Brilliant Arran Fought His Corner Against Boss

Man of the match Arran Lee-Barrett showed his fighting qualities to come back from a number of set backs and earn a starting place for Ipswich.

The 27-year-old Ipswich-born keeper was outstanding in Town’s 1-0 win over Derby with astring of top saves.

His first half heroics provided the platform for the Blues win, with Keith Andrews netting the winner.

Andrews suffered a blow when he was left out of Town’s starting line up last month when David Stockdale was injured. Instead of being promoted from the bench he was leap-frogged by Richard Wright who was only signed a couple of days before the loss at home to Reading.

Lee-Barrett had it out with Paul Jewell and made his feelings clear.

He said: ‘I spoke to the manager and I took on board what he had to say.
‘What I said to him and what he said to me should stay in the manager`s office.’

Lee-Barrett is the grandson of Frank Lee, a former Inter-Services welter-weight boxing champion who served during the war with the RAF’s Fighter Command.

Lee, now 82, still works part-time as a pysiotherapist in Ipswich and has passed on his own steely determination to overcome adversity, as he had to after moving down from Manchester as the son of a mixed marriage.

Lee was famed for his knockout left hook and Lee-Barrett showed he too can be a useful southpaw, making top-class saves with his left hand to deny Craig Bryson and Jamie Ward.

Lee-Barrett said: “I`m a quietly determined person with confidence in myself and my ability. I don`t need to shout out it out loud.
“My work rate in trainings says everything about me.
“I`m trying to make the manager`s job that bit more difficult.’

After an impressive showing Lee-Barrett has every chance of holding on to the keeper’s shirt, even though Richard Wright is fit again after a pectoral muscle injury.

“The gaffer is always saying it is a squad game not just about the starting 11, said Lee-Barrett. “Everybody had a part to play and I really believe that.

“I spoke to the manager and I took on board what he had to say. What I said to him and what he said to me should stay in the manager`s office.

“I`m a quietly determined person with confidence in myself and my ability. I don`t need to shout out it out loud.
“My work rate in trainings says everything about me.
“I`m trying to make the manager`s job that bit more difficult.

“I`m really buzzing. It is great to be back playing at Portman Road again and to get a clean sheet is a bonus.


“The starting point for this win was at Barnsley last week.
“We wanted to take that second half performance into this game
“Our confidence has been lifted and it has been a while for me to be this involved.

“The gaffer is always saying it is a squad game not just about the starting 11.
“Everybody had a part to play and I really believe that

“In one way sorry to see him go but if he has a chance to play regularly in the Premier League he has to take it.

“He helped me a lot in his time here – us goalkeepers stick together.”