Andy Drury had no argument with Ipswich manager Paul Jewell’s recent decision to rest him. In fact, he was all for it!
The energetic midfielder admitted: "When the gaffer sat me down and said he was going to rest me I have to confess that I felt I was ready for it. Not only that, having had my rest I definitely felt better for it when I returned to the team.
"March was incredibly busy and I also had a little dip in form so I could understand the gaffer’s point of view, even if I’m the sort of player who hates missing games.
"Overall, I think I have done okay. I’ve only missed a few games since I returned from my loan spell at Crawley and it’s not as if I was only in the side to make up the numbers. I won my place — and kept it — on merit.
"I used to look at the likes of Jimmy Bullard and Lee Bowyer, when they weren’t in the side, and it made me feel good that I was keeping them out. It also made sure I stayed on my toes and took nothing for granted.”
Drury loves his role in the Town engine room, driving the side on, and he added: "I like to be in the thick of the action. In midfield I always feel as though I’m involved in the game, even if I’m not on the ball.
"My role isn’t specifically to sit in front of the back four and protect them, nor is it to be bombing forward looking for goals. It’s a bit of both in the manager’s eyes and I just make sure I give 100 per cent all the way through.”
Drury has come a long way since his part-time days with Sittingbourne, his home-town team, and he is keen to play his part in winning promotion back to the Premiership for Town.
He said: "There are a lot of reminders of what Ipswich stands for as a football club. For example, we see a lot of club legends like John Wark and everybody knows what he achieved in the game.
"John turns up at the training ground quite regularly. He comes into the canteen and likes his grub, but he is held in high esteem by the lads because he’s been there and done it at the very highest level. He likes to pop in for a chat and he’s a top bloke.
"We recently had six members of the title-winning side of 50 years ago at Portman Road for the renaming of the Sir Alf Ramsey Stand and we made sure we paid our respects to them. They are the heroes from the past and today’s players all want to do their bit in re-establishing Ipswich in the top flight, which is what we are all working hard to achieve.”