Debutant skipper Samy Morsy says manager Paul Cook is as focused as he’s ever seen him and has no doubt that Town will get over their early season struggles and will replicate the success the pair enjoyed at Wigan and Chesterfield.

The 29-year-old, who joined the Blues from Championship Middlesbrough on deadline day, admitted last night’s 2-1 Papa John’s Trophy defeat to West Ham’s U21s was a tough one to take.

“Obviously we wanted to win, disappointing really, that’s football,” the Egyptian international said.

Asked about the mood in the dressing room, he continued: “Disappointment. We want to start winning. There’s loads of potential in the squad but we need to start putting wins together now.

“But we shouldn’t get carried away, there have only been six league games. The league’s never won in September, so we’ll just get our heads down, work really hard on the training ground, which the lads have been doing, and we’ll keep going.”

Morsy is currently serving a suspension which is a hangover from his time with Boro having been harshly red-carded in his final match for the Teessiders, so from a personal perspective it was good to get a game under his belt.

“Definitely, nice to get 90 minutes in the legs,” he said. “In the long term it’s about getting on track in the league, but personally it’s nice to get 90 minutes in the legs.”

Regarding the sending off, in a 1-1 draw with Blackburn, he added: “It just sums up the officials really, it was a shocking decision. I think everyone saw it. But you get on with it.”

The Wolverhampton-born midfielder believes situations such as the current one at Town are a test of character and personality.

“Definitely,” he said. “When things are going great, it’s easy to play, you don’t think about anything, it’s great.

“This is where we see the character of the squad, see the character of the players, we see which players stand up to be counted and who go into their shells.

“This will stand us in good stead for the times in the season when we need to stand up and be counted, which is obviously the case now.

“It’s a good test, without adversity you don’t do anything and this is certainly adversity right now.”

Manager Paul Cook spoke glowingly about Morsy’s character following the 5-2 defeat to Bolton and his former Spireites and Latics skipper is experienced enough to have seen similar situations previously and to have come out the other end.

“I’ve been there before, I’ve been on bad runs before and turned that around to excellent ones, it can happen. It’s just habit,” he said.

“You obviously have to be honest with yourself, take a look in the mirror, you assess your performance, you keep going, you keep working, there’s no magic pill. No one’s going to swallow a magic pill and everything’s going to be alright.

“We work harder than we did yesterday, we keep working and once you get to that level you start winning games.”

Morsy dismissed the suggestion that Cook’s comments put pressure on him. “Not at all, it’s why I’m in the game, why I love football, sort of relishing these these moments.

“There’s no doubt in my mind we are going to go on a great run and this is going to be a leading factor in it because we’ve had this pain, and I know Ipswich for a number of years haven’t been winning games or been top of the leagues for a number of years and we have to change that around.

“The lads were telling me it was top class support even at the weekend and soon enough I’m really hopeful that we’re going to give the fans a team they can be really proud of.”

How worrying is the current league position of 22nd? “Not worrying, we’re six games in. If you win the next six you’re going to be in the top six. But obviously we want to win games, we haven’t won any games so far this season and we just need to pick up.”

Given the lack of a win all season, some fans are inevitably calling for a change of manager but Morsy believes Cook will get it right at Town just as he has with his previous sides having skippered the Chesterfield side which carried off the League Two title in 2013/14 and the Wigan squad which claimed League One silverware in 2017/18.

“He’s been promoted at every club he’s been at with the style of football,” he said. “He’s done really well, he assembled a really good Wigan squad, who in the second half of the season were the most in-form team in the division.

“He knows what he’s doing, for sure, but there’s not going to be a quick fix. Any manager of any club in a summer where you have to sign 19 or 20 players and rebuild a completely different squad it is tough, but obviously we do need results now and the lads need to repay him.”

Has Cook changed much since they worked together at Wigan? “Same guy, even better than he was, to be honest. He’s more meticulous, he’s as focused as I’ve ever seen him.

“At Wigan we were on this incredible run, he put together such a good team and that’s exactly what he’ll be looking to do this season.”

Morsy dropped from the Championship with Boro to what he hopes will be one season in League One with the Blues.

“That’s the plan,” he said. “I think that’s why a lot of people see the big potential of the club, new owners with the manager and that’s the goal and we’ll get there because we keep working hard.

“Training really has been brilliant, I know it’s easy to say and I know people will be thinking ‘He’s probably just saying that’ but training has been brilliant and I think when we get players back fit and firing we’re going to be a real force in this league.”

How big a call was it to move down a division? “I was pretty much told on the last day of the window really. I had to sum it up and obviously I’d worked with the manager before, Ipswich is a massive club in itself and the goal’s to get promoted, no doubt about that, the goal is to get promoted this season.”

Morsy has competition in midfield with Lee Evans and Rekeem Harper having been the starting pair up to now and Tom Carroll having played alongside him last night.

“They’re good players, you need good players in the squad, there’s competition all over,” he added. “You need that, you need players to push each other and make sure you’re at the top of your game.”

Morsy played alongside Evans at Wigan and believes there’s plenty to come from the Welshman, who has had an at times difficult start to the campaign.

“He’s a really good player,” he said. “We formed a successful partnership, we’ve won some big games together, we’ve done well together.

“I think when you’re not winning games it’s hard, it’s hard for every new player at the club but Lee will turn out to be a good signing I’m sure.”

He believes the key is to find a blend in midfield: “Definitely, and we will get there. There’s no doubt about it and you get there by just keep working, by keeping positive.

“It’s that self-analysis as well, you look at where you’re going right and where you’re going wrong, it’s the honest conversation really. Losses definitely bring that. But we just keep going.”

Asked about the strengths in his own game, he said: “People who have seen me play know my strengths and we’ll just see. I’ve definitely come to win games and get this club promoted, that’s what I’ll say.”

Morsy captained the Blues last night and says it was an honour: “Brilliant. I wear it with pride really. I’ve won the league twice, the last time I was in this league four or five years ago I captained the lads to a league title.

“It’s a massive honour and it’s something I don’t take lightly and I’ll make sure the fans have a team they’re proud of.”

He says manager Cook is yet to have a chat about who will wear the armband permanently with Lee Evans having been in possession in the league up to now. “No, I think he’ll just make that decision when he sees fit.”

But he says he’ll provide leader whether he’s the captain or otherwise: “It will be the manager’s decision. Every club I’ve been at I’ve been a leader in my own right and that won’t change here.”

Morsy will miss the trip to Lincoln and then the home game against Sheffield Wednesday due to that lingering suspension and admits he can’t wait for the chance to make his league debut when Doncaster visit on Tuesday 28th September.

“Definitely, but I’ll just keep working away and come Doncaster I’ll be ready,” he said.

Does he find it tough watching games? “I’ve come to terms with it. I’ve just got to keep training hard and just be ready for when I play.”

Morsy believes there’s more than enough in the squad to win at Lincoln on Saturday: “Absolutely, the league’s so unpredictable, anyone can beat everyone but it’s going to be about appetite, application, a little bit of luck as well, which you need in football and it would be great to get our first win.”

He added: “Momentum’s powerful, good or bad. When it’s going well, everything drops for you, when it’s not, we had a clear penalty tonight, for example [when Zanda Siziba was fouled in the second half]. I’m not going to use that as an excuse but if we score that penalty we probably win the game.

“That’s just where the club’s at at the minute. It’s still very early days so there’ll be no massive reaction, we’ll just keep going, we’ll keep working, we’ll work harder than we’ve ever worked and then when it clicks we’re going to be in a really good place.”

Photos: TWTD/Matchday Images

blues1 added 14:23 - Sep 15 Marinersnose. Stop talking bs. None of the players whove either dropped down from the championship or turned down championship moves to sign are earning big money. If u bothered to listen to what Ashton said, theyve all taken pay cuts in order to sign for us. And how were they fringe players? Chaplin for example played 34 games last season. And woolfenden has been poor for most of last season and this season. Wilson was let go bcse he spent most of his time here injured. And burgess isms far better than either of them. We just need to get a settled back 4 and morsy in front of them and we'll be fine. Cook does need to get a regular back 4 soon tho. Making changes elsewhere in the side will be much easier if he can get that sorted.

0

blues1 added 14:39 - Sep 15 Monkeyblue. U really are the most monotonous poster on here. When will u get it in ur head that last season is irrelevant. He had a squad of players that Guardiola could have got nothing out of. This is a new start with a new squad. And unlike other clubs whove signed a number of players, weve got rid of a lot more than they have. Plus weve had all the change off the field too. So whether fans like you, like it or not, it is just 6 league games in. And that's all he should be judged on. No, its not been good enough. And no, it cant continue indefinitely. There will im sure, be a tipping point. But remember, if he goes it will leave us with a squad of players who will likely be unhappy as the majority only signed bcse of him being here. And where would that leave us? Just for a minute tho let's use ur scenario. The 4 wins in 23 games. So around half a season then. With just one transfer window in his time so far? U think half a season is enough time to turn around years of failure?

-7

tractorboybig added 14:44 - Sep 15 well he is unlikely to say you have a chump as manger is he?
1

Mummy_Short_Arms added 14:51 - Sep 15 Spoken like a true Captain. No point sacking Cook yet. The next few weeks won't be pleasant watching, but the tide will turn before Xmas. The important question is if they can go on a winning run once the loser monkey is off the shoulder. Things can turn very quickly in football, and I'm betting we'll be mid table December, play offs around March, and end up third come the end of the season. Keep the faith.

2

cat added 15:11 - Sep 15 Anyone who's witnessed any of the games this season will realise that individual mistakes have proved costly. With so much of the feel good factor around the club time is needed for the players to connect and get used to each other. We are blessed with quality players in most positions and yet the negativity on here is simply uncalled for at this early point in the season IMO. Still, if being like Monkey is your thing, then good luck to you cause you'll need it. 😩😩

5

barrystedmunds added 15:55 - Sep 15 I don't know about focused; a very naughty boy is what he is! The messiah he ain't!
2

martin587 added 15:57 - Sep 15 CAT… re your post I don't think it's negatively more disappointment after all the promises we've had.Yes it takes time to get understanding but just how long do you need.At the moment we have very little of everything surely you must agree to that.As you rightly say and I fully agree we are blessed with an abundance of quality within the club now and it's great but surely we should be seeing some improvement.PC needs a good right hand man and until he gets one I think we will struggle also the coaching staff for me is just not good enough.Having said that I always I enjoy reading your posts as they are very logical and not condemning like some.

6

SpiritOfJohn added 16:10 - Sep 15 Morsy looks like the type of player we need. I don't know what has happened to Evans since his promising debut, but he is not bossing the midfield. Our fullbacks have been totally exposed by our current formation and KVY looks a shadow of the player he was 2 years ago. Cook was unable to improve the side he inherited and ruthlessly disposed of them. The new signings look to have more ability but so far Cook has been unable to get the balance right between attack and defence. We seem to have an abundance of flair players and few of the grafters needed to drag us out of this league. Last night was a missed opportunity to build some understanding between Walton and the back 4 who will play at Lincoln. Cook is getting a lot of flak because he is making a lot of bad calls, and he seems to be surrounded by yes-men. Bringing in John Mcgreal as an assistant would be a step in the right direction. Also, someone please tell Cook to stop running on to the pitch before kick-off as if he has just won the FA Cup!

1

Linkboy13 added 16:23 - Sep 15 I know it's only been six games but what is the excuse for the lack of fight and effort in the team that's got nothing to do with gelling. Keep hearing these players have dropped down a league just to play for Cook but why aren't they backing him. Really wanted Cook to succeed but he seems lost without his coach Liam Richardson. If things are not going well in a match the top managers will change the system for example Everton v Burnley the other night Everton were really struggling so Raffa Benetez went from a back five to a back four and strengthened the midfield and it changed the game no chance of this happening at Ipswich.

2

cat added 17:02 - Sep 15 Hey Martin, I'll always debate with you fella as I'm your no 1 fan! It's s results business and if we fail to get anything from our next couple of hard fixtures then I'll be questioning Cooks management credentials. With all the comings and going's the first month or so we're always gonna be tough, but with the squad now in place there's no excuses. Bring in Carroll and Morsy into the holding roles, Celina behind the front man and things will improve.

2

Bazza8564 added 17:03 - Sep 15 Come on guys, we have a game to win at Lincoln on Saturday, weve got a sell out following of 1800 going and another opportunity to give these guys our full support. Im as pi&&ed off as anybody about whats happened so far but we can only win saturday and get us started, Two more at PR after that and its as if this run never happened. Trust the CEO to be doing whats right for the club and back them as fervently as we can. BLUE AND WHITE ARMY!

4

Monkey_Blue added 17:31 - Sep 15 Blues1 last season is not irrelevant. He was the manager of a team pushing for a play off place and we were notably worse under him than under Lambert. If by monotonous you mean consistent I'll take that as a compliment. Wake up and smell the coffee. Cook is failing badly.
1

jas0999 added 17:41 - Sep 15 I get that players have drop down a league to play for Cook, but you simply can't overlook his terrible record. It simply can't continue. No wins in eight this season is indefensible. Cook must win matches - plural- starting on Saturday. His record is beyond shocking.
0

Monkey_Blue added 17:45 - Sep 15 Blues1… you are also too blind to see that if last seasons squad was so bad Lambert was doing a good job. We are averaging about a point a game under Cook. That's relegation form and with either squad they are way better than that. If you ignore last season you are also ignoring the 12points from his only 4 wins. 3 points from 6games isn't relegation form it's finishing dead last form. He keeps making the same excuses and some of the things he's saying just don't hold any water or have any connection to reality.

1

blueboy1981 added 17:48 - Sep 15 Realistically, for anyone to expect Promotion this season after such a root and branch Club overhaul was total folly. It wasn't as if we even had a pre-season of players getting to know one another. The results thus far are much less than impressive and cannot be disguised, however, anyone expecting much more at this stage is an idiot. This is a tough, although low League for such a Club as ours to be meandering in, more so now than at any time during the past decade, and more - but Cook has his problems to sort, one maybe the recruitment of a top class Coach (he thought he had one in his previous Coach) - but a shock perhaps to bim, that didn't materialise. I am no different to many, I have, and do question much of what I have seen so far this season from him - but he has to be given this season for everything to settle and produce - unless of course we are still scouting the relegation zone by the end of November - beyond that may well be too late to avoid another potential Club disaster. I am sure that all will prove positive - but will still be asking question if what I continue to see doesn't look right. As we all have the right to do - without being stupid ... !!!

2

Gandj64 added 18:29 - Sep 15 Can MrCook explain why we let Terry Butcher go? One of the greatest defenders this country has ever produced could have worked with the defenders who desperately need some help ! Anyone ?
4

gosblue added 18:35 - Sep 15 I'm with CAT on this one. Individual mistakes and disappointing performances are costing us points. We've been let down by two goalkeepers, so we've brought in a quality replacement. I think Lee Evans is finding the weight of the Captain's armband too much to handle so we've brought in a natural skipper. Every player needs to take a good hard look at themselves and find some form otherwise we are going to have a very strong U23's squad. I don't think anyone can criticise the recruitment this season. I call for a little more patience but that won't last forever.

3

Marinersnose added 18:39 - Sep 15 Blues1 you are talking bs. Chaplin made appearances from the bench and was always going to be bombed out at Barnsley. We were offering £14k a week for a striker so I suggest you probably aren't very well informed. Maybe get to know a few more people. I think the fact you see Burgess as a decent centre back is enough said. The boy can't sort his feet even in the warm up. Woolfenden is a far better player and mom against Wimbledon.

-1

istanblue added 18:53 - Sep 15 Sounds like an appeal to Ashton/the owners: ''please don't sack Paul just yet. He's REALLY trying, honest guv!''. Utterly pathetic.
1

Linkboy13 added 19:14 - Sep 15 Cook might be focused but unfortunately most of the players are not and i can only see one outcome which is sad because i really wanted Cook to succeed. Some might say it's only six games but we haven't made any progress from game one.
0

RAH4 added 19:32 - Sep 15 He should be focussed. He must be focussed.Isn't that his job? We don't need reminding of that. His job and the club's season depend on it.One more season in L1 or as it currently stands a season in L2 will be disastrous.
0

yorkieblue62 added 19:54 - Sep 15 Can't understand people harping on about Burley. He is as responsible as anyone for where we are today because of what he did in 2001/2, a bit like Wilder at Sheff U last year, so he would not be a good replacement either. Give Cook 15 games or maybe till Christmas. Things can turn round in an instant.
0

happybeingblue added 20:02 - Sep 15 i like to think at ITFC we give our managers time so lets wait to see where we are by the end of october that is 15 league games in,lets not get too worked up by the pizza cup matches,at the end of the day everyone has been impressed by ashton and he publicly called for patience did he not? a lot of posters get a bit hysterical on here these days which does kind of spoil the visit to the site now ...rational thinking seems to have gone,too much emotion can cloud the vision we all want the team to win but lets stay calm. the players are still getting to know one another in every aspect.

0

cat added 20:04 - Sep 15 Marinersnose - WTF are you going on about ref Burgess. He's big, commanding, organises and is decent with the ball, he also throws himself in when needed. Wolf on the other hand (who I like) is far to casual, laid back and has made serious gaffs this season. Explain your take on Burgess cause I'm wondering what I've missed???
0

Marinersnose added 21:01 - Sep 15 cAt poor on the ball and when closed down under pressure just panics. Gets caught wrong side too often and that's in just two games. Agree he's big and commanding and he's brave but footballer he's not. Watch him with the ball at his feet and watch how he gets caught wrong side. Coulson covers him no end. Certainly not going to be a Championship player. I'd love to be proved wrong . PC may work his magic on the training ground. If you thought the centre back pairing was better versus Bolton that's your call. I thought it was woeful. Coulson is a proper defender who has it all imo

0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls