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Knudsen: I'm a Better Player for Joining Town
Tuesday, 16th Aug 2016 06:00

Left-back Jonas Knudsen believes he is a better player now than when he joined Town just over a year ago from Esbjerg.

The 23-year-old Dane said: “I am definitely a stronger player and I know the Championship much better than when I first came over. I had a lot to learn, including adapting to the style of football, and I think I have done that.

“I believe I have improved step by step but there are still some other steps to go — like reaching the play-offs with the team and progressing from there. I think it was a great first season and now we have to aim to do better this season.

“I think the culture, the fans and the atmosphere, both at Portman Road and the other grounds, is better than I expected it to be. Everything about English football is bigger and better than I thought it would be and I like it very much.”

While a regular choice over the past 12 months, Knudsen missed two games at the end of last season through injury and that handed an opportunity to Myles Kenlock, and he admitted: “Myles has done well when he has played. I had a little injury and we decided it was best not to risk making it worse.

“It is good to have a young player coming through who can push me every day. That’s fine and I think he has done well.

“I know what I have to do, play well in every game, to show the manager I should keep my place in the team. I have to make sure Myles doesn’t get a chance to take my place.”

Knudsen acknowledged the support he has received from both boss Mick McCarthy and assistant Terry Connor. “They have both been brilliant with me from day one,” he said, “and I have always said that they played a big part in my decision to join Ipswich last year because I could feel they wanted me and trusted me.

“I have tried to give them everything back in every game and every day in training. My team-mates have also been great and I am really delighted to be here. I feel very settled.

“I think it is a nice area and I like it very much. My girlfriend finished her studies at the start of the year and has come over to join me.

“We both like the area and think it is perfect for us. It is also easy for my parents and other members of my family to come over from Denmark to visit and see games. It is a brilliant place to live and we are very happy.

It is important that things off the pitch are right. If you are not happy off the pitch I don’t think you can do 100 per cent on the pitch.

“My family can fly into Stansted for the home games and they try to see as many as they can. That was another reason for me to sign for Ipswich — the flights are only one hour and 30 minutes and it only takes five hours from their house to mine.

“That is perfect and they often stay for more than a day with us. My family is very important to me and it is the same for my girlfriend too so it is good that we can see them regularly.”


Photo: TWTD



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prebbs007 added 06:18 - Aug 16
Wow. How bad were you before then ??? Too often out of position defensively. Totally one footed. Poor in the air and worst delivery from promising attacking situations of any FB in recent ITFC history. Along with our RB you are a major part of the problems we have at the back as we continue to give away sloppy goals. No idea who scouted you but they should be sacked !!!
-3

Dissboyitfc added 06:50 - Aug 16
i cant think of anything to add to prebbs007 excellent summing up! Actually i can, he is part of a woeful defence that is just like a pack polo mints, full of holes!
-1

clint_eastwood added 06:57 - Aug 16
prebbs007, well said mate. Spot on!! Totally
0

Suffolk_n_Good added 07:24 - Aug 16
I wouldn't worry Jonas, I think you're in Micks "immune to being dropped" pool of players...... If it was down to me, Myles would of played the majority of pre season games to get him up to speed & had a run of games by now, you'd of been on the bench......
5

johnnyTGrotten added 07:27 - Aug 16
REALLY??? Shame we aren't a better team with you at left back...
Also your throw-ins are as crap as they were when you first joined!!
-1

Mr_Evans added 07:27 - Aug 16
That's a very harsh assessment Prebbs - I think playing alongside Smith on his wrong side didn't help Jonas at all. I noticed last season that Jonas had to drop very deep and tight at times to cover Smith's poor positioning.
I recall Cresswell having a slow first season and people were doubting his quality. I think he may come good - we're only two games in.
10

cats_whiskers added 07:27 - Aug 16
@ Dissboyitfc.
Polo mints are refreshing.. Which is more than this current Ipswich side is.

Knudsen is like a marriage. (For Better or Worse) probably the latter.
A better player? The jury is still out
2

Terry_Nutkins added 07:32 - Aug 16
Our fans are horrendous to listen to at the moment. A player giving his all getting this nonsense above. Keep improving Jonas and i'm sure you'll prove yourself.
13

blues1 added 07:38 - Aug 16
Typical of some of our fans to pick a player to be the scapegoat regardless of how he plays. The fact is that we have only conceded 1 goal from the left back position since December last season. Hardly points to Knudsen doing badly. As for his long throws? Yes, I'd like us to vary it a bit but at the end of the say, it's not his throws that are poor. It's the movement in the box that isn't good enough. Get off his back guys and support him. Ok, he's no cresswell or kings But, otter than the 1st few months he has imo shown himself to be a perfectly competent lb.
14

Suffolk_n_Good added 07:42 - Aug 16
He might well be giving his all, I haven't read anyone's post saying they don't think he his giving his all, but that doesn't mean (or shouldn't mean) he his an automatic starter. He is mistake prone, but some of Micks players seem to be able to make as many mistakes as they like & are STILL safe in the knowledge they won't be dropped, whilst others have a quiet game & find themselves out of the team for weeks on end.
3

TR11BLU added 07:48 - Aug 16
I think he has improved no end since he arrived and can hold his head up in a shambolic back four.
Bart, Knudsen, Smith, Webster and Kenlock should start tonight but we all know there is more chance of winning the lottery tonight...
5

RoyalAscotBlue added 07:53 - Aug 16
Mr_Evans what are you talking about?

"playing alongside Smith on his wrong side"

Yes Tommy was played out of position but not alongside Knudsen. Had Tommy have played on the left, alongside Knudsen in place of Berra, he would have been in his correct position. Tommy played out of position on the right.
10

Burnzee1991 added 08:56 - Aug 16
We're only two games in and a lot of fans have already gave up all hope. Another season where the fans let the team down. There is only one thing I don't like about being an Ipswich fan and that is Ipswich fans!
0

rinkydinkpanther added 09:18 - Aug 16
You've become a better player, and we've become a worse club. Synergy.
0

braveblue added 09:29 - Aug 16
Must have been shocking before he came.
0

sgtlargent added 09:37 - Aug 16
Prebs took the words right out my mouth
4

Michael11 added 10:23 - Aug 16
Hahahaha Christ. Perhaps we've been too lucky with Cresswell and Mings in recent years but he is dreadful. Top comment hit the nail on the head. No better than Myles Kenlock.
1

Lightningboy added 10:35 - Aug 16
I feel for the likes of Emanuel & Kenlock..2 promising youngsters who would probably have 50 games under their belts by now if someone with Burley's vision was in charge.
3

blues1 added 11:20 - Aug 16
Tr11blu. U can't play Knudsen and Kenlock. They are both left backs. Or u suggesting doing a McCarthy and playing one of them out of position.
2

TotalBlue added 12:37 - Aug 16
This used to be a fantastic fan site for news and opinion on Ipswich. Phil does this for free and gets moaned at for what people call non stories.

I am now off I am off to find a site with a majority of Ipswich fans not Norwich fans!!!
-1

JimmyP45 added 12:38 - Aug 16
Not impressed by the amount of fans bashing this guy. So much expectation on a young guy very new to English football. He has improved massively since arriving and will only get better as he continues to learn the English game.
4

borat_the_blue added 12:43 - Aug 16
Very disappointed in our so called fans at the start of this post. Do they actually watch our matches?

I was in the Brentford end and took a spurs fan with me. Apart of the fabulous Bartos, Knudsen was strong in the air, solid in the tackle and tried to play football. This was coming from the spurs fan btw.

Others last Saturday were much more disappointing. The midfield were totally non existent. Bad day at the office, lets move and get behind them COYB
2

BlueSmith94 added 12:46 - Aug 16
People need to get off his back, he is a good defender.
1

Reuser_is_God added 12:50 - Aug 16
No you're not, you're sh1t.
0

OwainG1992 added 13:11 - Aug 16
I've said it before I'll say it again the so called 'fans' on here not all just some maybe genuine the rest i assume trolls are spoiling the enjoyment for the REAL fans! Does my head seeing all the crap being put on here. 1 win 1 defeat in the league and it's the end of the world? Grow up!
0


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