Ipswich forward George Hirst says the Tractor Boys have it within themselves to prove they are the best team in the Championship this season.

Town are third with 18 games remaining, eight points behind long-time leaders Coventry and five adrift of second-placed Middlesbrough, but with a game in hand on both.

After going winless in their opening four games following relegation from the Premier League last season, Town clicked into gear in December, thrashing the Sky Blues 3-0 to climb into the play-off spots and sparking a run of 21 points from nine games before Saturday's 3-1 defeat at Sheffield United.

"We got a slower start than we would have wanted, there are a lot of reasons but we're not a group to make excuses," Hirst told BBC Look East.

"Over the past couple of months we have put our foot down with the levels of performance. (We want to) keep building on those levels and keep getting more good results."

The Scotland international has made 19 Championship starts with five appearances off the bench this season, scoring six times.

"It's been a bit up and down for myself," he said. "My levels haven't been where I want them to be at times. I am my own harshest critic.

"It's not been my ideal season, I'd have liked to be on 20 goals, but that's the life of a striker, sometimes it goes your way, sometimes it doesn't.

"I am working hard to get things on the right track and hopefully improve things a bit."

Despite Coventry having led the league since early October, Hirst thinks the title is still a realistic goal for Town.

"I think we have to strive to be the best in the division. We can only do that by showing that in our performances and training each day like we are the best team in the league, and I truly believe that we are," he added.

"Come the end of the season I believe the table will reflect that and it's about us keeping our foot down and really pushing towards where we want to be at the end of the season."

Hirst and defender Conor Townsend attended the club's Empower Hub project at the Willows Family Hub in Chantry.

The weekly session focused on the foundation's SHINE project, designed to educate children from all backgrounds on oral health and balanced diets.

"It's massive, teaching the kids new skills and giving them tools," Hirst added.

"I absolutely love it. From the second I first stepped foot in Ipswich it's really special. It's nice to leave a lasting impression if you can.

"(As a footballer) you have to really focus on what you're eating, the stuff you're putting into your body and the type of training you're doing. If I can come here and pass a bit of that knowledge on and they take it on board, brilliant.

"The Foundation are doing an incredible job, helping a lot of people in Ipswich. It really knits the town together."