England U21s interim manager Ben Futcher praised Blues striker Liam Delap for his performance in last night’s 2-1 victory over Ukraine at the Vitality Stadium and said he believes the 21-year-old will get even better.
Delap has made a strong start to life with Town in the Premier League following his £15 million move from Manchester City, netting four goals in his first seven top-flight matches for the club.
While he wasn’t on target in last night’s European Championships qualifier, he, along with Town teammate Omari Hutchinson, caused the visitors’ backline significant problems.
"He’s given their centre-halves a real rough night,” Futcher told Henry Winter. "Liam was an absolute handful. If you want to go and fight him, he'll match you. If you want to race him, he’ll win the race.
"He’s very difficult to deal with, he’s quick, he’s powerful, he’s in good form in the Premier League. Liam’s a top number nine and he’s going to keep developing.”
Delap will miss Tuesday’s final qualification game against Azerbaijan at Ashton Gate having been booked for dissent 10 minutes after half-time during last night’s match.
The former Manchester City striker relished his battle with the Ukraine defenders but Futcher says he needs to keep his combativity in check at times.
"It’s a good aggression,” former Lincoln and Bury defender Futcher continued. "I wouldn’t be trying to take any aggression out of him because that’s one of his major strengths. But he needs to learn to control it. He’s suspended for the next game now.”
Futcher, who took temporary charge of the U21s following Lee Carsley’s elevation to the senior side in the summer, added: "Ipswich are very fortunate to have such a good striker on their hands,”
Reflecting on the game in which his side came from a goal down to all but assure qualification for the finals in Slovakia next summer, he said: "Extremely proud because I thought for long periods we were very good.
"I thought we missed opportunities and gave a goal away from a set play. The more we go for it, the more it opens up. It was a tough shift for the lads, but as I said, we stuck at it and we got the two goals that were massive and the result was really important tonight.”