Town striker Tyreece John-Jules is not too concerned by a lack of goals in the first few months of his season-long loan from Premier League leaders Arsenal.
The 21-year-old Londoner has netted twice in 15 League One appearances, seven of which were starts, and both his goals opened the scoring in 3-0 victories, at Shrewsbury Town and at home to Cambridge United.
John-Jules said: "I think strikers always want to score more goals. For me, personally, I think it’s going to come. It’s still early in the season and a lot of games still to play, so I think the goals will come. I’m not too worried about that.”
Asked how he felt his loan was going, John-Jules added: "I think it’s going well but it’s still early in the season. The main thing is that the team is doing well. I am playing my part but that applies to all the players and as a collective we are clearly doing well, which is always the most important thing and what matters most.
"We all have the same goal, to help the team to succeed. We are doing well so far but we must keep it up through to the end of the season.
"I feel a part of what is happening at the club. This is a club that welcomes loan players as if they are one of their own. It’s like one big happy family here and I’m enjoying it very much. I’m excited by where we are and how the season goes over the next few months.”
John-Jules started the Blues’ 1-0 Friday night home win over Derby before making way in the 73rd minute as boss Kieran McKenna swapped him for Freddie Ladapo, and such has been the manager’s use of his substitutes — up to five options now — that the young Gunner has yet to complete a full 90 minutes for his temporary employers.
But he is very upbeat about the loan switch and when asked about how he is finding life in Suffolk, he said: "It’s good and I’m enjoying it. I’m living on my own but the other players have been very welcoming and I have had no trouble settling in.
"I still keep in touch from time to time with some of the staff at Arsenal. They are keeping an eye on all the players out on loan so they know what I’m doing. They check with me on my progress and they are able to tell me about the things I am doing well but also about where I need to improve.
"They like to make sure the lads who are out on loan are doing okay. It’s always good to have conversations with the people at Arsenal and they keep up to date with what’s going on.
"They have a lot of players out on loan and they are very good at staying in contact with us. There are people who reach out to us and are just as interested in our well-being than the way we are playing.”
The north London giants are currently leading the Premier League and John-Jules added: "They’re doing extremely well so far and if they can maintain their form they are going to have a very good season.
"We’ll see what happens but my main focus is on Ipswich and what we want to achieve here. That’s all that matters right now.”
With Town having been in action against Derby in front of the Sky Sports cameras — and clocking up only their second win in 22 appearances on the satellite channel — the players had a rare Saturday off.
John-Jules continued: "Having the game on Friday night, earlier than everyone else, was different and it was great to get the three points. It meant I was able to relax and enjoy my weekend, and leave it to the other teams to get on with it.
"To be honest, I just rested. I was at home seeing my family and just chilling. I went out for some food with a few friends but it wasn’t much.
"The emphasis was definitely on resting. I saw the results coming in on Saturday, so it was good to hear that Plymouth and Sheffield Wednesday were both held to draws.
"But, generally speaking, I don’t spend too much time looking at what the other teams are doing. I just think that whatever happens, happens, and it’s about what we do that is most important.”
John-Jules is no stranger to spending time on loan and has had spells with Lincoln, Doncaster, Blackpool and Wednesday, one of Town’s main promotion rivals this season, although his game time at Hillsborough comprised a mere 18 minutes as a substitute in the Owls’ narrow 1-0 win over the Blues in January this year.
Already a member of the Charlton Athletic academy, he moved to Arsenal when he was still only eight, and he has since gone on to represent England at U16, U17, U18, U19 and U21 levels. It is no surprise when he reveals he would love to continue the pattern and add senior caps to his collection.
He said: "It has always been my dream to play for my country in the World Cup and I would be thrilled if that opportunity was to arise. The only way I have any chance is to continue working hard at my game and, hopefully, improving all the time.
"It’s still a bit early to be talking about me playing in the next World Cup. We’ll have to wait and see what happens but hopefully I’ll be cheering on some of my Arsenal colleagues in the World Cup next month.
"I’m very excited about it and I’ll be watching as much of the football as I can, plus supporting them. It will be good to see how they get on.
"We don’t know the England squad yet but I have a few close mates in the Arsenal squad and I’ll be cheering on anyone from the club who is playing out in Qatar, that’s for sure.
"There is also a good chance that Wes Burns will be involved.
"All the players would be absolutely delighted for Wes if he makes the Welsh squad. There’s no doubt he has been playing well recently and they will know that because they will be checking on the form of all their players.
"Wes is definitely close to being picked and I don’t see why he shouldn’t be going. If he keeps playing well, I’m sure he will be on the plane.”