x

Vincent-Young: A Lot of False Starts and Setbacks, So I'm Delighted to Be Back - Ipswich Town News

Fit-again Town full-back Kane Vincent-Young has reflected on his 17-month spell on the sidelines and return to action last month as he can finally look to the future with confidence.

Vincent-Young was a revelation following his move from Colchester in August 2019, making his debut in a 5-0 romp at Bolton and scoring twice in his eight subsequent appearances before injury struck in October that year, forcing him to be withdrawn after almost an hour of the 3-1 win at Southend.

He had been absent since then, making his return to first-team action in last month’s 2-1 defeat at Portsmouth, but although he was unable to appear for the second half of the goalless stalemate at Wigan he did recover to complete the entire 90 minutes at both Charlton and Northampton, where Town drew 0-0 and lost 3-0 respectively.

The former Tottenham youngster also missed his side’s 3-0 defeat at Wimbledon but is set to face the same opposition at Portman Road tomorrow as the Blues look to avenge a costly result at their new Plough Lane HQ just 10 days ago.

Vincent-Young said: "Playing back-to-back games for the full 90-plus minutes is obviously a massive positive for me, considering everything that has happened to get to this stage.

"I’ve had a lot of false starts and setbacks so I was absolutely delighted to get through both games. Mentally, it shows that I can do it and not only am I back enjoying my football again, I also look forward to finishing the season strongly.”

It hasn’t been plain sailing for the player that he his return has coincided with a dip in form that looks to have written off Town’s play-off chances. A spell of five games without a goal, never mind a win, seems to have confirmed their League One status for a third season.

He added: "I feel it as well when things are not going well. These guys are not just my team-mates; they are my mates as well, so it is difficult. But from that point of view it’s just about us sticking to our principles and believing in what we are doing.

"In the games that I’ve played the results haven’t been what we wanted, although we’ve seen in patches where we’ve been really effective and there have been some really good bits, so if we can continue that and keep the belief I think we can have a positive end to the season.”

Vincent-Young admitted he had no desire to put his comeback on hold until next season. "I didn’t want that because it would have been too long a wait through the summer until pre-season training,” he continued. "As players we just want to play so I wanted to get back on to the pitch at the earliest opportunity.

"It has been a long road. Last pre-season I was thinking everything was good. I played at Tottenham, which was great, but then I felt my achilles. At the time I wasn’t thinking too much of it — yet I only played my first match of the season in March.

"It is one of those things that you never think is going to happen until it actually happens. You learn not to take anything for granted and realise it’s an absolute blessing to be fit and not just be able to play games but also finish them.”

Vincent-Young recalled how he felt at half-time in the game at Wigan when it was clear he would not be able to reappear for the second half. "That was the very last thing I needed,” he admitted.

"But I’ve got to know my body quite well over this period so I was optimistic that it wasn’t anything too serious.

"Having said that, however, it wasn’t the best way to start back and the best thing for me was to come in for the game at Charlton and seeing it through for the 90-plus minutes was a massive ticked box for me.”

What to read next:

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).
Luongo Completes Millwall Move
Millwall have confirmed the signing of former Blues midfielder Massimo Luongo on a one-year deal.