New Town signing Danny Rowe has one word to describe his style of play — direct — after joining from non-league Macclesfield on a contract through to 2020.
The 24-year-old winger is keen to make an impact at Portman Road and has set his sights high, with Jamie Vardy’s rise from a similar background to international stardom a particular source of inspiration.
Rowe, like new team-mate Kieffer Moore, has jumped from the National League to the Championship and can’t wait to advance his career by establishing himself in manager Mick McCarthy’s starting line-up on a regular basis.
Asked to sum himself up, he responded: "I’d say direct — and that’s it, really. I’ve already scored six goals for Macclesfield this season and I’ll be looking to get a few more — plus some assists — for Ipswich.
"It’s a big opportunity for me and I want to get going as soon as I can. I’m stepping up a few levels but I feel I’m ready for this. I believe a lot in myself and hopefully I can make a success of it.
"There’s a big gap between the National League and the Championship but if you’re a good enough player and you believe in your ability I believe it can be done.
"I played against Kieffer when he was at Forest Green and I think more and more players from non-league will be making a similar move. Players develop at different stages and I think the time has come for me to progress.
"We might help each other since we’ve both come in from National League clubs and it’s good to see another player from that level moving up.
"Obviously, Jamie Vardy made the leap from Fleetwood and he’s gone on to play for England, so we know it’s maybe not as big a gap as you might think.
"There’s nothing I’d like more than to follow him into the Premier League and this is a big step in the right direction for me. I’ve got ambitions to get to the top and play at the highest level I can.”
It was a whirlwind few days at the end of last week for Rowe, younger brother of Doncaster midfielder Tommy, and he added: "I first heard last Thursday that Ipswich wanted me and I ended up travelling down the next day to sign. It happened really quickly.
"There were quite a few clubs interested in me to be honest — about eight or nine altogether — but as soon as I knew Ipswich wanted me that made signing here my main goal. I’d heard a few rumours about clubs coming to watch me but it was irrelevant at that stage. I just stayed focused on playing and hoping that something would happen for me, which it did.
"Everything about Ipswich appealed to me but mainly the fact that it’s a massive club and the manager, Mick McCarthy.
"After speaking to him I never wanted to go anywhere else but Ipswich. He told me to work hard and that I would get my chance.
"He’s an experienced manager and everyone has told me great things about him. Now that I’ve signed I can’t wait to get playing.”
Rowe, whose other admirers are understood to have included tonight's opponents Derby, Walsall, Barnet and Port Vale, was asked if he was aware of the unrest among some Town supporters, particularly in the wake of last week’s embarrassing FA Cup exit when they were beaten 1-0 at Sincil Bank by National League leaders Lincoln in a third round replay.
He said: "I didn’t look at social media because I’m not on it. I’m a bit behind on that — but I was at the Preston game on Saturday and that gave me a good feel for it. This is an exciting time for me.”