When Ipswich Town last suffered relegation from the Premier League, it's unlikely they were expecting such a long exile from England's top flight.
Indeed, the last time the Tractor Boys slipped back down to the English Football League, it took them nearly two decades to return to the big-time, having found themselves marooned in the second tier and League One season after season after dropping out of the top division back in 2002.
Darren-Bent
Despite sinking back down and struggling to get back up, Ipswich did uncover a gem around this time in Darren Bent, who would later leave the building in 2005 for Charlton Athletic to forge a very successful Premier League career.
Darren Bent's heroics at Ipswich
Before going on to play for the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa, on top of an England call-up or two, Bent's humble beginnings originated in Suffolk.
In total, the now retired centre-forward picked up 56 of his 218 career strikes at Portman Road, with the-then wide-eyed Bent very much garnering a reputation for being a deadly finisher with his boyhood club.
Bent's G/A record by season at Ipswich
Season
04/05
03/04
02/03
01/02
Sourced by Transfermarkt
A move up to the Premier League with the Addicks happened at the close of his most impactful season in Suffolk, with Bent accumulating a blistering 35 combined goals and assists during the 2003/04 campaign, which then resulted in a big £3m move to the Valley occurring.
The well-travelled striker is still held in high regard at Ipswich to this day, but there is another forward in McKenna's current ranks who possesses the same clinical edge Bent was known for and he could well make the relegation-threatened club a sizeable profit soon.
Ipswich's brand-new Bent
There are parallels to be made between the disappointing relegation suffered by Ipswich in 2002 and the Tractor Boys' current unfolding campaign, with George Burley taking Ipswich down in 18th spot, the same position they currently occupy under McKenna's rule.
Darren-Bent-Ipswich
That's hopefully where the parallels end in terms of league positions and fates come the end of the 38-game marathon.
That said, Liam Delap in the here and now has become Ipswich's second iteration of Bent; he's direct, can score goals and he's quick. What's not to like?
Delap has definitely lived up to his bumper £20m price-tag this season with a hefty haul of ten goals and two assists next to his name in Premier League action, leading to Bent actually praising the ex-Manchester City man as a more than capable top-flight calibre attacker.
Described as a "one-man battering ram," by Opta Analyst, his double digits in front of goal have even seen Chelsea reportedly emerge as frontrunners for his signature, with Ipswich very much facing a losing battle to keep the young forward around even if they do secure survival.
Delap's numbers this season
Stat
Games played
Goals scored
Assists
Value when joining
Reported value now
Value increase
Sourced by Transfermarkt
It's safe to say that the Tractor Boys really did strike gold securing the lethal marksman's services for a modest £20m, considering reports now suggest he's worth an increased fee around the £40m ballpark, representing an increase in value of 100% over the course of a whirlwind few months.
Delap will hope he can further emulate Bent in solidifying himself as a reliable source of Premier League goals moving forward, whether that be with Ipswich or - as Bent had to do - having to spread his wings for opportunities elsewhere.
Kieran-McKenna Related
[Ipswich must rue losing the "best CB outside of the top five leagues"](https://www.footballfancast.com/ipswich-must-rue-losing-cameron-carter-vickers-ben-godfrey/ "Ipswich must rue losing the "best CB outside of the top five leagues"")
Ipswich Town would love to have this defender back on their books to replace Ben Godfrey.