Winger Anthony Georgiou is still buoyant about his Town debut as he prepares for tomorrow’s trip to crisis-hit Bolton, which he hopes will give him an opportunity to play a full 90 minutes.
A half-time substitute in Tuesday’s home clash with AFC Wimbledon, the Tottenham youngster who is loan at Portman Road until January, made an outstanding first impression as he helped Paul Lambert’s team to stage a late recovery and storm back from trailing 1-0 to win 2-1, thanks to Kayden Jackson’s 94th minute clincher.
Lewisham-born Georgiou, who only travelled down the A12 the previous day to complete the temporary move, said: "It was a really good game and I enjoyed it a lot.
"The atmosphere was amazing and while it’s always nice to start with a win, it was especially good the way we did it with that dramatic winner from Kayden right at the end. It was a good game for the lads.”
Cyprus international Georgiou loved the occasion, with the vast majority of the 18,778 crowd whipping up a terrific backdrop as James Norwood equalised nine minutes from the end before Jackson emulated the feat of skipper Like Chambers, who rescued a point at Peterborough last weekend, by also finding the net deep into stoppage time.
Georgiou added: "I’ve seen a few of the Ipswich games before and I knew the support was amazing, so it didn’t really surprise me too much. But it was really nice to play in a League One game watched by so many people.
"I had only trained with the boys the day before so it was a great feeling to get the call to go on at the start of the second half. I was really excited and couldn’t wait to get on to the pitch and show what I could do.”
The loanee caught the eye with some tremendous play down the left. "I thought I did okay,” he said modestly. "The most important thing was that we got a win and I think I played my part in helping the team to do that.
"Everyone on the pitch obviously helped to get the three points and it was a great feeling for us all.”
Asked about his best position, Georgiou continued: "I’ve played left-back before at Spurs but I see my best position as being a winger. Left or right, I don’t mind, but that’s where I believe I am most dangerous and effective for the team.
"I see my job as a winger to take people on and deliver good crosses into the box. It’s about creating things for the team and I also like to take advantage if I find myself in a scoring position. I’ll be looking to provide assists and a goal here and there if I can.”
Georgiou is now hoping that he did enough in his display against the Dons to have boss Lambert name him in the starting line-up tomorrow against the beleaguered Trotters, desperately looking for a new owner after being relegated last term, hit with a 12-point deduction and managing to take just one from the first three League One fixtures.
"Am I ready for 90 minutes? Absolutely I am,” he smiled. "It was a tough pre-season and my fitness has benefited.
"I got a lot of minutes in the pre-season games, in tough conditions out in Asia, so I’m ready. I’m definitely up for 90 minutes if that’s what the manager decides to do.”