IPSWICH will be bidding to chalk up a fourth win in succession when they face Cherries tomorrow and arrive at Dean Court on the back of an eventful victory over Watford.

The Suffolk outfit headed into the international break in fourth place in the Championship following a 1-0 triumph over their fellow high-fliers at Portman Road.

Defender Tommy Smith grabbed a late winner to keep the Blues in the thick of a congested promotion race, with the top six separated by just four points.

Following the clash, Blues boss Mick McCarthy ridiculed the comments made by his Watford counterpart Slavisa Jokanovic who had made reference to Ipswich’s physicality and use of long balls.

One particular tackle by Joel Ekstrand on Jonny Williams, which earned a booking, infuriated McCarthy, while he was also quick to point out that Ipswich had dominated the possession stats.

“It was a cold, cynical, ruthless, violent tackle which deserved a red card,” said McCarthy. “And I saw the comments that their coach made afterwards, which he also said to me, about how they had to be tougher “especially against teams like Ipswich”.

“I said to him “oh really? As far as I’m aware there was only one team who had a player carried off, and that was Ipswich”.

“And then I saw his comments about how they started playing like Ipswich and hitting long balls and working hard. Well, for one, I’d ask what’s wrong with working hard? And I’ve had a look at the stats and we murdered them actually. Somebody else isn’t happy getting beaten by unfancied, under the radar Ipswich. Isn’t it great?”

Since losing the East Anglian derby at home to Norwich in August, Ipswich have embarked on a 13-match run which has seen them win seven and draw five.

Their only defeat in the sequence came at Cardiff last month before a home draw with Huddersfield was followed by wins against Blackpool, Wolves and Watford.