Ipswich Town may not have a win yet, but they’ve made a commendable start to their Premier League journey. Kieran McKenna’s team faced tough opponents in Liverpool and Manchester City, putting up a strong fight before earning valuable points against Fulham and Brighton.
Today presents a great opportunity for Ipswich to secure their first win against Southampton in what feels like a crucial relegation battle. To enhance their chances, McKenna should consider dropping Wes Burns from the lineup that drew last weekend.
Why McKenna Should Drop Burns
Burns, who joined Ipswich from Fleetwood Town in June 2021, has been instrumental in the club’s journey. Last season, he made 38 appearances, contributing six goals and four assists. However, his performance against Brighton was underwhelming. Alex Jones from the East Anglian Daily Times rated him 6/10, noting that Burns “struggled to find space” and “looked tired” late in the match.
In 59 minutes on the pitch, Burns recorded an expected assists figure of just 0.01, with only 21 touches and a passing accuracy of 50%. He failed to produce any key passes, shots, or significant contributions, losing possession multiple times. Given the stakes of today’s match, he should be replaced by a more dynamic player.
Why Jack Clarke Should Start
That player could be Jack Clarke, the exciting former Sunderland star who joined Ipswich last month for a fee that could reach £20 million. Clarke has made five appearances for Ipswich, scoring and assisting once, and has the versatility to play on the right, having started 44 matches there in his career.
McKenna has shown a willingness to adapt player positions this season, and Clarke’s talent makes him a valuable asset, even in an unfamiliar role. Last season at Sunderland, he shone with 15 goals and four assists in just 42 appearances, averaging a goal involvement every 2.21 games.
While Burns hasn’t been terrible, he hasn’t posed enough of an attacking threat. For today’s crucial match, McKenna should give Clarke the start, as his ability to create chances and score could be pivotal for Ipswich’s success.