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Knudsen Following Dad's Example
Monday, 3rd Aug 2015 06:00

New Town signing Jonas Knudsen revealed that his father was the inspiration for his long throws which were one of the main talking points following the Blues’ 1-1 home draw with Utrecht in their final friendly on Saturday. The Danish international made his first appearance for Town as a half-time sub having signed from hometown club Esbjerg on Friday.

“In Denmark sometimes they call me the new Rory Delap!” the left-back said after Saturday’s match.

"My dad also did that when he played football and you know when you’re a kid you look up to your dad and that’s what I did.

“When he played football I saw him make the throw-in, so from when I was a little kid I made the throw-ins and it’s one of the good things about my game.”

He says that his father played local football in Denmark and that his throws were a big threat: “He made so many good goals with his throw-ins and he was encouraging me.”

Having caused a fair amount of discomfort to the Utrecht defence with his throws at the weekend, Knudsen is aiming to claim a number of assists during the season ahead: “I hope so.”

The 22-year-old reflected on what was a whirlwind week for him: “The move came about very quickly and it’s nice to be here and I’m very happy to have played my first game.

“I heard about [Ipswich’s] interest around three weeks ago and they came to see me in games. I played the two first games for my old club Esbjerg and I think they liked what they saw.

“I think I heard [the move was on] on Wednesday and there were talks and then we talked again on Thursday and then I came here Friday, and now it’s Saturday and everything is perfect.”

Knudsen had previously been linked with Marseille and had interested Dutch sides PSV and AZ Alkmaar but he says he’s always wanted a move to England.


“I always had a dream about coming to play in English football,” he added. “I love to see the football and the style I think is very good for me and I like it.

“I’m a player that can run a lot and I’m good at defending, I love to defend well and that’s important to me.

“I know in England they love players who like to keep the clean sheet and love to defend. I also love to come up the line and make some good crosses.”

Having been at his local club since he was 11 years old, he admits it’s a big move for him, but believes now is the right time to move on.

“I have been at Esbjerg my whole life,” he continued. “I made my debut at Esbjerg very early, I was only 17 years old.

“In my first season I only played 10 games [in the Superliga, the Danish top flight] and then [two years later] we went into the first division and it was good for me and and I played 13 games a level down.

“Then we came back into the Superliga and we won the [Danish Cup] and then went into the Europa League.

“Then I got my debut in the national team as well as the U21s, so I think I was ready to take the next step in my career.

“As I said, I was only 17 years old when I got my debut and I’m only 22 years old now and I feel ready to take the next step.”

Knudsen, capped twice at full level by Denmark, says he enjoyed his first foray into English football: “I think we played well but Utrecht is also a good team, a very good footballing team, they play quick and the same maybe as a Danish team, more technical.

“But I think we played very well in the second, made good pressure and I don’t think they had a chance and I think we had a lot and it was nice to score and get the draw.”

He says he’s been looked after very well by the rest of the squad during his brief time at Portman Road: “My team-mates have taken me in very well and I’m very happy for this. I thank them a lot for this because I perform when I feel good and they have given me a good feeling.”

In addition to the long throw, a quick look at YouTube reveals some notable strikes from distance and Knudsen says he wasn’t far away with an effort on Saturday.

“I hit it very well but today they blocked my shot,” he said. “If they hadn’t blocked it I think it was going in because I hit it very well.”

Amongst Knudsen’s close friends is one-time Town defender Thomas Gaardsøe, who ended his career playing at Esbjerg.

“He’s a very good friend and on Wednesday I saw that he played at Ipswich,” Knudsen said. “He played at Esbjerg as well when I was a young kid and he was an older player and he took me under his wing.

“He said ‘I think you have to go to the Championship in England to play one day’ and now I’m standing here and it’s so fantastic.

“I have to talk with him again about my move but the last few days have been so intense, I only talked to him for five minutes and we said we’d talk a little bit more in the next few days.”

Having made his first appearance in a blue shirt against Utrecht he says he can’t wait for the season proper to start at Griffin Park next Saturday when Town take on Brentford.

“I’m looking forward to the game. I know they have got a lot of good players at Brentford, I think they’re a good team but, as I saw today, we have a very good team so I think we can do well in this game and I’m looking forward to starting the season.”

Photo: ITFC


Photo: Action Images



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bigolconnor added 06:14 - Aug 3
I've got a very good feeling about this guy. What an awesome signing out of the blue.

Good luck Jonas
10

Tufty added 06:26 - Aug 3
This guy is going to be a fans favourite and looks like he could be far better than mings and creswell.
Interested to hear what mick mills thinks of the latest owner of his number 3 shirt.
Get that interview Phil
8

Sixto6 added 06:30 - Aug 3
I was happy with 8m for Mings, replacing him with this boy makes it even sweeter ! COYB !
7

Karlosfandangal added 06:43 - Aug 3
Funny we have struggled for a left back for so many years and now we have found 3 gems, let's just hope we are not looking for another one next year.
5

Steve_M added 08:11 - Aug 3
“I'm a player that can run a lot and I'm good at defending, I love to defend well and that's important to me."

I imagine this pleased Mick!

Seems like Knudsen has more to his game than that, encouraging signing and I'm, looking forward to seeing him at Brentford.
4

flashblue added 08:34 - Aug 3
I hope his long throws don't make us even more one dimensional. While it may sound like an effective weapon, it really is just another form of hoof ball. I hope we don't over use it.
1

Jimmy86 added 08:36 - Aug 3
A long throw is a good weapon to have in the armoury. Seem to remember 1 of Blackburn's goals on the final day came from a Gestede flick on from a long throw from Spurr. Def a bonus to have. Got high hopes for the guy and think he'll do really well for us
2

itfctim added 09:04 - Aug 3
flashblue..whilst I kind of understand your point, what it does do is make every throw in within range virtually as much of a threat as a corner...that cant be a bad thing, can it.
4

GAZ1234 added 09:18 - Aug 3
I agree... the long throw is a great weapon, if used correctly!
On Saturday, when we had a throw in, everybody went into the area.. the defenders knew where the ball was going and as such were able to defend it.
What is required, is for someone, to go towards the thrower, this provides a second option which will pull out 2 defenders & give the defence something else to think about.
This will make the long throw an even greater weapon
3

theipswichman added 10:26 - Aug 3
I feel like people are getting ahead of themselves, this kid could be a very good player and potentially a gem, however we haven't seen him play enough to know if he actually is. To suggest he will be better than cressy is mad at this point, however i trust Mick and he rarely has got it wrong when signing players, so lets hope this kid is another gem.
3

topguy added 10:33 - Aug 3
Gaz is right a wonderful weapon indeed, but as long as on a short throw you have people going long, normally it don't work as they know you don't have anyone to throw that long, Its just keeping them guessing I think its things they will work on, over next week, so even if your throwing it long you need one person to go short, does pull em away and then they are always on there toes, and if played right remember stoke based their promotion and success on the delap throw, everyone new when he had it he could throw it long, but they didn't all the time and it nearly always left some gaps.
2

SitfcB added 11:59 - Aug 3
Love how you have written it how he spoke it Phil.
1

RRanger added 16:01 - Aug 3
A fantastic signing. He's 22 and already has 2 full caps for a side that arguably has a better record when it matters than England.
It wasn't that long ago that Denmark won the European Championship.
As well as Cressy played last season for West Ham he's not yet an international.
1

coolcat added 11:19 - Aug 4
Welcome to Ipswich. :)
1


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