Jackson: Pace is What I'm All About Monday, 13th Aug 2018 14:47 Town boss Paul Hurst is looking to the pace and goalscoring ability of new signing Kayden Jackson as key factors moving forward having fought off plenty of competition to land the 24-year-old for an initial £1.6 million from Accrington Stanley last week. Jackson, who made his debut as a sub at Rotherham on Saturday, is one of nine new faces at Portman Road since the end of last season and opposing defenders can expect a tough time in coping with a player whose speed and an eye for goal are his main assets. The ex-Swindon, Barnsley and Accrington frontman has always been quick off the mark and explained: “I think a lot of people have seen clips of me from last season and that’s what I am about. “I like to play on the shoulder, get in behind and I like to run at defenders with or without the ball. At the end of the day I’ve been given this pace from God knows where and I’m going to use it to my advantage. “Hopefully the Ipswich fans will see a lot of my pace while I’m here. I’ve always been fast and I don’t remember many school sports days when I didn’t come first. I did well at that throughout my time at school and it’s something I’ve always enjoyed doing. “A lot of players have pace in football but they don’t necessarily have the football brain to make the most of it. “Over the years I’ve learned to use my pace to the best of my ability and hopefully I will learn to use it even more now I’m here. “During my time in the game I can’t remember many players beating me but I know I have to use it the right way. If I don’t use it correctly it could be a waste of time.” Jackson netted 16 times in helping unfancied Accrington to win League Two last season, one of them coming against Exeter, who are Town’s opponents in the Carabao Cup tomorrow night. He added: “Exeter is always a tough place to go and not just because of the distance. They have a good atmosphere down there. “I’m not sure if the new stand is quite finished yet because it was a bit odd to have no backdrop there last season. “They’re a tough side and they’ve had a change of gaffer so you never know what direction they’ll be going in this season, although they have made a very good start to the new season. Last year they were a tough, physical side but I’m sure we will have enough to get past them.” Asked if he would fancy a cup run, something that never happened during Mick McCarthy’s time as manager, Jackson replied: “I think cup games are always fun, especially for the fans. Last year at Accrington we beat Preston with a 94th minute winner at this stage of the competition and we went on to play West Brom at home. “If we can get past Exeter we might get a big draw and I’m looking forward to it. “We did the giant-killing against Preston and that’s what Exeter will be trying to do against us. “We’ll have to be aware that they will be going for it and they will have chances. “Just because they are playing against a Championship side and they’re in League Two it doesn’t mean they haven’t got a chance. “We need to be aware of that and concentrate on our own game, and play the way that we know we can do.” Jackson was relieved that his move to Town was completed before last week’s deadline, explaining: “It was a bit of a mad summer, not knowing where I’d be going. “My agent spoke to a few clubs and in the last week, before the transfer deadline, it was a case of whose bid was going to be accepted. Thankfully, everything got sorted with Ipswich and I’m here now. “It was a difficult time and at certain points I thought it might not happen. That would have been tough to take but I concentrated on my game and played on the opening day of the season for Accrington. “I possibly wasn’t 100 per cent right mentally and I’m just grateful that the move went through in the end.” His move has seen him team up again with Town boss Paul Hurst, who was in charge at Grimsby when Jackson had a loan spell there. “I would say I have improved as a player and matured as a person,” said Jackson. “I dropped down to a club like Accrington and, no disrespect to them, everyone there knows it isn’t the biggest of clubs. “But I think that’s why they have done so well over the years because it’s not a place where people like to go and play. “We realised that quickly last year on our way to promotion. Being there made me wake up and realise that if I wanted a career in football at a good level I would have to get my head down, work hard and do well. “Accrington was a massive, massive learning curve and the biggest I’ve had in my career so far. But I thoroughly enjoyed my time there and matured quite a bit. Last year was a good year for me and them.” Jackson has also been reunited with his ex-Accrington colleague Janoi Donacien, who is clearly someone he rates very highly. “Last season I think it would probably be fair to say he was the best full-back in League Two, both on and off the ball,” said the striker. “I can’t remember any occasions, although there were probably a couple over the course of the whole season, when a winger got past him. “He made very few mistakes and on the ball he offered a lot as well. He’s a different option and last season he played on the left quite a bit. “He’d get round the side and come in on his right foot. He’s a very, very good player and a very solid defender as well. “A lot of the time these days full-backs sometime concentrate more on their attacking play but Janoi’s definitely a very solid defender. “Just like me he needs to get up to scratch with the game at this level. We’ve not had the most intense of pre-seasons but I’m sure that within a few weeks we’ll both be firing.”
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