‘I feel like everything is clicking’: Town star pleased with team’s performance

Omari Hutchinson believes that ‘everything is clicking together’ for him at Ipswich Town, having scored late in their 3-1 victory over Birmingham City.

The Blues started strongly, but were pushed back in first-half stoppage time, allowing the visitors to sit deep and absorb pressure after the interval.

In the end, two replacements came through to win the game, with Hutchinson scoring the third to secure three points at Portman Road.

“It’s a massive three points,” he stated after the game. “I believe we have performed admirably throughout the last three games. It’s very essential from the substitutes, and I believe we’re making a significant effect from the bench.

“That’s what it’s all about; when we come on, we try to help the team as much as we can.

In this case, his introduction was far from satisfactory. The Chelsea loanee took over for Wes Burns, who suffered an injury and was forced to enter the game midway through the first half.

“I was sitting down and I noticed Wes struggling with his calf,” Hutchinson added. “The manager said, ‘Come on, keep doing what you’ve been doing for the last few games and help the team out.'” That is what I did.

“It’s difficult to get up to speed as quickly as possible at 22 minutes into the game since the tempo is so high. I eased my way in and assisted the team.”

The first goal came after a dominant period, with Hutchinson playing an important role in the buildup. His cutback to Sam Morsy allowed the midfielder to take aim, with his effort deflecting to Conor Chaplin, who scored with a clever flick.

“I didn’t really see it, it happened so quickly,” the 20-year-old said. “I was driving down the line and didn’t have many options, so I passed it back to Skip [Morsy], who shot. Luckily, Chappers is always in the correct spot, attempting to get a flick on or whatever.”

The equaliser came five minutes before halftime, dealing a significant blow. Having said that, Town noticed the warning signs, but they couldn’t stop Jordan James from equalising with a powerful close-range shot.

“It’s frustrating,” Hutchinson said. “When we lose the ball, we constantly aim to regain it as soon as possible.

“Things like that happen. It’s simply how you react.”

In the end, Jeremy Sarmiento put Town back ahead, and Hutchinson sealed the victory about 10 minutes later. It means that replacements have scored 20 of Town’s 80 goals in all competitions, demonstrating the importance of the club’s bench players this season.

“Jezza’s done it twice now,” Hutchinson remarked. “He’s an extremely crucial player for us. He creates a different dynamic.

“I believe it was a crucial goal for him to build his confidence as well. The squad is doing quite well, and the substitutes are making a significant difference.

“I’ve been playing no.10 and right wing, but I’ve been working hard to come on and impact the game, to get goals and assists for the club.

“Before the goal, Kieff had a flick-on, which I didn’t really read. He remarked, “Next one I get, try to really read it,” and I knew Axel would throw it to him. I twisted inside and went in behind him, aiming for a flick-on. It paid off.

“I’ve been working and grinding a lot, maintaining calm in front of the goal and during training. Previous games, at the beginning of the season, I was rushing my shots and panicking a little. “I saw the keeper and just slotted it.”

Hutchinson’s personal performance demonstrated consistency, as he scored a last-gasp winner against Rotherham United in midweek. He now has six points in all competitions this season, an amazing total for a young player with only nine senior starts.

“I just tried to stay in the box and stay alive for the last goal [against Rotherham], but I think it’s really important for me to get my confidence up,” he said. “I think I’ve got a good momentum now and it feels like everything is clicking together.”