Jon Nolan has revealed how he and his fellow midfielders are thriving in boss Paul Lambert’s new-look diamond formation, which he unveiled in Sunday’s East Anglian derby defeat at Norwich and continued with when Derby held the Blues to a 1-1 draw at Portman Road on Wednesday.

Nolan’s second-half equaliser, netted within two minutes of his introduction from the bench to replace Flynn Downes, was the highlight of a battling display by Lambert’s team as they banked their first point in five games to show they still have plenty of heart for the fight to beat the drop, regardless of whether the odds seem to be stacked against them.

He laughed: “I caught it well and it was a great feeling to find the net. But if I’m honest I didn’t really know what to do celebration-wise.

“The goals I’ve scored for Ipswich this season are typical of the sort of goals I score and I got a few like that last season for Shrewsbury.

“With 14 games still to play I’m hoping I can add to my tally to help us pick up the points we are going to need.”

The gap between Town and fourth from bottom Reading is 10 points but the way they went about their task once the play-off chasing Rams had taken the lead inside the first two minutes — and the reception from their supporters after the final whistle — has clearly increased belief that they can, somehow, survive.

Nolan, 26, said: “The gaffer said the performance against Derby was one to be proud of and the reaction of the fans said they felt the same.

"We gave it a real good go against a good Derby side, especially when we fell behind to an early goal.

“We will be going into Saturday’s home game against Stoke full of confidence, not only on the back of this result but also from the way we played at Norwich on Sunday.

“On a personal note, it is great to be back playing and to score as well I’m even more pleased. Hopefully there will be a few more.

“I’m hoping I can really kick on now. The new formation suits me well and the gaffer has given me licence to get into the box and look for goals.

"It’s hard work but that doesn’t bother me — I’m willing to do whatever it takes.

There’s a lot of competition for first team places but we’re all good players and we all push each other. Whoever’s in there, we all know our jobs and we’ll do everything it takes to put more points on the board.

“The new diamond formation in midfield is about hard graft but we’re all fit lads, so whoever is asked to play there has the legs to carry it out. It’s hard work but we’re all enjoying it.”

Now the ex-Shrewsbury man has promised more of the same going into Saturday’s home clash against a Stoke side with just one win in seven games — six in the league and one FA Cup-tie — since Nathan Jones was lured from Luton to replace the departed Gary Rowett, who had only been in charge since the summer.

Nolan added: “I’m not sure what to expect from Stoke because they’ve had a tough time of it since the new manager’s been there. We’ve just got to go out and take it to them, just like we did at Norwich and against Derby.

“We were pleased with our performance on Sunday but we gave away some sloppy goals.

“But the new formation is working well as you saw against Derby. The lads put a proper shift in and in the second half we had the chances to win it.

“It got a bit nervy towards the end and Derby could have scored so in the end I think it was a fair result.

“I remember we played well at Stoke earlier in the season without getting anything for it but if we can repeat the performance from the Derby game I believe we can get something.

“I’m definitely confident about our chances because they have had a sticky run of late under their new manager.

“We’ll be taking it to them and getting after them, and all the lads will be giving 110 per cent to make things happen.”

Nolan echoed the praise that boss Lambert and other players have lavished on the Town fans, adding: “They really are different class. I’ve never seen anything like it, to be honest, especially when you think we’re at the bottom of the league.

“Normally, you’d expect them to have their pitchforks out but it’s the very opposite.

“They are backing us 100 per cent so all credit to them for that and hopefully on Saturday we can give them another good performance and the three points as well.”

It hasn’t been an easy season for anyone at Portman Road and in Nolan’s case it has turned out to be particularly frustrating as his aim as a new signing was to make an impact and establish himself in the side.

One of 12 new players recruited by Paul Hurst in the summer, he has started exactly half Town’s league games and appeared off the bench in a further three.

He said: “It has been tough but I’m training hard and trying to show the gaffer what I’m all about.

“Hopefully my performance against Derby showed that I’m ready to kick on.

“There are a lot of new lads here and we’re all here until the end of the season, at the very least, so we’ve all got to think we can make a contribution.

“We’ve all got to fight and give everything for the club, and also believe that we can stay up.

“What is it they say? It’s not over until the fat lady sings, so we’re going to have to give it our all.

“The gaffer’s doing an unbelievable job and if you came to the training ground you’d never believe we were a club at the bottom of the league.

“Spirits are high, performances are good and I just hope we can turn all that into wins.”

Photo: TWTD

christiand added 10:53 - Feb 15 And rightly so. That result and performance was a fillip for all. It would be wonderful if they can turn a performance into a victory, they deserved one on Wednesday night against Derby County IMO. Stoke City will be tough especially with their squad, but I see their form is worse than ours over the last 6 games so there's a glimmer of hope. If we can start on the front foot and not concede soft goals in the first few minutes, who knows?! COYBS!!

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Jonaldo added 11:18 - Feb 15 I actually like Nolan, he has good ball control, passing and has a shot on him. Him and a fit Judge in our midfield can transform our team... if we have a couple of strikers ........
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ArnieM added 11:24 - Feb 15 Let's raise the roof again for this one guys..... build up an early head of steam and batter them.
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beornioblue added 11:28 - Feb 15 The old Ipswich Diamond was famous back in the day.. Looked great with Chalobah at the defensive almost sweeper roll whilst still getting forward !!
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Hegansheroes added 11:48 - Feb 15 Agree with all above. Calobah does look really good as a sweeper/defensive midfield, don't really see how we can play Skuse & him in this formation. Skuse has been a revelation under Lambert but he also seems to be getting the best out of Chalobah. Hard one.
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IP33 added 11:53 - Feb 15 "Hopefully my performance showed I am ready to kick on" - It really did Jon. Always looking to move the ball forward. Get yourself in the box again and bag another one.
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midastouch added 12:12 - Feb 15 Chalobah has to get the nod surely in the defensive midfield role after 2 cracking performances. I used to have a few digs as Skuse (once upon a time I'd call him Skuseless!) but I do appreciate he can be an unsung hero at times and he has sort of grown on me a bit over time and I try to be more measured in my comments. And he comes across a decent bloke that genuinely cares for the team so no complaints there at all. But players should only be selected on merit and Chalobah deserves the nod given his fine form of late. Skuse could also of done better with clearing the header at the start of the Norwich game but all water under the bridge now. Best to look forwards rather than backwards. So Chalobah should get the nod but always good to have 2 good options for the same position in an ideal world.

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Cakeman added 12:29 - Feb 15 Great to have confidence again as that will be a must if we are to pick up some wins. Also like Jon Nolan's humour. Looks like us Tractor Boys and Girls have had our tractors taken away and we are now on foot armed with “pitchforks” instead!
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TimmyH added 12:49 - Feb 15 Just hope they can keep the energy levels up for the Stoke match - both Norwich & Derby matches were not short on effort and you could see the players tire on Wednesday in the last 10 minutes or so. 3 matches at that level in 6 days might be pushing it but we'll see. Just hope they can continue in the same vein...COYB!
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Carberry added 13:15 - Feb 15 Careful with the country boy stereotypes Jon. Otherwise we will be spitting the straw out of our mouths.
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senduntd added 13:56 - Feb 15 Lets hope Paul leaves Skuse and Chambers on the bench. Mustn't interfere with a great formation.
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therein61 added 17:03 - Feb 15 We were positive on Wednesday and I felt we could have had 3 points the midfield was excellent and the boys at the back put in a great shift playing out on the deck this is the way we need to play, please leave negativity on the sidelines or any chance we have is wrecked.
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ITFCsince73 added 20:08 - Feb 15 If Chambo and Skuse are fit and walk straight back in. It would knock everyone,s confidence. If I was in that starting 11 from Derby game, and lost my place to one of them I would be devestated to be honest.
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