Sam Morsy is expecting Kieffer Moore to play a big part in Ipswich Town’s season between now and the end of the season.
The two men played together during their time at Wigan Athletic, although they both departed the club at the end of the 2019/20 campaign, with Moore joining Cardiff City while Morsy moved to Middlesbrough.
Nonetheless, they know each other very well. Moore has also played with Conor Chaplin at Barnsley and Leif Davis at Bournemouth, as well as fellow Wales internationals Nathan Broadhead and Wes Burns.
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Morsy has stressed that he’s had no problems settling into the squad, and that his clear physical attributes will play a big part in replacing the injured George Hirst.
“He’s a really good lad,” the captain said. “From then, he’s got promotion to the Premier League and he’s played at the World Cup, played at the Euros. He’s really redefined his game.
“He’s obviously always had really raw attributes. He’s a great athlete, great at the back stick, but he’s good with his feet as well.
“He’s a goalscorer, he’s a great lad. He took to it straight away, and he really wanted to come here as well, which is really positive.
“He knows a lot of the lads, he’s a really positive influence.
“I remember the goal he scored for Bournemouth against Forest, which was ultimately the decisive goal to get them to the Premier League, so he’s got that experience as well. He’s really hungry.
“It’s a great signing.”
Of course, Moore isn’t a like-for-like replacement for Hirst. While the former is much better on the ball now than he was during his previous stint at Portman Road, he isn’t as agile as the former Leicester City man.
As a result, Morsy has suggested that Ipswich may have to tweak the way the play to accommodate their new striker, highlighting the need to play to his strengths.
“He just gives you an extra dimension, really,” the Egyptian explained.
“I think you always have to be flexible. When a player brings outstanding attributes to the team, you have to use them. You’d be silly not to. There would be no point using him.
“He’s going to give us different options. Defensively, offensively, it’s about doing what we do because it’s got us to a really strong position.
“We need to utilise his strengths as well.”
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