Defender Tommy Smith has admitted that his lack of games at Town has been frustrating. Yesterday, the 20-year-old joined Colchester United on loan until the end of the season.

Smith said: “The last time I played for Ipswich was on New Year’s Day, so of course it has been frustrating.

“The new manager has come in and changed it around and I can’t really have any complaints because the two centre-halves have been doing well.

“He has sat down and explained his decisions to me and the last thing he said was ‘prove to me that you want to be part of my plans for next season’.”

Smith, who is contracted to Town until June 2012, will be away with New Zealand next week playing a friendly in China with a planned game in Japan having now been called off.

Photo: Action Images

bluelady added 09:28 - Mar 18 colchester havent been on a good run, so a good challange ahead for Tommy. Good to see Jewell sitting him down and explaining things, and i do hope to see him come back better stronger and ready for next season. At 20 he has a great deal of potential but needs to learn his trade, loaning out to a half decent league 1 team is a very good start.
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emergencylime added 09:56 - Mar 18 Smith is an asset to our team, he's just been unfortunate not to have been able to shift Mac and DD. This will be great for him to get some decent games in (more of a test than the reserves), and I would feel confident about him replacing one of the aforementioned players should they not be able to agree new terms.
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nearly50yearsblue added 10:03 - Mar 18 I would have liked to have seen Smith at right back for a few games,as opposed to poor defending from Edwards,I recognise that Smith does not go forward too often,but we are conceding too many soft goals,need to stop conceding first and you have a least one point.
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bluelady added 10:24 - Mar 18 nearly50yrs blue but Smith is left footed? Troy Brown wasnt bad at right back when given the chance and does like the ball at his feet too?
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broomfield123 added 10:52 - Mar 18 He needs a run of games at our level if he wants to compete at this level or higher. He is as good as our present centre backs if not already better.With the likes of troy brown , tom eastman, shane oconner and tommy smith you have your futer back 4 already as long as you play them in their correct positions.
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TractorRoyNo1 added 11:29 - Mar 18 good lad, shame he can't play right back - actually wouldn't mind us trying 3 at the back for the rest of the season, with o'conner (left wing-back) and dyer / peters / edwards as the right side wing-back
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Karlosfandangal added 11:44 - Mar 18 Would prefer him at the back than Delaney for the rest of the season, I think McAuley and Smith would make a good partnership next year, Delaney has palyed very well at time, However he seems to me to be a little hit and miss, Having said that would not be too dissapointed if he was still McAuley's partner next season. We let very silly goals in and the Reading and Watford game showed that so feel we need better defence for next season, a Centre half maybe but a must have Right Back and Left Back

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StowTractorBoy added 12:06 - Mar 18 I know we all have our own opinions on here but Smith at right back - what a joke. I think Smith is a good player and don't want to lose him and believe he could feature more regularly next season.
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Geo_ITFC added 12:58 - Mar 18 smith right back? he is left footed and i believe JP is better than CE at right back
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exefokker added 13:01 - Mar 18 Centre backs as full backs ??? Keane did this, and we saw how it left us with no natural width or penetration... What ever next, central midfielders down the flanks also ? :s
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Ipswich24 added 14:07 - Mar 18 I am still not convinced by Delaney his concentration is not great and also gets caught wrong side of players also distribution is pretty poor. The future is Tommy Smith and would like to see him oust delaney.
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jas0999 added 16:17 - Mar 18 Unfortunately it happens when a new manager comes in - he will have his favourites. Peters has also been unlucky, but that's the way it is.
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Martus added 00:39 - Mar 19 Hahahahah, Bluelady you think Troy Brown is comfortable on the ball ahahahahah! He is a typlical English centre back where if he is under any sort of pressure he hoofs it foward, and too boot it all he is unable too pass the half way line. But other than that, yeah he's quality . . . . . . . . . . . .
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DiamondGezzer added 07:26 - Mar 19 Jas0999 :- You're right. In Jaimie Peters case I've always felt it a shame and a total waste to see such a player sitting on the bench. Always gives 100% and never seems to let his head drop.
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apm_77 added 09:27 - Mar 19 Shame, I 'd have picked him against Scunny instead of Delany, who, for me, is on his way out of the door in June and won't be missed. I'd like to see big changes for the match, freshen things up a bit : Fulop Peters McAuley Brown/Smith/Anyone! O'Conner Edwards Drury Bullard Civelli Wickham Scotland
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