Ipswich new boy Scott Loach is at pains to emphasise that moving from Watford to Ipswich is definitely a step in the right direction.
The 24-year-old goalkeeper is back where he started — he was a member of the Portman Road academy as a youngster — and tonight returns to the club where he established his reputation as one of the best young goalkeepers in the country.
Loach said: "I’m excited about going back to Vicarage Road and seeing a few familiar faces but as soon as I get there all that will be irrelevant. All that will matter is concentrating on getting all three points for Ipswich.”
The new Town number one, who looks a bargain at just £150,000, suffered a dip in form with the Hornets last season and lost his place to Manchester United loanee Tomasz Kuszczak.
Ironically, it was after main transfer target Kuszczak signed for Brighton that Paul Jewell switched his attention to Loach, who was only too pleased to return to the club he has supported since his boyhood.
Loach added: "This is the perfect move for me. I have played a lot of games so far in my career and needed to carry on playing to continue my development as a goalkeeper.
"I see this as the next step on the ladder for me. That’s not knocking Watford, who obviously put me on the map, one bit. But people tend to forget I’m only 24 and I’ve played over 200 games.
"No disrespect to Ipswich but if I’d played over 200 games and not put a foot wrong I wouldn’t be here, I’d be playing for Manchester United — that’s how I look at it.”
Loach sees the move to Portman Road as the ideal opportunity to progress in the game, adding: "This is a big club. Look at the fanbase, the facilities, the stadium etc. If I can kick-start my career and play another 200 games I’ll be more than delighted.”