Former Ipswich Town captain Matt Holland has said ahead of tomorrow's East Anglian derby that it is a "bad time" to be playing Norwich City.
The bitter rivals meet in one of the more significant derbies in recent memory as just a point separates the pair in the Championship's promotion race.
Ipswich are currently third, two places above Norwich, but the Canaries have won five in a row under new manager Alex Neil.
"Ipswich have responded to their sticky spell pretty well but I suppose it still is a bad time to be playing Norwich. With the impact the new manager has had their form is terrific at the moment," Holland told PA.
"Having come down from the Premier League you probably expected Norwich to be up there, and they have certainly fought back. I have been impressed with the attitude of the players since Alex Neil has taken over.
"However, the fact Ipswich are just a few points off the top spot is testament to the work of Mick McCarthy, the way he has organised the team, with Daryl Murphy having the season of his life. It is quite remarkable really when you consider he has not spent any significant money."
Murphy is the Championship's top scorer with 21 goals, four clear of Watford's Odion Ighalo and five better than Norwich's top marksman Cameron Jerome.
Norwich have won the last three derbies, but Ipswich hold the better overall record with 40 wins to Norwich's 37.
Pascal Lemesre
