New signing Ellis Harrison admits he initially found it difficult adapting to life as an Ipswich player after stepping up a level following his summer switch from Bristol Rovers.

Harrison had been with the West Country club since 2010, most significantly helping them to return to the EFL in 2015 and then playing a part in their promotion from League Two to League One just 12 months later.

By the time he became a Town player last month he was just one goal short of a half century for Rovers and he opened his Portman Road account by firing Town level in last week’s home friendly clash with West Ham, who recovered to win 2-1 in the end.

Harrison, 24, said: “It has been tough adapting to the level of football, particularly the faster pace, but it’s been a couple of weeks now and I feel I’ve adjusted well.

“I still respect League One players but there are better players at this level and the overall standard is that much better.

“The move happened quite quickly. I heard there were a few clubs interested but I tend to take everything with a pinch of salt until it actually happens.

“On the Saturday night I didn’t have a clue what was happening but then I had a phone call from my agent to tell me about Ipswich and he said I should get up there on Sunday.

“I was really buzzing at the news but there was also a tinge of regret about leaving Rovers because I’d been with them for eight years and I had bonded really well with everyone at the club.

“That made it quite tough to leave but the bottom line was that I had to challenge myself and in football it’s about playing at as high a level as you can and for as long as you can.”

Harrison was quick to praise comeback man Andre Dozzell for creating the scoring opportunity against the Hammers, adding: “I didn’t panic when I had my chance in the West Ham game. It just came naturally to me. I expected to score and if I’d missed the target I would have been really angry with myself.

“Thankfully I just slotted it away. Andre is a class player and put the ball right where I wanted it. He can find a pass and I noticed that about his game straight away when I arrived. It’s why he’s in the team and he is really good at his job.”

Harrison netted three times in 14 appearances for the Wales U21 side, where his manager was ex-Ipswich midfielder Geraint Williams, now back with the club to assist on a part-time basis with coaching at academy level.

He laughed: “I know Geraint of course and the very first day I arrived here I heard a voice coming from the office. I knew straight away it was him and he gave me a big hug.

“I played on the left of three for Geraint and I’ll just play where I’m told to play. Honestly, if they said they wanted me to play in goal I’d do it. It would be fine by me because as long as I’m playing it doesn’t matter where.

“Having played at U21 level, of course I’d love to get a chance with the seniors. Who wouldn’t? But I’m not getting carried away about that for the time being. My main priority is to play well at club level and after that anything else is a bonus. If I do well enough I’ll get my chance.

“I’m the sort of player who can’t get too comfortable or I start slacking off. I was pushed every day in training at Bristol Rovers and it’s the same here. There’s been no let-off and I like it that way because I know it’s what I need and that it’s good for me.”

Williams is not the only other Welshman on the Town staff, with Emyr Huws and Gwion Edwards also leading members of the first team squad, while new academy scholar Lewis Reed is the grandson of ex-winger Billy Reed, who scored 46 goals in 169 games and was the first Town player to win senior international honours when he was capped in 1954.

Harrison was asked if the Welsh contingent was called the Tafia or the Tractor Boyos and laughed: “It’s the Red Army or the Red Wall! It’s good to have a few of the lads here but in all honesty it doesn’t matter what nationality you are. The main thing is that we’re all friends in the changing room.

“I’ll be working as hard for my English, Polish or Danish team-mates as I will for the other Welsh lads. It’s a very, very together squad here, the same as I was used to at Rovers.

“Win, lose or draw, there’s no bickering between us. I didn’t know that before I arrived but I spoke to Tyrone Mings about it and he reassured me how close-knit it was.”

Photo: TWTD

Dog added 06:08 - Aug 4 He did not fire town ahead. He equalised. Hope he adapts and plays well today.
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dunkleberrydog added 08:37 - Aug 4 Harrison was a real credit to Ipswich, himself and his Mum against West Ham! His attitude was there to be seen. Mr 100%. He's a winner.....
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PhilTWTD added 09:52 - Aug 4 Dog Of course, amended.
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fergalsharkey added 10:34 - Aug 4 Quickly adapting .....he hasn't played a competitive game yet!
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dirtydingusmagee added 11:56 - Aug 4 He recognised the difference moving up, and that its tougher in Championship. This will be the case for most of the team ,with all the new signings and youth team players. This is a concern ,but hopefully PH can soon get them firing on all cylinders.
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