Don’t be fooled by Cole Skuse’s apparent laid-back approach — there is plenty of ambition and passion burning under the surface as the Town midfielder eyes the previously uncharted territory of England’s top flight.

Skuse admits: “It would be an absolute dream for me. I’ve never been in the Premier League — I’ve always been League One or the Championship — but I’m not getting any younger and my hair is definitely getting greyer. I would love to have a sample, a taste, of the Premier League.”

The tall, elegant midfielder will surely never have a better chance of clinching a place in what is tagged the best league in the world and wants the world to know that he is in no way complacent — a message hammered home to him by his nearest and dearest.

He added: “My wife definitely doesn’t let me get complacent. She keeps me on my toes at home and I’m always on the phone to my parents, especially talking about football with my dad. That’s one of his favourite sayings — don’t be complacent — and he says it every time before he puts the phone down.

“Dad can be my harshest critic and will tell me in no uncertain terms how he thinks I’ve done. If he thinks I’ve done well he doesn’t lift me up on his shoulders and start jumping in the air, he’ll just say: ‘You did okay today.’ But he won’t think twice about giving me a bit of an ear-bashing when I’ve done not so great.”

Skuse, who knows his shortcomings and does a nice line in self-deprecating humour, is grateful to boss Mick McCarthy, first of all for bringing him to Portman Road and then demonstrating his faith in him by making him a regular choice.

He has missed only a few games through injury and McCarthy has always reinstated him in the starting line-up at the first opportunity, a measure of his appreciation for what the ex-Bristol City has to offer the team.

Skuse said: “It is massively appreciated. I know I’m never going to be a player who grabs loads of headlines for doing spectacular things. I go about my business quietly and do things that a lot of people maybe don’t see.

“But the manager has shown he has faith in me and has obviously seen something in me and in what I’m doing for the team.

“I would say my form this season has been okay but I wouldn’t deny it has been a bit patchy really. The start of the season was slow but I think I’ve done okay. I do my bit for the side but it might go unnoticed by a lot of people.”

Photo: Action Images

Kropotkin123 added 08:02 - Nov 28 A very underrated and necessary player. In the games that I've seen he has been great at braking up the play and protecting the back four. Very little of the opposition's play goes through the centre when he is on the pitch.
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BlueMachines added 08:28 - Nov 28 Whilst I agree what Skuse does goes unappreciated a lot of the time our best midfield performances this year have been without him in the team in my opinion.
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Jimmy86 added 08:46 - Nov 28 I think Skuse is a tidy player, who does all the dirty jobs well, breaking up play, putting his foot on the ball and he isn't scared of a tackle. I think he is a slightly more cultured footballer than Hyam and certainly has better quality on the ball. I think there is a problem playing both skuse and Hyam in the same midfield as they both do the same job. Hyam is slightly more physical, skuse is slightly better on the ball but can still do the nitty gritty

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brian_a_mul added 08:54 - Nov 28 I think he is vital in our midfield. He is our most experienced and intelligent midfielder. Hyam is a better player when Skuse is beside him and I think Hyam has really developed alot with Skuse around. Im sure Super Ted would say the same. However Skuse form needs to be better as he says himself, everyone else has stepped up their games, if Skuse does likewise (& Im sure he will) our chances of top 2 are better!

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theblueginger added 09:52 - Nov 28 Skusey always gives the impression of being a thoroughly nice and chap. He has taken over from Edwards as the unsung Hero of the team. He won't grab many goals or headlines, but when he doesn't play it often doesn't take long for his absence to be noticeable. He is a cultured and tidy footballer, and is surely one of the reasons for Hyams/Bishops development on and off the pitch. I remember calling him the Carrick of the Championship on a Bristol City forum during his period of quality form last season. While he has been a bit erratic this season, that comparison still rings true at times. COYB

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hogster1970 added 10:16 - Nov 28 i tink the start of last season showed why we needed skuse, how ever other team members aka hyam and bru and bishopand even tabb have uppped there game, cole does at times seem like a lost sheep and the game passes him buy, ive seen most home and away games this year, he only touched the ball about 4 times on the rotherham game, he cost us the second goal buy loosing the ball and nearly cost us when he left his man and next thing the ball came to the player he was marking and he got a shot at goal and was close to scoring, im sure alot of people who comment on here only go to odd games, he has done some good stuff granted, how ever as a defensive midfielder he needs to close players down more and get tackles in, he either just barged the player last week or didnt get any were near them, hyam and ando was every were closing players down last week aswell as teddy, cole old mate please up the anti a bit and you will be fine

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battyblue added 14:23 - Nov 28 Must admit not a lover of Cole Skuse but seems Mick is so we are stuck with him in the team when fit although we play better as a team without him.
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battyblue added 14:25 - Nov 28 I don't think he would be up to premier league standard somehow.
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Jimmy86 added 17:04 - Nov 28 Batty blue I think if anything skuse would be more suited to premiership football as he would have more time on the ball, I can see why your not exactly a fan, but you have to appreciate the job he does, keeps the ball ticking over and there are times where he does it with ease. His form has dipped, but he still has vision and can pick a pass if he has good movement in front of him

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chorltonskylineblue added 18:04 - Nov 28 His Dad is his harshest critic? Must'nt have seen some of the posts on here then! Unless his Dad is one of the posters
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