Brett Pitman insists he has no regrets about leaving Bournemouth for Town and turning his back on a first crack at Premier League football.

Pitman, 27, netted 13 Championship goals in 34 appearances — 16 of which were from the bench — last season as the Cherries clinched the title to book a first-ever place in England’s top flight.

The Jersey-born striker said: “I’ve not regretted it once to be honest and I’m really enjoying it here. There were a few factors behind the move and one of them was whether I would get much game with Bournemouth in the Premier League time because I knew it would be tough to get in the team and play regularly.

“They have suffered a few bad injuries so things may have been different but you can’t wait for someone to get injured because it’s not a nice thing.

“Coming to a club like Ipswich was a big thing. I knew it was a big club but to be honest it’s even bigger than I expected.”

Pitman had settled in well at Portman Road, demonstrating the appetite for hard work that manager Mick McCarthy expects of all his players, and says he has not had to change much about his style of play.

He added: “I haven’t had to become a different type of player at Ipswich. Maybe I try to run in behind a little bit more because Mick likes his forwards to do that, whereas at Bournemouth I received the ball more to my feet, but he hasn’t tried to change me.

“When it comes to tracking back it is something I have worked hard on and added to my game in recent years. Mick demands that and it was the same at Bournemouth. Whoever you were and wherever you played you had to work hard for the team.”

Pitman joined the Cherries straight from school and smiles as he recalls how life used to be there, when the Premier League seemed a million miles away and they were fighting for survival.

He added: “I went to Bournemouth when I was 15 and I saw a huge change in the club over the years. They were in League One when I went there and we had a spell in League Two when there was no money, no training ground, no training kit and hardly any staff.

“Now it’s a different story — chalk and cheese from the old days. They spent £8 million on a left-back [Tyrone Mings] in the summer and it’s been quite a quick turnaround.

“It shows what can be achieved but I don’t think it would have been possible without the owner and the manager there.”

Meanwhile, Pitman has been keeping in touch with his former Bournemouth colleague Ryan Fraser, the Scottish U21 international on a season-long loan with Town but currently sidelined with a knee ligament injury and spending at least the first few weeks of his rehabilitation with his parent club.

Pitman said: “We miss Ryan and the way he started the season I think any team would have missed him. He’s different to any of the other wingers because he’s so unbelievably quick and he’s got a good eye for a goal.

“He makes things happen around him and it’s no secret that we miss him. I’ve spoken to him a few times recently and I don’t think he’s too far away, although we won’t be seeing him for a few games yet.”

Photo: Action Images

Kikapu added 11:48 - Nov 6 I don't understand the goal tally. 'Pitman, 27, netted 13 Championship goals in 34 appearances — 16 of which were from the bench.'
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Marcus added 11:53 - Nov 6 I think it means 16 of the appearances were from the bench rather than the goals ;)
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SamWhiteUK added 11:56 - Nov 6 Kikapu, what exactly do you not understand? Pitman is 27 years old. He scored 13 goals last year. It took him 34 appearances to score these goals. 16 of these appearances were coming on as a sub. 18 were therefore starts. 13 goals in 18 starts and 16 sub appearances.
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Kikapu added 13:56 - Nov 6 Ha. Should have looked at it twice. I see now that 16 appearances related to being subbed on - not the number of goals he scored as a sub. Thanks 'Marcus'.
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steve_mcalls_teeth added 15:32 - Nov 6 Hehe... a player scoring direct from the bench is a worldclass finisher. He doesnt even need to be standing up to shoot!
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Bert added 18:00 - Nov 6 Pitman may never be a household name but I like his work ethic and teamwork .. and goals. MM has had a battering from the out brigade, some criticism deserved but we do have a man at the helm who knows about his players, nurtures them, gives them belief and never criticises them in public. He knows how to manage people and get the best out of them, Pitman included. Why do players like Pitman come to Ipswich? Because MM is fair, has football knowledge and is human. Long may that continue in the same way that Wenger has proved in the Premier League.

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JustSpivvyChops added 18:28 - Nov 8 Kikapu......I read it the same way too, but then figured it must refer to appearances. Another double take "There were a few factors behind the move and one of them was whether I would get much game with Bournemouth in the Premier League time".... I blame Phil.......... :-)
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