Cole Skuse has confirmed he wants to stay with Town, regardless of which league they are in next season, and is hoping good friend and team-mate Luke Chambers will also be on board.

Even if he is keen to put the emphasis on youth, manager Paul Lambert has made it clear he wants the experienced duo to be in his squad next term, but while Skuse is under contract for another year, Chambers is relying on the club to trigger the 12-month option they have on his services.

Skuse recalled how Lambert spoke in glowing terms about the pair and said: “It was flattering the way he spoke about Chambo and me in such high regard, which was obviously very, very nice, and I don’t think Chambo has made any secret of the fact that he would love to stay around the club to some degree.

“It’s something I have thought of as well. It’s a fantastic club and the infrastructure is brilliant.

“I’ve got a contract and if I’m wanted around the place I’m here. If the club want to pursue something new that’s not my decision, but I do want to be around the place.

“This is my sixth season and I’ve loved every minute of it. The family are settled here and I’m contracted to the place so I want to be around the place.

“I’m not actively looking but if someone comes to the club and offers some money for me to go elsewhere — and the club accept it — it’s kind of out of my hands.

“I’m not looking to move, I’m at Ipswich Town and I’m contracted to Ipswich Town. I feel as though I’ve got loads of football left in me but what will be, will be. It’s not something I’ve thought about and it’s not a bridge I’ve crossed just yet.”

Chambers and Skuse are so close as friends that they have already gone public with their plans to stay together when their playing days are over, the former as a manager and the latter as his assistant, but for now they want to continue their playing careers for as long as possible.

Skuse added: “We’re close and I’ve offered my services as an agent! He’s in conversation with the club and I don’t think a decision is too far away.

“That’s a question for him to answer really. As much as I’m very, very close to Luke — he spends as much time at my house as I spend at his — when the door closes at night and he’s sat down with his wife and family I’m sure they have discussions that they don’t have with me and my wife.

“He knows his final decision, he’s got that in his head, but I hope for both the town’s sake and the club’s sake that he gets things ironed out and he stays.

“He is an unbelievable leader of an organisation and while he’s 33 years of age he’s another one who looks after himself and conducts himself very well, and he’s got plenty of football left in him as well.

With Lambert keen to keep the player and Chambers also looking to remain at the club, Skuse was asked why a deal has yet to be confirmed.

He replied: “It has been ongoing for a little while and I don’t know the real nooks and crannies of why it might not have been done — let’s just hope it does get done.”

Meanwhile, Skuse is delighted that Teddy Bishop, who recently signed a new two-year deal, is back and close to firing on all cylinders again. “I’m really pleased for Teddy,” he added.

“It almost got to the stage — and he openly said this himself in an interview a little while back — that it was close between whether he was staying or going.

“I’m glad he has ironed out a deal with the club to stay because when you watch him in a game he’s got certain things about him, things that not many people have got.

“He can jink and glide past opponents, and he’s a creator who makes things happen. He’s a fantastic player and it’s great to see him back playing frequently now that he’s fit. He’s one that could go on to play at the very top.

“In terms of the other lads, they proved again on Tuesday night against Bristol City the talent that is on show.

“Andre [Dozzell] came in for the first time in a little while and he was different class. Josh Emmanuel, you forget that he’s still a young lad and he was fantastic. There’s an abundance of them and they are international players for a reason.”

Idris El Mizouni became the latest academy graduate to make his senior debut when he came off the bench to in the 1-1 draw at Ashton Gate with 75 minutes on the clock and Skuse added: “Idris deserves every bit of credit he gets because he’s a great kid and you want to see kids like him succeed.

“He’s come over from France, he’s learned the language off his own back, he has integrated with everyone around the place and he’s a very, very talented boy.

“It’s not as if we’re mid-table, we’re 3-0 up at home and the manager has chucked him on. We need a result, we’re away from home and it’s 1-1 — that’s credit to Idris, I think, that he deserves to be on the pitch at that stage in the game.”

Photo: TWTD

afcfee added 12:45 - Mar 15 What have I just read comparing to Busquets are you insane he has other abilities called strength passing ability positioning all which Skuse doesn't. And you really think Hurst got the best out of him you really can't of watched a game or don't know football he was absolute garbage and one of the main reasons we are where we are. Really loose faith in the human race when you would be willing to sacrifice for how your team plays just because he's a great guy. Get real we are playing great football without him when he's there always found wanting. I hope the big change Lambert is on about over summer is getting rid dead wood. And you talk about leader ect. He offers nothing of the sort always pointing and blaming others for his OWN mistakes.

-1

afcfee added 12:49 - Mar 15 I'm 100â„… convinced his friends are in here down voting and commenting there is no way after the season we had and how he's played it wouldn't be like this no way. Oh and if Lambert doesn't know best why has he dropped him except for when Chalobah was injured UMMMM
0

Jonnosdreadlocks added 13:42 - Mar 15 Probably will get pelters for this but do not care. Both have been ever presents in our decline. Never rated either and a clean broom is required to remove all remnants of Mick's proper blokes. If we need older heads then keep quality players like Collins and Judge. The fact is if they were as good as some on here think they would have been snapped up by another Championship side ages ago, they are still here while we have lost real quality like Waggy, Webster and McGoaldrick. Skuse and Chambers (as skipper) were always in the team and are hugely culpable in our decline as they have had a free pass in the team for too long without being pressured for their places. For example, Johnathan Parr (a far superior fullback) was let go and Chambers carried on at right back even though he wasn't good enough there but was in very week because he was MM's mate and club captain. They have to take a fair portion (not all of course) for the team's demise.

2

TractorBoy1935 added 16:41 - Mar 15 Skuse has always shown passion, desire and hunger since he's been here. He is incredibly loyal and only played for two professional clubs, us and Bristol City. All the credentials to help tutor our younger players. We should offer him a coaching role within the club or academy once his career comes to an end. Chambo is another player I would like to stay, he's passionate and always gives his all for the team. Been a tremendous servant to our club and racked up 297 appearances for us beating Fabian Wilnis record. I think if we can build a successful winning team around these two players then the future is looking bright.

0

therein61 added 17:24 - Mar 15 Gazelle: I played the game at level 6 (you??) and while not being good enough to be a pro I played against enough players over the years who given a chance were far better then Chambo and Skuse put together those two have cost so many points over the last 5/6 seasons down to a blinkered pick my mates so called manager who thank effin Christ is no longer at the club although he can't help himself from putting his oar in(what a sad man he is just when you think you have a job for life he arrogantly p1sses on the fans who paid his extortionate salary and oh dear he's gone!!) things are not his concern, when our relegation is confirmed(and all Mick lovers are waiting) his disciples will be out in force and constructive views on this site will be no more!!!!

1

heathen66 added 17:55 - Mar 15 In my opinion Skuse and Chambers are past it. 60% of Skuses passes are back to his old mate, who has not got the ability to do anything constructive with it so hoofs it. They are both far too slow for the modern game. Don't think L1 will be any easier as it is full of youngsters with pace trying to make a name for themselves. Have been found out for a while now and unfortunately it is time to move on.

2

afcfee added 19:37 - Mar 15 Chambers just signed new contract can OK I can understand lack of options there but please don't extend Skuse 1 year enough let's see how bad he is in League 1 1st.
0

have_a_word_with_him added 23:44 - Mar 15 I just can't get remotely happy about Skuse being in the team, massively limited and his tenure seems strongly linked to one of the most dull and depressing eras of this club.
1

Dolphinblue added 12:45 - Mar 16 Fantastic player, sign up asap!
-1

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls