One thing that Freddie Ladapo loves is finding the back of the net, and that is exactly why Paul Warne brought him to the AESSEAL New York Stadium. The 26-year-old registered a tally of 19 strikes for Plymouth Argyle during the 2018/19 campaign, and he is showing the same scoring instincts now he dons a Millers shirt.
Despite having a spell on the sidelines through injury during October and then facing a difficult task of dislodging the in-form figure of Michael Smith, Ladapo has enjoyed a fruitful week having notched two goals from the bench against MK Dons before marking a place in the starting line-up with a double at Portsmouth on Tuesday.
"I'm buzzing to be back involved and scoring goals. It has been a good time for me in the last couple of games, especially with it being so lively and entertaining, and a lot has happened,” Ladapo enthused.
"Being two down at MK Dons before going on to win and then coming from behind twice at Pompey in what unfortunately turned out to be a defeat means it has been a crazy week or so, but we have performed well and it means a lot for me to be back on the pitch.
"Richie Barker actually said to me that I had one more chance to prove myself from the penalty spot after missing that one at MK, so I had to make sure I tucked the one away at Fratton Park!
"I'm thankful for him and the gaffer for still having faith in me to put me up to take it, and I was very happy to score it. That sealed what I think was my eighth brace since the start of last season, and I've had a lot of chances to turn them into hat-tricks to be fair.”
The Millers have a break from Sky Bet League One action this weekend as they make the trip to the SportNation,Bet Stadium on Monday evening, and with the television cameras also in attendance, all eyes will be on the Emirates FA Cup Second Round tie against National League side Solihull Moors.
Having already featured against a team from the same division in the opening round of the competition, Ladapo acknowledges that it’s another fixture that he and his teammates can’t take lightly, and he’ll be hoping to continue in the same vein of form should he be selected.
"It's a big game for us on Monday too in the FA Cup, and winning is a habit like everything else is. Our aim is just to take the same values into every fixture we play, whether that be in the league or a cup competition - the drive and the aggression remains the same,” the striker told www.themillers.co.uk.
“We’ve showcased brilliant character over the last few weeks and we’ll need to be at our best to see off a Solihull Moors side who will be in high spirits. They’re second in their league and they picked up an emphatic victory in the week, so we’re under no illusions as to how tough of a tie it is.”