On-loan Jonny Williams has called for more protection from officials after being on the receiving end of some rough treatment from opposition players in recent weeks.
Williams, 20, has started Town’s last seven games after initially making two substitute appearances to launch his loan spell from Crystal Palace.
Start number eight should be at Vicarage Road on Saturday when he will be looking to the referee and his assistants to clamp down on any Hornets’ stars getting over-physical with their challenges.
He said: "At times I need more protection and the referee should be issuing red cards. There was one against Derby when I was hit front-on on the knee and with force [by Craig Bryson]. I don’t know how that wasn’t a red card and he only got booked.
"But that’s football — it’s down to the referee at the end of the day. I haven’t really spoken to the manager about it but he said that if he was still a player he would kick me as well. That’s why we wear shin pads I suppose!”
Williams is not prone to retaliation and opponents looking for an explosive reaction from him are wasting their time. He much prefers to frustrate them by simply taking the knocks and getting on with it.
He added: "It’s something I’ve had to deal with. Wilfried Zaha was targeted last year and now it seems to be my turn. What happened against Derby wasn’t nice to see and God knows how my mum feels when she is sitting there watching it happen.
"My parents have been to all my games for Ipswich, both home and away. My girlfriend was sitting with them last week and she mentioned that it was the first time she had seen me start a game.
"She had seen me come on for Palace and Wales but she said she didn’t like watching it. I didn’t realise at the time how my mum and dad would feel but if it was my kid I’d probably feel the same. I’ve been used to getting kicked since an early age — I’ve got two older brothers!
"It’s a good job there is something called Game Ready because there have been plenty of bruises and knocks. The physios have been great here, top-class, and have looked after me if I’ve needed a rest, also coming in the next day for treatment. They have been fantastic so I’ve been able to play continuously and hopefully that will just carry on.
"But it’s a good job there are referees as well because if there weren’t I’d probably be in trouble. It’s something I have had to grow up with through the academy as well because when I was younger I was always smaller than a lot of the other lads. But I suppose I see it as some sort of compliment if my opponents think they have to kick me to stop me.
"My manager at U16 level always told me to keep calm and my mum and dad have influenced me as well because they have kept me grounded. I don’t seem to flip and I don’t see it as a personal thing.
"I had it at Wolves a couple of years ago with Karl Henry but it’s just one of those things and I just get up and keep playing. If they keep kicking me they will soon be sent off. I want to stay on the pitch but it’s hard when people want to kick lumps out of you every week. Thankfully, I’ve been able to get up every time and keep going.”