Conor Chaplin scored twice against Buxton on Sunday. STUART WATSON spoke to the Ipswich Town forward about ‘purple patches’ and being a ‘football geek’.
Goals have come like London buses for Conor Chaplin throughout his career.
He bagged five in eight for Portsmouth in 2016. There was three in four for Coventry in 2019, then seven in seven for Barnsley later that year.
That trend has continued at Ipswich. Five of his 12 goals for the Blues last season came during a seven-game spell between late September and late October. He scored six in seven towards the start of this current campaign.
The hope has to be, therefore, that another batch is on the way following his fine brace in Sunday’s 4-0 home win against Buxton in the FA Cup.
“I’ve been very purple patchy throughout in my career,” admitted the 25-year-old.
“Going right back to the start I’ve always had spells of four or five games where everything seems to go for me, then four, five, six, seven where it doesn’t.
“The number you end up on is ultimately what you look at, but I would probably rather they were spread out a bit more.”
Analysing his recent 12-game goal drought, Chaplin said: “I think people have seen the goals that me and Marcus (Harness) have been getting and are definitely trying to screen us and man-mark us.
“We’ve scored quite a lot of cut-backs this season, but now a lot of people are risking the ball across the face of goal and coming to cut-backs before the cross has even happened.
“That’s a challenge for me. If you’re doing well people are going to try and find ways to make you less effective. It’s exciting to get on the training ground and try and work out other ways to get goals.”
Chaplin has managed to retain a boyish enthusiasm for the game throughout his professional journey.
Raising the subject of the current World Cup instantly brings a broad smile to his face.
“I’ll be watching every game,” he says.
“It will be four games a day for the next three weeks, or whatever it is.
“I love watching England. I’m a big England fan. But if England don’t win it I want Argentina to win it.
“I’m a bit of a geek to be honest with you! I absolutely love it. I watch every single game that’s on. My girlfriend is not always best pleased, but she’s used to it now.
“I think my knowledge of the Football League and players is really good. It was easier when I used to play FIFA as a kid and I would know who plays for Ecuador and Senegal. I have to ask my little brother about that now!”
Footballers loving football isn’t as common as you might think. Many privately admit that the pressure of the professional game takes away its joy.
“You’re right, a lot of people love it as a kid, but then they play it every day, get in and around the politics of football and they lose their love for it,” said Chaplin.
“I genuinely don’t see that happening to me. I could talk about it all day and I could watch it all day. I love it.
“I just love training and trying to get the best out of myself. Then obviously games are the best thing, the best feeling, the best adrenaline rush.”
All that said, even Chaplin was taken by surprise at one Town fan’s recent show of passion for his club.
Lloyd Skeemer contacted Chaplin saying he would give his new son the middle of names ‘Conor Chaplin’ if the Blues front man liked his tweet.
That is absolute nuts🤯😂 I love it, haha!! Let me send the little man a top to mark the occasion👌🏻😂 https://t.co/czKa9EhvzC
— Conor Chaplin (@ConorChaplin10) November 10, 2022
Chaplin obliged and a few weeks later the birth certificate of ‘Arthur Conor Chaplin Skeemer’ was shared.
“That’s a bit mad, a little bit crazy!” said Chaplin.
“Fair play. I completely forgot about the original tweet if I’m honest with you.
“I don’t know if his son, when he grows up, is going to be fuming or happy. It depends who he supports, I guess.
“I’m not sure he’s got much of a choice now though!”
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