Ryan Fraser is quick to concede that there is a contrast in the respective styles of Town and parent club Bournemouth — but he believes the gap is narrowing all the time.

He said: “It is a lot different — I’m not going to lie. Where to play, how to play, it’s different and it has taken me a little while to get used to it.

“I do movements that maybe Mick doesn’t want me to do or he wants me to do things that I’m not used to doing. It’s just about getting a good relationship with the team and whatever he wants me to do I’ll do it. So far, it’s going well and paying off.

“Ipswich were direct last season. We [Bournemouth] played them twice, they were really hard to play against and teams don’t like coming to Portman Road.

“We looked at videos in the days leading up to our games against them and you could tell you were in for a tough time of it.

“Ipswich away was one of the few games you went into thinking ‘This is going to be really tough’ and to have that thought in the back of your mind it was hard. I think teams coming here now will be thinking the same and it will help Ipswich.

“Being here will also make me a better player. That’s why Eddie Howe [Bournemouth manager] wanted me to come here.

“I’m okay about the gritty side of things but Mick has changed it here and we are becoming more of a passing team. I’m keeping my head down and looking to improve as a player, while also hoping that it is a successful season for Ipswich.”

Fraser played 27 times for Bournemouth last season, which makes him well qualified to assess Town’s promotion credentials, and he added: “Ipswich have got enough to do it. To be honest, when I got here I was surprised at how good they were.

“There are no question marks against anyone and each and every one of the players brings something different to the table.

“There is terrific ability, different abilities, in every area and there’s no question that we have a great squad.

“Everyone on the bench needs to be ready and they will be. You can see that in the cup games, the way lads have come in and done well to prove they are ready and up to scratch.

“The young guys train with us every day and you see their quality. Josh [Emmanuel] did really well on his debut at Brentford and it was the same with Myles [Kenlock] against Stevenage.

“Then they both played at Doncaster the other night and did well again alongside big Josh [Yorwerth] who had scored against Stevenage.

“The big lad up front, James [Alabi], came on and scored at Doncaster and they are all showing the gaffer that they can be trusted.

“If he needs them in league games he knows they will do a job for him. I thought the two Joshes were big but James is massive — I’m about the size of his right leg to be honest.

“When I first joined Bournemouth from Aberdeen I didn’t think there could be a better family club. But I walked in here and quickly realised it’s just exactly the same.

“I never thought I’d come across a better group of team-mates than at Bournemouth but the lads here are unbelievable.

“Chambo, Skusey, all the experienced lads, they get everyone together and we go out for dinner. It’s good to get away from football at times and take your mind off it.

“You walk into training in the morning with a smile on your face because you know you are not only seeing your team-mates but your mates as well. It’s a good feeling.”

Photo: Action Images

battyblue added 06:18 - Aug 29 Nice words Ryan hope you and the team have a very successful season keep the passing game going we def don't want HOOF BALL back.
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ArnieMsBigToe added 06:25 - Aug 29 "Team mates" . . . "mates". I wonder whether the dark lord has read this. . . Good old Mick. Good old Terry
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parhamblue added 07:45 - Aug 29 We look like we've got a better blend this season without losing the toughness. Bournemouth stood out because they didn't play like a Championship side. It can still be a bit dire, like the first half v Preston (judging from reports) but we mustn't forget that our opponents also can hoof and fail to find their men.
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pegasus added 08:12 - Aug 29 Wan't sure if he was quite into the culture, yet. He was giving everyone their first names...but then right at the end we got Chambo and Skusey. He's slotting in!
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hogster1970 added 08:29 - Aug 29 well he sounds a top lad, well if bournmouth get relegated and IF we get promoted then best we buy him
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SpiritOfJohn added 09:02 - Aug 29 My good lady returned from the FPR family fun day with a book for yours truly signed by 2 Town players. One signatory was Darren Ambrose, the other we were not too sure who it was, but a photo had been taken and we were able to identify the wee man from Bournemouth. A nice chap by all accounts as well as being a handy player, and his comments confirm that we have talent as well as grit and determination this season.

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theblueginger added 10:10 - Aug 29 Yeah our style isn't to dive around at all moments, and put across an inferiority complex on their hours of Sky coverage, whilst spending more than most of the Championship
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VulpineBlue added 10:43 - Aug 29 I think our style last season mainly happened by default. MM & TC did bring in two wingers in Henshall and Stewart, but neither produced the goods. We worked with what we had and did better than OK. Sometimes not pretty, but we were honest. I did like the football that Bournemouth played, whilst really not liking the diving tactics employed by Eddie Howe. I quite liked Eddie Howe before last season, but he comes across as a man who would expire if he encountered a single drop of humility.

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