Ipswich Town midfielder Andre Dozzell

Andre Dozzell is the anchor to keep Ipswich Town in the promotion stakes

HAVING followed in his father's footsteps by scoring on his debut aged just 16, Andre Dozzell knows all about the importance of keeping your feet on the ground.

And that is exactly what the midfielder, now 21, is urging his teammates to do as they look to escape at the second attempt.

Dozzell, the son of Town legend Jason, has had a stop-start career since his memorable bow at Hillsborough in April 2016 – not helped by an ACL injury sustained at the beginning of the 2017/18 season.

Going into Saturday's clash against Accrington, however, Dozzell had played every minute of 's league campaign – and helped his side to the League One summit with four wins and a draw from their opening five matches.

's men are all too aware that a good start means little if it cannot be maintained, having slipped out of the play-off places last season following a dramatic loss of form, but Dozzell believes his side are better equipped to stay the course this time around.

“The disappointment of last year is making an impact, as everyone knows we weren't good enough,” he said. “We started really well then drifted off. This year, we've started really well again but we have to stay on top of it.

“We are only a few games in so we have to keep our momentum going. It's a long, hard season and we don't want to get carried away.

“We have to keep the standards high and keep pushing ourselves, whether that's in training or matches.

“And we have to stick to our style of play, I think that's key. We don't want to lose a game or two then change our style – we have to keep doing what we're doing.”

Dozzell has excelled in a midfield anchor role this season, keeping his side ticking over with a superb passing range and earning the club's September award – something he was keen to share the acclaim for.

“Everyone has been playing well, it's not just me,” he said. “It has been easy for me to play in so far as everyone has been on it and enjoying themselves.

“I only started playing there this season but I'm enjoying it. I'm a ball-playing midfielder so I think it suits me.

“The gaffer was a central midfielder himself, so he's been giving me positional and tactical tips which I'm taking in.”

Dozzell joined Ipswich's academy at eight years old and has now passed 50 first-team appearances in all competitions.

And while it may now be two decades since Town took the by storm and finished fifth as a newly-promoted side, he is eager to play a central role in helping his local club back to where he feels they belong.

“It feels like ages ago that I made my debut so I want to kick on and start making up for lost time,” he said. “I'm 21 now, I'm not that young and I've got to establish myself.

“We have to deal with being a big club at this level. Teams might sit off or they might come at us, but we as players have to find a way round it on the pitch.

“This isn't where we want to be but I want to play a part in taking us up. We definitely have the quality and the depth in the squad to do it.

“Promotion would be great but I wouldn't want to stop there. I don't just want to aim for the , I want to aim higher.”

PAUL MARTIN

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