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Skuse: Top Two Finish Achievable - Ipswich Town News

Midfielder Cole Skuse has underlined that Town’s aim this season is to finish in the top two and seal automatic promotion to the Premier League.

Skuse, 29, said: "I believe it is achievable. We have additional firepower. We brought in Pits [Brett Pitman] and we were at Bristol City together.

"For me he’s probably the best finisher I’ve played with. Searsy is on fire and we’ve still got Murph and Didz.

"In wider areas there’s Ryan, Ainsley and Larsen. Any one of those players brings a threat to the side.

"I’d love to play in the Premier League but time is ticking. I’m not getting any younger and the miles are clocking up on my legs so I’d like to have one hoorah in the Premier League before I hang up my rusty boots.”

Asked how he felt the current campaign was shaping up Skuse responded: "We’ve had a good start to the season, taking aside the 5-1 slapping by Reading.

"We also lost 3-2 at home to Brighton and maybe on the day Brighton deserved to nick it. We got back to 2-2 and we thought we could have had a draw but in the end maybe they were the better side and came out on top.

"Other than that it has been a steady start and we’re looking more of a threat. Our four strikers are arguably the best in the league and after planning to be in the mix we’re fifth at this early stage of the season.

"There isn’t a massive gap between us and the top two so we’ll get on with the business and see how it goes.

"Reading was a bit of a shock for everyone, I think. None of us, nor those watching the game, would have seen a 5-1 scoreline.

"It was our own doing — it just wasn’t us as a whole on the evening and I don’t think I will be seeing too many 5-1s again.

"It was just one of those nights when everything they touched turned to goals and every mistake we made was a goal against.

"It was just one of those freak occasions that happen in football, even to the best of teams. But we bounced back well, going to Leeds and stamping our authority on the game.

"I thought we got on top from the offset and against Birmingham I thought we could have pinched it at the end when we had some good chances.”

Skuse has been ever-present in the Championship this season and is fast closing in on a century of first team appearances, having scored once in his 96 outings since his free transfer move from Bristol City in the summer of 2013.

He added: "How have I done this season? I think I’ve done okay but I never like to answer that question. It’s a tough one but if the manager is happy with me and he puts me in the team I’m obviously doing something right.

"In terms of the partnership with Dougie [Jonathan Douglas] I don’t think he will like me saying this but he’s an older head and he’s been around the block a few times. He’s an established player, a very good player, very technical, assured and calm.

"It was a shame Kevin Bru got injured in the first game of the season because he had a great game that day. Now he’s fit again he’ll be looking to get back in the side.

"Then there’s Teddy Bishop, Luke Hyam when he’s fit and Giles Coke — there are a lot of options for the manager.

"Kevin is a very good player and he has become a real fans’ favourite as well. He’s back now and I don’t think Bish is a million miles away, so for us to have them available again will be a massive bonus.”

Skuse agreed there are benefits to playing with a regular pairing in midfield, adding: "It helps because you get a bit of a rhythm and consistency going.

"Dougie is obviously new this season and he’s still trying to suss things out, like the other players’ games, and the more we play together the more we’ll get to grips with things like his runs, where he likes to drop, where he likes to run forward etc. It’s gone well so far and I think the manager is happy with the partnership.”

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