Town’s end-of-season lap of the Portman Road pitch, a club tradition dating back to Sir Bobby Robson’s time in charge, will go ahead regardless of the outcome against Sheffield Wednesday in the club’s final home game of the season on Saturday.

Asked how the players felt about the prospect, in view of the often-toxic atmosphere at a number of games prior to last week’s defeat of Premier League-bound Newcastle, striker David McGoldrick said: “It can go one of two ways — we can win and get claps or we can lose and we’ll get things thrown at us, but the fans deserve to have something to smile about.

“They were great on Easter Monday against Newcastle and after the season we’ve had we weren’t expecting many to turn out.

“But they turned out in numbers so fair play to them and they have done that in away games as well, even at Rotherham last weekend.

“We want to give them something to smile about and cheer about after the game on Saturday.”

When asked if he felt the need to build bridges with the supporters, bearing in mind the relationship between the club and the players has soured in the recent past, McGoldrick responded frankly.

“It’s understandable because they want their team to win,” he said. “They support us and pay their money. I’ve heard it’s quite expensive to come and watch us every week, especially for families, and they want to see performances and wins.

“We always give our all but it’s just a case that performances haven’t been happening. I think maybe it’s a downfall of our own success over the past couple of years on a small budget.

“This year it hasn’t quite clicked, for whatever reason, but the boys are as hungry as ever to come back pre-season and get back to the Ipswich who are not just tough but able to play good football, be ruthless and look like a real threat — the way we were against Newcastle.”

Can Town still match McGoldrick’s ambition going forward and challenge for promotion to the Premier League? “With the manager and the players, yes,” he said. “The gaffer has said that he wants to change a few things around in the summer and get new players in.

“It’s going to be an interesting summer and a big summer for everyone — big for the players, with some coming in and others going out, and it could be a big turning point.”

Asked if he could still be a 15-goals-per-season striker for Town, the player replied: “I can score more than 15 in a season and there’s no doubt about that. I just need to be more ruthless and get a run of games like I’ve been getting recently.

“I’m getting chances and I can think of some one-on-ones when I’ve tried to do silly things. I’ve had shots, hit the post and things like that. There’s no doubt that I believe I’ll score goals in this league — I’m not worried about that.”

McGoldrick turned his attention to Sheffield Wednesday, the visitors to Portman Road on Saturday and a club he represented on loan from Nottingham Forest back in 2011 when he made four League One appearances — three starts and one as a substitute — and scored his only goal on his debut in a 3-2 win at Yeovil.

He said: “Honestly, it was nothing to write about. It’s a good club and a big club. They have spent money and they’re doing well, plus they have a tremendous fan base.

“If they go into the Premier League I think they will be able to cope with it. With some of the players they have — and the striking options — they could even play in the Premier League now. It was a privilege to play for them but it was just a brief loan spell.

“In the present team they Steven Fletcher and Gary Hooper, two strikers who have played in the Premier League and scored goals, and both very clever.

“Jordan Rhodes has scored regularly in the Championship and Fernando Forestieri is one of best flair players in the league in my opinion.

“They have a good team but we could have said the same about Newcastle before we played them and on the day we outdone them.

“We deserved our win and that’s what we’re planning to do on Saturday. We’re not scared of anyone, we know this league and we know what we can do.

“We went to Hillsborough and won earlier in the season and now we want to do the double over them.”

Finally, it was brought to McGoldrick’s attention that Town legend Mick Mills, in his role as BBC Radio Suffolk’s co-commentator, had described him as “unplayable” when on song as he was in last week’s memorable win over Newcastle.

“I paid him to say that,” laughed McGoldrick. “But seriously, I know who Mick is and I appreciate his comments. But although I also rate myself as a player — and I’m not being big-headed when I say that — I need to be scoring more goals to really justify that description.

“You could say Chris Wood of Leeds has been unplayable this year because he can do all the hard stuff but if you’re not scoring goals then you’re not unplayable because the defenders are stopping you from scoring.

“So when the goals come and if I’m still playing like I am now I’ll agree with Mick Mills — and I’ll give him a bit more money!”

Photo: TWTD

flashblue added 20:37 - Apr 27 I've heard it's quite expensive as well, Dave. Honestly, you'd think they would know exactly how much it costs. Not like they have much else to do in the afternoons.
1

surgery added 21:03 - Apr 27 "I've heard it's quite expensive". How very Marie Antoinette'ish of you to think of us plebs you overpaid pr:ck who spends half of his life lying on a treatment table
-11

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 06:06 - Apr 28 Maybe he really doesn't know what fans pay, but I suspect he's just being a bit cautious. After all, it's hard for him to come out and say straight up, "My employer charges you outrageous prices."
4

LimitlessBlue added 06:28 - Apr 28 " I've heard it's quite expensive to come and watch us every week" jesus christ what a statement.....
0

essextractorboy93 added 10:19 - Apr 28 If he had a bit more pace and had fewer injuries, McGoldrick would definitely be playing in the Premier League. The guy's technical ability is one of the best in this division. Good to see him in the side and not picking up any injuries!
4

dirtydingusmagee added 12:49 - Apr 28 if he wants to put a smile on fans faces he should drag McCarthy out of the ground by his ears ,and put him on a train going north.
1

cat added 17:15 - Apr 28 Surgery - "let them eat cake" (lol)
1

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls