Life in Suffolk beats living in London for Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, whose return visits to the capital have become less frequent since he signed for Ipswich 13 months ago.

The 21-year-old former Arsenal player hails from Forest Gate and admitted: “Where I grew up in London wasn’t the best of neighbourhoods. I still go back there from time to time and I have family there who don’t want to leave.

“But in Suffolk it’s totally different, a lot quieter and more relaxing. When I go home it’s headaches, noise and police sirens.

“If I do want to go back there it only takes me an hour and a half but I prefer not to. I have friends and family who come down here to see me at my house or watch games.”

Emmanuel-Thomas has netted seven goals in 45 Town appearances and intends to improve his career statistics in the months ahead.

He added: “I’m aiming for 15 to 20 goals and I want 20 assists. I had two the other night against Bristol Rovers so that’s just 18 to go.

“My job is to give the left-back hassle and stop him from going the other way. If I can get him going back towards his own goal he’s not going to want to go forward in case he gets caught out. Once I get past the half-way line if there is no one near me I’m going to shoot.

“It was a great result against Bristol Rovers and I hope we can take that win, plus the two pre-season wins against Colchester and West Ham, and keep it going.”

Town launch their Championship campaign against relegated Blackburn at Portman Road tomorrow with the man known as JET predicting: “I think it will be quite a tight league. There are a few teams who have come down from the Premiership who are still decent sides.

“Blackburn and Bolton are still good teams that you would not really expect to be down in this league but what can you do? That’s football. I don’t know which players have left Blackburn and which are still there but I’m not scared to play against anyone and I’m not fazed by anything.

“Our new boys have settled in really well and I believe it is going to be a good season for us. Massimo Luongo is a neat and tidy player. He just likes to get on the ball and pass it. Hopefully he can keep it going for the rest of the season while he’s here. I think he has family coming down for company. He’s a decent lad and a very good player.

“But we have a lot of talented young boys and I don’t think it’s a case of the fans having to be patient. The transfer window will close at the end of the month but then it opens again a fortnight later for loans so you never know who might be coming through the door.”

Photo: Action Images

textbackup added 07:22 - Aug 18 I love this man! He alone could take us up and beyond that
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DiamondGezzer added 07:28 - Aug 18 Keep your head down and show us what we know you are capable of. There's great improvement already since you joined the Town, but along with others, I'm sure there is an awful lot more to come. Here's to more assists today.
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joshuanelli added 07:33 - Aug 18 I saw JET in the Grange Farm Tesco's yesterday with his partner (who I believe looked asthough she was "expecting"), so it will be great if he decides to make Suffolk his base for the long term! This can surely only be a good thing!! He certainly seems extremely motivated, let's just hope this continues to show in his performances!!
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irishtim added 08:57 - Aug 18 Good man. Ten plus goals from JET would be most welcome.
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CornardBlue added 09:04 - Aug 18 The most exciting player we have had in years, also the most frustrating. In the 1st half against Bristol we hardly gave him the ball and he seemed to lack interest, in the 2nd we played down his side and he was unplayable.
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bluey123 added 09:23 - Aug 18 You lot just show how much you know about football hes big cant win a header in the game for 20 minutes he should not get settled here as when a decent manager comes he will be gone
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cobboldmassive added 09:33 - Aug 18 he has done OK, he shows moments of utter brilliance and moments of despair, I don't think he alone could take us up as the 1st comment states but when he is on top form there are not much better than him at the club.
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sereneblue added 09:35 - Aug 18 Bluey 123 Shouldn't you be getting the coach down to Craven Cottage !!!!!
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WeirdFishes added 09:41 - Aug 18 I saw him im little Tescoa aswell...he was wearing slippers
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bluey123 added 09:42 - Aug 18 sereneblue you can support a club but do not have to agree with the management or trhe way the clubs being run unlike you blind sheep who go to games blinkered to reality JEWELL OUT
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pazelle added 09:43 - Aug 18 JET is superb! Best of luck to the lads for the Blackburn match! You can do it!
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azza01 added 10:01 - Aug 18 Jewell in!!!! blue123 out!!!!!
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bedsitfc added 10:58 - Aug 18 bluey123 - where would itfc need to finish in the league for you to say we have had a good season?
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Manilablue added 11:28 - Aug 18 bluey123: With all your wisdom you write" JEWELL OUT". Who would you suggest as manager? Are you so experianced in football management that you can take over from Mr. Jewell. If not try to be constructive in your comments. You could always change your name to"BlueyCanary123"
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murraybrunning added 11:30 - Aug 18 @bluey123 I'm all for freedom of speech but it's idiotic comments from the likes of you that make living in a dictatorship seem slightly more attractive
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LankHenners added 12:13 - Aug 18 bluey123: yes, he can be unpredictable and sometimes be a bit lazy but he is certainly nowhere near as bad as you are making him out to be. I believe he is definitely one of our best players - especially as he has spent the summer at a running camp to get him to his full ability and fitness.
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pazelle added 13:44 - Aug 18 bluey123 was invented by the illuminati to strengthen the argument against free speech, allowing the truth to be hidden through control of language and therefore the mind. Let bluey123 type away - we're not that different from chimpanzees you know!
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Manilablue added 14:54 - Aug 18 Blueycanary 123 your glass is always half empty.....
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