Williams: My long-term future is still with Crystal Palace
Jonny Williams, in action for Crystal Palace - Credit: PA Wire/Press Association Images
Enjoy a few more magic moments in an Ipswich Town shirt, help the Blues to promotion and then finally become an established figure at boyhood club Crystal Palace.
That’s Jonny Williams’ plan, the 21-year-old delighted to be back at Portman Road, keen to repay the faith and love that Mick McCarthy and Blues fans have shown him, but ultimately very much focused on impressing Eagles boss Alan Pardew.
Williams – who has only just returned to full training following what he describes as a five-month injury ‘nightmare’ – is itching to get back on the pitch, sixth-place Town starting their seven-game Championship run-in with the visit of table-toppers Bournemouth tomorrow (5.15pm, Sky Sports).
With his loan spell expiring days before a potential Play-Off Final, the tricky Welsh international said: “I’ve had a few special moments in an Ipswich Town shirt already and of course I’ve dreamed of having a few more before this season is over.
“I’ve had so much backing from the staff and fans here. That sort of belief has really helped me through a tough time and hopefully I can show them what that support means to me out on the field.”
The diminutive midfielder’s quick feet and direct running never seemed to fit the style of play deployed by former Palace bosses Tony Pulis and Neil Warnock, but the mid-season arrival of Pardew at Selhurst Park has given him hope that he can make it at the club he joined at the age of eight.
“It’s very exciting for me to have the chance to work with the manager there,” said Williams. “He’s a great manager and everyone’s seen what he’s already achieved at Palace. He’s got us playing some nice football so it’s exciting for me to try and get back fit and work my way into the team there.”
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Asked if Palace still saw him as part of their future, he replied: “As far as I know, that’s the plan. I’ve got three years left on my contract there and I’m looking forward to being fully fit for pre-season and hopefully catching the manager’s eye there.”
