Assistant boss Terry Connor says striker David McGoldrick has added consistency to his game and has matured during his time with the Blues. Town’s 16-goal top scorer, who has been ruled out for 10 weeks with a torn medial ligament, moved to Portman Road from Nottingham Forest initially on loan just over a year ago.
Since then the 26-year-old has scored 20 goals in 43 starts and five sub appearances and having netted 14 times in the Championship this season - in addition to two FA Cup goals - looked set to become the first Town player to score 20 league goals in a campaign since David Johnson’s 22 in the 1999/00 promotion year.
"We’ve all worked hard with him,” Connor said, speaking prior to the Nottingham-born frontman suffering his injury.
"I think he’s just performed more consistently. Everyone knew about David McGoldrick and the qualities that he has, I just feel that here at Ipswich he’s found somewhere where he’s consistently been able to play.
"He’s been picked in the team and I think he’s bonded really well to that. We’ve had a more consistent David McGoldrick rather than the more fluctuating one in the past where he may score and play well for one game and then not quite do as well for two, miss a game or two, then get back in then score a goal.
"He’s just been more consistent in his outlook and everything that he’s done since he’s been with us.”
Connor says growing confidence has also played a part: "A little bit of that, but I think David’s 26 now and he’s maturing as a player and all the good things that we saw early on his career, they’re just coming together more and with the more mature outlook in his football, he’s been able to produce better, or more consistent, performances.”
Meanwhile, the Blues assistant boss had praise for centre-half Christophe Berra: "He’s playing very well ever since he broke into the side. He actually plays on the right side of centre-back and he’s left-footed, so he’s worked extremely hard on trying to improve on that right-hand side.
"The gaffer’s picked him for every single game and he’s played every minute, which just tells you everything about him.”
He says he and manager Mick McCarthy don’t just work on improving youngsters such as Frank Nouble but also the more senior players like Berra.
"I coach players and try and get the best out of all players, whether they’ve got loads of potential or whether they’re established players,” Connor added.
"We’re always trying to get more out of them and the more we get out of individuals, the more you’ll get out of the group.”