Time to find Clarke a place in the team?

Like a few of Ipswich's summer recruits, winger Jack Clarke has found the level up somewhat challenging to showcase his evident quality.

However, there is much he offers Kieran McKenna both in the short term - as Town seek to survive in the Premier League - and in the longer term (including a level down should the worst happen).

Clarke, who joined Ipswich from Sunderland in the summer, has struggled to make a consistent impact when called upon by McKenna in a left-wing role. Despite this, he has four assists in 16 appearances - the same amount he accumulated for Sunderland last season in nearly double the number of games.

Consequently, Clarke could make the biggest impact in Town's remaining fixtures by finding the net in the Premier League. His 15 goals for the Mackems last season have been followed up this campaign by just four - all in the FA Cup.

What might have been had Clarke scored late on at Fulham? Instead, his effort cannoned off the post and Fulham broke away and won a penalty to square the match (potentially the most significant of all the marginal moments to go against Town this season).

Infrequent starts will not have been helping the 24-year-old build familiarity with his role at Ipswich - and, of course, starts lead to confidence and confidence leads to goals.

Clarke seems to struggle with second guessing whether to shoot or pass at the key moment. The confident Jack Clarke who terrorised Championship defences (including Town's) last season would not hesitate to pull the trigger when presented with a sight of goal.

While McKenna's style of play favours take-ons into the opposition box, surely the Town boss can find a place to allow Clarke to express himself, not least when Town are struggling to impose themselves in front of goal?

Find more from Richard Woodward at the Blue Monday Podcast