Derby County have signed Kayden Jackson on a two year contract. The 30 year was available on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract at Ipswich Town. What the the striker bring to The Rams? We spoke with Joe Fairs from Blue Monday: An Ipswich Town Podcast to find out.
What do you make of Kayden Jackson’s move to Derby County?
I think it's a great move for him personally if he has been able to get a three year contract at aged 30 at a very good club in the 2nd tier - and a reward for what he done for us since Kieran McKenna came in as manager.
Paul Warne is a manager who has tried to sign him a few times before so it's no great surprise, but still a great move for him
He’s been with Ipswich since 2018 and has made 199 appearances. Was his time at Portman Road a success?
On balance, yes - but it's been an incredible journey here for him. He was signed when we were previously in the Championship straight from League 2 and is still the most we've spent on a player since 2009 (this record is about to be broken...!) and he looked a fair way out of his depth.
The manager who signed him (Paul Hurst) was sacked a few games into his tenure, and under Paul Lambert he started very well in League 1, but by the time Lambert left he had been banished very unfairly to the U21s. Paul Cook tried to get rid of him in his only summer here and it wasn't until Kieran McKenna came in that he finally came good and has now been an important part of the squad through the last 2.5 seasons and leaves with everyone's best wishes.
Throughout his time here he has been a model pro, and to come back from where he was at to where he ended up showed great character
What are his strengths?
Athletically he is very good, and when he gets into good crossing positions he is very good at getting his head up and picking out a team mate. His game has gone to a level many didn't think possible under Kieran McKenna and has done so by being a diligent worker, and being able to follow out a pretty complicated game plan which requires serious hard work both on and off the ball
What are his weaknesses?
Technically he's not great at times, and isn't a natural finisher. He came here as a striker but really is not up to the standard to play the more modern way with up front. He'll do the job to the best of his abilities and has improved but doesn't hold the ball up well.
What type of striker is he? Does he hold the ball up and link up play or does he run in behind?
If he is to play as a striker then he needs a partner to play off as is the one who likes to get in behind. he generally makes runs from in to out so ends up in positions where he is then looking to pull the ball back to his partner to assist rather than score.
What will it take for him to be successful at Derby?
For him to carry on what he has been doing here, to play as a wide forward or a winger and to carry on working hard, being professional and for the manager to realise he has to focus on what Kayden can do, not what he can't do.
Sum up Kayden Jackson in a few words.
Professional, resilient, good guy, fast and a great team mate on and off the pitch.
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