New striker Freddie Sears says the first week of his Town career has been a bit of a “whirlwind”, the 25-year-old having joined the Blues from Colchester the day before last Saturday’s 3-1 win at Millwall in which he made his debut as a sub. On Wednesday the former West Ham youngster again came off the bench and netted his first Town goal in the 3-2 loss at Brighton.
"It's been a bit of a whirlwind,” the striker said reflecting on the busy start to his time at Portman Road.
"I've had two training sessions and two games! In football that's the best way, getting chucked straight in. It makes it a lot easier to get to know your team-mates."
He added: "I got half an hour Saturday and 40 minutes at Brighton. I'm pleased with that. I'm delighted to have scored in my second game. It's the most important thing for a striker.
"You score early and it takes a bit of pressure off you. Every striker wants to get off the mark. I'm just looking forward to next Saturday now.”
Sears was disappointed that his goal 12 minutes from the end of the game at the Amex came in a rare Town defeat: "We've obviously been on a good run of form lately, so to lose the way we did was disappointing.
"There is no given in the Championship. There are teams fighting for their lives or fighting for promotion - every game means something. Leeds beat Bournemouth on Tuesday night and we've been beaten by Brighton.”
While primarily a striker, Sears says he’d be happy to play other roles if required: "I'm a centre forward, but if the manager wants me to play wide then I'll play wide.
"I was a number nine for Colchester in the first half of the season, but the previous year I was a bit deeper. I can play a number of roles, but I do think my best position is through the middle.”
The Hornchurch-born striker says he’s enjoyed playing alongside Daryl Murphy in his two appearances so far.
"I've linked up quite well with Murph already. I'm now looking forward to a full week's training," he added.
"He is flying at the minute. Everything he hits seems to be going in. I think that was his 18th goal of the season.
"We work a lot on getting across the frontman and he got his rewards. I think I work well with a big man.
"He's got a lot about his game which probably helps my game. I can read his flick-ons and try and get on the end of stuff. I'm looking forward to building a partnership with him.”
Having hit 15 goals in all competitions for his two clubs this season, Sears says he’s looking for at least five more: "My target was 15-20 at the start of the season. I've had a move now, that's going to make a little bit harder, but I want to get to 20. If I can do that I'd be delighted.
"I trained Friday morning and Monday morning, I'm now looking forward to getting a good week of training before the game against Wigan and playing at Portman Road.
"The gaffer has told us that we're one of the top teams in the division now and everyone will raise their game against us. We have to deal with that.”
Meanwhile, former Blues boss Roy Keane's former Woodbridge home has finally been sold.
Keane, who paid £2 million for the Ipswich Road property in 2010 and carried out an extensive refurbishment, first put the house up for sale in the summer of 2011 following his sacking.
He rented it out after it initially failed to sell before putting it back on the market in March last year at £3.5 million. The house is understood to have fetched £3 million.
Photo: ITFC