The sight of Town propping up the Championship table and without a win this season did nothing to discourage Jordan Graham from joining on a season-long loan from Wolves.

The 23-year-old, who was previously on loan at Portman Road from first club Aston Villa in the latter part of 2013, said: “I first heard about the move about three or four weeks ago, but you know how it is with loans and transfers.

“Sometimes they take longer than expected but when I got the call over the weekend to say it was going ahead I couldn’t wait to get down here and get going.

“I wasn’t put off by their results or where they are in the table. I’ve seen bits and bobs of Ipswich playing so far this season and there has obviously been a lot of change.

“When there is such a big change at a club it normally doesn’t click straight away and it takes time.

“I like what the manager is trying to do here, the way he is trying to play. It is quite a bit different from what Mick [McCarthy] was doing over the past few years here, so it was never going to happen straight away.

“I like the style of football he wants the boys to play — a high-pressing team, ball on the floor — and it’s something I wanted to come and be a part of, and hopefully make a little bit of a change.”

Graham, who scored two goals in as many games for the Republic of Ireland U15s but then went on to gain further international recognition with 16 appearances for the England U16 and U17 teams, recalled his previous loan spell and added: “Mick’s football was obviously quite direct and this is more about the ball on the floor and trying to play through between the lines.

“It’s a lot more technical but it’s the way I like to play so this move is good for me. Wolves are trying to play the same type of game so it’s exciting and I’m looking forward to coming in and playing my part.”

The winger is also encouraged by morale in the camp. “It’s a really good dressing room,” he said. “Considering their position in the league table the boys are upbeat and I think it’s because they are only one win away from getting it going.

“They just need to get that first win and it will all come into place. The staff here are really good and keep the boys’ spirits really high because they know they are not a million miles off it. Once we get that first win on the board it can all click from there.

“I never really get too carried away with anything and never look past the next day. I just take each day as it comes and work as hard as I can. I want to play to the best of my ability wherever I am and see what happens.

“There has been quite a lot of change at Wolves over the last couple of years but you can never say never in football. As long as you keep your head down and work as hard as you can, what will be will be.

“The motto that I live by is to never get too high or too low in football. I was on a big high before my knee injury and then my world came tumbling down.

“If it taught me anything it was not to get too carried away with anything and to not look too far ahead. If you work as hard as you can and perform to the best of your ability the rest will take care of itself.

“My first time on loan here was good for me but not so good football-wise. I didn’t get as many minutes as I’d have liked under Mick but it was definitely a massive learning curve for me coming into the men’s game from academy football and it was my first loan.

“I’ve said before that I think I learned a lot more in the two months I was here than I have done when I’ve been longer at places.

“It put me in good stead for what was going to be in front of me in the future and now I’m back here I want to be making the impact I wanted to have the first time I was here.”

Asked if he had changed as a player in the past five years, Graham added: “I feel like I’ve become really direct, wanting to get on the ball and get at people to create as many chances as I can for my team-mates, as well as chipping in with a few goals.

“I want to get the fans excited and try to create as many assists as I can for the strikers. Also, I want to get in at the back post more than I have been doing these past few years and see where it takes me.

“I think the gaffer here wants to play me on the left or maybe even on the right. I’m not too fussed really because I suppose I can do both roles.

“I’ve always worked on my left foot crossing since I was really young, so I think that’s quite decent, but left or right I’m quite flexible. I just want to get in the team and be involved.”

Photo: TWTD

Coco added 19:05 - Aug 29 Seems injuries have given him a damn good attitude
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martin587 added 09:03 - Aug 30 Why would he be put off,we are a great club crying out for success.
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