At the beginning of August, Ipswich manager Paul Lambert publicly expressed his concerns about the lack of incomings at Portman Road.
The Scot, who was tasked with guiding the Tractor Boys back to the Championship at the first time of asking, had become visibly frustrated with owner Marcus Evans‘ stringent ways, but that early season exasperation has been largely assuaged by Ipswich’s unbeaten start to the campaign. Despite the lack of business this summer, the squad is looking extremely healthy, and there is now plenty of competition for places in Suffolk.
The Tractor Boys find themselves at the summit of League One heading into September, and although one of their four victories came against an underprepared Bolton side, Lambert’s men have collected 14 points from a possible 18. They’ve netted 14 times, and have conceded on just four occasions. They’ve quickly established themselves as early-season promotion contenders, and the balance of their squad has enabled them to hit the ground running.
Paul Hurst’s Ipswich
2018-19
14 games
9 points
Bottom of the leaguePaul Lambert’s Ipswich
2019-20
6 games
14 points
Top of the leagueReincarnation #ITFC pic.twitter.com/wUpJURha0R
— Renegade Statman (@chompx3) August 31, 2019
Whilst many of their rivals were making eye-catching signings in the summer transfer window, Ipswich were forced to turn to the likes of free-agents James Wilson and Will Keane in order to bulk out their squad. One notable market move was the capture of Tranmere striker James Norwood, although the club didn’t pay a fee for the prolific 28-year-old. A late move for Colchester right-back Kane Vincent-Young went largely under the radar, but outside of these two arrivals, it was a quiet summer at Portman Road.
Paul Lambert has relied upon many of last season’s recruits, whilst some of those players who had underperformed in the second tier have seemingly taken their chance in League One. Ipswich are now just one win shy of last season’s total (5), and youngsters such as Flynn Downes and Luke Woolfenden are seemingly benefiting from the added responsibility which has been forced upon them. Despite a number of academy players getting game time this season, Ipswich actually have one of the oldest squads in the division with an average age of 26.
Since replacing Paul Hurst at the end of October, Lambert has exuded positivity, and despite overseeing the club’s inevitable relegation, he has galvanised Portman Road, and got the fans back on side. He oversaw just four victories last season, including a sensational final-day win against promotion hopefuls Leeds. The Whites are 11/8 favourites for promotion in the Championship betting markets this season, but Marcelo Bielsa’s men fell to a last-gasp Collin Quaner strike at the beginning of May.
Going to Portman road has now become a pleasure, an experience & an occasion instead of a painful punishment, brought about by 1 man, Paul lambert #itfc pic.twitter.com/jFPo6RfaCf
— paul seear (@tractorboy60) September 1, 2019
With Freddie Sears due to return in November, Toto Nsiala and Jon Nolan back from injury, as well as Emyr Huws slowly getting back to his full fitness, Ipswich are extremely well stocked, and have adequate cover in every position. Although some fans were hoping for a major squad overhaul this summer, the conservative and thrifty approach may actually have helped the squad fully prepare for League One. The new signings have seemingly bedded in quickly, and they haven’t upset the harmony of the camp, which has helped the club to make an impressively fast start.
Paul Lambert may have wished for more financial support from his chairman over the last couple of months, but Marcus Evans’ tight control over the purse strings may actually prove to be hugely beneficial, and help with continuity. Ipswich have made a superb start to the season, and although there is still a long way to go, they appear to have an adequately sized squad to cope with the endeavours of League One football. The glamour signings may not have made their way to Suffolk this summer, but the club are in a very healthy position, and with the help of one or two signings, they now appear to have the perfect blend of youth and experience.
