Clarke’s patient wait on the subs bench turns into joy with his double strike against Bristol
The packed Sir Bobby Robson Stand at Portman Road ahead of the Championship game between Ipswich Town and Middlesbrough. Photo: Russell Cook.
Jack Clarke has been waiting patiently to display his full talents to the Ipswich Town faithful and he certainly performed them last night (Tuesday, January 20) at Portman Road.
Two outstanding goals to take him ahead of Jaden Philogene as the club’s top scorer on 10 and 84 minutes of quality football from Clarke who has been sitting patiently on the bench waiting for his introduction on the pitch to usually replace the former Aston Villa and Hull City winger.
He’s had a few starts during the campaign and now he has a chance to cement his place as an automatic starter after Philogene’s injury in the game at the weekend against Blackburn Rovers.
Manager Kieran McKenna was full of praise for Clarke saying: “I really enjoyed his performance, I have to say.
“Of course, two really good goals, but his work rate off the ball, his challenges, his recovery runs were really, really good as well.
“His link-up and his combinations on the outside and on the inside, that’s continuing to improve.
“I’m happy for him because he’s worked hard. He’s really took the mindset of trying to improve himself this year and control what he can control every day in training, then taking that into games whether he starts or whether he comes on. I think it’s a good mindset for him to have..”
There was also praise for Como loanee Ivan Azon who had his best performance in a Blues shirt.
His touches were excellent, he was superb in the air against tall centre-backs, he linked play and was a constant threat.
He was denied a goal by Bristol City’s Czech goalkeeper Radek Vitek who produced a wonder save in the first half.
And he also set up the second goal coming off to a standing ovation in the 71st minute.
McKenna added: “I thought he was really good at Coventry as well, I have to say. That’s his last two starts and I think they were both really top performances.
“It was a really good night’s work for him. Ivan’s improving all the time, improving his understanding, improving his connections.
“It’s a lot to move to a new country and settle into a completely new league and stuff like that, but he’s taken some good strides and he gives so much to the team, works so hard.
“I thought he was a really good outlet tonight and the only disappointment is that the keeper has produced an incredible save to stop him getting the goal.”
So four Championship wins on the trot for the Super Blues and next up comes a trip to Sheffield to take on United before the end of January clash at Portman Road against Preston North End.
It all comes thick and fast but we’re on a roll!