Town star Jay Emmanuel-Thomas believes he has fared well in his first full season as a Championship player after overcoming a hesitant start to life in Suffolk.

After he first arrived from Arsenal last summer, initial concerns about his lack of fitness gradually evaporated and prior to being rested for the Easter Monday home defeat by promotion-chasing Leicester he had put together a run of 20 successive starts.

Emmanuel-Thomas, 21, said: “I’m not exactly new to the Championship because I was out on loan before [at Blackpool, Doncaster and Cardiff] but with loans you tend to only play a few games and nothing like 20 on the trot.

“That’s almost half a season so it’s a great feeling for me and I’m very proud. I am glad to be here and happy that it is going so well. I look forward to coming back next season and putting an even longer run together.

“There are a lot more games at this level and you learn different strategies. Some teams have a target man, some work off counter-attacks and others use wide men, whereas in the Premier League the teams tend to pass their way through.”

Ipswich boss Paul Jewell used Emmanuel-Thomas sparingly in his first few months at Portman Road. He started just six of the first 20 league games of the campaign because by the time he was signed in late July he had missed most of the club’s pre-season training.

The Londoner had no argument with Jewell naming him as a substitute — he was introduced in the 58th minute — for Leicester’s visit and added: “I needed a break. I was looking and feeling a bit jaded in the previous game and I think it was the right decision to rest me.

“The manager pulled me to one side and said he felt I was looking a bit tired and that he was going to leave me out of the starting line-up for the Leicester game. Hopefully, it will have done me some good. I now want to make sure I am involved in the last four games of the season and show what I can do.”

Photo: Action Images

Bugs added 15:53 - Apr 13 I have a hunch he will be superb next season.
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yun added 15:59 - Apr 13 JET looks a great signing for us. Exactly the kind of player that Roy Keane would never have understood - unpredictable (exciting), skillful and entertaining. He's also young a good age and will only get better. Like Bugs, I have big hopes for next year.
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alztar added 16:02 - Apr 13 I'm pleased to see he has matured and I think to start the season he certainly missed London, but I think he's realised its only an hour away on the train and is really beginning to settle. Think next season he will really show us what he's made of as I'm sure he's desperate to play Premiership football!
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Mark added 16:13 - Apr 13 With the first season out of the way, I think JET can push on to be a top Championship player and regular goal scorer. An exciting signing from Paul Jewell, the sort we need if we are to push for promotion over the coming years.
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Surco72 added 16:26 - Apr 13 He doesnt train hard enough or run about like a headless chicken enough ,get him training with the youth team and dont talk to him Mr Jewell thats management according to some . Good signing and as others have said i believe he will have a big year next season ,could be our Taarabat if he adds more goals
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Garv added 16:47 - Apr 13 Would like to see him used up top a bit more. When used in that position on the odd occasion this season he's looked threatening - gets him unto more central positions and ultimately closer to goal where we want him to be. He's supposedly a top quality finisher and he hasn't had a lot of opportunities to prove that yet (lovely little finish against the hammers mind) so let's make it happen.

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rosseden added 16:50 - Apr 13 Agree Garv, would like to see him in the middle sometimes instead of chops, him with martin pushing on, quick passes and running with the ball, especially if the opposition defence are a bit shaky, could cause some real issues for some people........
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Keaneish added 16:59 - Apr 13 Still needs to do more for me but i think we'll be saying that all of his career here. Good signing though. Big season for him next year. Needs to perform consistently for us to make a push for the Prem.
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DutchTownFan added 17:13 - Apr 13 I don't see many games, but I saw Jet against Northampton, and he was the only bright spark in an otherwise woeful performance. I expected him to make an immediate impact on the championship, but we had to wait quite a while for him to start improving. How far can he go?
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ITFC4daprem added 17:52 - Apr 13 Double figures next season I hope.
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billlm added 18:11 - Apr 13 will probably be our best performer next season an outstanding player at times annoying at times but looks like he does want to wear the shirt thank god
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Guthrum added 18:49 - Apr 13 JET - 35 yards - BOOOOM!
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jas0999 added 19:10 - Apr 13 JET has had a lot of critics. People were slagging him off after just a couple of games. He's a young guy who deserved better as afterall it's PJ's job to drop young players for no reason at all. I accept JET is either a love him or hate him player, but personally I like watching him. He can be terrible or brilliant! With the right manager behind him, he could become a great player for us. Whether he is worth £2M remains to be seen though - so far I would have to say no - but time will tell. Entertaining player. Best of luck to him.

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alfromcol added 19:16 - Apr 13 jas0999 Grudgingly positive, I like the new you, keep it up!!!
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Lukeybluey added 20:00 - Apr 13 2 million??? i thought we only paid 1 million for him? could be wrong....
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RetroBlue added 20:27 - Apr 13 Are you sitting down? Because we actually only paid £600k !
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rosseden added 21:00 - Apr 13 i think you'll find PJ recently stated the fee, it was £600k plus add ons going up to £1.5m at the top end of the scale........ yet again jas not letting the facts get in the way of a good rant!
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bluearmy4life added 21:08 - Apr 13 Got so much potential. He has come on well this last 4 months. He can play a massive part in Town's future.........
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 22:58 - Apr 13 Has come on in leaps and bounds. Unpredictable, hugely frustrating but one of the most exciting players we have had in a long time. One of the first names on the team sheet for me. Who was it who signed him again ?
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brian_a_mul added 13:04 - Apr 14 We have to applaud PJ man management skills. He is starting to get great results from JET, Martin, Smith and his treatment of Chops & Jimmy during their troubles has been exemplary. He gives alot of confidence to his players and I think the players trust him. He has also used Drury very wisely imo during his first season at this level. Again another player brimming with confidence. Well done Paul Jewell and long may it last!

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wherescounago added 18:22 - Apr 15 Keep up the progress JET, no resaon why you shouldn't be a big star in Premier League in a couple of sesons time.....with us of course!!
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BigginBlue added 00:50 - Apr 16 We've all come accustomed to the Jet magic where he takes on three and then hits the post from 25 yards. Just need to see those go the right side of the post next year. Obviously if he is able to really get fit next year i think we all know that he will be one of the stars of our team along with martin and cresswell
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runningout added 09:43 - Apr 16 dont get your hopes up too much...
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Langdon_Blue added 21:56 - Apr 16 Well played JET!
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