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Stearman Wants Hat-Trick - Ipswich Town News

Richard Stearman is looking to complete a hat-trick of home wins since joining Town on loan from Wolves.

He made his debut in the 4-0 mauling of Middlesbrough earlier this month and played a key role in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat of then-managerless Blackpool.

Now he would like nothing more than another Portman Road victory and clean sheet when promotion hopefuls Watford visit Suffolk this evening.

Stearman, 25, has settled in well and said: "It certainly helps when you are picking up a few results. Winning 4-0 against Middlesbrough helped me to settle in straight away and I’ve been delighted with everything at the club.

"I’m getting there in terms of match fitness. Obviously, it’s going to take me a few games to pick my fitness up but I’ve been happy with the way it has gone so far.

"It was a massive win against Blackpool that has shot us up the table a few places. It has also brought another couple of teams back into it.

"Blackpool had been doing quite well and have a couple of players that are being looked at by the big clubs so we were delighted to get the win.”

Stearman is delighted to have played his part in keeping clean sheets in two of three appearances to date and although an accomplished central defender he has no complaints about fitting in at right-back.

He added: "Since I came here we’ve only conceded one goal in three games and as a back four or back five — the whole team really — we’re really happy with that.

"With the gaffer being an ex-defender he has a major input into what we do in training. I’ve been with him for four or five years and he has taught me a lot about defending. He’s had plenty of experience in the game and hopefully it has helped.

"I’ve been very impressed with Luke Chambers and Tommy Smith in the middle. They have been outstanding, as our defensive record shows, and hopefully that will continue.

"They have formed a strong partnership and continue to play well together, while Cressy on the left-hand side has been a top performer as well.”

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