The importance of Sunday’s clash with rivals Norwich City is not lost on striker Kayden Jackson as he gears up for his first taste of the East Anglian derby.
Ipswich Town take on their Norfolk neighbours still looking for a first win under new manager Paul Hurst and sitting bottom of the Championship table after five matches of the new season.
The game at Portman Road now takes on added significance with the Blues’ new era yet to fully take off, with Jackson fully aware of just how much a win against the old enemy would mean to a fanbase starved of success over their local rivals since April 2009.
“It’s huge, no two ways about it because we need the win,” he said.
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“We want to win for ourselves and for the fans as well because we know how they feel about derby games. I can assure everyone we as players know exactly what it’s like to be wanting your team to get the win in a derby.
“We’ll be going into it giving our all and we will work harder and be better than we have been.
“I may be new to it (the Ipswich v Norwich rivalry) but at the end of the day I’m a football fan and I know what it’s all about.
“I’ll be looking to enjoy it as much as possible and the only way we’re really going to be able to do that is by getting the three points.”
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In the lead-up to Sunday’s game Jackson will have a full week of training with his new team-mates for the first time since his move from Accrington, which the 24-year-old believes will be hugely beneficial.
“For me personally I’ve not had a proper week’s training with the boys since I moved here because of the midweek games, but we’ve got that now and I’m sure we’ll get things right in time for the derby game.
“We’ve got a group of players here who are working hard to get things right and I know that win will come.”
Jackson made his first Championship start in the 2-1 loss at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday and now he’s hungry for more.
“It’s been good but (Sheffield Wednesday) was only my second 90 minutes since May,” he said.
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“I’m still working hard to try and get my fitness and sharpness there. A full week of training will really help with that.
“Going forward I want to play more minutes and help the team get the points, wins and goals we deserve.
“I’m looking forward to a hard week of training and going again on Sunday.”
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