Arran Lee-Barrett has described his stop-start season as “challenging” as he looks to play in Town’s remaining six games and clock up more appearances than any of his goalkeeping rivals.

Lee-Barrett has played 14 games so far and if he remains ever-present until the end of the current campaign his total will be 20, compared to David Stockdale’s tally of 18, Alex McCarthy’s 10 and Richard Wright’s one.

The Ipswich-born keeper, signed by former manager Roy Keane in August 2009 after he impressed in training following his release by Hartlepool, will make his 37th appearance in all competitions at Derby on Saturday.

Lee-Barrett, 28, said: “It has been a challenging season with me having to get my head round playing and not playing, but I believe I am a stronger player for it now. At the moment I am just looking forward to seeing the season out — if it happens.

“Obviously, I want to be playing as often as possible and now I have another chance to show what I can do. I don’t think I have ever taken anything for granted or felt I had nailed the position down. If you think like that you can become complacent and I don’t want to be thinking like that.

“I’m happy that the gaffer has the faith in me to put me in and give me the opportunity. My aim is to stay in the side. It’s where I want to be and I will be giving it my best shot as always.”

Town have used four goalkeepers this season, with David Stockdale, on loan from Fulham, in goal for the opening-day 3-0 away win at Bristol City.

Current first choice Arran Lee-Barrett played in the next game, a League Cup defeat by Northampton at Portman Road, but Stockdale was recalled for a run of 15 league games.

An injury kept him out of the next two, with Richard Wright making his third Ipswich debut and being injured in the 3-2 home defeat by Reading, which saw Lee-Barrett make his first league start in the 4-0 defeat at Burnley.

Lee-Barrett was immediately axed as Stockdale returned but he was only back in the side twice more before being recalled by Fulham, with Lee-Barrett restored to the side for the next five. After the 3-1 FA Cup third round defeat at Hull in January the club brought in Alex McCarthy on loan from Reading and Lee-Barrett was back on the bench.

But McCarthy was sent off in only his third appearance as Town capitulated at Elland Road, leading to Lee-Barrett once again stepping into the breach. This time he was in goal for three successive wins against Coventry, Portsmouth and Cardiff before a 3-0 defeat at Brighton saw him make way for McCarthy.

The Reading man enjoyed a seven-game run that included just one defeat before being recalled by the promotion-chasing Royals and that led to Lee-Barrett marking his return to first-team action with a clean sheet in last week’s 1-0 home defeat of Barnsley.


Stats included three goals conceded by Lee-Barrett after he was introduced from the bench at Leeds following McCarthy’s dismissal.

Photo: Action Images

Photo: Action Images

jas0999 added 09:37 - Apr 6 By no means a brilliant keeper and certainly shouldn't be number one next season. BUT has been badly treated by the manager, who has stupidly relied on loan keepers who could (and were) be recalled. Poor management. Still, ALB can rest assured that he is not alone - Martin, Carson, Hyam and at times Drury have all been very badly treated by Paul Jewell - it must shatter their confidence. They play well and are then drop for players who are not the future of ITFC. Even the biggest of PJ fans must surely recognise his failings with this.

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BangkokBlue added 09:52 - Apr 6 jas0999 they are professional footballers, if getting dropped shatters their confidence they should find another job. As Jewell has pointes out look at the way Martin, Hyam and Drury as you mention reacted to being dropped. They worked hard and have taken their chance when it next came. There are only 11 starting positions in the team, and competition for places means getting dropped/rested occasionally. I for one have faith in PJ, he seems to have found a decent team right now with stability and competition for starting places, and his man management seems to me spot on.

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emergencylime added 09:54 - Apr 6 Feel for the guy a bit, effectively being told that he's only played out of necessity rather than choice, but if a new #1 comes in you can be sure that ALB will be snapping at their heels to start games...that's if he doesn't get a better offer over thethe summer.
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Dissboyitfc added 09:58 - Apr 6 Although probably never going to be our number one, i think a model professional, never moaned or been a victim, just got on with things when asked and after a couple of heart in mouth moments went on to produce a couple of saves that kept the game won last week. You need these type of squad members, reminds me of Laurie sivell always second choice and never going to best first choice, but an important squad member. Great attitude ALB...coyb

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Dissboyitfc added 10:09 - Apr 6 Jas... what is easily recognizable is your dislike of PJ, your posts are so predictable and boring. Feel sorry for you though, as clearly seeing ipswich win causes you so much discomfort. Jewells man management skills are very good, i see a team who are gelling and JET is more a world beater that panel beater these days, surely some credit to mr Jewell? We are all aware of Jewell mistakes,but for now let them go, eh...coyb

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Mark added 10:17 - Apr 6 I think Lee-Barrett should be very pleased with his season, as 14 appearances at Championship level this season is not bad at all for a player released by Hartlepool. It is very good to have Arran at the club as he is a local lad who usually does a pretty decent job when called on. I am sure he realises the situation that he isn't top class however and it is perfectly fair that the manager looks to improve the club's goalkeeping situation. We really do need a permanent number one to join us in the summer though, as Jewell has said.

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fourth added 10:38 - Apr 6 He has made some brilliant saves this season. It can't be easy playing when everyone thinks yr second rate
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rosseden added 10:38 - Apr 6 Lets be realistic. He has been released by every club he has been at. Most appearances for one club was hartlepool who then released him. He can't be deluded to think he is a number one championship level stopper. In reality he is probably happy to be earning a good living playing football at his home town club. Think he's an ideal number two, sensible wages and ok as back up. Number one he isn't tho but his attitude seems good so i say keep him as back up. . . . .

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Garv added 11:43 - Apr 6 Seems a top professional. Has rarely let us down when called upon and never moaned when dropped, he's just got on with it. And I know Twitter shouldn't be used to measure one's commitment to a club but he's always supportive before a game and celebrates after a win, even if he played no part. Top entertainment value as well! I didn't like it when McCarthy came in I have to say, particularly as he looked very poor in the first few games he played (Birmingham - dodgy, Blackpool - mistakes for both goals, Leeds - sent off). Had he come in and been brilliant then I don't think ALB/the fans could've been too disappointed, but it seemed that McCarthy was no better than what we had it can't have made ALB feel too good. But that's football. Jas' argument about other players being unfairly treated are laughable and simply wrong.

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Len_Brennan added 11:46 - Apr 6 Lee-Barrett, unfortunately, is just not good enough to be the number 1 keeper at Championship level. As a back up fine, but he'll have to deal with the reality that he's never going to be our number 1. The signing of Stockdale was a gamble which ultimately didn't pay off, however he is a quality keeper who will be Hart's biggest rival for the England shirt over coming years. The loan market is not ideal for bringing in your number one goalkeeper, you are too exposed when he gets recalled. Could have been a masterstroke had Schwartzer stayed fit, but caused more problems than it was worth. McCarthy has been our second best keeper this season (after a less than impressive start) but the risk of the loan came back to haunt us again. As for jas0009 and his suggestion that 4 players has been so badly treated that their confidence is shattered, well: Hyam and Carson both sign new contracts after this abuse, presumably at gunpoint, while Martin and Drury have been recognised as playing the best football of their careers following their unreasonable treatment by the manager- can only imagine that they fear more lashes of the birch in the dressing room if they slacken off.

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Edinburgh_Blue added 12:56 - Apr 6 @Len_Brennan. Re: second paragraph. Well said.
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StanwayBlue added 14:39 - Apr 6 Jas is still provoking responses! Leave him in his miserable world. Aaron - this season has been challenging for all! Really looking forward to next season now - with PJ in charge! Is there a more honest manager? He has readily acknowledged mistakes which is very refreshing.
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