Andy Drury had no argument with Ipswich manager Paul Jewell’s recent decision to rest him. In fact, he was all for it!

The energetic midfielder admitted: “When the gaffer sat me down and said he was going to rest me I have to confess that I felt I was ready for it. Not only that, having had my rest I definitely felt better for it when I returned to the team.

“March was incredibly busy and I also had a little dip in form so I could understand the gaffer’s point of view, even if I’m the sort of player who hates missing games.

“Overall, I think I have done okay. I’ve only missed a few games since I returned from my loan spell at Crawley and it’s not as if I was only in the side to make up the numbers. I won my place — and kept it — on merit.

“I used to look at the likes of Jimmy Bullard and Lee Bowyer, when they weren’t in the side, and it made me feel good that I was keeping them out. It also made sure I stayed on my toes and took nothing for granted.”

Drury loves his role in the Town engine room, driving the side on, and he added: “I like to be in the thick of the action. In midfield I always feel as though I’m involved in the game, even if I’m not on the ball.

“My role isn’t specifically to sit in front of the back four and protect them, nor is it to be bombing forward looking for goals. It’s a bit of both in the manager’s eyes and I just make sure I give 100 per cent all the way through.”

Drury has come a long way since his part-time days with Sittingbourne, his home-town team, and he is keen to play his part in winning promotion back to the Premiership for Town.

He said: “There are a lot of reminders of what Ipswich stands for as a football club. For example, we see a lot of club legends like John Wark and everybody knows what he achieved in the game.

“John turns up at the training ground quite regularly. He comes into the canteen and likes his grub, but he is held in high esteem by the lads because he’s been there and done it at the very highest level. He likes to pop in for a chat and he’s a top bloke.

“We recently had six members of the title-winning side of 50 years ago at Portman Road for the renaming of the Sir Alf Ramsey Stand and we made sure we paid our respects to them. They are the heroes from the past and today’s players all want to do their bit in re-establishing Ipswich in the top flight, which is what we are all working hard to achieve.”

Photo: Action Images

keebs_itfc added 11:48 - Apr 12 i can see him being a pivotal member of the team next year
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alztar added 11:49 - Apr 12 Top bloke, look forward to next season with him and Hyam bossing the best midfield in the Championship!
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Daleyitfc added 11:50 - Apr 12 Wimp.
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osborne1nil added 11:50 - Apr 12 Well said Andy. Keep it up and you should keep Bowyer on the bench IMO!
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legoman added 11:52 - Apr 12 All this talk of rest is really starting to wind me up!
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Wallingford_Boy added 12:03 - Apr 12 Rest = dropped, as just an average Div One player..
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TimmyH added 12:06 - Apr 12 Be careful what you wish for, PJ might 'rest' you for the rest of the season!
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Langdon_Blue added 12:06 - Apr 12 Hmmm...is this the right attitude to have...the Drury is out on this one!
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Dalty added 12:10 - Apr 12 Can see why people would criticise a footballer talking about needing a rest, but I think its all about the fine margins in pro sport and going from not being in the team earlier in the season to playing regularly seemed to take an edge off his game as he's admitted. If you look at what Fergie does at United he's always resting players for the occasional game to keep them fresh, seems to work pretty well for him.

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BotesdaleBlue added 12:19 - Apr 12 Drury appears to have an excellent attitude and prespective on things and I really like him as a player. I would love to see him establish himself in the team next season. Keep it up Andy
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Lukeybluey added 12:23 - Apr 12 i need a rest, been working too hard.
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TractorMan added 12:23 - Apr 12 Agree with Dalty - there's no point in playing someone who is clearly shattered with a run of 8 games in a month. We have a squad for a reason, but Drury has shown why he is in the team and in my opinion, a cheaper version of Bullard as the creative element of our central midfield. Unlike Bullard, he can tackle though and still has that vision at this level to be a good solid player. Drury on probably £5k a week or Bullard on £20k? Doesn't take much to figure out we could spend that £15k difference in wages on a couple of quality up and coming players from the lower leagues and strengthen the squad for the future.

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Mark added 12:23 - Apr 12 As I am sure Hyam will tell you, the trouble with a rest is that sometimes you then don't get back into the team afterwards! Bowyer could hardly have been worse against Leicester and I suspect he will be released in the summer, so I hope to see Drury start against Palace. Most of us feel Leadbitter will be leaving, so there is an argument to playing Hyam ahead of him too.

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Bluecynic added 12:24 - Apr 12 Of course the players need rest- they are tested rigorously to see how effective they are and I assume also to avoid the risk of injury. Anyone who has played sport at a good level would understand this.
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Garv added 12:31 - Apr 12 How dare the manager rest one of our players! Drury's confidence must be shattered and the treatment of him has been nothing short of disgusting.
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BlueBoots added 12:37 - Apr 12 “My role isn't specifically to sit in front of the back four and protect them, nor is it to be bombing forward looking for goals. It's a bit of both in the manager's eyes and I just make sure I give 100 per cent all the way through.” Central midfield 3 for next season... Drury or Leadbitter (if he signs up - if not, a new signing) to do the role above Hyam or new signing (one of the Derry / Whitehead types we keep missing out on...) to protect the back 4 I think we're sorted for the role behind the striker with Martin, JET, Stevenson and Bullard

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Langdon_Blue added 12:43 - Apr 12 Ha-ha. I like your style Garv!
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Len_Brennan added 12:53 - Apr 12 A very good player with a very good attitude, exactly the type we'll want in the side next season. I think we've seen the difference between being dropped and being rested with Drury. Should start in all 4 of our remaining fixtures. What's with Warky popping down to the old soup kitchen all the time? "He likes his grub" alright.
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 12:56 - Apr 12 Garv - i blame PJ, Clegg and you. You have no ambition and you only stumbled on your nickname. Sort yourself out.
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MickMillsTash added 12:57 - Apr 12 A good bit of honesty. If he is tired and plays - and plays badly he will be slagged off, if he admits he is tired he is slagged off. I like him - he has energy, can tackle, positionally is not bad, passing is quite good and he has a few tricks that can open up the game. great goal vs bristol, His first real season with us and I see him as a regular next year. Does this just reflect how low my expectations of Ipswich players has dropped to?

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buryblue77 added 13:15 - Apr 12 MickMills, there are a lot of people on here who will moan at anything. Imagine this, Champions League Final : Ipswich 5-1 Barcelona, we'd all be heaven, would be too much to handle, but there is a contingent (we all know who they are) who would critise poor old ALB for letting in that Messi wonder strike and Delany for letting him through and Leadbitter for not sitting tight enough on Xavi for the initial pass and so on...... Nonsenical, totally hypothetical and much exagerrated scenario out of the way to prove my point.......I'm pleased with the way Drury has come on since returning from his loan spell, how we all thought he was going to be sold. As for the rest, as I've said before, it's such small margins that lead to 'player tiredness' and too many games could result in a small reduction of alertness and stamina which could be costly in a game. Jewell and his coaching staff are looking for this type of thing throughout games and training, despite the season we have had, I think Jewell and co are much more qualified than any of us to evalute player fitness and ability.

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HALLSJ added 13:17 - Apr 12 Totally agree with the positives, Daley sounds and looks like a pedo...keep ur opinions to yourself m8
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 13:20 - Apr 12 Mick Mills - nope i also see him as a regular next year. At least i hope he is. He will have dips in form obviously, all players do. I wouldn't offer Bowyer another year and i am hoping that PJ is only playing him because he is still deciding.
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ian_marshall added 13:22 - Apr 12 Daley your a mug.
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jas0999 added 13:39 - Apr 12 Not good. He should be fit. Remember when Serini asked Burley for a rest? Rightly, the player received a longer one! Perhaps I could ask my boss for a rest? Paid? This club is very badly run.
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