Ipswich Town going to face the same challenge that Luton Town did in Premier League

admin | May 19, 2024 | Other Clubs | No Comments

The last two Championship seasons have seen two teams defy the norm and reach the promised land.

Both Luton and Ipswich Town’s promotions to the Premier League have been nothing short of amazing, with Rob Edwards and Kieran McKenna emerging as two of the most promising young coaches in the country right now.

The two clubs were able to keep a core squad of players when they reached the Championship, and while Ipswich’s rise through the second tier was much faster than the Hatters’, there are numerous blueprints that the Northern Irishman and his recruitment team may need to follow and improve on if they are to maintain their status in a year.

Luton Town’s efforts in the Premier League

Luton have undoubtedly been one of the feel-good tales of recent Premier League seasons, owing to their underdog position, which has greatly influenced their combative spirit in the top division.

Edwards has instilled fearlessness in a side that was destined for relegation as soon as Fankaty Dabo’s penalty flew over the bar in their Play-Off Final victory over Coventry City.

The former Watford manager was then able to bring in a slew of high-quality EFL acquisitions, including Chiedozie Ogbene, Thomas Kaminski, and Tahith Chong, as well as the permanent signing of Marvelous Nakamba, on top of the well-documented additions of Ross Barkley and Andros Townsend.

The latter two have already demonstrated their Premier League talent for former clubs, but in addition to that, they have clearly incorporated the team spirit that was created in the second division.

While not totally mathematical heading into the last game of the season, Luton are all but relegated at this point, but they have paved the way for teams like Ipswich to follow in the future.

Ipswich Town face a similar conundrum in the transfer market

Kieran McKenna’s painstaking tactical precision has perhaps been Ipswich’s greatest strength this season, with eight of the players who started the promotion-clinching game against Huddersfield Town also appearing in the defining 6-0 victory against Exeter City in April 2023.

However, in addition to the spectacular front-footed style that the former Manchester United coach has implemented in Suffolk, there is a similar cohesion that was demonstrated at Kenilworth Road, which may provide a minor problem in the transfer market.

While Ipswich have a better chance of luring players after ending their 22-year absence from the first level, there is a risk that any star talent added to this side could upset the applecart of team spirit that has been built over the last two seasons.

Sam Morsy, for example, would undoubtedly fit into this category, having finally been given the opportunity to play Premier League football at the age of 32. Many outsiders may question the former Wigan Athletic man’s ability in comparison to the calibre of players possessed by other top-flight clubs, but his leadership is everything and more to how McKenna’s side functions, so he could still be a mainstay in the starting lineup alongside any new signings, such as Ben Sheaf, who has been linked with a move after another successful season with Coventry.

The Tractor Boys’ chances of maintaining their Premier League status

At the moment, the only two teams with confirmed Premier League status for next season are Town and Leicester City, and many would argue that on paper, Enzo Maresca’s side is far superior to what the Northern Irishman has at his disposal.

Given the roster adjustments that may be required, it is reasonable that Ipswich would start slowly while also adjusting to the fast-paced style of the Premier League, as all of Luton, Burnley, and Sheffield United can attest.

However, the Hatters provided themselves the best chance of keeping their status due to their unity and underdog mentality. To prove naysayers wrong, Town will need to mimic and improve on those qualities.

In any case, they must get the transfer window right to give themselves the best opportunity possible, with the Sun suggesting the club is likely to spend “several million pounds”.