Walton Praise For Key Duo Sunday, 20th Nov 2022 09:22 by Dave Gooderham Christian Walton praised the performance of two key men at either end of the pitch as Ipswich Town strode to an impressive 2-0 win at in-form Exeter City. Goals from Freddie Ladapo and Marcus Harness secured another win in front of the TV cameras and the comprehensive away day showing was made even more sweeter by Plymouth conceding a 97th minute equaliser at Burton. Ipswich are now just two points off the league leaders — leaving Walton to reflect on the many positives from their long trip to his native West Country. Heading that list was another goal for Ladapo — his seventh league goal of the season — and the performance of “outstanding” Cameron Burgess who returned to the side in place of George Edmundson. Walton said: “I think we controlled the game for the first 20 minutes and then they had a little spell. But I think I only needed to make one save all afternoon. I think that’s the way it will be this year with this team. “I thought Cameron was outstanding today. He gets his head on everything, he’s really dialled in and wants to do well for the team. “When he’s not been playing, he’s been really supportive and works hard in training so it was good to see him on his game today. I thought he did really well. “Freddie’s been really good, he’s done it at this level many a time and that’s why he has been recruited. He’s an outstanding player and a really good lad to have around the group. “I’m really pleased for him. Obviously he wasn’t scoring as much as he would have liked to at the start, but things take time. He’s been really good lately and long may that continue.” Reflecting on the overall performance, Walton said he was delighted with another clean sheet following a relatively quiet 90 minutes for the Ipswich keeper. He said: “I thought it was really good and a good team performance. We knew it was going to be a tough game because they have been in a good run of form and beating Peterborough last week here. “That was a really good performance and a great result so we knew we needed to be on our game from minute one. “To get the early goal was vitally important, I thought. It was a really good win all round. In any game, especially when on TV and they are on a good run at the minute and they are on a good run here, making sure we got the first goal was important. “The clean sheet was really pleasing and we want to build on that. We’ve not had as consistent a run as last year with clean sheets. “It was not a concern, I think it was just down to individual errors. Myself, I hold my hands up about a few goals that I have let in of late. But that happens in football — especially as a goalkeeper. It’s just one of those things, but to get the clean sheet today was really, really good. “I’m probably my biggest critic, I always want to do well, and it’s a hard position at times. I’m always analysing - making sure I’m ready for each individual game, and I’m working hard away from training, whether it is watching games or watching my own footage, it is big that I do. “It is about making sure we are solid at one end and give the attacking lads a platform to do their own thing. Clean sheets are really important to be a successful team. “It gives me and the whole team a boost when we are doing the right things and keeping the ball out. It’s really good to see and all the lads will be pleased with a clean sheet.” Walton, a Plymouth supporter who started his career with the Pilgrims, admitted the win over their rivals, Exeter, was “sweeter” and added: “It would have been nice to beat Plymouth on Sky, but it’s really good to get a win back at the West Country. “[Their fans] didn’t give me any stick today, they have previously, which was surprising. Freddie [also a former Argyle player] didn’t get any stick — he probably quietened that down with his first goal. They are probably the nicest of crowds I’ve had this year. “We are in really good form away from home and when you look at the form against newly promoted teams, we’ve done really well and won every game, I think. “That’s another really good stat for the team. Making sure we pick up as many points as we can on the road is really important.” With the returning Gassan Ahadme coming on as a late substitute and Greg Leigh travelling with the squad, Ipswich’s wretched run of injuries is starting to ease a little. Walton said: “We had injuries all at the same time, but you get them back all at the same time which is nice. We have a really strong squad and it is competitive for places. “Every player knows they need to be doing the right things to keep their shirt, which is really healthy for the team.” Speaking ahead of Plymouth’s surprise 2-2 home draw with Burton, which leaves Ipswich just two points off the leaders, Walton said he felt Argyle players would have noted Ipswich’s excellent win. But Walton added: “We are only focusing on ourselves. We don’t have a league game for two weeks so taking it into the cups is really big. “I will be ready to play, if needed. I will be training as if I am playing. I want to play as much football for the club as I can. Hopefully I will be playing, but if not I will be supporting the other lads.”
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