Blues boss Kieran McKenna has praised midfield duo Sam Morsy and Lee Evans for their consistent form in the early weeks of the season, suggesting they ought to be in their international squads.

Evans netted Town's second in last night's 2-0 victory over Bristol Rovers, taking his total for the season to two, the same as his skipper.

“Sam and Lee were excellent against Bristol Rovers,” McKenna told iFollow Ipswich.

“It's the case every week because of the consistency they're hitting in there, but it still shouldn't go unsaid.

“They're both doing really well and they both have roles that suit them, and the team, very well.

“Lee is terrific at building the play for us and he has an excellent range of passing. He also has good positioning and game intelligence, as well as physicality on second balls and aerial duels. They are all things that you would want from someone in that role.

“Lee is doing that well and Sam has a slightly different role and that is something he has adapted to well over the last few months. He plays a little bit higher and breaks forward with dangerous runs into the box.”

Evans, 28, has won four senior Welsh caps, the most recent his first start in a friendly against Trinidad and Tobago back in March 2019, but was left out of their squad which was announced this morning.

Morsy, who turned 31 at the weekend, has won seven Egypt caps with his last appearance as a sub against Eswatini in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in November 2018.

It’s understood Morsy has been included in their provisional squad ahead of this month's home friendlies against Niger and Liberia, something which has happened on a number of occasions since he joined the Blues before being cut from the final party.

“If there are many better Welsh or Egyptian midfielders than those two right now then they must have some really good options for their international teams because those two have been good for quite a long period of time,” McKenna continued.

“It's good to see and I think there is still room for improvement. They're both hungry to learn and get better even though they are at a good age and are well experienced.”

Photo: Matchday Images

SpiritOfJohn added 17:27 - Sep 14 Totally agree with Kieran regarding the consistently high levels these two are reaching this season. Evans looks much fitter than during the last campaign and has added more steel to his game. This has enabled Morsy to play further up the pitch, where he looks an even better player than last season. Another positive is that our skipper is less likely to get booked in his more advanced role!

7

Radlett_blue added 18:05 - Sep 14 Shut up McKenna - we don't want players called up and starting postponing games, which was where it began to go wrong for Lambert.
-5

Stato added 18:29 - Sep 14 Team game KM and all the boys are contributing. Evans unrecognisable from the player who first arrived at Portman Road and who has recently been showing a fantastic range of passing. Completely agree that Morsy now looks less likely to pick up a booking especially as a number of those he got last season looked avoidable on his part. Two very good players on top form and in fairness the early signs are that Ball looks to be of similar quality.

4

Bluefish11 added 19:31 - Sep 14 Radlett you numpty, dont you realise he wants 3 players to get called up so we can postpone as opposed to just 2 call ups as we would then have to play with 2 ever present players missing!!
2

rfretwell added 22:10 - Sep 14 Only thing is they are doing it in lowly div 1 and against the lesser teams to date. International team managers surely keep that in mind.
-1

Westcountryblue added 02:12 - Sep 15 You can tell that both players are significantly fitter this season. Evans looks to have lost 4-5kg and is much more mobile and leaner.
2

Jonaldo added 08:18 - Sep 15 Good to see Evans getting the credit he deserves in the defensive holding/pivot role that he plays. Been our best player this season for me. Quite frustrating that in several games on ifollow last year to hear Alex Mathie calling for him to be taken off and to put Piggot on. I guess strikers talk, but in McKenna we trust!
1

Europablue added 12:22 - Sep 15 Radlett_blue We never looked like we could handle a setback and a case of bad luck when Lambert was in charge. It wasn't the international call-ups that did us in.
0

Linkboy13 added 14:34 - Sep 15 I was worried what would happen if Morsy got injured or suspended how we would replace him. Now we have Ball and Camera things are looking much better.
2

Blogs 297 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls