In his final column of 2023/24, American expat, PR professional and Ipswich Town fan James Wall shares his thoughts on the Blues from across the pond....
It’s already started.
No sooner had Town been promoted to the Premier League than the naysayers were out across social media and in the comment sections of newspapers.
Sadly, it began with respected journalists. Thom Gibbs of the Daily Telegraph pronounced in an early headline: “A message to Ipswich fans: Enjoy promotion drama – but get ready to be obliterated.” Another commentator offered “Ipswich fans, enjoy your one season in the billionaire’s league.”
I haven’t checked X, but I’m sure there are many football fans across the globe predicting disaster for Ipswich next season.
Look, they have a point. All three of the promoted sides from last season look to be coming back down, which isn’t exactly a stellar advertisement for the Championship’s top teams. And if it weren’t for points deductions for Everton and Nottingham Forest, it wouldn’t even be close.
So, with all the hype in the media about the great job Kieran McKenna has done, the greatest challenge of his young managerial career awaits. Can he keep us “back in the big time” as journalists called it when Ipswich were promoted to the inaugural Premier League back in 1992?
I think we Ipswich fans are already quietly optimistic about next season. Why is this?
Despite the challenges that lie ahead, there are several compelling reasons why I think Town could well defy the odds and retain their Premier League status next season...
Is McKenna perhaps the best manager in England?
At the helm of our club stands a smart young manager, whose tactical prowess and strategic vision have proven instrumental in guiding the team to back-to-back promotions.
McKenna has instilled a winning mentality within the squad while fostering a cohesive playing style that maximizes the team's strengths. He’s also managed to keep a large squad happy, with even bit-part players realising their value to the squad as a whole.
Not only that, but McKenna also has a keen understanding of the Premier League landscape from his time at Manchester United. He’s coached superstar players in the Champions League, so knows what it takes to succeed in the top football competitions.
In other words, he’s not a Premier League rookie as many promoted managers are.
Shrewd transfer business
In preparation for their successive promotion campaigns, Town's recruitment strategy was marked by astute signings and prudent investments.
Rather than splurging on marquee names, the club focused on acquiring players with either the necessary experience (look at Kieffer Moore in January) or who had great potential (Omari Hutchinson last summer).
I’m really looking forward to the club’s transfer business this summer. I’m guessing McKenna and the recruitment staff have their eyes on several players.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see a few top-end Championship players being recruited - Ben Sheaf from Coventry has been mooted - with one or two players with Premier League experience also being signed.
Squad spirit and cohesion
One of Town's greatest assets is the camaraderie and unity that permeate throughout the squad. After all, this is essentially the same side that was promoted from League One last season.
From seasoned veterans like Sam Morsy and Massimo Luongo to emerging talents like Harry Clarke and Ali Al Hamadi, every player is committed to the collective cause and will share a common goal of preserving the club's Premier League status.
And it’s not just on the pitch that organisation is tight and morale strong. Mark Ashton may prove to be a more astute “signing” than even his own acquisition of McKenna. The CEO’s passion for the game, club and the Ipswich Town “project” is self-evident.
This is clearly a man possessed – he will go to any length to ensure the long-term viability of the club, and I’m sure he and his team will be toiling long hours this summer to prepare for the first season in the top tier since 2002.
Tactical acumen
Within the rigorous landscape of the Premier League, possessing astute tactical insight and a meticulous approach to research and training is indispensable. McKenna stands out as unparalleled in this aspect of the game.
Players consistently laud his supreme attention to detail, noting him as the most scrupulous coach they've come across, with a tireless work ethic rivalled only by his profound passion for the sport.
As has been pointed out, League One is a very different league than the Championship. Ball-in-play time is longer in the latter, for example, requiring a much higher level of fitness.
Last season, McKenna did his research and adapted the style of play accordingly - for example, "resting in possession" became much more important, according to McKenna himself.
I’m sure he’ll be doing the same again this year as he and his team research the Premier League.
Fortress Portman Road
I used to call Portman Road my Saturday “church” when I last lived in Suffolk. Back in those days (early-mid 1990’s) crowds fluctuated wildly from large and vociferous when in the inaugural Premier League to low and stagnant after relegation in ‘94.
But our ardent fanbase is back after years of torpor. The unwavering support of our passionate supporters provides a crucial source of inspiration and motivation for the boys in blue, particularly during tough stretches.
With Portman Road set to reverberate with the deafening roar of loyal fans once again (as it did this season) our players will once more draw strength from their home comforts and use it to their advantage in their quest for Premier League survival.
In conclusion, while the journey ahead may be fraught with challenges and obstacles in the form of mega-clubs like Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool, I predict we’ll do OK next season.
Can we as fans dare to dream of even more success than has been granted us these last two seasons – perhaps in the form of a European campaign or two? I’m guessing that vision has been mooted by Ashton and the board in early planning meetings.
I don’t think their ambitions stop with Premier League survival – they’ll want us to thrive in the top league and see where it takes us.
Am I getting carried away? Let’s see where we are this time next year. In the meantime, let’s enjoy promotion for as long as we can!
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