Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper David Stockdale is relishing the prospect of returning to Portman Road this afternoon and is aiming to lay down a marker for the rest of the season.
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The Albion shot stopper had a happy five-month loan spell with the Tractor Boys between July and December 2011, during his days with Fulham.
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He said, "Ipswich is a special club. I did really well, the fans really took to me. I loved my time there. Unfortunately I got called back early, but it's a great club with a great history.
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"I'm looking forward to going back and hopefully it's a bit like Fulham. I go back to see everyone and we nick the points.
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"At the Amex last season we showed them how good we are and they were up there for a long part of the season. Everyone put them down to go up and they are carrying on that form.
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"We've looked at them but hopefully we're going to prove a point this year with how we've started. I think they'll be looking at us a lot more as well."
LATEST NEWS FROM*SEAGULLS.CO.UK
Stockdale has been pleased to see the club’s defensive ranks bolstered over the summer, with the arrivals of Connor Goldson and Uwe Huenemeier adding to an already impressive backline.
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They are not just any four centre-backs either are they? We all know the quality of Lewis [Dunk] and Hueney has come in and done brilliantly for us in the last two games.
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"Then you have got Connor, who is a great acquisition for the long-term as well as now and then our club captain (Gordon Greer), consistent as ever and gives his all.
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"We've got strength in depth and long may it continue. It's not easy for the manager to pick our bench.”
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The 29-year-old has thoroughly enjoyed working with new goalkeeping coach and former Seagulls shot-stopper Ben Roberts, and Stockdale hailed his qualities.
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“I've known Ben for a number of years just through the goalkeeping ranks and although we had never worked together, we kept in touch at games.
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*"His reputation definitely came before him, because he's one of the best. People are are surprised he stayed in the Championship this year, because he possibly could have gone further.
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*"He is showing it now and he's benefitting not just me. You saw how Niki [Maenpaa] played on Tuesday night. He's pushing me, and Christian [Walton], who has gone out on loan.
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"I've not seen much of how Christian's done, but he'll improve him. Even right down to the under-16's who come to train with us on a weekday, he makes it fun and he adapts it for different people.
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*"It's good for them to come to work with the first team and good for us to get a good feel about the keepers coming through the ranks.”
[h=3]ALBION V HULL CITY*
[/h]SATURDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER, KICK-OFF 3PM
[h=3]ALBION V ROTHERHAM UNITED*
[/h]SATURDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER, KICK-OFF 7.45PM
[h=3]ALBION V CARDIFF CITY
[/h]SATURDAY 3RD OCTOBER, KICK-OFF 3PM
Original article
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The Albion shot stopper had a happy five-month loan spell with the Tractor Boys between July and December 2011, during his days with Fulham.
*
He said, "Ipswich is a special club. I did really well, the fans really took to me. I loved my time there. Unfortunately I got called back early, but it's a great club with a great history.
*
"I'm looking forward to going back and hopefully it's a bit like Fulham. I go back to see everyone and we nick the points.
*
"At the Amex last season we showed them how good we are and they were up there for a long part of the season. Everyone put them down to go up and they are carrying on that form.
*
"We've looked at them but hopefully we're going to prove a point this year with how we've started. I think they'll be looking at us a lot more as well."
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They are not just any four centre-backs either are they? We all know the quality of Lewis [Dunk] and Hueney has come in and done brilliantly for us in the last two games.
*
"Then you have got Connor, who is a great acquisition for the long-term as well as now and then our club captain (Gordon Greer), consistent as ever and gives his all.
*
"We've got strength in depth and long may it continue. It's not easy for the manager to pick our bench.”
*
The 29-year-old has thoroughly enjoyed working with new goalkeeping coach and former Seagulls shot-stopper Ben Roberts, and Stockdale hailed his qualities.
*
“I've known Ben for a number of years just through the goalkeeping ranks and although we had never worked together, we kept in touch at games.
*
*"His reputation definitely came before him, because he's one of the best. People are are surprised he stayed in the Championship this year, because he possibly could have gone further.
*
*"He is showing it now and he's benefitting not just me. You saw how Niki [Maenpaa] played on Tuesday night. He's pushing me, and Christian [Walton], who has gone out on loan.
*
"I've not seen much of how Christian's done, but he'll improve him. Even right down to the under-16's who come to train with us on a weekday, he makes it fun and he adapts it for different people.
*
*"It's good for them to come to work with the first team and good for us to get a good feel about the keepers coming through the ranks.”
[h=3]ALBION V HULL CITY*
[/h]SATURDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER, KICK-OFF 3PM
[h=3]ALBION V ROTHERHAM UNITED*
[/h]SATURDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER, KICK-OFF 7.45PM
[h=3]ALBION V CARDIFF CITY
[/h]SATURDAY 3RD OCTOBER, KICK-OFF 3PM
Original article