A lot has changed for Massimo Luongo over the last decade.
The Australian is the man of the moment at Ipswich Town, having come into the starting XI and shown his quality during the Blues’ victories over Burton and Accrington Stanley.
Those were his first starts in an Ipswich shirt since September 2012, during the midfielder’s first spell with the club, and since then he has gone on to play regularly in the Championship with QPR and Sheffield Wednesday, feature in a League One play-off final with Swindon and go to two World Cups with Australia.
With his sights now set on the first promotion of his career, with Ipswich, the Australian was asked whether he or the club had changed more in the 10 years he had been away.
“Me for sure,” he replied.
“Back then I was quite lightweight and I was more of a player who was good on the ball. Everything I did would be reactive because I was young and enthusiastic, coming from Tottenham’s academy and trying my best to get my 100 passes in in every game. I was very technical.
“Now I’ve been around a lot, have played a lot of games and know what it takes to win football matches. Being what I was back then wasn’t necessarily about winning football matches, so now I know you have to do the ugly side – fight, win tackles and run. It might not be pretty all the time but that’s how you win.
“Knowledge-wise and physically I’m a better player now for sure. When you’re playing week-in, week-out playing Saturday-Tuesday for 10 years you sort of have the spark you have as a kid coached out of you.
“I’m a different player, not necessarily better or worse, but definitely different and more suited to this league or the Championship.”
Luongo’s Ipswich contract runs until the end of the season, following his January move from Middlesbrough, with the Australian relaxed about what the future holds and just enjoying his football at Portman Road.
“It was an absolute no-brainer,” he said, discussing his move to Suffolk.
“We weren’t anywhere near promotion or play-offs at the time at Boro and, even though I wasn’t playing, it’s nice to be in a place where they are pushing for something and not just relaxing in February.
“This was a big chance and a big opportunity to be at a club who will be there or there abouts at the end of the season. It’s nice to be somewhere where we’re pushing and are ambitious.
“In my head I thought it was the best opportunity to play and get back into football. The first thing I noticed was how the club is run, the infrastructure from the top down, and they’ve shown it with the budget, the manager and the people being brought in.
“The future isn’t something I have thought about or spoken to anyone about – we just take it as it comes. In the last few years I’ve always been in the last year (of contracts) and the more you think about it the more it stresses you out.
“I just need to be here, be in the moment. I’m enjoying playing and that’s all I can do. If it happens, it happens but if not then I will go and do it somewhere else.
“I want to play until my body doesn’t let me anymore, so hopefully I have a few more years left in me.”
The midfield partnership of Luongo and skipper Sam Morsy has hit the ground running, with the pair looking a natural one after years of competition between the two.
“I’ve always had good battles with Sam,” Luongo said.
“It’s nice to be on his team for once. I’m a player who enjoys being in contact with the other midfielders so I remember just being on the floor with him all the time. He’s always kicking me or was late to a tackle.
“I’ve played with people over the years who have played with him and they’ve always said how good he is to have in your team.
“It’s nice to have him next to you because he’s always there and his experience shows. I think we suit well.”
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