Paul Warne and Freddie Ladapo both left Rotherham for League One as they both wanted to make names for themselves
IPSWICH striker Freddie Ladapo says he and Derby boss Paul Warne both left Rotherham to make names for themselves.
And today they face each other at Pride Park in a crunch League One clash with both bidding to win their second promotion in a row to the Championship — having done it with the Millers last season.
Third-placed Ipswich have a huge chance to go up automatically after six wins on the bounce put them within five points of Sheffield Wednesday while also having a game in hand.
Meanwhile, the Rams will almost certainly need to do it via the play-offs, desperately trying to keep their place in the top six with Peterborough, Wycombe and Portsmouth hot on their heels.
Ladapo, 30, was released from his Rotherham contract by Warne in the summer to allow him to take up a new challenge with the Tractor Boys — while his old boss opted to also drop back down a division to take over at Derby in September.
And the Ipswich striker said: “We’ve both left for the same reasons. Ipswich and Derby are huge clubs and you get to make a name for yourself.
“Warney is a lovable character, especially for the fans. He’s someone who gives everything to everyone and wears his heart on his sleeve.
“He always makes sure players are happy and, although I didn’t appreciate it before, allowed me to find something new in my career.
“It was a choice that I wanted.
“We still message each other from time to time. He’s a person who understands this league and what it takes to get out of the division.”
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Ladapo has netted 16 goals so far this season — 12 in the league — and is offering his promotion know-how to a club that is now in its third season in League One after relegation from the Championship.
He said: “As a footballer you’re interested in projects like Ipswich. You look at the place and see 30,000 every week, a huge club.
“You want to do well at a club like this and create memories you’ll forever hold on to.
“Also with a young talented manager like Kieran McKenna here, you could tell something was brewing and I wanted to be part of it.”
Despite Ipswich’s hot form, Ladapo knows you can take nothing for granted in League One.
Take Sheffield Wednesday for example, who were top of the table and seemingly coasting to automatic promotion after five wins on the bounce.
But the Owls have now only taken two points from their last four games, have been overtaken by Plymouth and now are nervously looking over their shoulders at Ipswich and Barnsley.
Ladapo said: “I’ve played a lot in League One and what I’ve noticed is many teams have good runs. You see clubs go 10, 15, even 20 unbeaten, everything is rosy and everyone says you’re going to get promoted.
“But suddenly these teams hit a dry run and everyone starts worrying you’re going to drop out of the promotion picture.
“What has been key for us this season is that when we’ve not been at our best, we’ve still not been losing. We’ve only lost four all season — the lowest in the division.
“So in games where it hasn’t happened, we’ve still managed to get a point. That’s been massive for us.”
Ladapo wants to end the season as club top scorer but is currently three behind midfielder Conor Chaplin’s 19 in all competitions.
But his form has picked up since Ipswich signed fellow frontman George Hirst on loan from Leicester.
He said: “The competition has helped. You want to not only compete against your opponents but your team-mates.
“There is plenty of banter flying around between me and Conor as to who is going to end up top scorer. Hopefully it’ll be me!”