Town star Aaron Cresswell is having the season of his life but he is too modest to dwell on it for long.

Cresswell, 24, has already been named as the Championship’s ninth best player in a poll of managers, while he is also tied with Leicester striker David Nugent and Nottingham Forest with 13 assists each, more than any others at this level.

Long touted as the Championship’s best left-back by Town boss Mick McCarthy, he said: “It’s always nice when you see things like that but I just concentrate on every game as it comes and obviously try to do the best I can for Ipswich.

“It’s a bonus when you see things like that. The main thing for a defender is to get the clean sheet and anything after that — an assist or a goal — is a massive bonus.

“My form has been up and down, like most players, but obviously I’m quite happy with the way the season’s gone and if we can make that play-off place I’ll take that all day.”

Cresswell has been virtually ever-present since checking in at Portman Road in July 2011 and this season has featured in a back four unchanged in Town’s last 25 league games.

He laughed: “It’s nice when you get a settled back four or a settled team in fact. We all work off each other and everyone knows what is happening. In my first season I played with just about every other centre-half out there!”

Cresswell is hoping the atmosphere of the last two home games, against Derby and Nottingham Forest, will be repeated or even improved upon against Doncaster today.

He added: “When you’ve reached this stage of the season and you have big games coming up there are bigger crowds and a better atmosphere. It would be great on Saturday if we can get the fans going again. We want to give them something to shout about and hopefully get the three points.

“When you’re drawing 1-1 or you’re 1-0 down with 10 minutes to go and you hear the fans shouting and screaming it can drag you along. It’s happened a couple of times this season, where we’ve pulled through and got three points or even a late draw.”

Finally, Cresswell believes there are several outstanding candidates for the Players’ Player of the Year accolade and said: “It’s a sign of the team doing well when several players are in the running.

“I’ll probably go for Berra or Murphy, or even Didzy, but there’s a few who could get it. I think it’s wide open.”

Photo: Action Images

ArnieM added 12:11 - Apr 11 If we are serious about pushing on next seaosn we must aim to keep out best players. Failure to do so, sends the wrong message to hard pressed fans who have had the carrot of better times waved under their noses this season. COYB's
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NoCanariesAllowed added 12:38 - Apr 11 Have to be honest, I thought Cresswell was better last year than this. I dare say the reason the managers picked him this year rather than last was partly because everyone's simply more aware of him now. Relative to expectations, he impressed me much more last season.
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TimmyH added 13:02 - Apr 11 I feel he's done ok this season, probably defensively more savvy but really haven't seen that much of him getting forward and using that trusty left foot that we all know he's got! Still feel there are players in this team that deserve to be higher than him in that Championships top 10.
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Simonds92 added 13:31 - Apr 11 He's got more assists than any other player in the top four divisions for a left back! Ridiculous comments!
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TimmyH added 13:44 - Apr 11 says who?...match magazine
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TimmyH added 13:55 - Apr 11 well apologies @simonds - seems your correct looking at the league stats even more than Reid at Forest), the more I think about it just shows how the midfield stands up (for most of the season). Just strikes me Cresswell has probably been doing a quietly efficient job!
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GerkensBeard added 16:49 - Apr 11 The reason why Cresswell hasn't been able to get forward as much this season is because he hasn't been allowed too, he's been a marked man and anyone who goes to the games sees that the opposition rarely attack down our left side. The oppositions right midfielder has been sent out to mark Cresswell rather than get forward himself in just about every game I've seen this season. But somehow he's still managed 13 assists which for a left back is outstanding! And has been very solid defending all season.

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Garv added 16:49 - Apr 11 I'd like to know how many assists have come from corners. That's no criticism, but I would say his attacking play hasn't been as good as in previous seasons. Defensively better I'd say.
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thebeat added 17:12 - Apr 11 Agree he was better last season. Also agree its because opponents do all their attacking down our right hand side
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whosroundisitanyway added 17:16 - Apr 11 Not playing Doncaster today Phil. At least I hope not!!!
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whosroundisitanyway added 17:18 - Apr 11 Won't be much of an atmosphere. ;0)
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TimmyH added 20:25 - Apr 11 maybe that was what I was originally getting at @Garv - maybe a lot of dead ball situations, all the same it's his boot supplying them.
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