Knudsen: Fantastic Stadium, Fantastic Fans Friday, 21st Aug 2015 06:00 Portman Road may be modest in size compared to some of the top Premier League stadia but it has already made a big impression on new Town recruit Jonas Knudsen. Not only has the Danish defender’s new surroundings hit the spot, he has also been quick to strike up a rapport with the supporters who have been singing his praises after a notable debut at Brentford was followed by equally solid displays in the subsequent home wins over Sheffield Wednesday and Burnley. Knudsen, used to rather smaller attendances at previous club Esbjerg, said: “It is a fantastic stadium with fantastic fans. The supporters seem to be more dedicated over here and I like it so much. I had a good relationship with supporters back home as well. “The relationship with the fans is important to me. They can help you on the pitch and you can make them happy if you can help the team to win. They are a big part of any club and you have to show them respect, thank them and pay them back in the best way you can. “If we win I think they have played their part — the 12th man if you like. I can see how dedicated the Ipswich supporters are and I like them for it. I also like Chambo’s fist pump celebration and I will join in if he lets me.” Knudsen’s introduction to English football has gone extremely well and he is quick to acknowledge the part played by other members of the team, particularly his experienced colleagues in the back four and midfield — Luke Chambers, Tommy Smith, Christophe Berra, Cole Skuse and Jonathan Douglas — who have amassed around 2,000 career appearances amongst them. He added: “These guys have helped me a lot. They have taken me under their wing and made sure I feel at home. I like to think I can repay them by playing well and helping the team to progress. We have some other players new to Ipswich as well so it is a good mix. “I hope to be able to contribute some goals but my immediate priority is to concentrate on my defending. That is the main part of my game and I have to make sure I am doing that to a good standard. “After that I will be looking to push forward when we have the ball, get up the line hopefully and deliver crosses into the middle. “I might take some shots as well and I could also feature in our freekicks, with a player taking a short one to me and then I can have a shot. The defending is most important for now but I hope to show I have a lot to contribute.” Meanwhile, Knudsen confirmed that he is in regular contact with another ex-Town player, fellow countryman Thomas Gaardsøe. The pair got to know each other at Esbjerg, where they were team-mates for three seasons, and he said: “I gave Thomas a call a few days ago and we talked for half an hour about Ipswich. “He told me good things about it and how much he enjoyed playing for the club, and we also discussed what I have to do to make progress here. I am very happy here and Thomas is someone I can call back home in Denmark whenever I want.”
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