Pitman Out for Repeat of Best Season Friday, 3rd Jul 2015 06:00 Town new boy Brett Pitman will gladly settle for the same season he enjoyed last time out when he helped former club Bournemouth to land the Championship crown. The 27-year-old striker, who can boast a career tally of 122 goals in all competitions on behalf of the Cherries and his only other previous employers, Bristol City, admitted: “I had my best-ever season last year for sure. “But it was also the most nerve-racking. It was hard at times but we knew we had a good chance because we had a decent team and a decent manager. “We never really changed what we were doing and always played the same way. I think that helped us.” It was a similar tale at Ipswich as Mick McCarthy stuck to his formula and finished sixth, eventually losing out in their bid to regain top-flight status after a 13-year gap when they went down to neighbours Norwich over two legs in the play-offs. Pitman believes the new campaign will once again be as competitive as ever in the second tier and recalled: “Last year at the top it was ridiculously tight with four teams right up there and a couple just behind. You never know, but hopefully we’ll be in the mix.” Asked to provide a brief description of what he can offer Town the player responded: “The fans will soon find out but I’ll work hard and I like to think I’m a good finisher. I’ve always scored goals and especially in the last six or seven years. "First and foremost I’ll work hard for the team and after that anything else will be a bonus.” Pitman, who has signed a three-year contract, with the Blues having an option for a further season, has been reunited with his former Bournemouth colleague, Ryan Fraser, who has joined on a season-long loan. Fraser was gobsmacked to discover Pitman was also at Town to undergo a medical and the latter explained: “I only knew quite late in the day so I just jumped in the car and came up here. “I didn’t know if he had been told or not but I didn’t want to be the one breaking the news to him so I thought it best just to leave it. “We got on very well with each other at Bournemouth. He will bring a lot of pace and energy to the team and the squad. Hopefully he will do well; in fact I’m sure he will. “I also knew Skusey and Gerks from being at Bristol City with them. All the lads have been top-class and the staff have also been very welcoming. It has been quite an easy transition so far. “I obviously spoke to the manager before I signed and that played a big part in me deciding to come here. “Skusey and others said how much I would enjoy playing for him and I’m sure that will be the case. So far, so good. Settling in has been fine and I haven’t felt any pressure to be honest. “The heat has made it pretty tough in training this week but it’s all part and parcel of pre-season. “It seems to be hot every year but it’s maybe a little bit hotter this year. You get used to it and you just crack on, looking forward to the season getting under way.” Photo: ITFC
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