Ipswich news: Still a ‘positive energy’ around club

Ipswich defender Axel Tuanzebe says there is “still a positive energy” around the club, despite last weekend’s damaging loss against Wolves.

The 2-1 home defeat left Kieran McKenna’s side 12 points from safety with seven games to play and on the brink of relegation back to the Championship.

“There is still a positive energy,” Tuanzebe said before Sunday’s visit to Chelsea. “There’s still seven games where we can affect our future and we’re optimistic about that.

“Playing with freedom, expressing ourselves and that’s when you see our best levels of football.”

Tuanzebe’s deal expires at the end of the season, but the former Manchester United player says there have not been discussions yet over his future.

“The club have got bigger things to focus on at the moment,” he added. “Contractual situations, even for myself, have been put to the side and there’s plenty of time in the summer to deal with that.

“Right now, the focus is on maintaining good performances, winning games and hopefully we can stay in the Premier League come next season.”

Despite relegation looking likely, Tuanzebe believes there are reasons for Ipswich fans to be optimistic for the future.

“You can see the construction has begun for the new training ground, the club are really taking things seriously and the project is for the next few years,” he said.

“I think it’ll be one of the bigger clubs in England in the coming years. They really want to invest and push the team in the right direction and that message starts from the owners and goes all the way down to us players. We’re all on board with it and all heading in the right direction.”