Town midfielder Jack Taylor has had to stay patient for his opportunities this season but admits he would like to become a regular starter as the Blues prepare for a return to the Championship.

Taylor has featured in 28 of Town’s 34 Premier League matches during the current campaign but has started just twice, including in the Blues’ most recent outing at Newcastle United last weekend.

The division’s most used substitute has largely played in a supporting role to a midfield unit consisting of club captain Sam Morsy and loanees Jens Cajuste and Kalvin Phillips.

With the Blues now officially relegated to the Championship and missing several players through injury, Taylor hopes he can get some more starts to his name between now and the end of the season.

“Every footballer wants to start games,” he said. “Jens has been doing so well who’s been playing ahead of me and arguably one of our best players this season.

“It’s been tough but I’ve been competing well, trying to come on and give the best version of myself and waited for my time. When it does finally arrive, you’ve got to take it.

“It always only takes one moment. No matter if you’re coming on for 30 minutes or one minute, you want to try and bring every action a positive one to try and feed your way into the game.

“It is tough sometimes because you’re coming into a Premier League game and it’s really quick and you’ve got to get yourself into the game as quickly as possible. I’ve set a mentality to use it for myself as moments to impress and show the boss what I can do.

“If I get an opportunity to start again, that’s another opportunity to play a Premier League football match. Bringing the best version of yourself and trying to impress on the biggest stage.”

Taylor has had a part to play in every match since November, with his most memorable moment coming away at Wolverhampton Wanderers when he struck a stoppage time winner at Molineux.

The 26-year-old admitted he hasn’t played as often he expected to at the start of the campaign, but is eager to make the next step and cement his place in the side for next season.

“No, probably not,” he said. “I was missing out on squads at the start of the year so there was a stage where I thought this could be a long season. I just kept training hard and thankfully I made my way back into the squad.

“You don’t really know what’s around the corner. The ideal plan for me is to be a starter for this club next season. I train every day to be on this journey with this football club that I’ve come to love.

“I love living round here and I love working with the gaffer. Everything just works well here, the team is in a great spirit even though we’re relegated. The club is in a great stead for next season.”

Asked what he would say to a younger version of himself, Taylor responded: “You’re going to play in the Premier League one day. I always said to play as high as you can and I always thought I could give more every season, so I’m grateful that I’ve finally got to the Premier League and will hopefully be back here one day.”

He continued: “I’ve overcome so many things personally. From missing out in squads at the start of the season because there was so much competition, to then getting my chance and try and fight my way into the team to make as much impact as I can.

“Overall, you’ve got to become a better player for it. The players you’re coming up against, the atmospheres, the things that you learn week in, week out, training with Premier League coaches and Premier League players, you can only get better.

“I think everyone in the whole squad would agree that, on a personal note, they’ve all become better players for it.”

Many supporters and outsiders will look to pick out certain points during the season that may be considered key moments in where the Blues ultimately cost themselves a chance of survival.

Losing a lead to Fulham at Craven Cottage and the home defeat to Southampton often spring to mind as two of those occasions where Town may feel an opportunity has gone begging.

Taylor is not doing that, though, instead emphasising the point that no match is bigger than any other as highlighted by the Blues’ victories against Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea.

“There’s been loads of games that we’ve been in and conceded late goals and we’ve also scored a couple of late goals as well,” he said. “You can’t really pinpoint any game, it’s just minor errors and things that have led to dropping points.

“Of course, it would have been nice to win to the games down the bottom, they call it six-pointers, which probably would have helped us out a little bit.

“Over the course of the season you can pick up points no matter where you are, we went away to Spurs and got a win so I wouldn’t say you can pinpoint it. We’ve competed at this level really well and been in most games, we’ve just fallen short.”

Although Town will ultimately miss out on their goal of surviving in the top flight, nothing will take away the enjoyment that Taylor has had in his first experience of playing in the Premier League.

“I’ve loved it, it’s everything you grow up watching Match of the Day and going to play at these historic grounds like we are on Saturday,” he said. “I’m really proud to where I’ve got to and it’s given me an extra bit of hunger to want more.”

Asked for his toughest opponent, the Republic of Ireland international concluded: “[Manchester] City were incredible when we played against them, probably the whole team made you feel like they had more players than you on the pitch.

“I’d probably say one of the City lads – [Erling] Haaland killed us the first time we played them so probably him.”

TWTD

Gforce added 12:58 - May 2 Sorry Jack,but if we want top two next season, we need better.Hopefully Cajuste stays,plus 2 new recruits to bolster central midfield.
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Marcus added 15:09 - May 2 It's great he has the ambition. It seems he's working hard on training and any new recruits will need to compete with him for starting games. Since joining he's been half a season behind where he needed to he with development and how we've progressed. Relegation may give a few of those on the fringe or currently out on loan more opportunities (Elkan Baggott and Cameron Humphreys, for example). Sadly there will be a few moving on, that can't be avoided, but I'm sure our squad (with some embellishments) can compete next season right at the top.

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Linkboy13 added 15:26 - May 2 We should be building a team next season with a chance of getting promoted and then making a better effort of staying in the Premier league if we stick to largely what we've got now we shall be back where we are now. Humphreys is a good player but hasn't been proven at championship level yet and Baggott has never really proved himself at league one level and remains a bit of an enigma like many past Ipswich players .

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blues1 added 16:32 - May 2 Linkboy13. Overall I agree with ur assessment but obviously we cant just get rid of everyone. Still have tge ffp to adhere to after all. Think Taylor could well step up. Most games he's come on as sub, he's livened up our performance. Maybe not been as effective from the start of games tho. As u say, not sure if Humphries is the answer. It's all very well doing it in lge1, but the championship is a big step up. Probably deserves a chance to shine tho. As for Baggott. Do think the club need to make a decision on Baggott. Either keep him and give him the chance to challenge for a spot, or sell him. Don't see the point in keep sending him out on loan year in year out, at his age.

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TimmyH added 17:20 - May 2 Taylor never does it for me...simply doesn't get involved enough, puts the odd pass together but has struggled with what minutes he's had at Premiership level. I think we need to improve on what we had in the Championship and I don't see him doing that in midfield, just my opinion of course.
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Leejames99 added 17:39 - May 2 Might stay in squad won't be a starter we need a midfield with longevity now who can make step up to Prem or have played there. If Humphries still not ready he will be loaned again but I think he stays we need at least 2 new mids either Cajuste plus 1 or 2 more, I suppose if Mckenna stays Morsy will be kept so Taylor might too but he sounds like he wants football and to keep his international spot but really he should be staying and Morsy going, unfortunately if we have ambition to be an established Prem team neither of them are good enough. Don't mind Morsy staying as a moral booster and cover but certainly not to go back to Prem with. Think probaly keep Morsy, Taylor and Humphries with 2 new mids who start and then they will be filtered out as each Transfer window arises. Very likely cash in on Taylor though at some point.

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Leejames99 added 18:04 - May 2 Do some fans not mind if we don't get promoted again? We got 3 transfer windows to get a Prem squad ready, any who won't be in it, should be moved on in those windows, Morsy, Burns, Walton, Taylor, probaly Hirst etc they wont all be in Prem if we ever return, and Chaplin and Broadhead may feel that they better continuing their careers elsewhere their contracts are up next year so do Town cash in and make good profit, I hope for those 2 not yet because if Mckenna stays and we don't go up or do a Luton they are food players in Championship/League 1

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Marinersnose added 18:24 - May 2 Taylor is very committed but for me he hasn’t got the quality and will remain an impact and backup player.
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trevski_s added 18:29 - May 2 Fair play to Taylor for setting himself a goal already for next season and if he wants to remain an international player, I agree he does need to be more of a first team player. Will it be with us though? Personally I don't think it will be. Yes he has had his moments but he was a bench player both this season and last season and I don't think he will want that again especially at his age. If he has improved on the training pitch maybe give him more minutes and the pre-season while McKenna is getting in new recruits and if he gets enough CMs in, then let Taylor move on My opinion is next season we need at least 2 or 3 new CMs in: Morsy and Humphreys will be staying (probs Morsy last season before he maybe retires) Hopefully put in for and get Cajuste (can at least make an offer) Mass' contract will probably not get renewed (unless he signs for 1 year as emergency backup with a view to becoming a coach like Sone did) Then try get 2 more CMs to let Taylor move on That would give us 5 CMs for next season (2 main, 2 backups and 1 more which will help with the more rigorous schedule)

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BlueDread added 20:24 - May 2 Sorry but it’s clear our central midfield needs a complete overhaul. Too slow, too passive, not physical enough. If we convince Cajuste to stay (unlikely) he’d be the only current CM I’d have as a regular - and even he would struggle with the number of games in the Championship. 3 new signings needed in that position I reckon. Need to get some big, physically athletic types - maybe look to French League or South American for that toughness and fitness we lacked this season.

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RobsonWark added 20:31 - May 2 First two out the door should be Muric and Taylor. No need to comment on Muric - good bye and good riddance. Taylor was not even league 1 level so why we want to keep him. Give him the ball and he'll give it to the opposition.
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AljoBlue added 08:56 - May 3 Couldn't get near our last championship team and again this season a bit part sub. His main attributes are that he scores a couple of long range goals a season and that he is one of McKenna favourites. He struggles as a holding midfielder and as a number 10, so still does not fit into our system. My biggest complaint is he doesn't form a bond on the pitch with any of our players - total opposite to the way Mass and Morsy were. Sadly, if he is a regular starter next season, I doubt we will even make the playoffs and my hot take is that could cost Kieran his job

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BlueRuin69 added 09:26 - May 3 I'm going to be controversial on this one. Actually think he has had a decent season and has improved, think he could nail down place in midfield next year.
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ArnieM added 09:45 - May 3 What type of midfielder is Taylor though? He’s never really been able to impose himself on the mini squad of midfielders at the club. Most of these players will be leaving ( Morsy, Luongo, Phillips), that only leaves him doesn’t it, and the question is is he good enough to build a new MF around? I’m not convinced tbh.
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grinch added 10:10 - May 3 Cook did exactly what we need to do again and got bad press he allowed Mk to come in with majirity of dross gone. Mk should be charged with doing same Morsy, Greaves, Davis, Burns, Delap, Clarke, Harness, Taylor, 2 x keepers, Baggot. Look at a squad to get promoted in 2 years possibly with new manager as Mk may be gone by xmas New manager would then benefit as Mk did from clear out. Akso need a manager to play people like Hutchinson, jack clarke and Philogene in correct positions to get best out of them

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