Ipswich Town’s striker was said to be leaving the Tractor Boys on transfer deadline day last Friday after they added Dane Scarlett on loan from Tottenham.
After scoring 17 goals at League One level the previous season, Ladapo was reportedly the subject of attention from League One clubs, according to Darren Witcoop of the Sunday Mirror. However, the deadline passed without the 30-year-old completing a move.
The next day, he changed the outcome of the match as Ipswich overcame a 2-0 behind against Cardiff City to win 3-2.
Although Nathan Broadhead scored to tie the score, Ladapo ultimately scored the game-winning goal. The striker first equalized after a clumsy corner routine somehow found its way to him, and then in the 78th minute, the ball struck his face after cannoning off Bluebirds goalkeeper Runar Alex Runarsson.
Ladapo, who came off the bench in the first half to replace George Hirst, who hobbled off and is questionable for next weekend’s game against Sheffield Wednesday following the international break, made an impactful substitution appearance.
Ladapo’s brace put him very much in the forefront of Northern Irish head coach Kieran McKenna’s mind as he considers his options for the match at Hillsborough.
Should Freddie Ladapo face Sheffield Wednesday at the start?
Henry, an Ipswich supporter for FLW, isn’t entirely sold on McKenna giving Ladapo the chance to start his first league game of the year. He still believes that Hirst should start against the Owls if he’s healthy.
In an interview with Football League World, Henry remarked, “I think it all relies on George Hirst and how fit he is. Given that we’ve got this international break, I think it would be rare to see Ladapo starting in the next game.
Kayden Jackson is excellent at harrying, pressing, and racing in behind, but if we are playing against a side that we have more possession against, Freddie or more likely Hirst should and would start. This also depends on the type of formation we choose.
As a result, if Hirst is available and we need to hold the ball for a longer period of time, I believe Ladapo should start from a fitness standpoint.
‘If we are’ looking to counter attack, then I think it’ll be Jackson.”
What is the current Ipswich situation for Freddie Ladapo?
Ladapo is currently playing second and third fiddle to both Hirst and Jackson, despite having led the line for Town last season for at least the first half of the season before switching to more of a super-sub position in the second. However, he still has something to give in terms of goal scoring.
Even said, the seasoned striker still has two years left on his Suffolk deal, so if he were to move in January in search of greater playing time, he wouldn’t be leaving on the cheap.
However, Dane Scarlett’s arrival complicates matters even more because Tottenham wouldn’t have brought him to Ipswich if he wasn’t going to play; therefore, it is unclear how Ladapo would fit in until Scarlett arrives and is fully integrated into McKenna’s setup.
