Carlos Edwards has praised team-mate Jay Emmanuel-Thomas for his defensive work during Town’s recent climb towards mid-table respectability in the Championship.

The attack-minded former Arsenal youngster has really found his feet in recent weeks and on a number of occasions during the recent 3-0 home win over Cardiff was conspicuous for his clearances from deep on the right.

Edwards, 33, said: “I’m in JET’s ear every so often, shouting to him to get back and help at the back. He has done really well and it has been hard for opposition teams to hurt us down our right side.

“Once we’ve done our job at the back I’m happy to give him the ball and let him do his stuff. One area where we are better than a lot of teams in this division is that we have better pace and presence.”

Emmanuel-Thomas took time to settle in at Portman Road after his £1 million-plus summer move but has been one of the team’s stand-out performers in recent weeks.

Edwards added: “At first I think JET needed an arm round him as the gaffer tried to teach him a few things. I think JET thought the gaffer was having a go at him but I think he was just biding his time before unleashing him. You can see he’s a better player now.”

Meanwhile, Edwards is continuing to enjoy his role as a right-back despite a reputation as a pacy right-sided midfielder earlier in his career.

He went on: “I think the gaffer has only played me once in midfield and it’s fine by me. At right-back I have a chance to get a bit more rest and I can see the game unfolding in front of me. I can anticipate and judge situations better from there.

“But I am still learning about being a defender. I don’t think I am the worst right-back in the Championship but I will get better the more games I play in that position.

“In my view, if you are a professional footballer you should be able to play anywhere. Not always to the best of your ability, perhaps, but to a decent standard.”

Edwards stressed that the team spirit at Ipswich was a vital factor behind the team’s recent improved form and added: “We need everyone pulling in the same direction.

“If anyone slips up there must always be someone there to take up the slack. We don’t want anyone sulking if they are not in the team. We all want the same thing but only 11 can start.”

Photo: Action Images

Dissboyitfc added 06:10 - Mar 1 honest assessment from Edwards, we still need a rb and 2 cbs....coyb
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WeWereZombies added 07:21 - Mar 1 Sounds more like we need cover for a rb in case Edwards get injured, Dissboy - and that sounds like a perfect learning opportunity for a graduate from the Academy or a young player from the lower leagues. A refreshing modesty (for a modern day player) from Edwards, when he says he is not the worst right back in the Championship he is being a bit disarming about the number of times he has been in the team of the week. And the right attitude to be still willing to learn at 33, just hope he and JET remember that there are other players to pass to.

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irishtim added 07:31 - Mar 1 A Captain that communicates. A Captain that knows his faults & is still willing to learn. Give him a new deal he can help the younger players & release leadbitter & bowyer imo.
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Sindre94 added 07:35 - Mar 1 Very well carlos, this is good comments! Now lets get a win this weekend, COYB! Hes actually a good RB, hes not THAT poor as people wants him to sound, if he had been 5 years younger he wouldnt be as "slated" as he is now by certain people.. His pace is good, decent crosser, communicates and give it his best.. His positioning isnt perfect though COYB
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blueoff added 09:04 - Mar 1 Its called, help the aged.
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Sindre94 added 09:38 - Mar 1 these are good comments*
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alfromcol added 09:52 - Mar 1 Still need a right back who can defend. Once JET plays a full part in the game he will be awesome.
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AndyStannard added 10:01 - Mar 1 Jet Is doing really well at the moment. He has a lot of confidence and is really helping Martin and Chopra. I saw him perform a sliding tackle against Cardiff. Could believe it but this just shows he is working really hard defensively and well as attacking wise. When i first saw him warming up on the side lines he didnt look bothered and not intrested. Now he looks hungry and is always looking to shoot. Love his trade mark long range shot

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Surco72 added 10:30 - Mar 1 Think Jet has grown up alot as a player under our coaching influences already this season and will continue to do so ,could make his fee look very small over the next few seasons . I would still rather have a defensive minded full back behind him as i believe the team has enough creative flair but not enough defensive ability ,highlighted by the amount of goals conceded and crosses coming into our box and not being dealt with especially at the back posts which is the full backs problem . Edwards marking at set pieces has cost us on a number of occasions this season as highlighted by Jewell early on ,and it was him marking Mackail Smith on sat with the free header that hit the bar which means he isnt learning that much

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07bradleyc added 10:49 - Mar 1 Good to see a captain talking to the players infront of him, good communication from Carlos! You can see that JET is getting better with every game he plays, I can see him being a real threat for Town in seasons to come. And with Martin and Chopra on fire too, we might be able to start looking towards the top of the table next year instead of fighting at the bottom. Keep up the good work Jewell! COYB!

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Garv added 12:45 - Mar 1 "What a rubbish signing".
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Mark added 12:50 - Mar 1 Good captaincy. Leadbitter never came out with anything like this during his time as captain, and I was disappointed when Jewell played down the role. I good captain, a talker and an organiser, can make all the difference I think. Edwards is an experienced player with lots of confidence in his game too.
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Tiggs added 13:34 - Mar 1 But he was so poor on Saturday and did not acknowledge the fans at the end. He is not an Ipswich player, he is an individual who is grossly overpaid. Another waste of money signing by Jewell - one of many!
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buryblue77 added 13:51 - Mar 1 I've gone from being an Edwards slater (in the RB position) to, yeah he seems ok, but I'd rather have a natuarl RB there to I love this guy, he should be made permanent captain, he seems very good with the press, something that Leadbitter and others haven't been and is showing to be a real leader. Shame he's 33 and not 23 but having said that with the fitness players have now he could well have another 3-5 years in him. PS, there's no pleasing some people eh Tiggs, so he had a below par game on Saturday. So did 1 or 2 others, Brighton were just better on and off the ball than us and JET didn't get going, he's been very good recently, judge him if this 1 poor game becomes a run, somehow I feel it won't be and Saturday was just a blip in a resurgent final third of the season. COYB!!!

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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 13:56 - Mar 1 Tiggs - just out of interest who else has been a waste of money signing?
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AlanMahon2011 added 14:27 - Mar 1 I 100% disagree with Edwards here. Watching the Brighton game JET was nowhere to be seen the entire match, he never came back to help defend and he never RAN to quickly close his man down on the wing. JET is overrated from my point of view.
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alfromcol added 16:13 - Mar 1 He needs to work a lot lot harder and get himself in the game. As I said if he gets in the game more he will be awesome.
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