Ipswich Town: Ali Al-Hamadi on potential Kieffer Moore partnership

The Blues find themselves very much in contention for back-to-back promotions to the Premier League with just 12 games of the regular Championship season to go.

Following four wins on the spin, Kieran McKenna's men find themselves six points behind leaders Leicester, level on points with second-place Leeds and five clear of third-place Southampton - three teams who all recently dropped down from the top-flight.

"I think people are sometimes scared to talk about it or say it, but I just think, you know, ‘Why not? Let’s go for it,'" said Al-Hamadi, who arrived in a £1m+ deal from League Two club AFC Wimbledon last month. 

SIGN-UP! It's currently just £2 for two months' access to our full range of Town content

"You hear a lot of players and managers say the same things about one game at a time, but within our dressing room that is genuine.

"But it’s not like we’re going to just float around and see what happens because we really do believe in what we want to do.

Ali Al-Hamadi and Kieffer Moore both arrived at Ipswich Town in January. (Image: Ross Halls)

"As long as we’re dialled in to every training session and every game, every aspect of what we’re doing, we'll give ourselves the best chance."

The Liverpool-raised, Iraqi international striker has had five impactful sub appearances for the club so far, with supporters quickly taking to his bustling style.

He's had just 32 minutes on the field alongside physical front man Kieffer Moore, with three of his five sub appearances having been as a replacement for the Bournemouth loanee.

"At Wimbledon I played up front with another guy (Omar Bugiel) who was similar to Kieffer," said the 21-year-old. "He was good at the hold-up play and probably a bit bigger in stature. I played off him and did it that way. 

“That’s not something that I can control – it’s up to the manager and how he sees the games. I’m sure he takes every game individually in terms of how the team is going to set up and play, but it would be exciting if we could both play up top and cause a bit of carnage.

Ali Al-Hamadi and Kieffer Moore both attack the ball in the air during Ipswich Town's 3-2 defeat at Preston North End. (Image: Pagepix Ltd) 

“I’ve been lucky to come here at the same time as Kieffer because training alongside someone who has played at the highest level can only help. When you are chasing something like we are, fighting at the top end of the Championship, you need to have that depth and it just pushes us all to be better.” 

He added: “When I was younger and still learning at Swansea I often played as a striker on my own. I’ve done quite a variety of things in the short career I’ve had and I’m not really fussed where I play. I can score goals and I can get into the box and make things happen, and I’m happy to play anywhere.”

AL-HAMADI'S TOWN START

Preston (a): Replaced Luongo in 81st minute when Town trailed 3-1. Got nine mins + stoppage-time alongside Moore. His saved header led to Moore scoring.

West Brom (h): Replaced Luongo in 83rd minute when Town trailed 2-1. Got seven minutes + stoppage-time alongside Moore.

Millwall (a): Replaced Moore in 76th minute when score was 3-0. Won and scored a late penalty to seal 4-0 victory.

Swansea (a): Replaced Moore in 79th minute when Town were 2-1 up. That's how scoreline finished.

Rotherham (a): Replaced Moore in 80th minute when Town were 3-2 up. Played his part in the build-up to Hutchinson's dramatic stoppage-time winner.

Birmingham (h): Was stripped and ready to come on when Town were being held 1-1, but was sent back to the bench when Sarmiento made it 2-1 in the 81st minute. Remained unused.