Town winger Jaden Philogene hailed a special performance as he struck his first senior hat-trick in the Blues’ 5-0 thrashing of Sheffield United at Portman Road.

Philogene, who had never previously scored a home goal in his time at Town, was among the scorers as Kieran McKenna’s side ended their winless run this season in style.

The result, which came against the division’s only side yet to pick up a point, also marked the first time the Blues have won a league match on their own turf this calendar year.

But despite his own personal achievement, Philogene, who says the third goal was his own favourite, was keen to ensure such a display becomes a more frequent occurrence.

“A special performance for me,” he said. Got a hat-trick, I’ve got to keep going working on it in training and just keep producing on and off the pitch.

“I’ll just keep working hard, contribute for them and they’ll contribute for me.

“I had to keep my head down, focus, work hard and then it will all come together.

“The way we’re playing now, the team is gelling together. We’re going to go somewhere.

"I think we’re doing well, it will give us a boost and we can keep going from there.”

Philogene says he has been working on his finishing in training at Playford Road, and credits two of the Blues’ coaching staff for helping tweak his efficiency in front of goal.

He said: “In training, doing extras, practicing and practicing so it can work in the game. I’ve got to keep doing it.

“I practice with Sone [Aluko] and with Junior [Stanislas], the attacking coaches.”

As is tradition, Philogene received the match ball for scoring three goals. He admitted that he was beginning to think of the hat-trick after the second goal, but that the ball was not being signed by his teammates in the dressing room.

“When I scored the second goal I said to myself ‘let me get another one and make it a hat-trick’,” he said.

“I haven’t signed it yet. I don’t think anyone is going to sign it so I’ll keep it fresh. I’ll probably give it to my mum, she’ll keep it safe for me.”

With his uncle watching from the stands, Philogene was full of praise for the support inside Portman Road, while also claiming that the Blues do not need to prove anybody wrong.

“No,” he said. “We’ve just got to keep our heads and play our game. It’s all going to work out in the end.

“The atmosphere is always good, even when we’re losing. Keep it like that, please.

“[McKenna] said he knew I was going to enjoy playing here and at Playford Road.”

On the new additions this summer, the 23-year-old added: “They’ve been top, gelling straight away with the group.”

Photo: Matchday Images

DifferentGravy added 23:08 - Sep 12 Like a new player. Had a spring in his step n a rocket in his shot. Well played.
8

billlm added 23:21 - Sep 12 A lot of people are going to eat humble pie tonight well done lad,
21

Vancouver_Blue added 00:25 - Sep 13 I am currently eating a huge slice of humble pie. Well done Billy Jean
6

armchaircritic59 added 00:31 - Sep 13 Vancouver Blue, I take it he isn't your lover :)
2

LimerickTractorBoy added 04:37 - Sep 13 Absolute class trio of goals, 2 with his right and an absolute thunderbolt with his left, I'm so happy for him. Some fans need to exercise a little patience and not be so quick to write off some players. Jaden could be something special for Town. Well done Clarke and Hirst and the team, a great night with PR rocking. Uppa Towen.
5

EuanTown added 06:38 - Sep 13 An excellent performance
1

slade1 added 06:50 - Sep 13 He has played pretty well in other games, I thought he had a good game against Derby, but certain people have decided to slate him in the past. In my opinion he has always been decent.
4

Karlosfandangal added 06:53 - Sep 13 6 goals in 17 matches and about half of those as a sub and most in the prem Not sure why he was getting so much stick from the fans……. Guess it’s Clarke or McAteer the next on the list to have a go at Support Towns new team as these players will hopefully become the Morsy and Chaplins that we loved so much
4

hello66 added 07:47 - Sep 13 Great night at Portman Road…. Been a long time coming well done fans for keeping the faith and Billie Jean we must start singing a song for you soon.! A lot more to come from this man and also the rest of the team starting to gel I just have to mention our fans…. So proud to be one of you support our team through thick and thin.….. enjoy your weekend everybody!
0

SpiritOfJohn added 07:59 - Sep 13 All that extra shooting practise is paying off. Three superb goals, the first one was similar to what Omari used to do and goals 2 and 3 were even better! Only the second hat-trick of the McKenna era, but hopefully more to follow.
0

Marcus added 08:13 - Sep 13 Took minutes for him to have the tune for his song... taking years to agree on lyrics
0

Mark added 08:26 - Sep 13 What a fantastic hat-trick, Philogene was superb tonight and all credit to him. Could he go on to become even better than his U21 colleague Hutchinson? Time will tell on that, but he has the season ahead to keep on performing and scoring in the Championship, and maybe another shot at the Premier League if we go up.
2

itfc2024 added 08:46 - Sep 13 philogene was good tonight but we need this week in week out not when he feel like playing
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darkhorse28 added 09:12 - Sep 13 Huge quality with the ball at his feet. Lots to work on without it. Nunez will be the best signing of the summer, this season at least, the actual grit and desire we’ve desperately lacked, he could be a huge signing. Jens has huge quality but this is a tough and unrelenting league.
0

BlueySwede added 16:56 - Sep 13 Yesterday he was better than any performance I saw from Hutchinson. Lets hope he keeps it up, confidence must have grown. Fantastic!
1

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