Training or a game, it doesn’t matter to Jonas Knudsen — and his commitment has earned him the nickname 'Mad Dog'.

The 24-year-old Dane can always be relied upon to give his all to the cause, a trait instantly recognised by his new team-mates when he arrived in Suffolk last year to launch a Town career that has so far spanned 64 games and seen him score twice.

Knudsen said: “I know I’m not the biggest talent in the world. I know I have to work hard and put everything into it, whether it’s training or a game. I’m the type of person who wants to win at everything I do, even a small board game back home. I am a bad loser and winning is everything to me.

“The other lads have seen that in training and that’s why they gave me the nickname 'Mad Dog'. I think it was Skusey’s idea. I am a different person off the pitch to the person I am on it.

“When I first came over here the players were talking and I couldn’t understand what they were saying, especially when they were chatting to each other on the training ground and they were talking very quickly.

“I began to wonder what they were saying about me and when I found out they had come up with the nickname I liked it.”

Knudsen’s first goal for Town was a last-gasp equaliser in April to earn a 1-1 against Fulham, who are this season’s Boxing Day opponents at Portman Road, and he followed up with another in the first leg of the East Anglian derby in August, his terrific strike again securing a point in a game that also ended 1-1.

Knudsen said: “I remember we won 2-1 against QPR on Boxing Day last season and the winner came in injury time from Luke Chambers at the far post.

“Luke has scored a few important goals from that area and one of the things I have to improve in my game is getting into scoring positions at the back post.

“This is something I wasn’t expected to do in Denmark but the gaffer has said he wants me to do it more. If I can do it and score a goal or two from that area it would be fantastic and it can only help us.

“It is just one part of my game that I am working hard on every day in training. We all want to improve as players.”

Knudsen has rarely missed a game, although he was absent from last week’s visit to Birmingham through a minor hamstring injury and recovered to return to the starting line-up at Wigan four days later.

Asked if he was concerned manager Mick McCarthy might have opted to retain Myles Kenlock at left-back Knudsen said: “I didn’t feel any pressure, I just hoped that I would be back in the team. I think I have been consistent and played some good games but if the gaffer wanted to pick Myles he would have done it.

“Myles is a good player and he had a fine game at Birmingham but I was happy to be recalled.”

The Dane is also hoping that a promising left-side partnership between him and Leicester loanee Tom Lawrence will blossom over the second half of the season.

He added: “I think we have a great relationship and in football relationships within the team are very important.

“Tom is a very good player when it comes to taking the ball and running at opponents and if I can give him the ball I know what he is capable of doing with it.

“I can go on the overlap and take a man with me so that he can go on the inside but if he decides to go on the outside I can make a forward run inside him.

“In football you get to work together in different areas of the team and in time you start to develop a better understanding. If I get an opportunity to go forward I know that Tom is capable of dropping back to cover.”

Meanwhile, another of Knudsen’s targets for 2017 is to establish himself in the Danish national squad and add to the two senior caps he has already been awarded.

He said: “I spoke with the manager last summer when I had to have an injection in my knee and he said he would come and see me playing in England, but he hasn’t done that yet.

“But I had a call-up for the last game and I need to work hard to show him what I can do.

“I think we need some good results in the new year if we are going to qualify for the World Cup in Russia in 2018.

“I believe I will get my chance as long as I am working hard and doing well for Ipswich. I think players who play regularly in the Championship have a good chance of being picked for the Danish international squad.”

Photo: TWTD

Swailsey added 12:36 - Dec 23 Love his commitment and attitude. Not always convinced on his performances, but you can't doubt that he's a good guy. Keep improving Jonas!
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GiveusaWave added 12:55 - Dec 23 He does give his all and is often under-rated by fans. He's on a hiding to nothing as he's replaced Mings (and before that) Cresswell in the left back role...not easy. I'll probably get down marks from the usual crew for saying this but I think he's done a solid job and is worth much more than the money McCarthy paid for him. He makes mistakes but does try hard.
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GiveusaWave added 12:58 - Dec 23 I wonder what the nicknames are for other members of the team.....
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braveblue added 14:37 - Dec 23 Shame he is such a poor player.
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alfromcol added 14:56 - Dec 23 What's the point of all this piffle from players every week?
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heathen66 added 15:56 - Dec 23 I do feel a bit for Jonas as he certainly is a trier, however Myles is currently when selected playing a lot better and should be treated fairly. Asked if he was concerned manager Mick McCarthy might have opted to retain Myles Kenlock at left-back Knudsen said: “I didn't feel any pressure, I just hoped that I would be back in the team. No as he knew he would be straight back in...the same with Chambers!!! I think there may be an insight here as to why some players are not selected....no nickname (or Mickname) We have Skusey, Dougie, Chambo, Mad Dog, Didz etc who all play regular, however Kenlock and Emmanuel are probably just Myles and Josh and therefore cannot be selected

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jas0999 added 17:14 - Dec 23 Rewind to the end of last season and I thought Knudsen was our most improved player as the season went on. However, despite everyone hoping, he really hasn't pushed on and has probably taken a back step. In my opinion, Kenlock is a better player. Can't fault Knudsens efforts though
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Dissboyitfc added 17:55 - Dec 23 Heathen66..good post, spot on. Knudsen is simply not good enough, but is a proper bloke and nailed on to start! He should feel pressure, players should feel if they come in and do a good job they will give the boss selection headaches, no such problem for MM. If fit his mates will start. From what i hear and read of Knudsen he does seem like a top bloke, but that should not be a selection criteria.

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thebeat added 19:14 - Dec 23 From what ive heard Mad Dogs not all some of the players call him. Atleast 2 that i know about have called him "sh*t" off the record. Even they know hes not good enough.
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TimmyH added 21:10 - Dec 23 I personally prefer the nickname 'Mad' - he has to be clinically insane to keep trying those useless long throw-ins.
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britbiker added 12:16 - Dec 24 Maybe if emnanuel had a nickname ge would get chosen more often. How about 'porno''. You have to be at the right age to get that one. Just think of the headlines. Porno bangs one in etc
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