Grant Ward believes Ipswich Town fans have still not seen the best of him as he bids to improve and add goals to his game.
The former Tottenham youngster enjoyed a stunning start to his Portman Road career as he struck a hat-trick against Barnsley on his debut last August and became a regular in Mick McCarthy’s side throughout his first season at the club, making 43 league appearances in total.
He has found time on the field harder to come by this season, starting 11 of the Blues’ 19 league games and scoring once, but believes he is still moving forward as a player and has insisted the best is yet to come.
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“There is always something after the game where you look back at it and think, ‘I could have done this a bit better’, but overall I was happy with my performance,” Ward said, when asked about his display against Derby on Tuesday night.
“I feel like there is (more to come). I feel like in every game I play and in every season I improve a bit more and if I can continue that I will blossom a bit more.”
“It’s a bit frustrating because you always want to play but I’m biding my time and waiting for an opportunity.
“We have Callum (Connolly) in there and a few boys coming back in midfield as well as Bersant (Celina), so there’s some stiff competition.
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“For my own personal tally I’d like to get a few more goals.
“You need goals from everywhere, wherever you can get them from is good, but it’s always good to add to it.”
The Blues host Nottingham Forest on Saturday, with Ward confident his side are good enough to force their way into the Championship’s top six if they can put a consistent run of results together.
“It will be nice to go on a little run and creep up the table,” he said.
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“When the fans are behind you, you can really feel it in the ground because the energy can help you.
“We have some tough home and away games coming up so our form will be crucial. We have played a lot of the top teams and we’ve held our own.
“The thing with the Championship, every season, is that any team can beat any team. So as long as you’re in and around it I think you will do alright.
“If we can keep the run going then I don’t see why we can’t be (contenders).”
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