Ipswich 2 Derby 0

After last weeks disappointment, Town bounced back with a win over Derby. As home performances look to be improving, are away results due for a dive now?

For weeks, the debate was about the number of changes being inflicted on Jims side for each match. Then, when there is stability, the debate changes to whether there should be changes in the side.

In the wake of last weeks lifeless performance at Doncaster, changes did seem necessary and nobody could complain when they appeared.

Kevin Lisbie was the forward to lose out, as seemed inevitable, with Pablo Counago winning his place back, as also seemed inevitable. Darren Ambrose replaced Alan Quinn, another who came out of last weekends game with little credit.

Saturdays win was led from the front. After some subdued recent performances, particularly at Doncaster which was attributed to injury, Jon Walters put in one of the best performances of his season so far. Showing all the energy and quality that were a hallmark of his displays through last season, it marked a real return to form. It was the catalyst for the rest of the team to play off him. Despite playing in a forward role, he drifted wide on occasions into the role that he managed so succesfully last season. Breaking his goalscoring dry spell completed his performance and was topped off with a unique, and probably never to be repeated, Homer Simpson celebration.

Pablo Counago equally performed well. Whilst he was perhaps not as compelling as Walters, he added much to the teams approach play and seems destined to retain his place for another run in the side.

Defensively, the team were sound once again. Richard Wright continues to put in solid and dependable performances, with outstanding saves sprinkled in. With his performance level remaining at a constant, the good saves remain longer in the memory.

David Wright had probably his best game of the season. Returned to the right back role which he is most comfortable in, he revelled in the opportunity to push forward, with the confidence to be able to cross the ball in on his right foot, rather than having to cut inside as has so often been the case when played on the left. Several runs helped carve opportunities, most obviously when leading to Towns second goal.

At left back, Ben Thatcher started slowly and perhaps nervously, understandable given the length of his spell on the sidelines. However, as the game wore on, Thatcher gained in confidence and his natural left-foot gave the side some balance.

At centreback, Alex Bruce produced another typically whole-hearted performance and, with his lengthening run in the first team, is starting to stake a claim not only for a continued run in the first team, but also for a new contract. Alongside him, Richard Naylor performed well, although question marks over his distribution remain and seem destined to remain for some time.

With neither Bruce nor Naylor being entirely comfortable in posession, the missing Gareth McAuleys distribution was more noticeably missed.

In midfield, Darren Ambrose seemed to enjoy his return to Portman Road. His performance showed glimpses of the spark and adventure that marked out his early years at Town. It was a highly promising performance that, along with Thatcher behind him, gave the side some genuine balance down the left hand side. Ambrose is likely to retain his position for some time.

In the centre, both Shumulikoski and Garvan returned to the form they have displayed throughout the last month or so, and which was so absent at Doncaster. Garvan, in particular, gave a shining example of his quality throughout the first half as he demanded control of the ball with the kind of performance that will take him far.

David Norris has set a standard now which, game upon game, he seems able to maintain. Quality, energy and consistency are features that would be long desired in any player and that consistency shows signs of making him an early contender for player of the year.

A good all-round performance that suggests, once again, that this side are capable of achieving more than their current league position would suggest. It remains to be seen whether they can build up a real head of steam to enable them to start closing in on the sides above them who, in recent weeks, have been maintaining the status quo.

Tuesdays game against second placed Birmingham will provide a real indication of whether the team are able to maintain that form against the better sides in the division.