Bradley Orr spotted several familiar faces when he reported for duty at the Ipswich Town training ground this week having completed his loan move from Blackburn.
Among the people he already knew were U18s coach Russell Osman, goalkeeper Stephen Henderson and strike pair DJ Campbell and Michael Chopra.
Orr said: "On Wednesday the first team were off so I trained with the youths and I know Russell well from my time with Bristol City. It was a good session with the young lads.
"On Thursday I had a really good session with the senior squad and the main thing I noticed straight away was the tempo. It was very match-like and match orientated.
"It’s been really great the past few days. Everyone has been really welcoming and I can’t ask for much more to be honest.
"You can’t not like DJ. He’s a top lad and great around the place. Obviously, the Ipswich fans have seen over the last few weeks how he is in front of goal. He will always be a threat and he is great to have around the club.
"Stephen Henderson, the goalie, and I were together at Bristol City, where he showed he was going to be a top, top keeper in my opinion.
"I came through the ranks at Newcastle with Chops. He and DJ are two good strikers and there’s also big Murph, Scotty and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas. They can also play up there and there is real competition for places.
"With Chops, if you get his head right, I don’t think there is anyone better at this sort of level. His scoring record at this level will show you that and he’s had big-money moves in the past. Hopefully he can play a big part between now and the end of the season.”
Orr, like the majority of supporters, is puzzled that Town have struggled this season, only climbing off the bottom of the table on Saturday courtesy of the 2-1 home defeat of Burnley.
He added: "When the interest from Ipswich came about I had a little look at the squad. On paper it’s a fantastic squad and now you have a manager who’s not only been very successful at this level, but also the level above and international level.
"I can’t speak for earlier in the season because I wasn’t here, but in the few days that I’ve been here the atmosphere has been really good and the enthusiasm from the lads in training is there in abundance.
"For me it’s exciting. Besides playing for a really good club it’s also a chance to be part of a progression, an improvement and a rise up the table.”
Photo: ITFC