x

Chambers: As Good a Squad as We've Had in My Time at Town - Ipswich Town News

Still early days, perhaps, but skipper Luke Chambers is satisfied that the current Town squad compares favourably with any other in his time at Portman Road — including the one that reached the play-offs in the 2014/15 season.

He is also confident that the goals — 14 in their eight league games so far this season — will continue to flow in the months ahead as Mick McCarthy’s men pursue another top six finish to wipe out the memory of last season’s disappointment of ending in 16th place.

Chambers said: "Imagine going into work every day and everyone is telling you you’re crap. It’s not ideal, is it? But that was last season and while I don’t want to curse it I think we’ve had a good start, despite being decimated by injury, and I think this squad is up there with the best of them in my time here.

"We can be very positive moving forward, in the next few weeks especially.

"We haven’t been a free-scoring team in the last few years. Murph [Daryl Murphy] had that season when he scored a lot of goals but I think we’ve got goals throughout the team now.

"We’ve still to see the best of Tom Adeyemi, who can score goals from midfield, but Skusey’s even got one this year, which is more than he’s scored for a while.

"Wardy can still offer goals, Searsy can do more and Waggy has hit the ground running. We’ve got goals in the team and we’ve got competition for places right through the team from back to front.

"We had a defence made up of four full-backs earlier this season and while you can get away with that for three or four games, when we’ve got everyone to pick from we’re going to have a very, very good team.

"There are also strong candidates for midfield to come back — Flynn Downes has had an injury and Emyr Huws, we haven’t seen all season, so it will be a massive boost when he’s fit, and Luke Hyam’s still to get himself fit.

"We’ve also got two big, quality centre-halves in Tommy Smith and Adam Webster that we’re looking forward to getting fit as quickly as possible.

"Webbo’s playing today so hopefully he can soon be available for selection, which gives the gaffer more problems but makes us stronger as a squad.

"I don’t think anyone in the squad can see themselves as an automatic pick. I think you have to perform week in, week out.

"There’s no one out there who will have a day off in training and if that did happen it wouldn’t just be the manager and his staff, the lads would pick up on it pretty quickly too.

"It’s not accepted here, never has been in my time at the club and this is my sixth season.

"We’ve now got the competition for places that we’ve been crying out for in the last couple of years. We’re scoring goals as well and it’s not surprising, given the quality of the players we acquired over the summer.”

Despite a 3-2 defeat by league leaders Leeds at the weekend, Chambers felt the team’s display at Elland Road suggested they can approach the remainder of the campaign in confident mood. "The target has got to be six points from this week’s home games against Sunderland and Bristol City. We weren’t far behind Leeds — if at all.

"We’ve lost the game through a couple of sloppy goals and we’ve got people who can score goals now. We’ve got attacking players who can play with freedom.

"David McGoldrick has been brilliant from minute one of the season. His future’s up in the air a little bit because he’s only got another year left on his contract but on his day he’s one of the best players in the Championship.

"He’s showing it day in, day out, in training and he’s taking it into games now. Didzy got another goal at the weekend and so did Joe Garner, who has been first class since he’s come in as well.

"We’ve got Waggy and Searsy backing them up, while Bersant [Celina] has yet to stamp his authority on what he can do. It’s a great time to hopefully keep the ball out of our net and be a bit more free in our play going forward.”

Asked if the club should be making moves to tie McGoldrick to a longer-term deal, Chambers laughed: "That’s not my decision and you know my view on contracts. He’s such a good player and he’s a very good mate of mine. I’m just delighted to see him fit and playing so well again.”

What to read next:

Former Town Defender Ndaba Set For Serie A
Former Town defender Corrie Ndaba is set to join Serie A Lecce from Scottish Premiership Kilmarnock, according to reports in Italy.
McKenna: New Coach Stanislas Comes Highly Recommended
Town manager Kieran McKenna has spoken about the additions of new first-team coach Junior Stanislas and set-piece analyst Michele Aragona.
McKenna: Young Will Bring Experience, Competitiveness and Edge
Blues boss Kieran McKenna says new signing Ashley Young can give the club different things in different areas, among them his experience, competitiveness and his edge.
Hirst: I Thought We Played Really Well, But Aberdeen Gave Us a Massive Challenge
Town striker George Hirst was pleased to add to his pre-season goals tally during the Blues’ 3-1 victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
McKenna: Philogene Very Good Tonight, His Off the Ball Work Was Outstanding
Town manager Kieran McKenna was delighted with Jaden Philogene’s performance in the Blues’ 3-1 victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
McKenna: We Got What We Wanted From the Game
Town boss Kieran McKenna said he got what he wanted from the 3-1 friendly win at Aberdeen and believes his side is in general on the right track.
McKenna: Nothing in the Air Regarding Omari's Situation
Town boss Kieran McKenna says there’s “nothing in the air” regarding Omari Hutchinson’s future with the forward having remained behind in Suffolk to train while the Blues were in Aberdeen for this evening’s 3-1 friendly victory.
Aberdeen 1-3 Ipswich Town - Match Report
Jaden Philogene scored twice and George Hirst once as Town beat Aberdeen 3-1 in their friendly at Pittodrie. Philogene stroked home from close range after good work from Sammie Szmodics and Hirst on 28, then Hirst added a second with a predatory rebound 10 minutes later, before Philogene netted the third just before the hour with Aberdeen pulling one back in the 79th minute remaining and the Blues having replaced their entire starting XI.
Aberdeen 0-2 Ipswich Town - Half-Time
Goals from Jaden Philogene and George Hirst have given the Blues a 2-0 half-time lead in this evening’s friendly against Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
Strong Blues Team Starts at Aberdeen
Town have named a strong line-up for this evening’s friendly against Aberdeen at Pittodrie (KO 7.30pm, live on TownTV).