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More to Come From Anderson - Ipswich Town News

Town midfielder Paul Anderson agrees there is room for improvement in his own form this season, his first at Portman Road following a swap deal that took Jay Emmanuel-Thomas in the opposite direction to Bristol City.

Anderson, who has started 18 league games and been a substitute on a further nine occasions, claiming three goals, said: "My own form has been okay but I feel I still have a lot to do.

"I think my performances have been consistent and I don’t think I have let the team down at any point, but I also don’t think I’ve shown any real moments of excitement.

"Hopefully, coming to the end of the season and if I’m still in the team I can produce something — maybe in the play-off final!”

Anderson feels part of the reason is that for each of the past two years he was unable to complete the pre-season programme so crucial to building up fitness.

He added: "In that time I missed a big chunk of the pre-season. Last year I was at Bristol City waiting to come here and I wasn’t playing in games or doing much of the training because they were worried about the transfer going through.

"For two years in a row I haven’t had full pre-seasons, which I think makes a big difference. I think I’m just putting a little bit of pressure upon myself to try to perform a little bit more.

"But I’m doing a good job for the team and I feel that in my last four games we’ve played really well in all of them and had a good shape about us.”

Although he would clearly have preferred to have featured more regularly in the starting line-up, Anderson takes a philosophical view of his involvement so far and sees no reason to confront boss Mick McCarthy about the situation.

He said: "I’m part of a squad and I don’t need to speak to the manager to know that I’m not going to play every game. I’m a winger who works very hard and I understand I’m not going to be able to play all 46 league games.

"The manager’s the manager so he can pick whatever team he likes. I understand he’s going to play different formations and different players at times. I’m happy to be part of a great squad and there’s a really good vibe about the place. I’m happy to take my opportunity whenever it comes.”

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