Cole Skuse’s role as Town’s unsung hero is in danger of becoming a thing of the past with the revelation that he is out on his own as European football’s number one interceptor.

When it comes to intercepting and winning the ball Skuse’s statistics are more impressive than those of players, among them some of the world’s finest, in the Premier League, Spain’s La Liga, the Bundesliga in Germany, Serie A in Italy and France’s Ligue 1 — the top five domestic leagues in the continent.

Stats show that Skuse has 62 interceptions to his credit this season, which not only puts him ahead of Championship rivals Curtis Davies (Hull), Sol Bamba (Cardiff), Jack O’Connell (Sheffield United) and Adam Reach (Sheffield Wednesday) but of every other player in the afore-mentioned leagues.

Upon hearing the figures for the first time Skuse, one of the game’s most modest performers and whose present Town deal is due to expire at the end of the season, laughed: “Really? Does that mean I’m in the running for the next Ballon d’Or? Surely it’s more than deserving of a new deal, isn’t it?

Ipswich Town star Cole Skuse has made MORE interceptions this season than ANY player from the top leagues in Europe! 🤜 🔥@Official_ITFC #itfc pic.twitter.com/0Ybxuw5Srk

— Sportdec (@SportdecApp) December 12, 2017

“But seriously, it’s a nice thing to be recognised for because it’s something I’m asked to do, protect the back four, so to see things like that is nice.

“Maybe a lot of what I do goes unnoticed at times but the gaffer and the other lads will say ‘Well done on such-and-such’ so I know they see it.

“If I’m asked to do that by the manager and he and the lads are noticing it, that’s enough for me. I’m definitely not one to go and score 25 goals a season so I’ve got to do something else to contribute.

“It’s always been part of my game. I’ve never been a midfielder to go and score loads of goals, I’ve always been more of a deep-lying type so stuff like that is nice to see.

“We’re big on stats these days. Every Monday they are on the board from the weekend game. If I see the interceptions are up I’m buzzing.

“Even the academy lads have two or three areas of analysis, whereas I don’t think I saw anything like that until I was about 25. It’s not just the senior players, the young lads are getting it every week as well and it has become a massive part of the game.

“I’m usually quite high when it comes to passes completed but I’m pleasantly surprised to be top for interceptions. I thought that might be more of a defender’s thing but I’ll definitely take it.”

When it was suggested Skuse’s team-mates might start calling him The Interceptor he replied: “I’ve been called far worse so I’ll take that. The lads will have something to say about it too. It will all start off as a nice gesture — ‘Well done Skusey’ — but it will soon turn into them taking the absolute piss and me getting caned.

“I really don’t mind if I don’t get noticed. I’m nearly 32 and I’ve played the same role for my entire career. If I’m not the one they’re singing songs about it doesn’t bother me at all.

“I’m part of an 11-man side and if they’re scoring four or five goals every week, and I’m in a winning team, that’s enough for me. As long as when I go home my little girl and my little boy are singing daddy’s name, and not someone else’s, that’s alright.”

Skuse has netted just twice in his 190 appearances for Town. What did he make of the ‘I was there when Skusey scored’ T-shirts to mark his rare strikes? He said: “Yep, that was another piss-take! If I’m just there to have the piss taken out of me that’s fine, no problem. I can promise I give as good as I get, I hold my own, and I’m sure a lot of the lads would vouch for that.”

Photo: TWTD

Seasider added 18:05 - Dec 14 Skusey has had a lot to say on here today,and agree with everything he has said. Hope he has a good game on Saturday,if picked lol ?
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Seasider added 18:07 - Dec 14 Comes over as a nice modest chap,unlike his Manager !
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Currie10 added 18:53 - Dec 14 Class A bloke with a wicked sense of humour, pleased to have met him.
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BrazilItAint added 20:00 - Dec 14 Respect due to Skuse. Not his greatest fan but shows his importance to the team. Thought he was poor last season along with most senior players but has done a descent job this season. Can't argue with the stats, just goes to show that Mick probably knows better than most of us.
3

TimmyH added 20:45 - Dec 14 If that's the case someone else or maybe more than one is letting their defensive duties lapse...considering the goals we are letting in.
4

braveblue added 20:59 - Dec 14 This story is simply embarrassing. Does it talk about what he does when he gets the ball?
6

Garv added 06:05 - Dec 15 Can't fault Skuse's character and and modesty, but in reality it's a travesty he has had quite so much game time in recent years. Never challenged for his place, no motivation to up his game. He's a 7 (more like a 6) every game and we are led to believe this is great? Someone who never has an above average game, playing every game. Midfield has been a train wreck under MM.

3

Cakeman added 06:54 - Dec 15 Yes not my favourite player but he certainly comes across as a decent chap. Strange but for me the best games he has had is when he has been Captain. He lets go of the shackles and ventures forward more. Not sure why that is though because when he does move forward he looks as though he can create an opportunity.
1

Spanishblueblood added 07:45 - Dec 15 Being a top bloke, nice chap etc means nothing, itd all about what he does on the pitch snd for me......Skuse is just not good enough if we have aspirations of getting out of this god forsaken division, Mick out!
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cat added 09:06 - Dec 15 Skuse is ideal for a team which sets up the McCarthy way, where stifling the opposition and breaking up play is paramount. If you were to put him in a team that retains possession, moves the ball forward quickly, then I think Mr Skuse would be found seriously wanting.
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blueblood66 added 09:49 - Dec 15 I like Cole, great pro knows his limitations and not a big head about what he does very well. I know a lot dont like him but thats down to Mick not playing a creative player with him. Roger Osbourne wasnt Arnold Muhren and vice versa. Skuse is excellent.
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PortmanTerrorist added 09:58 - Dec 15 Is it such a surprising stat when we sit back against virtually all opposition, home and away, and he holds station for 95% of every game. It works up to a point, but every winning Ipswich side had midfielders that did that hard graft but still got forward and contributed with their fair share of goals....even that other really nice bloke, Matty Holland. Only injury will permit a midfield 2 of Adeyemi and Huws this season, which i think most supporters would at least like to get to see at least once in a natural 4-4-2 formation

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PortmanTerrorist added 10:00 - Dec 15 Scrach that, just seen Huws injury news. WOW
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dirtydingusmagee added 10:03 - Dec 15 SKOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOS.
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BlueNomad added 10:30 - Dec 15 This can't be true when so many experts on here criticise him and his selection so consistently. Well done Skusey.
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bluetit added 12:05 - Dec 15 Well done skuse, the goals we concede come from playing Chambers in the back four simple as that.
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itfcserbia added 12:51 - Dec 15 @braveblue - he passes it to his nearest teammate, who then hoofs it up the pitch
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BlueBlood90 added 13:38 - Dec 15 Nice chap, but still vastly overrated in my opinion. Ok, he's good at interceptions, but he still wouldn't get anywhere near any of the sides currently above us in the league.
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BlueHarmony added 20:01 - Dec 15 We would be lost without Skusey. I loved the Roger Osborne comparison earlier. Every team needs a breaker-upper/protector/water-carrier to allow the flair players to work their magic. You keep doing what you do best son
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arc added 16:15 - Dec 17 The comparison with the "top leagues" is a bit silly as we played at least four more matches than teams in those leagues. (And, besides, surely the stat is also an indication of how much wayward passing there is!)
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