The Imps’ club-record signing was handed his opportunity from the start as City secured a memorable 4-1 victory at Sincil Bank, their first home league win in the second tier since 1961. Ladefoged partnered Ben House in attack and played an important part in an afternoon that saw City recover from a goal down before overwhelming their visitors with three goals in the opening 23 minutes of the second half.
Ladefoged saw an early assist for Andrei Coubiș ruled out by an offside flag. He then put the Imps ahead five minutes after the restart, reacting quickest when Dom Jefferies’ scuffed effort fell into his path, before adding his second with a header from House’s deep cross in the 68th minute. He also had opportunities to complete his hat-trick, narrowly missing the target after being released by House and Adam Reach, and later connecting with an excellent cross from Deji Elerewe.
It was a significant afternoon for the striker, who has had to be patient for his opportunity since arriving at the club. Tom revealed that Ladefoged’s performances in training had been particularly impressive in recent weeks, with the forward adapting to the physical demands of Championship football and the expectations placed upon City’s attacking players.
“Big smile on his face in the dressing room,” said our head coach.
“He’s been excellent since he’s come in, just the last couple of weeks. It’s difficult coming into a new environment, new country, new everything. He looks around, listens to our demands and what we want from that position.
“When we’re Lincoln City in the Championship, it’s a tough slog up there sometimes. You’ve got a lot of work to do. So we’ve worked with him loads. He’s really invested in his development and in his career. He’s taken on loads of information.
“The last couple of weeks, every day in training, he’s been finding the side netting with his finishing and getting above some of our boys in the penalty area. These performances, I just feel they’re rewards for how the lads go about their work from day to day.
“I’m so pleased. We’re so pleased for Mikkel. The group are so pleased for him, but we’re going to keep pushing him. We’ve got some really good centre-forwards, some really good competition.
“What he showed today, that’s the reason we’ve brought him to the football club. He’s a talented player, unique when he’s in that penalty area, what it looks like and the type of delivery you can put in. Delighted for Mikkel, but there’s plenty more to come.”
Ladefoged’s inclusion came after Freddie Draper was ruled out through suspension, with the former Lincoln City academy striker having been a regular choice in attack throughout the opening months of the campaign. Rob Street, who scored in the 2-2 draw at Millwall a week earlier, was another option available to Chris Cohen and Tom, but the coaching staff felt Ladefoged’s attributes were particularly suited to facing Burnley.
His two goals have now presented the management team with an interesting selection decision ahead of the visit of Birmingham City, particularly with Draper available to return. Tom was asked whether the two strikers could eventually feature together, and suggested that the different qualities within City’s forward line would continue to influence team selection depending on the opposition.
“Yes, most definitely, if it’s the right game plan. I think I spoke after the Millwall game. We’ve got such a nice blend in our front line. We’ve got all different attributes, different types of forward, different threats.
“I’d say the last two games have been the two games where, just before kick-off, myself and Chris thought, right, we’ve got the blend right here.
“When you look at our front four in the last two fixtures, there’s a little bit of everything in there which can cause different types of problems, but each game is planned differently.
“As I said, we look at their back line, how can we affect it, and then try and pick the most appropriate profile.
“I look forward to the day where the two lads are up there, definitely, but there’s plenty of others that can contribute and have contributed.”
Ladefoged now has three Championship goals to his name, having previously scored the dramatic late equaliser against Southampton at Sincil Bank. Despite making just one league start, he is already City’s joint-leading scorer this season, alongside House, whose third goal of the campaign came against Burnley.
With Draper returning from suspension, Street having scored at Millwall and House producing another impressive all-round display, competition for places in City’s attack is becoming increasingly strong. However, after an afternoon in which Ladefoged demonstrated exactly what he can offer at Championship level, the Danish striker has given Chris and Tom plenty to consider before their next team selection.
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