Kayden Jackson put a difficult period behind him with a man of the match display as Town beat Burton Albion 3-0 on Saturday afternoon, with the striker saying after the match that new manager Kieran McKenna has made him feel like a footballer again.

His first league goal of the season, as well as assists for Wes Burns and Bersant Celina, lifted Ipswich to within four points of the play-offs with 13 games left to play.

Jackson is positive about his Town future after previously accepting he’d probably be leaving Suffolk when his contract runs out in the summer, but now he’s aiming to use his renewed confidence to reach the play-offs.

The 27-year-old explained: “If I'm brutally honest, I thought I'd be gone the last three windows. It's been one of those times. There's been a lot that's gone on.

“In the summer, I was told I was surplus to requirements, it didn't quite work out me leaving, but I'm a firm believer wherever you are, you work hard and you work hard to try and get back in the team.

“It’s tough when you’re not playing and you’re not being part of it. At times you don’t even feel like you play for the team. It’s been a strange time, but thankfully I’ve got my missus and my little one that have helped keep me focused and I haven’t stopped working hard.

“I think I've done that a few times since I've been here. I've been out of the picture and I've got my head down and worked hard, and in the end, hard work pays off.

“I think that’s probably the most important thing, having been out of the team for a long spell. At times it looked like I was probably going to leave, but I kept working hard and thankfully the gaffer has come in now and given me my opportunity.”

When asked if his teammates have supported him over the last months, Jackson continued: “One hundred per cent. Obviously, it was a lot of change in the summer and it's one of those where you don't know how it's going to go.

“But we brought in some brilliant lads and everyone has had each other's backs, and everyone has gone through different things at this club, but we're all together and we're a really close group.

“I feel like a footballer again. Everything that comes with it, the preparation beforehand, the recovery after games, there’s no better feeling and especially being part of a winning team, it’s what you work for.”

Jackson, who was making his 100th league appearance for the Blues yesterday, was given a clean slate straight away by McKenna and thinks the new manager focusing on his positive attributes has helped him recapture his edge.

“Let’s be honest, it’s not been the best of times recently. Thankfully now the gaffer is in and he’s helped me confidence-wise. I’ve got my edge back and I feel good.

“Other managers in the past have concentrated on what I can’t do rather than what I can do. I think that’s probably why I haven’t played at times and they haven’t not got the best out of me, but they haven’t used me to my strengths.

“The gaffer just says there’s not many better at it in the league, playing on the shoulder and getting in behind and the link-up with Pigs [Joe Pigott], I know he’s going to drop short and leave the space for me to run in behind, and we made the most of that in the second half.

“As soon as he came in, I think the very first day he was there, we weren’t in training, but I think I bumped into him at the training ground and he said, ‘Look, I’m looking forward to working with you, I know what you’re like’.

“He’s seen a lot of me, he says he knows what I’m like as a lad, he knows I’m hard-working and stuff, and it’s been a breath of fresh air.

“Just the way he empowers you. Personally, I’ve not had this feeling since I was at Accrington. When I was at Accrington each week, I was going out there and I felt on top of the world; I felt untouchable.

“The last time I felt anywhere near this good was when I was at Accrington playing under John Coleman, who never told me what I can't do. He was always insisting that I play to my strengths which I was able to do today.

“And the gaffer has given me that feeling a bit, so it’s obviously paying off at the minute, we’ve got plenty more to work on, we’ve got a long way to make up, but it’s been positive so far so long may that continue.”

Regarding the importance of the win against the Brewers, he reflected: “It was good. Another three points which helps us get a step closer to where we want to be.

“We know we’ve got a big game on Tuesday, so we’re not going to get carried away; at the end of the day, it’s three points, it’s three goals, and it’s a clean sheet and plenty of positives to build on.”

Jackson had last scored in the league in December 2020 at Plymouth so was delighted to break his duck after only 42 seconds.

“The last thing the gaffer said before we went out was be positive,” he recalled. “Whether that’s a run, first shot, first run or first tackle, be positive. And that kind of stuck in my head, so obviously Wes [Burns] finding me in the pocket there, I just drove and think it was a fortunate strike.

“I’ve hit better, but apparently, accuracy beats speed; that’s what I found out today.”

Having scored his early goal and laid on the second and third for Burns and Celina after the break, Jackson was given a standing ovation as he left the pitch.

“It’s always special,” the frontman continued. “I think they are only reacting to what I’ve done.

“I’ve been able to put in a positive performance, I’ve been able to give them something to cheer and hopefully, I can do that plenty more between now and the end of the season.”

Attention now turns to Tuesday night’s game at Portman Road against Cheltenham, where a win and the right results elsewhere could see Town just one point off of sixth.

For Jackson, it’s another chance to stake a claim for his position in the side and prove that he can be a big part of the future under McKenna, which he hopes will include a match at Wembley in May.

“It's [Jackson’s performance against Burton] definitely up there, but at the end of the day it's not the winning goal at Wembley, so there's a long way to go in terms of it being a really special day, but it was a positive day and one that I was happy to be a part of.

“I'd love us to be up already up, to be honest, but we've got a lot of ground to catch up. That's the aim, 100 per cent and the gaffer knows what we're capable of, we know what we're capable of, we had a start that was miles away from what we should have done, to be honest.

“We should have a lot more points on the board, but it's just one of those things we don't, but we're working hard every day, every week to get there.

“I’ve said to a few people that since the gaffer has come in, all I want to do is work under him. I know how much he can improve me as a player, and I want to be part of things.

“There’s only one place at this club is going now, thankfully. It didn’t look like that for a couple of years, but now there’s definitely only one direction the club is going in, and I want to be a big part of it.

“Like I’ve said before, we’re not going to get carried away. It’s just three points today and we’ve got a massive game on Tuesday now, and the way the gaffer looks at it, we take one game at a time.

“We’ll keep working hard, and we’ll keep trying to get the wins and see where it takes us.”

Photo: TWTD

BurleysGloryDays added 12:53 - Feb 20 Yep hands up, I've been a big critic - I've understood him to be quick but without end product and costly in possession, frequently losing the ball - which in days of old was way more problematic than under a KM team. If KM gets KJ going he is a genius and I'll be first to apologise to JK! All hail KM!
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Ryorry added 13:14 - Feb 20 A big well done to KJ for keeping going & working hard with such determination & a positive outlook. Many would have let their heads drop & given up. Speaks volumes that he didn't, and kept on keeping on with such grit. You can see he translates that into action on the pitch too. So glad that KM has picked up on that & put an arm round Kayden's shoulder. He's clearly not just a superb modern 'technical' manager, but also has the best qualities of the 'old-fashioned' ones too - ie relates to his players as human beings. I can think of other of our great managers that had this capacity in their day, but dare not make comparisons - yet!

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Karlosfandangal added 13:32 - Feb 20 ArnieM Agree if you have watched the boys of 81 video. sir Bobby said they played a system which suited the players ie Wark a defence midfield could make late runs in the box which gave him 36 goals. Would be nice to be able to compare him to Sir Bobby…. Only 700 games to go
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ringwoodblue added 14:20 - Feb 20 After reading this article I felt genuinely sorry for the lad as he's obviously had a very long and difficult period. I hold up my hand and admit that I was wrong in thinking he should have left last summer or in Jan. Just goes to prove how brilliant Kieran is and how poor the last three managers were. How Kayden can push on now and score / assist lots more goals.

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ringwoodblue added 14:21 - Feb 20 Hope *
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Linkboy13 added 14:38 - Feb 20 Let's hope McKenna picks the same team on Tuesday but history suggests he will probably rotate again. The fact that Jackson went off before the end means hopefully he will start probably along side Bonne. I would give Pigott another run out as there were signs of this partnership working out.
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Nobbysnuts added 15:03 - Feb 20 I've been one of his biggest critics but fair play to him he had an excellent game yesterday and if he keeps it going he will be difficult to drop....as for pigott....just not good enough I'm afraid.
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ArnieM added 15:21 - Feb 20 A classic example of how managers messed up a player here at PR, was the likes of McCarthy, and Lambert persisting in playing. Freddie Sears out wide, when he clearly was a central striker. We ruined his game IMO.
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LegendofthePhoenix added 15:26 - Feb 20 Like many I had also written KJ off. He clearly has some incredible physical capabilities - his pace is electric and he seems to be able to keep it up all game long. But first touch and shooting accuracy have left a lot to be desired. Hence the write off. Now it seems this genius of a manager has worked out how to use KJ's strengths and build his confidence. We are now seeing this right across the squad, players growing in confidence, and working harder than ever to win their place in the team. I said to some fans as we were waiting to get in at MK that if KMcK cold get a tune out of KJ no one would be happier than me, and here we are. Well done Kayden for working hard, and I hope you can put in more performances like yesterday.

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blues1 added 15:43 - Feb 20 Abandon. Simpson wasn't brought back to be in the 1st team squad. . He was only brought back bcse he's out of contract at the end of the season and as yet, hadnt agreed a new deal. Under the rules, he couldnt stay on loan while negotiations are underway. Had it been sorted before the end of the transfer window, hed have gone back out on loan. More than likely back to Swindon.

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stormypetrel added 18:00 - Feb 20 For those that under estimate Piggott wait and see…it was his strength and determination that led the ball dropping for Burns for the pass into Jackson for the first goal…Piggott was good yesterday…Tuesday he will score!!!
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Tractorboy58 added 20:34 - Feb 20 Hopefully Jackson's determination to stay and fight for a place will bring him out to be a good player for us ! COYB !
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Kingfisher49 added 20:52 - Feb 20 Jayden Jackson has like Janoi Donacien been proving the doubters and previous managers wrong. Donacien this season has shown that he is a very good player at this level and I think Jackson will also become an important part of the new managers strategy. Kieren McKenna is a tactician who looks at details others would not think about and transfer those ideas into players minds all tailored for each match with different challenges. This manager has reduced his squad to include players who he will use in different ways to hopefully achieve promotion and Kayden Jackson is one cog in a wheel heading upwards.

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shakytown added 04:55 - Feb 21 Hs anyone else noticed that everything Paul Hurst said needed to happen has now and the club is finally moving forward. Who signed Jackson and Donacien?????.
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cat added 07:18 - Feb 21 Jackson and Piggott to start tomorrow hopefully. Both deserve the opportunity after Saturdays tasty performances.
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Razor added 10:47 - Feb 21 Hearing this just sounds so sweet----another player who may speak along the same lines is Donacien----a different man since the new manager cane in. Can we sprinkle the same gold dust on Nozza who can not seem to hit a cows ass with a banjo and pleas please can Lester be lucky tomorrow night as he so deserves a goal. Exciting times at PR!!
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SussexTractor added 11:05 - Feb 21 Jackson feels like a footballer again and the fans feel like the club is professionally managed again (after a long absence). Credit to KM for playing to his players strengths rather than the rigid bizarre 4-2-3-1 formation employed by Cook, which did not work with the players we have.
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gosblue added 12:19 - Feb 21 Maybe the days of the out-and-out CF are numbered. I've just watched the City v Spurs highlights. I can't remember the last time city used a true CF. The BBC listed Kane as a CF but he played more like a number 8 behind 10s Son and Kulusevski and ghosted into the box. That style certainly suits our current squad structure.
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Marinersnose added 12:43 - Feb 21 Thankfully we now have a manager in KMK who is very analytical and looks to play to players strengths, round pegs in round holes and going back even before MM we haven't had that. Of course there will be occasions when injuries may necessitate players playing out of position but on the whole KMK is sticking to his principles. Jackson has pace and works tirelessly but his touch has never been the best and therefore he cannot play as a lone striker. On Saturday he caused Burton so many problems as he was used correctly and effectively with Piggot the perfect foil. Jackson and Piggot have a massive part to play between now and t(e end of the season. I like the fact that he brought in Aluko for Chaplin and this again gave us better ball retention and more quality driving forwards. As he tired he brought on Celina who again provided good ball retention and attacking passes. This tactical nouse has been missing for years at this club but now KMK is firmly at the wheel and creating an exciting team who are competitive and hard to beat.

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