Ipswich Town: Nathan Broadhead on promotion push and playing up front

The manager has just two out-and-out strikers at his disposal following George Hirst’s injury and Dane Scarlett’s return to Tottenham Hotspur.

Despite his goal against Sunderland, Kayden Jackson has had a bigger impact off the bench this season and predominantly played as a winger in recent months, while Freddie Ladapo may be allowed to leave to leave the club if they can find appropriate replacements before the end of the January transfer window.

If all else fails, Broadhead is clearly the standout alternative, having played as a striker earlier in his career. McKenna has given him time in that position against the likes of QPR and AFC Wimbledon, and he believes that his versatility will help the team while the search for a new no.9 continues.

“Wherever the manager plays me, I’ll try and do my best,” Broadhead told the EADT via Sky Bet. “I've played striker before at Sunderland, Wigan and Everton – I'm comfortable up there, so I don’t see why I can’t lead the line.

Broadhead helped Town beat former club Sunderland on Saturday (Image: PA)

“To adapt to different positions, and do what the manager asks you to do, is beneficial to me.”

Of course, signing at least one striker before the end of the transfer window will be important, especially for a club that has aspirations of finishing the campaign in the top two.

Town are the anomaly in the promotion battle, having only just come up from League One. They’re fighting three sides who played Premier League football last season, with Southampton and Leeds United hot on their tails in third and fourth respectively.

It’s important to stress that Ipswich are in the position on merit. They’ve lost the fewest games of any side in the Championship, while only league leaders Leicester City have scored more goals. Broadhead believes that their opponents didn’t take much notice of what they were doing at the start of the season, but they certainly are now.

“We’re up there [in second] for a reason, for sure,” he argued. “At the beginning of the season, not many teams respected the way that we played, they tried to focus on themselves.

The winger believes that teams didn't 'respect' the way Town play at the start of the season (Image: Ross Halls)

“Now, teams are trying to stop us and the way that we play, looking at detailed stuff that we do – it's credit to the lads and what we’ve done so far. Hopefully we can carry on what we’re doing.

“Everyone goes week by week at Ipswich, they focus every day and everyone loves a game at the end of training.

“We’ve trained very hard, and everyone will be raring to go for the next few weeks after that, so we’re looking forward to every game coming up."

There’s no denying that Broadhead has played an important part in their incredible form so far this season, contributing with eight goals and two assists.

His thunderous strike against Cardiff City saw him nominated for the Sky Bet Championship Goal of the Month award in September, but he doesn’t think it’s his best.

“My goal against Blackburn Rovers stands out the most,” he revealed. “I chested it and half-volleyed it into the ground from about 25 yards out.

“That’s my favourite at the moment.”

Broadhead picked his strike against Blackburn Rovers as his favourite goal of the season so far (Image: Stephen Waller)

It’s now been more than four weeks since Broadhead’s last goal. He’ll be hungry to find the back of the net again, and luckily for him, there will be plenty of opportunities to do so in the next few weeks.

Ipswich have some big games coming up, including a huge top-of-the-table clash against Leicester next week. The FA Cup fourth-round tie against Maidstone United also catches the eye, and Broadhead know that, while his side are favourites to progress, they have to be very wary of an upset.

“At home, every game you try to start intense,” he explained. “We need to try and start against them [Maidstone United] like we would any other game, to try and score early and keep on scoring.

“That’s the aim, and to try and upset their run. Fair play to Maidstone for getting to the fourth round, it’s massive for them and massive for their club, I’m happy for them for sure.”

Beyond that, Broadhead also has a huge international clash coming up, should Wales boss Rob Page select him in his squad for their EURO 2024 Play-Off games in March.

The 25-year-old is hoping to help Wales qualify for EURO 2024 (Image: PA)

The Dragons start by hosting Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium. If they progress, another home tie against Poland or Estonia will await, with the winner heading to Germany in the summer to take their place in Group D alongside Austria, France and the Netherlands.

“As long as I’m scoring goals and creating goals, and staying healthy and fit, it leaves me in good stead for the Euro Play-Offs in March,” Broadhead said.

“Hopefully we can get two wins and qualify – everyone in Wales will be watching, and it will be a big occasion for myself and my family. I’m looking forward to it.”