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Wilson: Set-Piece Work With Gilly Paying Off
Wednesday, 10th Mar 2021 10:20

Centre-half James Wilson says work with first-team coach Matt Gill has been behind the Blues’ recent run of set-piece goals.

Wilson netted Town’s equaliser in last night’s 1-1 home draw with his former club Lincoln City, the Blues’ sixth goal in a row which has come directly or indirectly from either a corner or a free-kick.

James Norwood's winner at Hull is Town's only goal from open play in their last seven matches.

Wilsom felt Town deserved the point against the Imps and might even have won it in the second half.

“I think on the balance of play maybe a point was a fair result but I think we could have edged it at some point, I think we played some really nice football in the second half,” he said.

The draw moved the Blues up a place to seventh, only a point off the play-offs ahead of Saturday’s home game against Plymouth.

“I didn’t know that, every point is important and I think we’ve got 14 games left, so that’s plenty of time,” the Welshman continued. “If we can carry on from the second half performance, I think that’s only a positive.”

Having struggled against sides towards the top of the division for most of the season, in recent weeks Town have beaten Hull, Doncaster and Accrington before drawing with third-placed Lincoln.

“It gives you confidence,” the 32-year-old reflected. “I think we’ve still got a lot to work on. I think the gaffer is trying to change a few things, which is great, it’s what we needed.

“It’s going to take time to implement everything exactly how he wants but I think the second half was a good start.”

New manager Paul Cook has been at the club for a week and Wilson says the switch of boss has brought a change of approach.

“Every manager you get is completely different, so it’s been a lot different,” he said.


“We’ve just got to try and take on board everything he’s saying quickly because we haven’t got many training sessions this season really, it’s all about games. Every time we work with him, we’ve got to take a little bit extra.”

Having been out since the Lincoln away game in October due to a knee injury which required surgery, Wilson has played every match since returning for the Oxford match on February 20th. But he says he’s OK physically despite having played six games in that time.

“Fine, I feel alright,” he said. “Aches and pains but you just about recover before each game. They’re giving us plenty of time and looking after us, so it’s good.”

Until last week’s match at Accrington, Wilson hadn’t scored since October 2018 - in a 6-2 Lincoln win at Port Vale - but now he has bagged two in three games.

“Yes, I don’t think there’ll be a lot more,” he reflected. “But hopefully I can get a few more.”

He admits his celebration needs a bit of work: “It’s hard, you usually run off to the fans but there’s no one to run to! I don’t really know where to get, I just get back into my position, to be honest. I probably do need to work on it. Next time I’ll do a front flip or something!

Wilson knows the importance of central defenders scoring and says work on the training field is playing off.

“It’s been brilliant the last few weeks especially,” he said. “We’ve worked a lot with Gilly on winning first balls in the box and I think I’ve got a couple, [Luke] Chambers got one and and Toto [Nsiala] nearly got one in the first half, so everyone’s getting closer, which is good.

“Before the gaffer came in, we started doing these new set pieces and I think it’s been really good. We feel like we can score from every set piece, and we got loads in the first half, got a few in the second, so it’s positive.

“I think we’ve tried to score off the first ball, which puts them on them on the back foot, which means we’re getting chances after that if we don’t get the first ball, so it’s been really good.”

Cook has said he wants Town to play on the front foot, which Wilson says feels will take a little while for the team to adapt to.

“I think so, I think he wants us passing the ball, stepping in more, keeping the ball for longer, completely different style of play,” he said. “I think we’ll get there but I think it’ll probably take time.

“It’s been really enjoyable so far. Everything’s been really positive, which is good.”

"He says manager Cook is a bubbly character on the training field: “He is, yes. He’s different to before, so it’s a welcome change.”

Wilson has been partnered in the recent good run by Toto Nsiala with the pair also the centre-halves during the positive early-season form.

“I like playing with him. I think at the end there it showed what a good defender it is, an unbelievable block. It’s been good and I’m enjoying it,” he added. “It’s a good base [for the team] to build on.”

Cook stressed the importance of partnerships at his press conference on Monday and Wilson agrees that they are key to a successful side.

“One hundred per cent,” he said. “But saying that, I think the boys that aren’t playing are working really hard. He’s working with everyone to know how we’re going to play, so if anyone steps in it’s going to be the same thing I think.”

Wilson knows he and Nsiala will be kept on their toes by Luke Woolfenden and Mark McGuinness.

“Yes, and at full-back we’ve got options as well. I think it’s going to be a good run-in, hopefully.”

Meanwhile, Sheffield Wednesday sources have played down a claim Town boss Cook is eyeing a reunion with his former Wigan midfielder Josh Windass.

The 27-year-old was claimed to already be on Cook’s summer wish list late last week only a couple of days after he had taken over at Town.

However, the Sheffield Star reports that the Owls have indicated that as things stand Windass, who has previously said he and Cook didn’t always see eye to eye while with the Latics, won’t be going anywhere and that there’s been no interest from the Blues.


Photo: Matchday Images



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OwainG1992 added 10:39 - Mar 10
Mentioned a few weeks ago now but Nsiala, Wilson and Kenlock have been revelations as of late.
Nsiala has his critics but he works his socks off constantly.
Maybe tough of Woolf to be missing out but why break up a strong partnership.
3

sospier added 10:47 - Mar 10
I still want to see more goals from our strikers though.
4

TimmyH added 11:07 - Mar 10
Would be nice to see a bit more in open play where we create very few chances, the last 3 games all our goals have come from dead ball situations.
4

Bluearmy_81 added 11:21 - Mar 10
Remember his name sake Kevin Wilson scoring a fair few goals in 2 seasons back in the 80s before he went to Chelsea
1

Suffolkboy added 11:37 - Mar 10
Cook brings positivity,and palpable enthusiasm –just what a needed !
COYB
3

spanishblue added 11:44 - Mar 10
Telling words he (cook) is so different bubbly on the field hmm,
2

Dockerblue added 12:05 - Mar 10
About time we started scoring from dead ball situations. Our corner and free kick delivery for most of this season and last has been dreadful. If Gilly is only now starting to work on that in training then there is something badly wrong with Lamberts managerial style. Also l personally think James Wilson should be Captain, he leads by example unlike the current one.
1

FramlinghamBlue added 12:23 - Mar 10
I wonder if Paul Cook has looked at the staff profiles and asked where Dave Bowman and Jim Henry are?
1

Edmundo added 12:26 - Mar 10
I can't remember the last time I thought, "great we've got a corner/free kick" (Garbutt aside last season): great to think we can pressurise and if we win something we can capitalise rather than think the opposition defenders have an easy ride now.
1

d77sgw added 15:25 - Mar 10
Problem is, for all the great blocks etc Nsiala is always good for gifting the opposition a goal every other game, and it's hard to keep having to cover these. He certainly nearly gifted Lincoln one last night.
4

Kirbmeister added 17:35 - Mar 10
d77sgw - which goals has Nsiala gifted recently?
1

ArnieM added 21:11 - Mar 10
Has Matt Gill's role changed since PL got the sack ? Just wondered since he appears to have a good influence on the players and I just wondered why this hadn't been apparent under Lambert.
1

aas1010 added 00:02 - Mar 11
Keep working hard and all will be rewarded , with life in the championship again ... keep it up all onwards and upwards


C O Y B ! ! !
0

dirtydingusmagee added 07:53 - Mar 11
Kirb , Toto has improved a lot ,but he does still have the risk factor, a once a game moment, Everyone makes mistakes, unfortunately in his position they can cost us the points. Respect to him for his effort all the same. Wison is one player that i would hang on to,when rebuilding.
0

warwickblue added 09:38 - Mar 11
Dockerblue - Also l personally think James Wilson should be Captain, he leads by example unlike the current one.

I don't think any of us, even Chambers himself, would deny that as players age their limitations will begin to become more apparant. But that is not the same as suggesting that Luke Chambers has not set a good example as captain of Ipswich Town Football Club. In my opinion he has been, and hopefully will continue to be, an outstanding servant to the club - personally involved in so many aspects of the club behind the scenes, not least as a motivator and example to the younger players in the academy, including the very youngest.
0

WhoisJimmyJuan added 09:54 - Mar 11
Agree Warwick Blue. Despite some very poor games (and he does have excellent ones too) Chambers is a fantastic servant. If nothing else, we should appreciate his unwavering love for our club.

Also agree with Docker Blue. Matt Gill is emerging from Lambert's shadow as an excellent coach.
0

runningout added 10:23 - Mar 11
Have loads to improve on to feel chuffed. A little embarrassing I find our goal difference. Heyho
0

ArnieM added 12:10 - Mar 11
for corner delivery into the box , Dozzell often takes them , and I personally feel his delivery is too slow and loopy. It needs pace on the ball ..defenders hate that as it can ping off anyone in the box and go anywhere . Loopy slow flighted balls into thF box are much more easily defended.
0


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