In-form striker David McGoldrick says it’s great to be appreciated at Ipswich Town.

The front man scored both goals in Saturday’s 2-0 home win over Brighton, taking his tally for the season to five in nine games – all of them having been at Portman Road.

Adored by Blues supporters and given care and attention from the management team of Mick McCarthy and Terry Connor, the 25-year-old is like a player reborn following a frustrating spell at hometown club Nottingham Forest.

“It’s a great feeling when you hear the fans singing your name and I just love repaying them with goals,” said McGoldrick, who opened the scoring with a deflected strike before adding a fine sole effort.

“It’s been a great first few months for me here and I’m really enjoying my football.

“The gaffer is great with me. He’s done some personal things for me which I can’t really say, while I get a lot of love off TC as well.

“They treat you as a man. They respect you and you respect them back. I’ve got so much time for them.

“If someone treats me as a man then I want to work as hard as I possibly can to repay that. I work my socks off for them on the pitch.

“In the morning they shake your hand and look you in the eye. When they ask ‘how are you?’ you know it’s genuine. You just want to work for them.”

Blues boss McCarthy said: “He’s come to a place where he knows he’s settled and he’s appreciated. He’s much-loved by us all and he gets really hard work with TC and the strikers. He was excellent again today.”

Town defender Luke Chambers, who also played alongside McGoldrick at Forest, said: “He’s incredible at the minute – he’s been fantastic from the moment he walked through the door.

“He’s playing for a team that truly appreciates him being here, the manager is backing him 100% and he feels very settled.

“He’s making me a better player because I have to face him every day in training. With his ability I think he could go to the next level.”

Brighton boss Oscar Garcia said: “McGoldrick was the difference between the two sides. We knew he could be a threat and today he showed that he is player who can play at a higher level.”