The league table may suggest otherwise but Jonny Williams believes the current Town squad is better than it was during the most recent of his three previous loan spells with the club.

Williams is on a season-long loan from Crystal Palace, the fourth time boss Mick McCarthy has signed him temporarily, and he said: “It’s a really good blend here, better than the last time I was at the club because it’s a real mix of young talent coming through and the experienced players like Chambo and Bez, who are still here.

“They are really good leaders and it’s a shame Murph has gone because I really enjoyed playing with him. Now there’s Besty [Leon Best] and he holds the ball up well.

“It’s good to play off a big man for the likes of me, Didzy, Searsy and Tom [Lawrence] because we’re all good technical players and it can only benefit me.”

Asked where he feels he features in McCarthy’s plans, fit-again Williams added: “Ideally, I’d like to be central. I think that’s where you are going to get the best out of me.

“Not necessarily pinned in the number 10 position but with freedom to come wider and roam, as long as I know my defensive duties off the ball like getting back into shape and helping the team out.

“I think he wants me to get the ball and show people what I can do. I’ll play wherever he wants me to play, tucked in wide or in the middle I would imagine.

“If I play my usual game of getting on the ball and running at the defence — that’s pretty much what I do — I feel I can add something.

“I don’t really look to go backwards. I’m a link man in a way, looking to take us from defence to attack.

“I’m looking forward to linking up with the forwards because we haven’t scored many goals lately and it’s clearly something we need to improve upon.”

Williams arrived at Portman Road towards the end of the summer transfer window with an ankle injury sustained in a pre-season game but he is so sure that he is fully fit again that he has declared himself ready to start tomorrow’s visit from basement club Rotherham.

He explained: “I’ve had the two sub appearances at Blackburn and Newcastle and I feel good.

“I’ve also been in some tough tackles in the U23 games I’ve played so I feel I can go straight back into the Championship to play with freedom and express myself without holding back.

“I can see it being a tough game against Rotherham. I think they will be pressing our defence and I imagine it will be two teams going for a win.

“To be honest we both need a win and I think we will come out on top if the game plan is right and we put in the sort of performance of which we are capable.

“Leon Best and David McGoldrick are both looking to play and they know each other quite well. They are both big lads and while Didzy is very skilful Besty has also shown he has plenty of skill to take on defences, to go with his ability to hold the ball up.

“It will be a nice blend with Searsy coming in off the left or the right as well. With players coming back from injury it gives the manager more options to pick what he feels is the best team to go out and win on Saturday.”

Photo: TWTD

12th_Man added 06:53 - Oct 28 Really Jonny I don't think so
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surgery added 07:40 - Oct 28 Tell whoever it was who told you to say that to stop lying
-1

hoppy added 07:40 - Oct 28 Williams in place of where Bru has been playing would be the best bet, I would think. Especially with how unimpressed I've been with Bru this season so often.
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Dissboyitfc added 07:51 - Oct 28 Debatable really, but does it matter when he will always start with his tired and boring different class proper bloke out of form out of position favourites.
2

OwainG1992 added 07:53 - Oct 28 I'd have to agree with Joniesta. Lets be honest when all are fit we do have a decent side who are underachieving so far this. Huge next 6 games coming up that will decide whether we have a chance of top 6 or mid table dullness. Come on the blues!!
3

runningout added 12:04 - Oct 28 with a decent mentality to be ruthless, and turn games around when shoddy, we have the capability to beat all whatever league. If you haven't got that then it's not worth kicking a ball
1

tractorboy2002 added 13:48 - Oct 28 Probably Mick will give Williams 15 mins and leave the dynamic Douglas on. Still it's nice to get an afternoon sleep .With all the dynamic midfield players available we might get a draw .? It would be nice if in one match before Mick is moved on that he instructs the troops over the halfway line. I remember the day's when football was an entertainment.
3

PortmanTerrorist added 14:49 - Oct 28 If you are right JW then why are performances and results so appalling then ? I like you as a player, but you don't really mean that about the Squad.....not if you also then say "I can see it being a tough game against Rotherham.". For real ?! Which player is going to be the first to bring some honesty to bear and break rank and admit that all is not well at the Club?! You cannot try to fix things if you cannot admit there is a problem. Anyone ?

2

roytheboy added 15:10 - Oct 28 There's only one very small problem, most of our current players appear to have forgotten how to score a goal sadly. COYB.
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tractorboybig added 16:56 - Oct 28 creep. Looking for a new club. This squad is crap mate and you know it.
0

jas0999 added 17:45 - Oct 28 Great to see Williams back and fit. But this is just more pre determined spin from the club which Williams must have had trouble saying without laughing.
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tim added 09:28 - Oct 29 paranoid
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