The Local Lowdown: Ipswich Town

Ipswich were involved in an amazing League One promotion race last season, finishing with 98 points. What was the team’s success built on?

Elite-level coaching from Kieran McKenna and his staff underpinned everything. There had already been vast improvement in both individuals and the team as a whole during his first year in charge, but a superb January transfer window then took things to a new level as Harry Clarke, Massimo Luongo, Nathan Broadhead and George Hirst all made massive impacts. The manner in which promotion was achieved – 13 wins from the final 15 games – was quite remarkable.

Kieran McKenna and Russell Martin are the two youngest managers in the Championship. How highly do you rate the job McKenna has done and how would you describe his playing philosophy?

I can't speak highly enough of Kieran McKenna and neither can his players. He's calm, articulate and methodical. Those who work under him talk about how he makes every member of the squad feel valued and his incredible level of detail when preparing for games.

He's described his playing style as 'positive, aggressive, balanced and adaptable'. It's a very fluid 4-2-3-1 system with plenty of moving parts.

You don't become assistant manager of Manchester United in your 30s by chance. The Northern Irishman baulks at the idea he's a rookie given he spent years learning his craft after a chronic hip problem ended his promising playing career at 22.

Signing him to a new four-year deal this summer was huge. There'll come a point in the future, I'm sure, when Premier League big guns come calling.

Kieran McKenna has earned many plaudits as Ipswich boss. (Photo: Steve Bardens/Getty Images)

Many experts were tipping Ipswich to challenge for back-to-back promotions even before a ball was kicked this season. What was the general expectation within the club and fanbase?

There's no doubting the major feel-good factor at present. Following years of miserable, drawn-out stagnation, the club has been reinvigorated by ambitious new American owners and the aforementioned McKenna. Ending a four-year stay in League One sparked an outpouring of emotion from a long-frustrated fanbase.

The club is backed by a $17billion Arizona pension fund and senior figures have made no secret of their 'healthy impatience'. The ultimate ambition is to get a fallen giant back in the Premier League for the first time since 2002.

I can't speak for all fans, of course, but I get the feeling many are uncomfortable with the external 'back-to-back promotion' talk, which has only intensified since Ipswich became the first newly-promoted Championship side since Southampton in 2011/12 to win their opening three games. Most, I think, are hopeful of the team being in the top-six mix but, above all else, are just happy to enjoy this current exciting ride.

It’s been a flying start with four wins out of five in the league. How has the team evolved since last season and who are the players to watch?

Ipswich dominated possession in pretty much every game on their way to League One promotion but have evolved into more a rapid counter-attacking side – especiallly on the road – following the step up.

The tireless Leif Davis is an assist machine from left-back – I can see him following in the footsteps of Aaron Cresswell and Tyrone Mings and becoming a Premier League player. Sam Morsy is a Championship-hardened leader who holds it all together in midfield, Nathan Broadhead provides some X-Factor in the final third, while Conor Chaplin is a proper fox in the box.

Conor Chaplin celebrates his winning goal against QPR. (Photo: Steve Bardens/Getty Images)

New Saints signing Flynn Downes spent 15 years on Ipswich’s books, having come through the Academy and played 99 times for the first team. How is he remembered by Town fans?

His affable Essex-boy demeanour, coupled with an ultra-competitive edge on the field, made him a firm fans' favourite when he first broke through (he once got sent off in a pre-season friendly for headbutting an opponent). Paul Lambert even gave him the captain's armband a few times when he was only 20.

In the end he left the club on a bit of a sour note though. A transfer request was rejected in 2020, after the club had turned down bids from Crystal Palace, and he was eventually sold one injury-hit year later to Swansea.

I'm intrigued by what sort of reception he gets from the travelling Town fans (I hope it's respectful). I'm also looking forward to seeing him do battle with Morsy!

How do you see the game going?

McKenna vowed to attack the Championship and has been true to his word so far. Ahead of the recent international break, Ipswich followed up a 4-3 home defeat to Leeds (which could have ended 6-6) by coming from two goals down to beat Cardiff 3-2.

Looking at some of Southampton's results, we could well be in for goals!

Main image: Paul Childs/Action Images