Ipswich Town winger Jaden Philogene keeps trying the same trick and it keeps working.

Seven times this season, he has cut in from the left onto his right foot in front of the South Stand, curling a shot past the goalkeeper to score for his side. Few teams have found a way to stop him this season.

“I’m not surprised, but it’s football, you know?” he said. “As long as I keep trying it, it’s going to come off.”

Portman Road is his happy place. All 10 of his goals in all competitions have come on Suffolk soil. There’s just something about the place.

“When I get the fans up and going, it feels like I’m doing a good job,” Philogene explained.

“Get the fans going, get my team-mates going and playing well. Let’s hope we can get the win [tomorrow].”

After a busy Christmas period, the Blues have had a sporadic run of games. They have played just twice in 2026, with their trip to Fratton Park to face Portsmouth postponed due to a frozen pitch.

“I think the team will find their groove as soon as we get back out on the pitch,” he argued. “It doesn’t matter.

Philogene scored his 10th goal of the season in the Blues’ FA Cup win against Blackpool last weekend

“We want to play as much as we can, back-to-back, but it’s good to get a break as well. It’s fine.”

December was, of course, a good period for everyone associated with Ipswich, who registered four wins, two draws and one defeat in that time.

As a result, manager Kieran McKenna picked up the Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month reward, which Philogene believes is thoroughly deserved.

“I’m pleased, of course,” he stated. “I’m not surprised.

“He’s doing a good job, him and the staff. He’s improved me a lot, especially playing inside in the pocket as well. It’s not just on the touchline. He’s helped me.

“The attacking coaching staff too – Sone [Aluko] and Junior [Stanislas] – have helped me a lot as well.”

Does McKenna encourage Philogene to enjoy himself on the ball, or is it all about discipline and defensive contributions?

“He says both,” the 23-year-old revealed.

“When I get on the ball, just be myself. But off the ball, he makes me run back, get in position and help Leify [Davis], help the team. I think I’m doing that well.

“As much as it helps the team, it helps me to do the dirty work.”

Philogene faces fierce competition from Jack Clarke – the second-top scorer in the team – to start on the left.

 

While McKenna may face a selection headache, Philogene enjoys having competition for minutes.

“I think we’re both playing well,” he said. “Football is a competition sport, so as long as we both keep doing our thing, we’ll both get opportunities to play.

“I think we’re pushing each other.”

Clarke ended up in the no.10 role in Town’s FA Cup victory against Blackpool, allowing both men to play in the same team. Can Philogene do the same?

“If the gaffer needs me there, I can play there, 100 percent,” he replied.

“But I like drifting in, staying wide, rotating.”

Philogene didn’t enjoy playing on the right, however, which he had to do in the second half of last season after signing for Ipswich.

With Wes Burns [ACL] and Chiedozie Ogbene [Achilles] both sidelined, it was up to him to take up that role in the Premier League.

“It was hard, but it’s a team sport,” he admitted. “You have to do what’s best for the team.

“The Premier League is a bit tougher. It’s probably more physical, so I had to adapt my game to get around it.

“I think I did it well.”

Asked how he found life with the Blues after signing, Philogene responded: “It’s been tough mentally, but I got on with it. I’m doing well now.

“Obviously we were in the Premier League, got relegated. Now we’re trying to fight to get back into the Prem.

Philogene has built up a strong friendship with Town team-mate Cedric Kipre (Image: Ross Halls)

“I think we’re doing quite a good job right now. We’ve got to keep going.

“We’re in a good space right now, mentally and physically. We have a lot of players fit and we’re all hungry. We’ll see where we’re going to go.

“I think that’s everyone’s goal – especially mine, to get the team promoted into the Premier League.”

Having one or two familiar faces around him certainly helps. Philogene has struck up a strong relationship with Cedric Kipre, getting him involved in his celebration after scoring against Stoke City last month.

“It’s from Cardiff as well,” Philogene said of their friendship. “So I’ve known him for quite a long time.

“That celebration, I copied it from Neymar. I did it and told Ceddy to get involved.

“He’s a top player. Very good.”

Another familiar face will be back at Portman Road next week, as former Ipswich skipper Sam Morsy returns to face the Blues for the first time, having joined Bristol City earlier in the January transfer window.

“He welcomed me into the club as soon as I got here,” Philogene enthused. “He’s a good skipper and a good person as well.”