya
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BangaloreBlues added 19:32 - Mar 24 At this stage of a season, the games against teams at the bottom are often more difficult than games against those around the play off places. Despite that, I think we can win 8 of our remaining 11 matches.
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norfolkbluey added 16:16 - Mar 25 The fans will be expecting a win on Saturday after a good training week with PC. If we lose I can see a change in attitude. There can be no excuses and it's now or not at all. We have to score more goals than we have been and there will be no better opportunity to put this right. The team is relatively strong as it has been for some time so COYB.
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Marinersnose added 17:29 - Mar 25 It will be a minor miracle if this squad gets into the playoffs. Having watched most of the games they are a very average squad who cannot raise their game. Our problem is a major one in that Norwood is our only real goal threat and that's a huge problem. Goals win games. Nolan is probably the only midfielder who is a goal threat but he's out injured. Bishop and Edwards both started the season well but have faded in relation to their goal contribution. Any win will be difficult because of this flaw. I've got great faith in Cook and I'm sure that we'll see a different team next season.

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Steve_D added 17:43 - Mar 25 The sad truth is there will never be a promotion until M E has gone , we have slipped so far with player investment it will take a fortune to get the required skill level , and there is no chance of player investment while he is in charge
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ArnieM added 18:24 - Mar 25 The more Paul Cooks talks the more I'm sure we've got ourselves are really good manager , at last . But there's no judgement for PC until at least two seasons have passed , starting from NEXT season , when he's had a chance to build his team and offload the dead wood !
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Linkboy13 added 19:20 - Mar 25 Yes like the way Paul Cook comes over, but i think he will be desperate to get his old coaching staff on board. They've been having double training sessions this week the last time this happened under Paul Hurst the players rebelled and wanted trainer Chris Doig removed from the club. Dont think they'll be any player power with Cook in charge this will sort out the players with mental strength the others will have to find some other comfy club were they can get their feet up.

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dirtydingusmagee added 19:41 - Mar 25 unless the players attitude, commitment, has changed now they have had some time with PC , i can see see us drop more points to some of these lower clubs, they will be up for it.
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SickParrot added 19:45 - Mar 25 No PC won't take any opponent lightly but what about the players? We've lost 13 league games already and only played well about 6 times this season. If PC can get this squad into the playoffs it will be a great achievement.
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cat added 19:48 - Mar 25 This is the perfect time to get on a run. Ultimately it's down to the players to produce what we witnessed early doors. Cook has a good vibe bout him, if we miss out this season then I'm looking forward to seeing what he does in the summer and what he achieves with his own squad. Not this shower of underachievers!
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bobble added 21:05 - Mar 25 when we lose 2-0 to wigan what will he say i wonder ?
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62WasBest added 22:25 - Mar 25 "For us, the demands on us are set every week, every Tuesday, every Saturday, we've got to hit those heights." Yes, but this club only came down from the league above at the beginning of last season. Many of the players should be used to the idea of repeating a higher level of performance each match. Less talk of "targets on backs" and more of "Let's show them we are the team to beat" last season might helped psychologically.

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