Dean: It’s All Or Nothing
By Aston
July 9 2008
Town striker Dean Bowditch knows next season is all or nothing for him after being offered a one year contract extension.
The 22-year-old didn't feature at all for Town's first team last season, instead spending the season either injured or out on-loan and because of the injuries and loan spells Dean thought he was about to leave Portman Road but is delighted he has another chance to prove himself but he knows this will be his final chance at Town.
Dean: "With my contract up last season and me not being in the first-team, I did start to think that maybe my days were coming to an end at this Club, I have had problems with injuries and I don't think I dealt with them very well mentally but it is hard when you start playing again and then you get injured again.
"I was back fit again towards the end of last season though and scored a few goals in the reserves and that gave me a lift.
"The gaffer spoke to me in the summer and said he believed in me but I need to show more belief in myself. He said that I prove it in training every day that I can play at this level but that I need to show it out on the pitch.
"I need to get back to playing without a care in the world like I did when I was younger and playing my best football. That's what the manager wants.
"I've worked hard through the summer and I know this is a massive season for me. It's all or nothing and I've got to give it everything.
"It's unfinished business for me. I've got things to prove to the manager, to the staff, to the fans but mainly to myself that I can be a success at Championship level.
"The gaffer has made me feel wanted when maybe I was expecting my time to be up. I know if things don't work for me here this year, then that will probably be it for me at Ipswich but the gaffer has given me another chance and I'm going to do everything I can to repay him."
Source: Ipswich Town - the official website
Got a view on the news above? Leave it below.
Town opened their pre-season campaign with a routine 3-0 win against Bury Town at Ram Meadow this evening.
Dean Bowditch was the star of the show as the youngster celebrated signing a new two-year deal at Portman Road by opening the scoring before Jaime Peters doubled the Blues advantage midway through the first half.
Ed Upson rounded off the scoring just before the break as manager Jim Magilton used the opportunity to look at some of his fringe players.
Trialist Adam Green got a run-out at left back while Tommy Smith had a dominant game at the heart of the Ipswich back four.
Town took the initiative from the first whistle and could have been ahead inside two minutes when a long ball over the top caught the Bury back four square.
