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Maitland-Niles: Stick Together, Work Hard and Win Will Come - Ipswich Town News

Loanee winger Ainsley Maitland-Niles says sticking together and working hard will be the key to ending the Blues’ winless run.

Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Cardiff at Portman Road - Town’s second successive home stalemate - was the Blues’ seventh Championship game without a win, while they’ve failed to win any of their last five home games, drawing the last four. They have scored just once in their last five games.

"It is getting frustrating for all the players and the gaffer but we will keep plugging away and we will get our three points eventually,” Maitland-Niles said.

"It is about working hard for the whole 90 minutes. There were plenty of chances to win this game, we could have won 3-0, or it could have been 2-2.

"I don't know what the answer is. It is just a case of everyone keep trying and something will come off.

"It is a case of sticking together, working hard and when that one chance comes along we have to take it.”

He added: ”The fans should keep backing us and keep believing and we will get those three points."

Maitland-Niles, who is on loan with the Blues from Arsenal for the season and has so far made 11 starts and three sub appearances, says he’s getting used to life in the Championship.

"I found it tough at first, still do really," he admitted. "But it is a case of working and developing and helping the team.

"I have learned a lot here. I feel I have fitted in and have been made welcome.”

The England U19 international believes he has become a better player since joining Town: "The area I have improved most is probably my heading. It was not my strongest point.

"I have been told to get the ball down, play with freedom and try and score goals for the team.

"Things like tracking back are really important, the one moment you switch off then you're in trouble.

"I speak with people from Arsenal all the time. They come to the games and I have been told to keep on playing, stay in the squad and work hard and the manager will know about what I'm doing.”

The 18-year-old has been keeping a close eye on his parent club’s progress this season. The Gunners, who are currently second in the Premier League behind Manchester City on goal difference, made it five league wins on the trot by winning 3-0 away at Swansea on Saturday.

"We could take notes out of their book, they are doing really well,” he said.

"But this is Ipswich and we have to play the way Ipswich do. I'm enjoying playing here and will play whatever style I have to as long as I'm on the pitch. I'm enjoying watching how Arsenal are doing.”

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