NATHAN BROADHEAD SEND KEYS WORDS AFTER THEIR LAST MATCH VICTORY
Ipswich Town: Nathan Broadhead on Championship challenge
Ipswich Town star Nathan Broadhead says he can’t wait to attack the Championship – and believes that the Blues can continue their free-scoring form from last season.
The 25-year-old was a key figure as Town surged towards promotion last term, scoring eight goals and dishing out five assists after arriving in a big money move from Everton in January.
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And the Welsh international sees no reason why the Blues can’t be a force at the next level as they push for a long-awaited return to the Premier League.
“The club want to get to the Premier League, so I want to get to the Premier League,” he stressed.
“All we need to do is listen to the manager because he’s got the best knowledge.
“Everybody needs to stick on plan and hopefully we can get to the Premier League with Ipswich.”
He added: “Hopefully we can start off like we ended last season for the fans.
“We just need to keep the ball out of our net, but I believe we can score many goals in the Championship.
“I believe this team is capable of playing in the Championship and doing well. We just need to believe in ourselves, believe in the manager and the backroom staff.”
And Broadhead says that making the step up to the second tier will bring the best of out of both himself and the Blues.
“If you looked at the stats we were the best team in the league by far last season,” he explained.
“That’s why I came to Ipswich, the way that we play, the manager.
“Hopefully this season we can do the same. I’m confident.
“I think playing against better players brings the best out of you. It pushes you mentally and physically, so everyone needs to be ready for that.
“Hopefully we can start the season in great form.”
Asked if there was still more improvement to come from him, Broadhead was emphatic in his response.
“100%,” he replied. “I played striker today (at Stevenage), I’ve played across the front three, various different roles.
“I’m getting asked to do different things on the pitch.
“I expect that of myself and I expect to bring out the best for Ipswich Town and get them to the Premier League.
“The Championship is going to be good. I can’t wait!”
Town finished last season like a runaway freight train, going unbeaten in 19 games as they won promotion – but Broadhead stressed that the coming campaign will likely see more bumps in the road.
However, he said the bond between the Blues – fostered even further in their recent scorching hot training camp in Austria – will prove important to success.
“The Austrian camp was really tough,” he admitted “The manager worked us so hard – probably one of the hardest pre-seasons I’ve ever done, but I think it’s going to put us in good stead for the season.
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“The togetherness of the team is still there, and I think that’s going to help us this season.
“It’s not going to be perfect – last season we went unbeaten for 15, 20 games, but we’re going to lose some games (this season).
“I think the fans need to expect an up and down season. All we need to do is try and win every game, so we need the fans with us.”
Broadhead will once again have striker George Hirst as a foil next season, with the striker now a permanent member of the Blues after signing from Leicester City.
“I’m buzzing to have him back,” Broadhead said of Hirst, who’s bagged twice in two pre-season games since returning.
“He’s a good player and he’s going to be important for us.
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“George is good to play off when he’s in there. We’ve got good link-up play – he looks for me and I look for him – so hopefully this season I can provide him some goals and he can provide me some goals.”
Town have also added midfielder Jack Taylor and attacker Omari Hutchinson to the squad so far this summer.
Asked for his views on them, Broadhead said: “Jack’s a good player. A powerful runner, likes to get forward and into the box.
“He was good for Peterborough last season and hopefully he can start scoring some goals for us.
“I’ve only trained with Omari once, so I’m looking forward to playing with him!”
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