It’s been a pre-season like no other for Ipswich Town. A new manager, a revolutionised training ground and just under £150m spent on 12 players (so far), as well as victories over top-flight opposition from France, Spain and Germany, playing front-footed football.
The owners and Mark Ashton have backed Town heavily. At the time of writing, Town are currently the fifth highest spenders worldwide, in this summer’s transfer window, according to Transfermarkt. Did fans ever think we would say that?
New boss Gary O'Neil with Ipswich Town's CEO and chairman Mark Ashton. Picture: Ipswich Town Football Club
New boss Gary O'Neil with Ipswich Town's CEO and chairman Mark Ashton. Picture: Ipswich Town Football Club
Despite the early positivity, I haven’t seen one non-Ipswich pundit, who has predicted Town to stay up. Call it bullish, defiant or downright deluded, but I think that scepticism can only help The Blues make a strong start to a season, which will be crucial for survival.
Much has changed since Town were last in the Premier League. Last season, not one but two of the promoted teams avoided relegation for the first time in three years.
Town have learned from how Leeds and Saturday's opponents Sunderland stayed up, moving away from signing Championship Allstars and towards Premier League experience and overseas talent.
Sunderland’s excellent start was key to their surprise seventh-place finish last season. The Black Cats took 19 points from their first 11 games, accounting for 35.19% of their final points tally.
By contrast, Ipswich did not win a game until their 11th Premier League match of the 2024-25 season and did not win a home game until December. Neither of these feats can be repeated or even come close to being matched if they want to stay up.
O'Neil has a history of starting quickly, averaging 14.3 points from his first 11 league matches at Bournemouth, Wolves and Strasbourg.
If Ipswich can continue O’Neil’s “no fear” football that we have seen so far, then the supporters can quickly turn Portman Road into the feel-good fortress that we enjoyed in the 2023-2024 campaign.