Young defender Josh Emmanuel may be built like a centre-half but he has a good reason for wanting to remain a right-back.

The 19-year-old, who will make his 10th senior appearance for the club in tomorrow’s home clash with Championship leaders Huddersfield, has the sort of physique that would not look out of place at the heart of Mick McCarthy’s defence.

But Emmanuel laughed: “I think I’ll stick to being a right-back. I’m probably too attack-minded to be a centre-back if I’m honest.

“I enjoy playing right-back and that’s my position. I’m a defender first but I’m starting to learn more and more about the role.

“TC [Terry Connor] and the gaffer are always on at me to remember the defensive part of the position and I’m focusing on my overall game, hoping to improve not only with every game but with every training session.

“I just have to keep performing whenever I can and I’m obviously thankful to TC and the gaffer for giving me the opportunity to play in the first team. I just have to make sure I keep learning and improving, that’s it really.

“As a young player still fairly new to the team a massive part of the game for me is to learn from the senior players around me.

“Every single day I learn something and pick up some new tips and ideas. It’s about driving forward in your own style, trying to be the best you can be, but you can’t ignore good advice.”

While some fans continue to berate skipper Luke Chambers for his displays at right-back it is the double absence of injured duo Adam Webster and Tommy Smith that has opened the door for Emmanuel to slot in on the right of defence.

He added: “Chambo’s an experienced player, he’s obviously good and he does a job there. He’s alright, he’s doing well. I don’t want to see anyone getting injured but for me it’s about taking the opportunity when it comes along. All I can do is make the most of the chance that I have been given.

“I still need to improve some parts of my game. I’m still working on my delivery into the box for the strikers and my end product.

“Everything is geared towards me getting better. I have come through the system alongside Myles Kenlock, who plays at left-back and got his first team chance around the same time that I did.

“We’re quite similar and hopefully we can both get an opportunity to play together in the first team.”

Emmanuel’s popularity with Town supporters is on the increase and he added: “It means a lot to me and I’m a bit disappointed that I can’t sign in to Twitter at the moment. I’m a bit out of touch in terms of what people are saying but I think the Ipswich fans are amazing and I’m very grateful for their support.”

Photo: TWTD

RegencyBlue added 08:47 - Sep 30 Think most Town fans are very happy to see him at right back to! Seems like a very sensible lad as well. Good luck to him.
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beornioblue added 09:25 - Sep 30 had a very good game on tuesday !!! Good work Josh COYB
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Hoofball added 10:06 - Sep 30 We all know Chambers will be right back when the centre backs are fit. I Feel sorry for Josh.
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brian_a_mul added 11:59 - Sep 30 Best of luck Josh, delighted to see you get some media attention too! We can see how his style of play is influenced by Wenger at Arsenal. A swashbuckling full back with pace power and ability! Kenlock too! Its great to see the club and staff developing these players through the ranks and giving them first team opportunities. I think if he nails it and gives an extra dimension/width to the team, MM will have some very tough decisions to make :)

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bedsitfc added 12:02 - Sep 30 If chambers does well at CB and JE does well at RB why would it change
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jjhbruno added 13:20 - Sep 30 Because we aren't Mick McCarthy
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Seasider added 16:49 - Sep 30 Your happy at right back Josh,and so are we. Not sure why you cant sign onto Twitter,but suggest you read TWTD,as we are all rooting for you on here. When one reads little things from players interviews,like MM & TC are always onto me about the defensive part of my (Emmanuel's)position;you realise that this why Ipswich play such negative football.Thought TC dealt with the attacking aspects of the game

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