Fully-fit-midfielder Emyr Huws is anxious to make up for lost time in the forthcoming season, which could be his last at Portman Road.

The Welsh international — he made his senior debut back in 2014 after also representing his country at U17, U19 and U21 levels — is in the final few 12 months of the four-year Town deal he signed in June 2017 upon his arrival from Cardiff City.

It has been an injury-plagued stay at Portman Road for the Llanelli-born player, who has managed just 22 league appearances, eight of them off the bench since signing permanently with a further eight in various cup competitions.

Huws, 26, is praying he can stay injury-free and add his weight to Town’s promotion challenge as they look to put last season’s disappointment of finally finishing 11th, despite a promising start that saw them top the League One table and then recapture pole position in January before the rot well and truly set in.

He said: “It’s a big year for me and it’s a big year for the club. We’ve got to do the job and get it done. We are hungry for promotion and the vibe within the group is really positive. We are feeling really good about ourselves.”

The enforced premature end to last season came when Huws had clocked up 25 appearances in all competitions, by far his best run in Town’s colours since impressing sufficiently during a loan spell in the second half of the 2016/17 season that saw then manager Mick McCarthy waste little time in making the deal permanent.

The player, who launched his career at Manchester City and also had loan spells at Northampton, Birmingham, Wigan and Huddersfield, added: “If I could have picked a time to have the break I could have done with it happening when I was out injured.

“But it is what it is and I have tried to use it to my advantage. We’ve all had to cope, not just as footballers, and try to spin it positively. We’re back now and we’re all really excited for the first game of the season and we just want to keep building on things and build some momentum in what’s left of pre-season.”

Huws missed last weekend’s visit to the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but was a second-half substitute in Town’s only home warm-up fixture, yesterday’s 4-1 home defeat by a strong West Ham side at Portman Road, which was played behind closed doors in line with current procedure throughout the senior game.

He made an instant impact, providing the assist for Freddie Sears to score Town’s only goal against his former side. “It was a good ball to me from Iddy [Idris El Mizouni] and Searsy held his run nicely.

“We’ve been working on those kinds of patterns a lot. It can seem a bit boring at times but it’s worth it when they come off like that. That’s what we have to do and we’ll continue to do it.

“I thought we did well and what we’ve been working on in training is translating nicely to the pitch. We need to learn quickly from our mistakes and I think we will. Put those right and I think we look in good shape.”

Asked what the team had learned from successive games against Premier League opposition in the space of three days, he replied: “That the gap, in my opinion, isn’t that great but there is an element of being clinical at the top end of the pitch. I think that’s what I’ve seen.

“There were silly mistakes by us in both games, the one at Tottenham as well as the West Ham one, so I think if we stop doing those we look good.

“We have had various combinations in midfield through pre-season and I think things are coming together.

“We’re working a lot in training on positioning, tackling etc and we know what each other are doing. There’s a lot more kind of synchronisation in areas and I think it is working, so we’ll continue to improve on that and I think we’re looking and feeling positive.”

Given last season’s propensity for personnel and system changes, one noticeable feature of Town’s warm-up programme has been to approach all games, including the double-header at Colchester, in a similar fashion, even adhering to the 4-3-3 formation after the introduction of substitutes.

Huws continued: “What you work on in training is what you want to take into games. That’s what we’re doing and we’re sticking with it, and the games have been great. If you take the mistakes away it has been really, really positive and exactly what we’ve been working on.

“When the gaffer first came in it was really good and a breath of fresh air from where we were at the time. We’re sticking with that now and we’re going to keep practicing it.

“I think we’re all happier with it and feeling good about it, and when we take it on to the pitch we’re a lot more confident in each other. We know where we’re supposed to be, it feels good and I’m enjoying it.”

Addressing the competition for midfield places, he added: “Yes, it’s there and there’s no getting around it. I think everyone has been playing well in pre-season and the best men will play in the games.

“I feel I’m finally over my injury problems. There were parts of last season when I was still in a mode where I was still coming back, one of those where you’re trying to get through things.

“But it’s not like that now, it’s about performing and winning rather than surviving, and that’s a nice feeling to have.

“As a team we’re looking fit, have been training hard and we’re going to take that into the season and start on the front foot.”

Huw is now one of five Welshmen in the Blues squad along with Gwion Edwards, James Wilson, Adam Przybek and new keeper David Cornell, who signed last week having left Northampton earlier in the summer.

“Dai’s top man, a good goalkeeper, another good signing for us,” Huws added.

“We’re excited for the first game of the season and just want to keep building on things and building some momentum.”

Photos: TWTD/Matchday Images

ringwoodblue added 18:55 - Aug 26 I feel that Huws is like a TVR - wonderful when it's working but spends most of its time broken down!
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Linkboy13 added 20:32 - Aug 26 Ipswich teams look good on paper, but when it comes to playing on grass we look so physically feeble. This squad is basically the same bunch who have failed in the past 3 or 4 years, unless we adapt a more physical approach we are not going to get out of this league. Doesn't matter what formation you play if you haven't got good players it wont change a thing.
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BeattiesBackPocket added 21:50 - Aug 26 Rabbit I've never known someone to be sucked in so much to any interview from any player or owner yet down mark someone for stating the obvious I'm beginning to think you haven't been to a game past ten years. At least you admit it's been rubbish since Royle left but I'd say it's been rubbish since magilton left challenging first season then replaced by Evans. This guy did have obvious talent will he show that well he hasn't for 3 years yet now knows he has a big year well dur yeah as you're looking for a new contract of course bows the time to earn all that wage you get and have had for not playing most of the past 3 years! There's too many interviews and whilst I don't expect a negative interview I'm not as sold as some on here from player interviews I remember chambers making the same bloody interviews about the poor defensive mistakes then continued in the same vein! Promise all you want let's see some actual actions on the pitch for the first time in 15 odd years!

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rabbit added 08:45 - Aug 27 Ok BBP you don't agree with so many interviews no problem don't read them, problem solved. The fact is they are dutifully trotted out because that is what the local press/media expect, they then have to make the best of it and I think that EH did just that, to slag him off because of his injury is simply not in any fashion productive and seems pointless to me. None the less, you are entitled to your opinion, but if they rile you so much just pass them by.

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BeattiesBackPocket added 09:31 - Aug 27 Rabbit the problem is why do the same old interviews not bother you? If I kept doing the same thing wrong at my place of work and giving same excuses I'd be out of a job but you think it's ok so long as they apologise and acknowledge their wrongs it's ok and then it happens again and again and you think it's ok again. And people wonder why we're in this state because some fans believe it after each interview? You going to believe it if they still languish in league one next year or even league two? Still buy into Evans and the players same interviews? I hope with everything I've got we get promoted because what worries me is if we don't this season we can expect many more years in this league. That's why I don't buy the same old interviews we should expect more from our ONCE great club!

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Bluearmy_81 added 10:08 - Aug 27 BBP, I've said before, some town fans are beyond gullible. They're still waiting for the 5 point plan to kick in and still believe and hang on every word Evans says, it's incredible. The average football fan is much more cynical, much less (unquestioningly) believing, much more able to engage in critical thinking.. Certainly that's my experience of fans up north. I think they realise people with lots of money aren't always to be believed and may not necessarily have your best interests at heart!

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Razor added 10:22 - Aug 27 I like Hews and there is no doubt that a fully fit and committed player would make a huge difference to our midfield and provide the power and control we have been lacking. I remember his goals against Villa and Newcastle when he first arrived and I am sincerely hoping he can give me some new memories this season----let the Welsh dragon roar!!
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rabbit added 13:19 - Aug 27 BBP thank you for telling me what I think, how you know I cannot imagine but be assured you are way off the mark and this after I have gone to the trouble of explaining my views to you on May 18th. I cannot imagine what you would expect a mid twenties young man say after being sidelined for coming up to three years, he has questions put to him he answers in the best way he can, you don't agree with the way he answers or for that matter how any of the recent interviewees respond, well fair enough get your own audience with these people and report the way you want to and I will read with interest. Have you put your views to TWTD or EADT, trying to bury the hatchet into people who make comments which are way out of kilter with the spin you have put on it is frankly just a waste of energy if you simply do nothing about it.

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rabbit added 13:40 - Aug 27 Bluearmy_81 you want people to engage in critical thinking? Well, bring it on, try and engage with those that question you; very easy to chuck out random opinions with out the wherewithal to back it up and then accuse those that do question you of being a liar. Lets have a proper debate and let others fully understand where you get your information from. For example you once said it's common knowledge that ME charges interest on the loans...Wrong. You have recently said that before ME took over, the ITFC financial situation was improving.....Wrong. There are innumerable other examples. So as I have said before rather than simply being a toughy from behind your keyboard be man enough to engage in rational logical debate, you don't have to agree but you should engage in order to back up your point of view. Over to you.

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BeattiesBackPocket added 21:57 - Aug 27 Rabbit what spin have I put on?!? I'm intrigued what have a spin?? Do you know what that means because You'll find the comments I've made are factual anyone can read or research them. I've not said what you're thinking I'm going off every single comment most have been let's forget the past we'll if you've been going and watching the absolute dross past 15 years the best players being sold for under market value making the debt worse and not being replaced with anywhere near the same quality, being told each season under McCarthy were challenging for top 6 by the owner the the manager leaves and says his only remit was to keep us up, gradually year on year getting further depressing and the team less and less quality and you still want to forgive the owner for that and again research this the 6th richest owner outside the premier league then well you should be expecting better a lot better! I'm not calling anyone out just disappointed with that fact we have the most placid fans whilst teams in the premier league protest over their owners like West Ham even teams in the championship and league one do but no you are just accepting failure year on year so long as they apologise for the previous performance or year you're ok with it! It's laughable tbh.

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BeattiesBackPocket added 22:00 - Aug 27 Rabbit also if you really read what I put initially I said I don't blame him for saying what he said but that I like a lot on here if you read the comments are sick of talk and no action. Tell me go read all last seasons post match interviews from chambers promising better and how it was sloppy and look at last years table as well that'll tell you enough! I've been going way over 30 years as a season ticket holder in the robson stand and away half the games very season I'm sick of talk like the talk of the 5 point plan go back 6 or 7 years ago you'll read the same plan then as well it's rolled out new every season when we had that plan under burley and sheepshanks there was improvement but we're getting worse with NO plan or strategy

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rabbit added 09:07 - Aug 28 BBP the spin I am referring to is what you have taken from my comments by telling me what I think, which is simply not acceptable to me. Cut and paste from your post aimed at me: "you think it's ok " I have never said what is going on at ITFC is acceptable and have in the past as, I have previously said, gone to a lot of trouble explaining my views to you. Well done for your 30 years service, your regular attendance home and away certainly gives you a right to your opinions in the same way as it gives me my right, what you consider fact by and large I consider it an opinion, which is not necessarily saying that I disagree by the way. Also I certainly did read that you said you don't blame EH for what he said, what I have alluded to is to make these interviews more acceptable to you the interviewee's need to be asked some different questions so it is up to you, take it up with those that do the interviews, get involved on interviews directly or simply pass them by. In my opinion this site is about the exchange of views between loyal supporters and is no place for insults aimed at others, thanks for your response.

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BeattiesBackPocket added 09:59 - Aug 28 Rabbit there were no insults where are the insults you talk about? You say they're not facts but how many years have we been hearing 5 point plan? I have had numerous letters pre season about season tickets and a push for the top 6 under mick and Evans selling the season tickets on that when we find out after mick leaves his his remit was to keep us up again you can find that on here from an interview with him, Evans IS the 6th richest owner outside the premier league according to last season, there are numerous interviews on here and EADT from chambers more so talking about improving and not being so sloppy next games then we carry on and finish 11th, we have sold our devious players with quality cheaper than most other clubs would and replaces them with lower league players reducing the quality hence average league one team so again all these things are not rumour but fact so please tell me which is opinion and I'll show you facts. Again the empathy you show towards Evans and the decline in the club is ridiculous and the more fans constantly believe the lies like I did from Evans promises, the 5 point plan that's been introduced for a lot more than 5 years now which we can't implement when we sell our best young players even academy players can more due to being cat 2 I think you'll find that's why I don't believe any of the spin anymore so if you're looking for opinions or lies and not facts read an evans interview

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rabbit added 14:46 - Aug 28 BBP ok because you have asked it is Bluearmy_81 to whom, I in general refer, with regard to insults, he is often foul in his condemnation of ITFC supporters but unlike you is not prepared to try and back his assertions by entering into dialogue to back up his often quite false propoganda. Calling some ITFC supporters "happy clappers" suffolk people "serfs" and many more names and insults in my opinion is not acceptable on a forum such as this. With regard to MM he came with the remit to keep ITFC in the Championship after PJ left and Ipswich were bottom of the league. If, and it is a big if, he believed that was all he was required to do throughout his tenure, then it says more about him than anyone else. As a competitive person all is life, and a man who has acquired a great deal of personal wealth by it, had he have thought there was no ambition to achieve more why oh why did he stay, who on earth was going to be the beneficiary? Certainly not ME, financially it makes little difference to him what league ITFC are in if they are not in the Prem. So I am sorry, an interview with a disgruntled guy who feels he has some sort of grudge with our supporters and feels he can stir up unrest is quite honestly quite typical of some people with little moral fibre. That's my opinion by the way. With regard to the devious players I don't know with whom you particularly refer, but I would say that for anyone with a poor attitude around the dressing room should be moved on at virtually any price. You say that ME does not invest enough but then he deliberately sells players off cheaply, ( I have taken the liberty to paraphrase what you have said here) it doesn't make a lot of sense to me, what is the gain? In any business commodities are bought and sold it is all about willing buyers and willing sellers and if we could see into the future we would all have a lot more money, but to look back and make a decision in hindsight is an easy game to play. I am interested in knowing what is fact about other clubs selling players for more money than we do, ITFC can only trade with the players and contracts they have anything else is speculation and opinion, further to that you cannot confuse "rumours" and "facts" rumour has nothing to do with it, if ITFC sell a player it is a fact whether or not they get good value is an opinion. You say you don't insult me but go on to call me "rediculous" and say that ME tells lies, that again is your opinion, although I have to admit that calling someone a liar is a very strong allegation which under normal circumstances would require a considerable amount of quantifying. Anyway going back to square one all this started because you disagreed with my opinion on a player interview which, as then, I still respect your right to have done so. Have a good weekend, I'm off for an early one now🍻

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BeattiesBackPocket added 18:33 - Aug 28 Rabbit ok fair enough I'm not about to insult fellow supporters even when some are frustratingly empathic considering our situation we're in. Why would mick stay? The million pound a year contract he was on I'd guess but he admitted in two interviews I know if his only remit was to keep us up whereas Evans sold fans on challenging for the top 6 with no real investment that wasn't going to happen. Let's also be honest he's not high on the list for managers wanted us he and he knows this what has he done since? He was out of work a few months before ROI job and has been since and there have been plenty of jobs. I like you wouldn't leave a well paid job if I knew there were no takers if I left. That was meant to be previous players I'm using a phone so it changed it to devious. We have sold players with previous quality and bought lower league hence why we are now lower league and all our kids any good are sold whilst in the youth team. Well having a business myself I'll pull you up on that. In football especially there are certain clubs who are selling clubs and most clubs know like we have in the past sold at a pathetic price there are plenty to chose from Webster, even waghorn was sold for 5 million to a rival yes he wanted to go obviously however when you let 18 goals and something like 16 assists from one player go for that price you know damn well you're not going to replace that and we didn't. Now a striker has gone from one championship club today for 20 million with nowhere near the amount of goals in him last season Brentford a smaller club than ours can afford a new stadium and to buy players? Why because they get market value and so no go unless you reach the going rate we don't get the going rate Webster 5 million one season later 25 million you can pander to Evans all you want but that is poor business in any way shape and form! Brentford and Bristol city set a price of you meet it great if you don't then tough! We don't every club knows we will sell. Bart another example worth a million three months late goes half that ridiculous. Evans is successful in what he does and good on him but the past two seasons I've just had enough as have a lot of fans. I'm not saying we should all protest to leave however we should be to put up or get out! He has taken us to our lowest point in over 60 years and the debt gets worse because we don't get the going rate! He's the 6th richest owner outside the premier which in my eyes makes it worse I've never like some expected him to go and spend million on a player it doesn't always work but all I've expected is make us competitive wages wise and play hard ball on sales like Brentford and Bristol city's of this world they challenge every season on a lot less gates than us and they do because of the money they get in through sales. As I say Brentford 13000 gates but can afford to go and spend a couple of million on a striker Watkins who is now also valued a lot higher now they could afford to spend because they recouped 20 million on a striker last season. It's basic maths my friend I'm not wanting to argue but it amazes me how people don't se those facts smaller clubs overtake us due to his poor management decisions, clegg who again contributed to our debt letting the assets like leadbitter Norris etc leave for nothing as he let their contracts run out, poor managers, players leaving cheaply, trying to install a 5 point plan we can't implement when you're a category two academy And we have sold numerous talented youngsters and then have a manager who doesn't bring these players through it doesn't work which is why it has been rolled out each year for about 7 years now. The scouting network is abysmal which again doesn't help mate this is the worst position I have ever seen us in my lifetime and it frustrates me some don't see it

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BeattiesBackPocket added 18:38 - Aug 28 Your last paragraph is my exact issue with some fans. A lie is when you've printed something for season tickets saying you are challenging for top 6 which I had each season but in reality we've got the 6th lowest wage budget in the league, a manger who admits his remit was to just keep us up and if he is being slanderous against Evans why not come out and say so which Evans hasn't, you're selling top scorers AFTER those season tickets are sold, discussing a five point plan you know cannot be implemented not his fault by the way but still don't promise something you know can't be managed! Do I need to go on? Oh yes and the fact he was accused of ticket touting at the olympics? 🤷‍♂️

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BeattiesBackPocket added 18:40 - Aug 28 Have a good weekend yourself rabbit
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