Grant Ward & Conor Grant

[Bluemike]

Ipswich Town new boy Grant Ward plans to get fans off their seats at Portman Road this season.

The 21-year-old arrived from Tottenham Hotspur for a fee of around £600k on Monday and could go straight into the team for Saturday’s Championship home opener against Barnsley.

A versatile attacking midfielder, Ward spent the entirety of last season on loan in the second-tier at Rotherham and played a key role in their great escape under manager Neil Warnock, making 43 appearances and scooping both the ‘Young Player of the Season’ and ‘Goal of the Season’ awards.

And with spectators starved of entertainment on Suffolk soil during the second half of last season, the new arrival’s description of his game will be music to Blues fans’ ears.

When it was put to him that Town supporters craved an exciting player to watch, he replied: “Hopefully I’ll be able to do that because that is my game.

“You could say I’m an exciting player. I like to get people off their seats.

“I can play in a variety of positions – if you want me in the centre or the wing. As long as I’m playing and getting the ball I’m not fussed.

“I’m very quick and athletic, box-to-box, I like to take people on.”

On his super strike against Burnley, he added: “Every now and then I pull one of those worldies out, but I don’t care how I score – if I got 10 tap-ins I’d be happy with that.”

London-born Ward joined Spurs at the age of 10 but didn’t make the first-team breakthrough and, even though he signed a new two-year deal at White Hart Lane earlier this year, he felt it was time to move on following previous loan spells at MLS side Chicago Fire (2014) and League One outfit Coventry City (2015).

A number of Championship clubs had chased his signature, but Mick McCarthy’s long-standing interest was what persuaded him to head to Portman Road.

“I heard about the Ipswich interest a little while ago, but I had a little injury (calf strain) and was just trying to get fit,” Ward added.

“I went away with the Tottenham reserves to France and when I was out there I heard the deal was done and I had to shoot off.

“It was flattering that a manager of Mick McCarthy’s experience had been so eager to bring me in.

“I’d been at Tottenham a long time, but I wasn’t getting to where I wanted to be so I thought it was best to move on and create a career for myself.

“Ipswich seemed like the perfect opportunity to do that. Obviously this is a club with a great history, the manager is very experienced and there are some great players here. I think this is a great opportunity for me.

“I’ve signed a three-year contract and the hope is that we can make the Premier League in that time. I’ve only been here two days, but looking at how good my team-mates are I definitely think we should be aiming for play-offs, minimum, this season.”

That's what I want to hear, someone to excite us fans, bring it on. Lets hope he walks the walk.

[phily bon bon]

Waste of money. ...bar humbug

[marko69]

Thought this was going to be about the head injuries unit at Motherwell hospital.

[phily bon bon]

Classic Marko

[Bluemike]

Joe Royle says Blues fans are going to love new signing Conor Grant after the young left-sided midfielder arrived on a season-long loan from Everton yesterday.

Ex-Town boss Royle is now the head of youth development at Goodison Park and played an integral role in Grant’s switch to Portman Road.

The 21-year-old played a starring role at League One side Doncaster last season and, after impressing for the Toffees’ first team during a summer tour of Germany, new boss Ronald Koeman has decided he should get some Championship experience.

“I’m sure Ipswich fans are going to love him,” enthused Royle.

“He’s a proper footballer, has got a wonderful left foot and if you look at some of the goals he scored for Doncaster last season you’ll see what a talent he is.

“He’s a set-piece specialist and can supply great crosses from open play for strikers to attack.

“He’s more of a left-midfielder than a flying winger. I’m not making a direct comparison by any imagination, but Ipswich fans should think of Arnold Muhren as supposed to Clive Woods.”

Grant is the nephew of former Everton midfielder Tony Grant and has been with his hometown club since the age of 13.

Royle added: “He’s highly-rated here and the hope is that he can come back next summer ready to establish himself.”

Blues striker Daryl Murphy is certainly salivating at the prospect of two wide players supplying him with some ammunition this season.

With speedy right-winger Grant Ward having also been signed from Tottenham earlier this week for £600k, Town’s Irish front man said: “Grant has looked sharp and he gives us something different – a bit of pace, running at players and getting crosses in the box. He’s been doing that in training from the minute he arrived. I want to be getting on the end of those in games and scoring goals.

“I think we’ve probably missed that in previous seasons – somebody who just gets at defenders and loves to cross the ball in.”

Murphy finished as the Championship’s 27-goal topscorer in 2015/16, playing more than 50 times for club and country. He netted just 10 times last season though as a series of injury niggles prevented him making more than three starts in a row after Christmas.

After impressing for the Republic of Ireland in their Euro 2016 games against Italy and France, however, he says he’s feeling fit and full of confidence.

“Last season was very frustrating,” said the 33-year-old. “I’d come back from a calf injury and my groin would be sore. They were just little things that came from nowhere when I was least expecting it.

“I sat out the last eight games. Maybe I could have been risked, but I think that extra rest is what I needed to make sure I was fresh – not only for Ireland, but for Ipswich this season. I’m feeling good.”

Getting excited about these two new boys, we have craved a set piece specialist for bloody seasons so hopefully we have at least One now.

[herforder]

Appreciate they haven't kicked a ball for us yet, but can see nothing but positives in bringing in both Grants who, together with Webster, will hopefully improve squad quality, depth and offer MM options. Far better to invest in fewer but better, than taking risks on individuals who don't make the grade, soak up wages only to be moved on.

From MM's comments, and based on last Saturday's efforts, the new recruits indicate that a move away from hoofball is nigh!

[marko69]

Well my own pessimistic prediction of 16th may be a bit harsh after Micks recent work.

Probably a case of premature predictulation. Well done, Mick on these arrivals. Let's hope they all wear "gel".

[Tangfastic]

It does seem the philosophy has changed - going for youth and for players with a bit of a spark and who can play to feet.

That's definitely a positive step. Not asking for instant results, but applaud this approach.

The 'g' word has been brought up - GEL. Can MM & TC gel this team together over time or will we have another 'gel-gate' scenario like with PJ? Tantalising - bring on the season!!!

[wilnisfan]

Energetic. Young and Exciting.
Sounds good to me

[marko69]

Tang!......, did you post under another name years ago during GelGate, or did you just read the forum?

[herforder]

Don't think we need be too concerned about the 'G' word. Webster looked as though he'd been playing with us for ages; whilst including one or both offensively minded Grants shouldn't pose too great a challenge. The move from hoof to football, however, might take a bit of adjustment!

It's all good, though.

[Charnwood]

These could be two very good signings however I won't get overly excited too soon. Conor Grant is probably the better of the two having recently signed a two year deal with Everton who must think he'll make it in the Premiership.

Grant Ward I think only had two options, us or Rotherham so maybe we should expect less from him.

Either way it's nice to see some new young blood in midfield and given their ages makes this even more exciting that signing a couple of has beens at the other end of their careers.

[Bluemike]

Andy, I actually think Grant Ward will prove to be the better of the Two, he had in fact only just signed a new 2 year contract with Spurs.

[Charnwood]

It will be interesting to see which of us is right Mike, either way if one turns out to be a good un and the other is half decent I guess we'll have done ok.

Enjoy the game tomorrow and I'll look forward to reading your report.

All the best

A

[herforder]

Hopefully, both will be equally good. Joe Royle, who is involved with the Everton Youth set up and knows a thing or two about potential, played a part in getting Conor Ward's loan over the line. Presumably on the basis that the lad will get games and gain in experience.

[wilnisfan]

Its great that we can get continuity with these players without having to worry about whether they can extend their loan past Christmas/playoffs etc.

[number 9]

Its great that we can get continuity with these players without having to worry about whether they can extend their loan past Christmas/playoffs etc.

...or need oxygen at halftime!

[Bluemike]

Its great that we can get continuity with these players without having to worry about whether they can extend their loan past Christmas/playoffs etc.

Absolutely, I hate loans with recalls or part of the season etc, but in some ways these new rules could actually work well and in our favour.