Striker Freddie Ladapo was delighted to have sent the Portman Road faithful home happy after his two goals - as well as a brace from Conor Chaplin - saw the Blues to a 4-0 victory over Morecambe.

Ladapo, who has now scored 13 goals this season, two behind top scorer Chaplin, netted the Blues’ opening goal after only 52 seconds, then added the second in the 16th minute from full and home debutant Nathan Broadhead’s through ball.

“I thought we played very well, we took the game for what it was,” Ladapo told iFollow Ipswich. “We started off quick, we had a lot of pace in the team and we injected a lot of intensity and tempo. It was great to be a part of and I’m sure it was great to watch as well.”

Ladapo set Town on their way to the win when he seized on a loose ball inside the box from a corner and slammed into the net.

“The first one, the ball’s bouncing and I got my foot on it and just hit it well, caught it cleanly and it was a great start from us, great to start the day like that,” he recalled.

“You’ve got to be alert because the ball is always bouncing around everywhere. Sometimes if you’re not switched on, you may see it late and that split second late means the defender gets a touch on it. I was bright and alert and I was really up for it, so I got there first.”

Regarding the second from Broadhead’s clever pass, he said: “I like Broady! Broady’s come in and shown a lot of enthusiasm and a lot of tempo and a lot of good things. I’m happy for him that he was able to do something on the pitch and get his first assist.

“I know his goals are coming soon because the way he shoots, Jesus Christ! He does love shooting, so I know that one is coming soon. But I’m sure it’s nice for him to start your first match and contribute and be really be a part of it. I definitely did enjoy my second goal.”

Harry Clarke also impressed on his full and home debut in the hybrid right-sided defensive role.

“I heard he’s a Suffolk boy, so I think he was more excited for having a debut than Broady, and he showed it out on the pitch,” Ladapo laughed. “He had a lot of energy, he had a lot of tempo, he was quick, he was exciting.

“Hopefully the new signings come in and help to improve us and take us to where we need to go.”

Ladapo, whose only disappointment was not claiming his first EFL hat-trick, was given a standing ovation when he came off in the second half.

“It was fantastic,” he said. “You play the game to entertain, you play the game to do well. My family is watching, my missus is watching, unfortunately she can’t be here because the baby’s asleep, but I’m happy when I can put in a performance like that and make a few people smile.”

Photo: Matchday Images

aardvaark added 13:55 - Jan 25 Top bloke - love him!
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DinDjarin added 14:20 - Jan 25 That look he gave section 5 after he scored the second goal. Probably had some knobs giving him stick from that area.
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Bazza8564 added 14:23 - Jan 25 Loved that performance, and I think it will help Freddie having GH here to rotate and take some pressure off, because we've lacked depth quality in the 9 for ages
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BeattiesBackPocket added 14:48 - Jan 25 Typical divvy comments on the Facebook page about this article by a minority. He has 9 league goals in only 18 starts and let's not forget he doesn't play every game either then add cup goals that's 13 goals in total only just over halfway in the season so we'll on for the 20 plus goals this season that we all wanted start of the season as is chappers. I think most on here appreciate the goals and his stats but still a minority give him grief I just don't get it.

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dangerous30 added 14:55 - Jan 25 The main thing he try's hard in the team and I was happy he scored a couple last night.
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Pettabelieveit added 15:05 - Jan 25 Took his goals well, particularly the second! Thought his all round game was top! Hopefully the added competition for places brings more out of the entire squad because it certainly looked as though he had the bit between his teeth!
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pennblue added 15:12 - Jan 25 What a great attitude Freddie has got. 2 new strikers come in, he does not cry, or kick up a fuss, he takes it in his stride. Waits his turn, then smashes in 2 goals. Top class.
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Generic added 15:31 - Jan 25 Agree with most of the comments here. I've been scratching my head as to why people have a problem with him. Looking here he's got almost a good Goals-per-minute number as Chaplin. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/ipswich-town/top-scorers I know it's not the only metric that matters (otherwise Camará would be our best scorer), but he's hardly firing blanks.
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blueboy1981 added 15:58 - Jan 25 Top Man Ladapo - only people who don't understand the Game have any another opinion. Paul Warne, and others, would welcome him in a flash ! Think ourselves fortunate to have him. CLASS Player !!
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blueboy1981 added 16:02 - Jan 25 BeattiesBackPocket - such people who criticise Ladapo, haven't got a clue what they are watching - and never will have ! Best ignored. Ladapo is CLASS !
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OldFart71 added 16:15 - Jan 25 As with anyone pulling the Blue and White shirt on we want them to do well. Freddie seems a great lad. We as Town supporters know we don't have a given right to achieve anything it will only happen if every player who pulls on the shirt from now until the end of the season gives their all as I know the fans certainly will. It looks like the injection of the three coming in and a bit of a jiggle about with the defence worked although no one is getting carried away with it being Morecombe. Do the same to Wednesday then we'll know we are on track. But no time to slacken against lesser teams as Plymouth, Wednesday and Derby along with Barnsley don't look like taking their foot off the pedal. We need to be like Derby and play the 90 minutes plus and do what several have done to us by scoring so late that there's no chance of the other team coming back.

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Carberry added 17:54 - Jan 25 Can we start having consistent selections so we get a settled team and players like Ladapo can get into the groove.
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ringwoodblue added 11:42 - Jan 26 Carberry - I too would like a settled team but McK is in a very difficult position with the size and quality of the squad he has. I'm a firm believer in, you play well, you keep your place but McK doesn't seem to work like that.
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