Phil Brown reflected upon a shrewd gamble in the transfer market after Henrik Pedersen's brace helped Hull ease to a 3-1 win on Saturday.The former Bolton stalwart's first goals for his new employers were handsome reward for a commanding display which floored the visitors before the half-time whistle.
Pedersen has only just returned to competitive action after an Achilles problem - Brown even signed him when injured - but confirmed his well-being with a good header from Jay-Jay Okocha's corner to give the Tigers an early lead.
The 34-year-old made it 2-0 with a half-volley which left Brown, Pedersen's coach at Wanderers, effusive in his praise for the veteran forward.
He said: "Henrik's been through a tough time so full credit to him.
"He's looking stronger and fitter and if we can keep him on the field of play, he can score goals.
"You've got to take a punt every time you go into the transfer market and the punt on Henrik was that we were signing an ex-Premiership player, an injured ex-Premiership player.
"I've nothing but praise for him. He's a driven person and to get his first start in the league and score two league goals was testimony to his attitude."
Having hit the woodwork twice in the first half, the Tractor Boys can be considered unfortunate to have gone in 3-1 down at the interval.
Bad luck had nothing to do with City's third, however, as Wayne Brown had too much space to flick home another Okocha set-piece.
Dan Harding's angled drive gave the visitors some optimism, which was shattered after the restart as the home team easily saw out the remainder of the game.
Brown added: "It was not an easy day at the office. It was tough start and we rode our luck, that's for sure.
"Ipswich came for a good game of football and they got one. It was too open in the first half for my liking but our quality in front of goal was there for all to see.
"In the second half we were very professional."
The same cannot be said for Town, who have now conceded 10 goals in three away games.
"I'm bitterly disappointed," said manager Jim Magilton, whose team are unbeaten at Portman Road this term.
"We started very bright and created chances. But we conceded three shockers from set-pieces and sloppy defending.
"We let in three poor goals and if you defend like that you deserve to be punished - and we were.
"Too many of my players are comfortable in their home surroundings but
when it comes to rolling their sleeves up away from home, we were found wanting.
" If you want a realistic chance of doing any good in this division you've got to pick up points away from home, and we haven't."
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