Ipswich Town captain Sam Morsy is playing in the Premier League for the first time in his career. Here’s what the midfielder had to say about the challenge ahead.
Sam Morsy will celebrate his 33rd birthday on Tuesday, but try telling him that an old dog (in football terms) can’t learn new tricks.
Released by Wolves as a teenager, his CV includes promotions from League Two (Chesterfield), League One (Wigan and Ipswich) and the Championship (Ipswich).
Not that the influential skipper is satisfied to have simply made it to the Premier League in the latter stages of his career though. Now he’s here, he wants to make a mark.
"For the majority of us it’s our first season at this level, so we’re going to be learning all the time,” he said.
“I think that will be the biggest thing we can do to become a good team in this league. We have to be really studious and learn from all our mistakes. If we can do that, we’ll keep getting better.
“We’ve played the best two teams in the league over the last decade at the start (Liverpool and Man City). Top teams will lose both against them, so we’re certainly not going to judge ourselves against the absolute best.
“When you go up every division there’s small nuances which are better, but I think we’re adapting, showing we can play our game, impose ourselves and be a threat and put our stamp on the game. We’ve got to continue to do that.
“There’s lots of new players settling into the style of play, the system and the culture. Our goal is to be a good team in the division, and slowly but surely we’re going to improve all the time.”
Town gave Liverpool a tough test for 60 minutes in the season opener at Portman Road before succumbing to a 2-0 defeat. They took a shock early lead at Man City before going down 4-1, Erling Haaland bagging a hat-trick, before looking the team more likely to win in last weekend’s absorbing 1-1 home draw with Fulham.
After this current international break, and before the next one (Oct 12/13), the Blues will face Brighton (a), Southampton (a), Aston Villa (h) and West Ham (a).
“Probably after six or seven games you’ve played the best in the division, the midtable and the lower teams, so you probably get a really good gauge by then,” said Morsy.
“The more you play, the more you’re going to get a feel for what the level is. Those of us experiencing this for the first time just have to adapt and take our level higher.
“That’s got to be our aim. Not be intimidated by anyone’s level, but actually show our high level - which is why we’re here.
"Going to somewhere like the Etihad, you have to enjoy it, you have to savour it, you have to step into it. There were some great lessons and it was great to compete against the best. Next time we play them we’ll try and do better and get a result.
“You’re growing all the time. Once you’re in an environment, soon enough it becomes normal. In the meantime, we have to up our level individually and collectively, keep being better and keep growing. It’s been a great journey and we’re still on that journey.”
Manager Kieran McKenna vowed that he would stick to the brave and bold playing style that underpinned back-to-back promotions. So far that’s been the case, with the Blues playing high press, man-to-man, front foot football against both Liverpool and Fulham.
“That’s going to be massive,” said Morsy. “The last few years we’ve built a really good culture of working, improving and overachieving, really. Again, that’s the goal this season with the tight knit squad, the really strong mentality and it’s going to be important in every game.
“If you’re timid and cautious, you won’t do well and you won’t be here long. Bravery and courage is probably one of the biggest things that’s got us here. We have to take that up a level now.
"Individually and collectively it’s about improving and getting better. What individual ceilings are, or the team ceilings are, you don’t know. But this is going to be a great environment for everyone to improve, get better and develop as a team.
“We have to attack every game because you never know when you’re going to get your points.”
Back-to-back promotions were secured with largely the same group. That key core, with Morsy at the heart of it, remains in place, with McKenna having added 12 players this summer for combined transfer fees in excess of £100m.
“I think we signed eight players last summer and five in January, so there’s always a turnover of players, that’s just the nature of football,” said Morsy.
“You know that when you go to the Premier League there has to be changes. It’s just about welcoming everyone in and trying and help everyone adapt as quick as they can.
“They're all really good lads and have settled in well. It’s a law of averages – some hit the ground running, some will take a little bit more time and some will take more time. That’s just the reality of it, really.
“Our job, as current players and staff, is to try and make players feel as comfortable as possible. Because if players are settled and happy that usually means better performances on the pitch.
"How quickly people can show their personalities and just be themselves will be important. You’re not looking for anyone to be anything other than themselves.
“We want to encourage them to try and feel at ease, to come in and help not only adapt to our environment, but to improve it as well and improve the culture of the football club.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel