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Chalobah: Swansea Win is Just the Start - Ipswich Town News

Winning goalscorer Trevoh Chalobah believes Saturday’s first victory of the season at Swansea is just the start for the Blues. The on-loan Chelsea man nodded home his second goal of the season six minutes from time as Town beat the Swans 3-2 to record their first Championship win of the campaign at the 12th time of asking.

"It has to be [the start of something],” Chalobah told BBC Radio Suffolk following Saturday’s match.

"This has boosted our confidence a lot now. So after the international break, just rest and then go again. It’s a bit frustrating but the lads need the rest after today, but I can’t wait.”

The 19-year-old, who will spend most of the next fortnight away with the England U20s, says the 23rd-placed Blues have an opportunity to climb the division in the weeks which follow the break.

Town take on QPR a week on Saturday before a tough trip to high-flying Leeds, then an away game at Millwall, Preston at Portman Road and a visit to Reading prior to the next international break.

"There’s games coming up for us to get points,” Chalobah reflected. "That’s when we need to stay focused and get ourselves prepared for the games ahead and try to get points and try and get ourselves up the table.”

The Chelsea youngster believes the Blues are a developing team: "Most games we’ve been progressing, but the only thing has been goals. But I think they will come in time. [Saturday] was just the start.

"You could see Swansea, how technical they were but I thought the boys stuck together, they didn’t get fazed at all, got stuck in and ground the win out.”

The Sierra Leone-born midfielder or defender was delighted to net the goal which saw the Blues not only to their first win of the season, but also their first away victory in Swansea since March 1982 back in their time at the Vetch Field.

"It was an exciting feeling obviously, getting the winner,” he continued. "But credit to the boys, they did well and dug in.

"At 2-2 it was a tough game against a good opponent, who are technically good. It was good to get the winner and our first three points of the season.

"Coming into the game, we obviously weren’t the favourites but we don’t listen to that, we just go in focused on the game ahead and just ground out the win.”

Chalobah paid tribute to Town’s travelling support after memorable celebrations following his goal and then the final whistle.

"I think that’s most important because they’ve been through all the games that we’ve been through and it’s good to celebrate with the fans,” he said.

"It’s been really tough for us, but the most important thing in football is that things can change and I think we did well, we dug in well and we deserved the three points.”

He says after the game the dressing room was buzzing after the long wait for a win: "It’s been amazing because other games before we were coming in after a draw or a loss but today it’s a really good feeling for the boys and we just have to kick on from here.”

Chalobah was also pleased for manager Paul Hurst, who was coming under increasing pressure as the long wait for a victory lengthened.

"For the gaffer as well, it’s important that he’s got the three points,” he added. "Now as a team we can just move on and think about the next few games after the international break.”

Chalobah, who was experiencing winning a match for the first time at senior level having made his competitive first-team debut on the opening day, says he has learnt a lot from Town's experienced players since he made his season-long loan move.

"For me as a young player it’s important to have all these experienced players like Skusey and Chambo helping me through the game,” he continued.

"I’m learning every day in training, in and around the ground, just improving every day.

"I’ve played in the midfield role which is something different for me, coming from Chelsea as a centre-back.

"But the manager’s believed in me playing in midfield and I think every day I’m learning a lot, especially from the experienced ones in the midfield. It’s important for me to learn every day and to keep going.”

Having already netted a couple of important goals, he is keen to add to his total: "Obviously my position is holding midfield but I’ve already got two goals this season and I’m looking for more.”

Chalobah was pleased to see his England U19s team-mate Andre Dozzell make his first start of the season on Saturday after his long absence through injury.

"It’s been good to see Andre back, I played with him for England,” he said. "It’s good that he’s back from his injury. He’s been working hard in training, so it’s good to see him back on the pitch.”

Dozzell, also 19, quickly made an impact on Saturday, threading an early ball through for Freddie Sears and Chalobah says that’s something the Town academy product can add to the team.

"That’s what he’s good at, getting on the half-turn. It’s important for him to get on the half-turn and play it forward, that’s his special trait. If we use that more we can get chances.”

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