Kieran McKenna has a 'real problem' at Ipswich Town - it involves Jack Clarke and Jaden Philogene | OneFootball

Football League World's resident Ipswich Town fan pundit discussed Jack Clarke's role under Kieran McKenna amid stiff competition from Jaden Philogene

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Ipswich Town have begun life back in the Championship in inconsistent fashion, with Kieran McKenna's star-studded second-tier side yet to represent strong promotion contenders after suffering relegation from the Premier League back in May.

Tipped as pre-season title favourites by many, the Tractor Boys — much like fellow freshly-relegated pair Leicester City and particularly 20th-placed Southampton — are yet to get going in the Championship, taking four victories, four draws, and three defeats, from their opening twelve matches.

Ipswich recovered from consecutive defeats against Middlesbrough and Charlton Athletic to return to winning ways with a slender 1-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion on Saturday afternoon, though, in which the winner was struck just seven minutes from time by Jack Clarke.

Signed from Sunderland in a reported £15 million deal last summer, the talented winger struggled to adapt to the Premier League but has found his feet upon returning to second-tier football — despite often failing to lock down a starting spot under McKenna.

Instead, Clarke has been commonly deployed as an impact substitute, where his pace and eye for goal have offered Ipswich an extra outlet in the closing stages of games, and four of his five strikes this term - including one in last month's East Anglian derby victory over bitter rivals Norwich City - have come after being introduced from the bench.

Impressively, the 24-year-old is currently averaging 0.92 goals per 90 minutes, having struck five times from just 489 league minutes, and is tied as Town's leading goalscorer with Jaden Philogene. Just how the two both fit into McKenna's side together, however, is proving problematic.

Kieran McKenna has a "real problem" at Ipswich Town - but Jack Clarke's form leaves no complaints

Following Clarke's latest impact from the bench, FLW asked our resident Ipswich fan pundit, Adam Wilkin, whether he believes it's now time for McKenna to transition the ex-Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur wide-man into a full-time starting role.

He is, of course, directly competing for a starting berth on the left flank with Philogene, who has re-established his reputation as one of the most potent and entertaining forwards in the Championship with a series of stunning displays in a starring role under McKenna's stewardship at Ipswich.

According to Adam, that position represents a "real problem" — albeit a good one to have — and he believes that, in spite of Clake's continued impact as a substitute, his side must stick to the current modus operandi with the duo, which is, it must be said, working rather well for all parties.

"I think that left-wing position is now a real problem, but a good problem to have, with both Jaden Philogene and Jack Clarke scoring (regularly this season)," Adam explained to FLW.

"Clarke has been rotated in for certain games, a couple of the midweeks, I think he's done well in those without necessarily scoring. I think his goal contributions off the bench are coming because he's in good form and, after 60 to 70 minutes, the game state opens up for him and he's able to dribble at defenders who have faced Philogene for 60 to 70 minutes.

"It definitely opens up the game for him, and for other substitutes as well.

"So I think he'll still have to be fairly patient. The good thing is he seems quite happy and content with coming on being a finisher and getting goals that way, there will definitely be occasions where he'll need to start as you never know what will happen with injuries.

"There have been some fans saying that it would be good to get him and Philogene on the pitch, I think that limits what you can do with your subs afterwards so I'm not an advocate of that. I think the way it's working right now is pretty good, and long may it continue."

Kieran McKenna and Ipswich Town must have EFL Championship envy with Jack Clarke, Jaden Philogene "problem"

Almost every head coach in the Championship would long to have a wide player of Clarke's talent. McKenna, however, has one who may just be even better in Philogene, not to mention the division's most-expensive player of all time in teenage summer recruit Sindre Walle Egeli, having been brought in from Nordsjaelland for £17.5 million.

Clarke and Philogene set Ipswich back a combined £35 million and, prior to their moves to Portman Road, were both already established as top-bracket Championship operators, having blitzed the division throughout the 2023/24 campaign for Sunderland and Hull City.

They both present different profiles, too — Clarke is perhaps more efficient at finishing chances and stretching defences with his speed and athleticism in behind, while Philogene is the ultimate X-Factor player at this level, with his ability to create opportunities from nothing, find the back of the net from all sorts of angles and ranges and dance past opponents with guile, elegance and ease making him one of the first names on McKenna's team sheet.

It's a problem, in some ways, although it's a very healthy one to have, and one which the Tractor Boys are sure to reap the full benefits from as we continue to head underway in what promises to be a toiling and demanding season.