If Ipswich had only marginally improved their away form last season they would have certainly secured a play-off place in the Championship, if not an automatic promotion spot. Jim Magilton's men won 15 times at Portman Road, more than any other side in the division, but tasted victory on the road on just three occasions – the same number of away wins as bottom club Colchester. The Tractor Boys continued their formidable home form with a 2-1 friendly win against West Brom at the weekend and, as givemefootball discovered, that match was a chance for Richard Naylor to catch up with his former Town teammate and now Baggies' boss Tony Mowbray.
Q: YOU MUST HAVE BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO MEETING UP WITH TONY MOWBRAY AND HIS ASSISTANT (FELLOW EX-IPSWICH DEFENDER) MARK VENUS AT THE WEEKEND?
A: Yes, it's always good to see ex-Ipswich players do well and they have done that. They showed last season what a good combination Mark Venus and Mogga (Mowbray) are. Venus is a great counter to Tony. He is always someone in the dressing room who brings the place to life and you need that sort of person to get the place bubbling.
Q: HOW DO YOU THINK MOWBRAY WILL COPE IN THE PREMIERSHIP NEXT SEASON?
A: Tony is one of those people who commands respect around the place. When he was here he was highly-respected as a player. I have been up to see him in the Midlands and one of the first to congratulate him when they got promoted. West Brom are a fantastic side and are now a Premier League side, I wish them well.
Q: HOW ARE YOU ENJOYING WORKING UNDER CURRENT IPSWICH BOSS JIM MAGILTON?
A: The gaffer preaches the way we play day in day out and we get the ball down and play the right way. We pass it, pass it and pass it, and we don't know anything else. Last season we were fantastic, especially at home but we know we have to do more away from home.
Q: THE CHAMPIONSHIP LOOKS ULTRA-COMPETITIVE AGAIN NEXT SEASON, DOESN'T IT?
A: It is going to be tough. We have signed a few new players and I reckon the gaffer will trim that down as he develops his first team core – and I want to be part of that core. Jim is starting to get the players he wants and he has a big squad at the moment that will get trimmed down over the next few weeks. Time will tell how good this squad is and how far we can go but he has made some good signings and we have a good set of players.
Q: HOW ARE YOU RECOVERING FROM YOUR NECK INJURY?
A: I spoke to the specialist a couple of weeks ago and he said to build things up slowly – play 30 minutes, then 45, 60, 75 as the season gets closer but I mustn’t rush it. The worst thing I can do is play too much because I will get tired and that will cause problems.
Q: YOU ARE REPORTED TO BE IN CONTENTION FOR THE CAPTAINCY NEXT SEASON, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT?
A: I have been at the club for a long time and feel I represent the club the right way and whether I'm captain or not, it won't change the way I go about my business. Obviously it would be a great honour to captain this football club for whoever gets it, there's a lot of pride in that.
