Ipswich Town F.C. captain Dara O’Shea has admitted that the pressure is building as the Championship promotion race enters its निर्णing phase — but insists the squad remain focused on controlling what they can.

Following a crucial 2-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday F.C., Ipswich currently sit third in the EFL Championship, just two points behind Middlesbrough F.C. with a game in hand.

Pressure mounting in the run-in

With the season nearing its conclusion, O’Shea acknowledged that the stakes are impossible to ignore — even if the squad are trying to keep their focus internal.

“You can say there isn’t pressure, but there is at the end of the day,” he admitted. “The lads can feel that.”

Despite the growing tension, the defender emphasised the importance of staying grounded and not becoming distracted by external factors, including results elsewhere.

“We can only affect what we can affect — that’s us stepping onto the pitch and trying our best.”

Huge clash ahead

Ipswich now face a massive test against Millwall F.C., who sit just behind them in fourth place. The fixture could have significant implications for the race for automatic promotion.

The clash also comes ahead of a demanding run of fixtures, with Ipswich set to play eight games in just 27 days following the international break — a schedule that could define their season.

Squad effort key to success

O’Shea also stressed that promotion ambitions cannot rely on a handful of players, calling for contributions from across the squad.

“Any successful team doesn’t just rely on a couple of players to score goals — the whole team chips in.”

The centre-back even turned the spotlight on himself, admitting frustration at not contributing more goals and highlighting the collective responsibility within the squad.

Fans playing crucial role

The Ipswich captain was also quick to praise the club’s supporters, pointing to their strong travelling presence and the impact they continue to have on the team.

“You look at the away end and think, wow… we can feel that passion. They’ve got a massive job to play too.”

Brief respite before the final push

For the first time in weeks, Ipswich will enjoy a rare break without a midweek fixture — something O’Shea believes will be vital as the squad looks to recharge.

“It’s been heavy… lots of games, lots of travel. It’s nice to have that rest and come back ready.”

However, the respite will be short-lived, with a relentless run-in on the horizon that could ultimately determine whether Ipswich secure a long-awaited return to the Premier League.

For now, the message from within the camp is clear: the pressure is real — but so is the belief