KYLE Edwards has pinpointed the key similarity between the promotion-winning Ipswich Town team he was part of last season and the Oxford United side he has joined on loan.
The 25-year-old winger signed for the U’s on a season-long loan on deadline day, after making 41 appearances for the Tractor Boys last year as they sealed promotion from Sky Bet League One.
Edwards is not the only arrival from East Anglia this summer, with left back Greg Leigh joining on a permanent basis.
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“There’s stuff that we’ll take last year from Ipswich coming up, that we can definitely bring to the group,” said Edwards.
“Any way we can try and help the team, and help the group, it’ll be better for all of us.
“The intensity in training was the biggest thing and the biggest similarity from last year.
“We trained really hard, so when it came to the games, it felt a lot easier.
“I’ve come in and it’s been the same here – the intensity in training and focus in training.”
Edwards revealed that Leigh played an important role in convincing him to sign for United, so much so the latter earned himself a new nickname.
Former West Bromwich Albion winger Edwards said: “He was quite influential to be fair to him. We started calling him ‘Agent Greg’.
“He was telling me it’s a good place and a good manager, and that I should come down. He was texting me ‘what’s going on?’.
“If we play together, then we’ve played together before, and I know how Greg plays and he knows how I play. I’m sure we’ll do alright.”
Edwards has settled in quickly with the U’s, scoring twice in his first three games, with both goals coming in the last two matches, when he has started.
“Two in two is a good start and hopefully it can continue, and I can keep scoring goals and making things happen,” said Edwards.
“The gaffer gives me licence any time I get the ball, to go at people and try and make things happen. I’ll keep shooting – it’s going well so far.
“I’ve come in and the boys have all been very welcoming to me.
“In training, you can see the high levels. It’s easy to settle in when training’s good, the manager’s good and the players are good as well.”
He added: “We’ve got depth, you can see the quality of the squad and the quality we’ve got. It’s going to be important over the length of the season.
“Through the season, there are injuries and suspensions. These things happen so a big squad is very important.”
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