Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
Drury: Strength of Bench Keeping Me on My Toes
Drury: Strength of Bench Keeping Me on My Toes
Wednesday, 22nd Feb 2012 09:11

Andy Drury believes the strength of the Ipswich substitutes’ bench is keeping him on his toes.

Drury, 28, accepts he will only continue to hold down a regular place in Paul Jewell’s starting line-up if he can maintain the consistency he has shown during his current eight-game run in the side.

He said: “I got my chance because of injuries and that was a stroke of luck on my part. But now that players are fit again I can honestly say that I am in the side on merit.

“However, when I look around sometimes and see the calibre of player I am keeping out — guys like Jimmy Bullard and Grant Leadbitter — I know I have to keep producing a good standard of performance.

“I always felt that I would be good enough for this level and it is nice to have been given the opportunity to prove it.”

Drury, who cost £150,000 from Luton in January last year, made over 350 appearances for them and other non-league clubs Stevenage, Lewes, Gravesend & Northfleet and Sittingbourne before being handed his big chance at Portman Road.

Not surprisingly, he is enjoying his football at the moment as Town continue to climb away from what had looked like developing into a relegation battle until four successive victories propelled them towards safety.

He added: “When I came back from my loan spell at Crawley around Christmas time it wasn’t looking brilliant for me here.

“But I’m not the only one. Luke Hyam has also come into the side and we seem to complement each other well in midfield. Hopefully it will continue to be the case.

“Right now, every single player is doing well. You could go through the whole team and there isn’t anyone who doesn’t deserve to be in there.

“We are all up for it and we like to prove to the management and the fans that we are worthy of our places.

“We have done really well to pull away from the bottom of the table and we have developed a winning mentality, which is what you need if you are going to be successful.

“The play-offs are being mentioned and the way we are playing at the moment I wouldn’t rule it out, although a lot of teams are fighting for the same thing.

“All the games in the Championship are a battle. Nobody gives you three easy points but at the moment we don’t fear anyone.”


Photo: Action Images



Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.



irishtim added 09:27 - Feb 22
Keep it going & well done.
0

bigfatjoe87 added 09:28 - Feb 22
love it lad. delighted you have got a proper chance and are taking it. goes to prove we didnt need those loan signings and the current squad is better than the one before crimbo keep it up
0

suffolkpoker added 09:28 - Feb 22
a nice fighting spirit about the place now!

COYB
0

Paddy39 added 09:29 - Feb 22
I was glad to see AD given his chance, he has certainly proved that his time at Crawley wasn't wasted and you can now see why they wanted to buy him. He is definately part of our engine room for the future.
0

bluelady added 09:34 - Feb 22
and this is exactly why our team is working at the moment players like Drury are not pre-madonnas and appreciate they are lucky to be playing football at such a high level. Added to that players like Martin who when he joined thought he was better than anybody but after spells out of the team realises he has to show his worth to retain his place and you have a winning formula. The early part of the season we had some great players, but those players thought town were lucky to have them and not the other way around
0

village_blue added 09:35 - Feb 22
Well done Andy,glad to see you have finally been given your chance and are taking it with both hands. You are in the side on merit atm but don't think you have to worry to much about Leadboots replacing you in the team.
0

Hermann_eats_puffin added 09:37 - Feb 22
Great comments from Andy showing that there's no complacency being shown in the Town team at the moment. There also seems to be a togetherness and team spirit as the players are always commenting on how well the whole team is performing.

I think that every time Drury has pulled on a Town shirt he's shown passion and commitment which is all I ask from a player. When given his chance to get a run of games in the side though he's shown real class and I'll be happy to see him in the first XI for a long time to come.

Well done Andy and keep up the good work.

0

algarvefan added 09:41 - Feb 22
This is what we want to hear....good on you Andy, keep up the great work mate!
0

gypo added 09:43 - Feb 22
Well you've justified your transfer fee Andy, yours and luke's midfield partnership has drove us on keep it up both of you
0

SomershamBlue added 09:54 - Feb 22
Good man, right attitude - and can certainly 'walk the walk'.
0

DanLyles added 09:58 - Feb 22
Another example of how inefficient the scouting networks are across the country and how many players 'slip through the net' so to speak only to be spotted in the lower leagues a bit later in their careers. Obviously some players develop at a slower rate too
0

Tillz9 added 10:02 - Feb 22
Have really taken to Drury ever since his debut. Always gives 100% and looks a very good player. Maybe he now realises he deserves his opportunity to be a regular at this level and I for one am glad he is taking that opportunity. Keep up the good work !!
0

KViollet added 10:14 - Feb 22
Blue lady: it's prima donna, not pre-madonna!

I'm currently in Paris for this year and, having spoken to some of the local team supporters, you would honestly have the justified belief that, should a team like Ipswich ask to loan a few players from 'Ligue 1' which can't make the first team (Ligue 1 which is probably equivalent in terms of quality to a league which you would find between the Premiership and the Championship), they would almost certainly jump at the chance in order to, thus, settle in the U.K. at a later stage. PSG have a fantastic team of about 35 players, but even teams such as Montpellier, Lille etc...some of these players would be jumping at the chance of playing in the UK and, thereby, obtaining experience.
Just a thought...
0

Lightningboy added 10:20 - Feb 22
Drury & Hyam have become the unsung heroes of this season for me..they've put the likes of Bowyer,Leadbitter and even Bullard to shame.

I always find it more satisfying when something right under our very noses becomes succesful rather than having to go out spending millions on it.

Now Clegg old chap..stop being a muppet and give these 2 a decent contract.
0

Marcus added 10:31 - Feb 22
We've had a strong bench since we had Phil Parkes as reserve keeper.
0

Brazils_Hair added 10:52 - Feb 22
Andy Drury - you are fast becoming a flippin legend! Your attitude since you have been given a chance in the starting line up, is second to none. An excellent example to all at the club. Thank goodness your form has come exactly when we needed it.

I think you are one of 4 players who will form the nucleus of our team for the next few years to come.

Keep up the positive attitude and the good work.

What a breath of fresh air!
0

DiamondGezzer added 11:39 - Feb 22
I believe he has paid back his transfer fee already, anything else is a bonus. Keep up the good work Andy.
0

WorcesterBlue added 11:49 - Feb 22
Top bloke with a good attitude - wants to play so goes out on loan. Comes back and from moment he played (forest) looked one of the few with fire in his belly and a bit of quality to boot. I also hear from an Ayr fan that Stevenson is similar so nice to have options. Sign up Carson, Drury and Hyam on decent contracts and get some ball playing defenders (foreign?) in along with Richie (Swindon) and Rhodes and job done.....possibly!
0

beerhelps added 11:51 - Feb 22
marcusSg - nice one!

.....and Johny Miller before him, i remember seeing him running round Chantry park at the start of preseason training looking like a prop forward!
0

KenDubZ added 12:06 - Feb 22
Ill give you a merit for that speech lol. Good on you lad keep it up!
0

simonsays added 13:05 - Feb 22
Well at least along with the newly painted turnstiles Clegg is doing something right. I take it he purchased the materials from Jewson to build the strong bench?
0

FenboyBlue added 13:06 - Feb 22
Keep it up Andy and maybe they'll name a street after you.
0

buryblue77 added 13:10 - Feb 22
Has been a revelation in recent weeks and glad to see him and Hyam running the midfield. Hopefully he can keep this level up and can be the mainstay of our midfield for the next 4-5 years.
No coincedence that we are performing so well now him and Hyam are in the side and Andrews (yes he scored goals, but apart from that he's there alongside Grant Leadbitter, George O'Callaghan and Tony Dinning for the 'worst Town midfielder in history' award) has gone and Leadboots not playing,both constantly giving the ball away cheaply.
0

james1989 added 13:58 - Feb 22
im still not expecting playoffs this year, if we do thats great and we all deserve it but i have to say next season is looking promising, i love the way we are playing at the moment, only missed 3 away games this season and i have to say theres a massive difference and we have improved so much, hope we can get stronger and stronger and really go for the premiership next season
0

legoman added 14:33 - Feb 22
I like the way they all celebrate after a goal. There is a visible extra unity about this team. I am loving it.
0


You need to login in order to post your comments

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls

About Us Contact Us Terms & Conditions Privacy Cookies Advertising
© TWTD 1995-2024