Cole Skuse is pleased with the way he has started life as an Ipswich player — with one notable exception. While the player snapped up on a free transfer from Bristol City has been pleased with his displays so far he admits he would be far happier if he had managed to break his scoring duck.
Skuse said: "I am getting a few oohs and aahs now so I’m definitely getting closer. Like I’ve said before it’s not for the want of trying.
"I am attempting to do my bit and I’ve had one shot hit the post, one cleared off the line and another that scraped a post. It’s coming. There’s no reason why I shouldn’t be able to score a few goals in the season.
"A lot of people have said throughout my career that I should score more goals but for whatever reason I haven’t. But I know that I should do.”
Despite the lack of goals, Skuse has taken the move in his stride and done well enough for boss Mick McCarthy to identify him as someone who would not look out of place in the Premier League,
He added: "I feel as if I’ve been doing okay but I’d like to do a little bit more in terms of affecting games, not just in terms of goals but assists and just doing my bit going forward.
"I have settled in well and I really, really like it here. People were questioning whether I’d be able to move out of Bristol and settle in here but I feel I have done it really well.
"I’ve only been back to Bristol once or twice, which is a good sign. I’m not itching to get in my car and drive straight down the A12. I think the fact that my family — my wife and my little girl — are here is a big help, plus my family from home come up all the time to visit.
"That makes it a lot easier and I’ve not really missed Bristol. My dad doesn’t miss a game and my mum tries to get to all the home games with him, which means I see enough of them and it’s nice.”
Meanwhile, Skuse has paid tribute to midfield partner Luke Hyam, who is also awaiting his first goal of the season, the pair having started every one of the club’s 13 Championship games this season.
He added: "Luke’s a really good boy and he’s easy to play with. He’s in the same boat as I am because he feels he could be getting forward a bit more and scoring goals.
"I let him go because he’s younger and he’s got fresher legs. He can do more of the forward running and I’ll sit back a bit more.
"The manager doesn’t pull us by the ear and tell us what to do — we just play off each other and I think we’ve done that quite well.
"There won’t be many games where you see massive, gaping holes in midfield. If Luke runs on then I’ll sit and vice versa."