Edmundson: Great Week So Far But It's Not Over Yet
Thursday, 6th Oct 2022 17:14

George Edmundson agrees it has been a great week for Town with back-to-back wins over Portsmouth and Cambridge United at Portman Road, but he is equally adamant that there remains unfinished business to be taken care of in the next 48 hours.

The central defender, who seems nailed on to start at bottom club Morecambe on Saturday, said: “It’s been great so far — but the week isn’t not over yet. That’s the way the gaffer has put it to the players and he’s right, because we want to complete the Saturday-to-Saturday week and make it three wins from three — and nine points in the bag.”

Having conceded two goals in each of their three games prior to the 3-0 midweek win over Cambridge United, Edmundson was delighted that the Blues were also able to celebrate their sixth clean sheet this term, adding: “We all felt we should have had one against Portsmouth last week.

“We conceded twice but they were both penalties and as a defender you look back at them and think you can’t do too much about it.

“We’ve scored the most goals in League One this season and it would be good if we also had the fewest goals conceded — that’s how defenders think of course.

“Before the Cambridge game we spoke a lot about keeping a clean sheet so we felt good about doing it and the obvious aim is to carry on in that vein, keeping it tight at the back.”

Edmundson, in his second season with Town after a £750,000 move from Rangers in July last year, is full of praise for new boy Leif Davis, who collected the fans’ Player of the Month accolade for September as a result of several eye-catching displays in the left wing-back role.

He said: “Leif, and Greig [Leigh] as well to be fair, have both done well. Obviously, Greig is injured now and that’s unfortunate for him and us, while Leif has been up and down the pitch like a yo-yo in games and I can say he’s great to play alongside.

“He talks a lot out on the pitch and he has settled in very well. Like he said himself, he has improved with every game and deserved the recognition that comes with that award.

“He’s been a great addition to the squad and is very popular with the lads; we all love him.”

A feature of both Town’s wins this week was that substitutes came off the bench to score. Against Pompey it was Edmundson who launched a stunning move, releasing Davis to drive down the left flank before picking out Freddie Ladapo in the middle to fire high into the net with his very first touch.

Two days ago it was Arsenal loanee Tyreece John-Jules and Kyle Edwards, both of whom swung the game firmly in favour of the Blues, the former with the breakthrough goal against a resilient Cambridge side before the ex-West Brom winger claimed his first two goals for the club.

“We were all delighted for the guys who scored and we were especially buzzing for Kyle because he hadn’t scored before. We were all buzzing for him and you could probably tell that from the celebrations.

“I could feel it from the fans as well because everyone can see the potential Kyle has and we’re all pleased to see him delivering.
“We’ve all seen how he can set the pitch alight with his 10, 20-minute cameos and this season he has really been working hard to make the very most of every little opportunity that comes his way.

“He had a tough first season with us and ever since we returned for pre-season training it was clear that Kyle was determined to make an impact. There’s no doubt he deserved his two goals the other night.”

Edwards’s first was an amazing effort as he beat Cambridge keeper Dimitar Mitov from a position wide on the right, the ball sailing over the Bulgarian’s head and landing in the net. The big question was whether it was a magnificent, measured effort or simply an intended cross that came up lucky.

Edmundson added: “I had to drop Kyle back at his car after the game — he had parked up near me because of the pre-match traffic and then he ran the rest of the way to the stadium — and we were talking about it.

“I was convinced he meant it and he called it a shot-cross, obviously more of a shot than a cross as it turned out, one of those where you think somebody might get a nick on it towards the back post and you’ll take the assist.

“Of course, it flew straight over the keeper and the way he was explaining it in the car it felt like he meant it.”

Edmundson, or Fridge as he is known by his colleagues, also saluted the part played in Town’s success this season by veteran defender Richard Keogh, who was released at the age of 15 only to return in August having amassed almost 700 senior outings for a number of clubs, while also winning 26 senior caps for the Republic of Ireland.

Harlow-born Keogh has only played a few minutes of League One football this season, as a late substitute in the 2-2 draw at Sheffield Wednesday, but Edmundson raved about his contribution overall.

He explained: “Richard’s been brilliant. The likes of me, Woolfy [Luke Woolfenden] and Cam [Burgess] are still young centre-halves because I don’t think you reach your peak until you’re probably 28, 29, 30.

“It’s been great for us to have Richard around as he’s given us a lot of help. When it comes to key moment experiences, he’s done it all in his career.

“It’s not just during the week in training because we can hear him from the bench on match days as well. Little things, to keep us on our toes, but very valuable.

“He trains unbelievably well, which keeps our standards high as well, and he regularly contributes in team meetings on how we can improve.

“He’s a terrific, all-round guy and while he’s still got plenty to give as a player, I can see him going on to be a future manager. The way he conducts himself, the way he comes across and the way he can put a point across, I wouldn’t be surprised if he goes down that route eventually.

“He’s straight to the point, tells you how it is and it’s clear he really cares. I know he’s not playing regularly at the moment but he’s still helping enormously and that’s the kind of guy he is.”

Photo: Matchday Images

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