IPSWICH Town have not lost a game since David Wright was recalled to the team, nearly two months ago.

by Carl Marston

IPSWICH Town have not lost a game since David Wright was recalled to the team, nearly two months ago.

But Wright, as modest as ever, refuses to take the credit for such an impressive run, which has now stretched to nine games.

Instead, the 29-year-old full-back is looking to the future and achieving a number of long-term goals, both for himself and the team.

And that includes gunning for a new Portman Road contract.

"In the short term, we want to record back-to-back wins to get out of our current position," insisted Wright. Town remain in the bottom three, despite their recent unbeaten run.

Wright continued: "Once we have done that, which we will do, then I see no reason why we can't mount a big push towards the top six.

"I know that we've been unbeaten since I've been back, but that's because we're looking more solid as a team, from the front and the back.

"The defence and the keeper deserve a pat on the back, but we defend as an eleven and attack as an eleven.

"I think that the defence and the keeper, those five, are the most important unit in the whole team. It's important to try and keep that settled five together, because we all know what everyone else is doing, without even thinking about it," added Wright.

It was looking fairly bleak for Wright, after he was dropped following the Carling Cup defeat at Peterborough on August 25. The ex-Crewe and Wigan stalwart was not even in the squad for the next five fixtures, and then spent a couple of games as an unused substitute before returning for the 1-1 home draw against Swansea City.

Town have drawn seven and won two of those nine games, since Wright's recall to the side. In fact, he has probably been one of the first names on Roy Keane's team-sheet in recent weeks.

"My contract is up next summer, so it's a big incentive for me to get a new contract," insisted Wright.

"I really enjoy playing for this club, and I want to have many more years at Ipswich. I have a young family to consider, and we're well settled."

Wright learnt his trade at Crewe, both as a schoolboy and a trainee, before going on to rattle up 238 senior appearances for the Railwaymen under the stewardship of Dario Gradi (both as a manager and director of football).

His time at Gresty Road has stood him in good stead, especially with his recent new role as a left-back, rather than his more natural right-back position.

"I don't mind playing left-back, even though a few little things are different," confirmed Wright.

"I put that down to the way I was brought up at Crewe, under Dario (Gradi). He taught us that football is not just being about playing in one position. We were taught, as youngsters, to play in any position, all over the pitch, before we became more settled into our roles when we were in the youth team.

"I certainly appreciate my grounding at Crewe. I was pleased to spend so much time there. It has made me the player that I now am."

Wright was the unlikely match-winner in the 1-0 home victory over Derby County at the end of October. This remains Town's only home success from 10 Portman Road fixtures.

And the Town defender would love to repeat the dose against visiting Blackpool tomorrow - the Seasiders are currently flying high in sixth spot, 13 points clear of third-from-bottom Town.

"It would be nice to score another vital goal. I've set myself a target of two this season!" revealed Wright.