IPSWICH have been promoted to the Championship after rattling in the goals – and they may have to thank their striker coach.
The relentless Tractor Boys have 99 goals in 45 games this season, far more than any other team in the top four flights of English football.
In fact, Ipswich's 27 goals in League 1 in April was the most scored by any side in the top four flights of English football since Bolton in September 1964.
It's been quite the campaign for manager Kieran McKenna, who is coming to the end of his first full campaign as a head coach.
After a brilliant season, the club secured promotion after a 6-0 win over Exeter City.
And McKenna, who left his role as a first-team coach at Manchester United in November 2021, has been helped by a former Red Devil.
Read More On Man Utd
Man Utd kid Roche played against Deportivo in 2003 and now works as a builder
Premier League: Claim £30 in free football accas when you bet £10 with Ladbrokes
Ex-Old Trafford goalkeeper Lee Grant is part of the Ipswich set up… but as a striker coach.
The former stopper announced his retirement last year with a brilliant post aged 39.
But after spending 22 years between the sticks, Grant now 40, is helping Ipswich's striker put the ball in the back of the net.
Spending so much time in goal means he knows the best ways to score them.
Most read in Football
Shock Sky favourite in talks to replace Jeff Stelling on Soccer Saturday
Everton captain Coleman rushed to hospital after suffering horror knee injury
FA told to hit Liverpool with POINTS DEDUCTION after Klopp referee claims
Former Chelsea assistant Jody Morris SACKED by Swindon after just three months
Grant told the The Telegraph: "Across 20 odd years of being in goal and conceding so many goals, I can remember so many so vividly. They are etched into my mind and psyche.
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
"I use that to help guide the forward players occasionally, for the sorts of outcomes that no goalkeeper would like."
Grant spent four years at United, and is the oldest player ever to make a European debut for United.
When working with his players at Ipswich, he talks about situations he would least like to face as a goalie.
He added: "We talk about foot patterns, how quickly we can get shots off, arriving onto the ball as quickly as possible, shortening steps.
"I like it when our strikers are dictating to the goalkeepers. I enjoy it when we’re the ones leading the dance.
"If I think back to myself between the sticks, that was probably where I felt most vulnerable, when a striker had that real clarity about what they were trying to achieve and were able to."
Source: Read Full Article
