Dane Scarlett's Ipswich Town loan spell has unfortunately yet to take off. Starting the term with Tottenham before sealing a season-long move to Portman Road ahead of the summer transfer deadline, the 19-year-old has so far played 118 minutes across nine games for the Tractor Boys.
All nine of those appearances have come off the bench, with the Spurs youngster having quite the challenge on his hands trying to force his way into the starting XI of the Championship high-flyers. Recently making a big impression as a substitute in the 2-2 draw at Birmingham City as the attacker played his part in Kieran McKenna's team from coming from two goals down to leave the Midlands with a point, Scarlett was not rewarded with more playing time as he once again had to contend with minutes here and there in the subsequent fixtures against Rotherham United and Swansea City.
Now that domestic football is set to resume again following the conclusion of the final international break of 2023, the ex-Portsmouth loanee will be intent on making his mark in Suffolk between now and the end of the year as he targets a big 2024.
So why haven't things fallen into place for him at Ipswich so far and will his current situation change? football.london spoke to Ipswich Town reporter Alex Jones of the East Anglian Daily Times and the Ipswich Star to get the lowdown on Scarlett's first three months at Portman Road.
It’s been frustrating, more than anything. Fans were optimistic that he’d have a big impact, with Kieran McKenna previously highlighting his ability ahead of Ipswich’s game against Portsmouth in League One last season. However, some saw the loan as a slightly bizarre move given that he would face fierce competition, with George Hirst, Freddie
Read on football.london