New recruit Tyrone Barnett is determined to prove he doesn’t deserve the bad-boy image that has followed him from Peterborough.
Barnett has joined on loan until January 19th and is set for his Town debut against Nottingham Forest at Portman Road tonight.
He was fined and transfer-listed by Posh boss Darren Ferguson earlier this month after a city centre night out with three team-mates turned sour and saw him cautioned by police.
Barnett, 27, has been told he will never play again for the Championship’s bottom club, who made him their record signing when they paid Crawley £1.2 million for him.
That was in the summer, after he netted four goals in 13 appearances during an earlier loan stint at London Road, but in the current campaign he has endured a lean spell and scored just once in 10 games.
Barnett said: "If you knew the situation you would be amazed that it got to the point where I was pushed out of the club. Other clubs would give you a slap on the wrist or maybe just a good talking-to.
"The Ipswich fans should take what they have heard and read about me with a pinch of salt. I want them to take me for what I am and I will prove myself to them.
"The lads at Peterborough and people who know me know I’m not a troublemaker or whatever name you want to come up with after what has happened. When you get to know me you will know that I’m an alright guy.”
Barnett admits he was disappointed with the circumstances of his exit from Peterborough, adding; "There are always regrets. I didn’t want to leave the club in the way that I did.
"I’d rather it was on good terms but that’s life. You just take it, get on with it and hopefully I can move on. It’s behind me now and I just want to forget about it.
"It happened and I can’t change that. I’m here now and I’m happy to be here. I’m contracted to Peterborough, they are my parent club but if I could get away I’d be delighted.”
Photo: ITFC