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Jackson Can't Wait For Season to Start
Saturday, 27th Jul 2019 06:00

Striker Kayden Jackson admits he can’t wait for the big kick-off as Town prepare to face Cambridge United at the Abbey Stadium this afternoon in their final warm-up game ahead of the trip to Burton on August 3rd that marks the club’s return to English football’s third tier for the first time in 62 years.

Jackson, 25, said: “I just want the season to start now. It’s been different to last year because every manager has his own ideas and way of working.

“But it doesn’t matter who the manager is because pre-season is always tough and it’s about being at your best when the first game comes round. But while it has been tough, it has also been enjoyable.”

The speedy frontman will soon be celebrating his first year as an Ipswich player following his £1.6 million switch from Accrington Stanley and after scoring just three goals in 36 league appearances — 14 starts, 22 off the bench — in his debut season he is looking to make much more of an impact in the forthcoming campaign.

He added: “From an individual point of view it has been disappointing. I’d had a good season at Accrington, helping them win the League Two title, before I came here and I was looking to build on that by playing a lot of games, scoring a lot of goals and being successful.

“But looking back on last season it was obviously very disappointing for everyone, although our relegation has only given me the hunger to succeed this season.

“That’s why I have worked so hard in pre-season training to ensure I am at my best come next week and our first game at Burton.


“I have worked as hard as possible and done as much as I could have done to make sure we can make up for last season and get back to the Championship again.

“I believe there is still a lot to come from me. I didn’t really get a chance last season, for various different reasons, to show what I’m all about.

“Hopefully, I will do a lot better in the new season, not only to show what I can do but to also give the fans something to cheer about. It was also tough for them last season and they deserve better.

“They come here to watch us play good football and get wins, which is what we will be aiming to do right from the start.”

Jackson has impressed in the recent pre-season games and continued: “It’s nice to stick the ball in the back of the net. I got two at Colchester and another one at Notts County, and last season I didn’t get anywhere near as many as I was hoping to get.

“But at the end of the day, they are goals in pre-season games and they count for nothing. I just hope to carry on scoring when the real thing gets under way and get as many goals as I can.

“I’m 100 per cent confident of getting goals in League One. I wouldn’t still be here if I wasn’t convinced I can score plenty.

“I’d have said to the manager ‘I don’t think I can hack it’ but there’s no chance of that. I’m 100 per cent certain, as long as I’m given the opportunity, that I can flourish at this level.”

There is a school of thought that with Teddy Bishop and Jack Lankester both set to miss the first few weeks of the new campaign because of knee and back problems respectively, and concerns over Alan Judge’s future, Town’s attaching players could suffer from a lack of creativity in the ranks.

But Jackson insisted: “If you go back to our 5-0 win at Colchester last week we had plenty of chances. It was a joy to play in that game and I only came on at half-time.

“I don’t know how the fans felt watching it but I enjoyed every minute I was on the pitch. It just showed how creative we can be with the guys who are fit and raring to go.

“Yes, there are players injured and we all feel for them, but look at the boost they will provide when they are up and running again.

“For the time being there’s enough creativity for us to score goals and win games, plus we have the work rate as well because you need to have both aspects of the game to be successful. We’ll need clean sheets as well and I think we have a bit of everything.”

QPR’s ongoing interest in Republic of Ireland international Judge — they have so far had two bids rejected — is an obvious concern and Jackson added: “Judgey is a top, top player and you won’t find many players in League One with his type of ability.

"If we’ve still got him when the transfer window closes it will be massive for us but we’ll just have to wait and see what happens.”


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mojo added 06:22 - Jul 27
His pre season form has been good. Football is all about confidence and hopefully he can take this purple patch into league games. With limited striker options as things stand we will certainly need him to contribute.
6

mojo added 06:25 - Jul 27
His pre season form has been good. Football is all about confidence and hopefully he can take this purple patch into league games. With limited striker options as things stand we will certainly need him to contribute.
0

mojo added 06:26 - Jul 27
The step up of 2 divsions proved too much. I think we are going to see a different player this season.
2

ITFCsince73 added 07:49 - Jul 27
It's clear we know where to expect the goals from.
Where the chances are going to come from, is a different matter.
1

algarvefan added 07:50 - Jul 27
I really like this lad and think he will 'come of age' this year, he is quick and seems to have found his 'eye'!
5

ITFCsince73 added 07:57 - Jul 27
Would have preferred to have kept Harrison.
And I think Pompey got him on the cheap.
Will score plenty this season, in an attacking side.
0

MickMillsTash added 09:05 - Jul 27
Has a lot to prove
As much as his confidence was low last season Football is still about ability but I do not see where this guys strengths are - not quick enough, not strong enough, not tall enough, touch, timing runs, fox in the box- No
He certainly cannot play as a 1 up front and if Dozzell plays and does not improve his defensive work I think we'll need 5 in midfield.
-1

chorltonskylineblue added 09:12 - Jul 27
I didn't see Jackson play for Accrington, but from what I've read he thrived in a partnership with Billy Kee up front. Kee is a small nippy fox in the box type who can hold the ball up and feed into a fleet footed striker like Jackson. I know some people might be surprised at me using the term 'fleet footed' for Jackson after a few of his performances last season, but in my view he looked a bit lost playing up front on his own. He's ineffective playing that way. Pair him with Norwood and I think we'll see a much more effective partnership this season.
5

northwales_blue added 09:17 - Jul 27
Mick Mills Tash - don't put the lad down. He had a hard season after stepping up 2 leagues, different manager and playing on his own up front. Get behind the players. As for him having no pace???? He's lightning quick
5

jong75 added 09:46 - Jul 27
There is a striker in there, i am sure of that. Needs to play in a 2 with the ball played through on the floor not a 40 yard hoof from our cb.
3

dirtydingusmagee added 09:57 - Jul 27
Good luck Kayden, last season was crap all round, hopefully this season will see the situation reversed.
3

TimmyH added 10:17 - Jul 27
Talk is cheap...he's got some making up to do after last season and so have a few others.
-1

ghostofescobar added 10:45 - Jul 27
I'd really like to see him succeed, both for his sake and ours. If he can get 15 odd goals this year, plus hopefully Norwood banging them in, we may have a sniff at something other than mediocrity. Forgot we paid that much for him. Seems a long time ago that we could spend a couple of quid, let alone £1.6mill!!
2


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