Ipswich Town loan helping Bournemouth’s Ryan Fraser fulfil his potential

Playing every week under Mick McCarthy at Ipswich is helping winger Ryan Fraser fulfil his undoubted potential.

So says the man himself, following a stand-out display at Birmingham on Saturday, despite the Blues slipping to a 3-0 defeat at St Andrew’s.

The Scotland under 21 international has made an instant impact since joining on a season-long loan from Bournemouth, scoring five times in 19 games and often providing a spark from the left due to his combination of pace, trickery and work rate.

Fraser has made as many substitute appearances than starts for his parent club since joining from Aberdeen in 2013, meaning his regular spot in Mick McCarthy’s side is greatly aiding his confidence and overall development.

“It was hard at Bournemouth, I’d go seven games starting and then seven games not, so it was hard to get a run of games,” Fraser said.

“I’m playing here and Mick’s got me confident, doing what I love doing by taking on players and setting people up, scoring goals, so I love it here.

“The Scotland coaches and the Bournemouth coaches always knew I had potential and I could do it, I’ve shown glimpses of it but I wouldn’t always keep doing it.

“Playing every week gives you that confidence. When people say confidence is everything it really is.

“When you believe in yourself you just want to keep going and it’s brought out the best in me.”

Fraser was part of the Bournemouth side which surged to the Championship title in the second half of last season, and the winger would love nothing more than to help his current teammates experience a similar feeling.

He said: “I came here to get games and to get promoted, I didn’t come here to play my own game and improve myself, I want to do my best and win every week. I want the lads here to get up to the Premier League as I know what the feeling’s like and I want them to have it too.

“We’ve got a chance, I’ve enjoyed every second since I came here and I’m sure I’ll help the lads and I’m sure we have a great chance.”

Following Saturday’s loss, and their elimination from the FA Cup, the Blues don’t play again until Reading come to Portman Road a week tomorrow. Fraser, though, would rather be back in action sooner.

“After a loss, even after a win, you just want to keep playing,” he said.

“The confidence is a bit down and usually you’d have a Tuesday game to bounce back from it or at most seven days, so waiting 10 days is going to be a nightmare.

“We’ll train hard, look at Reading and come back stronger.”