Ipswich Town are on an incredible run of form that is seeing them challenge pre-season favourites Leicester City in the early running of this season’s Championship.
The two sides have practically matched each other this term and have opened up a gap between themselves and the rest of the pack.
What is more impressive is that the form has been a continuation from last season when Town finished second to gain promotion and were only outside of the top three for one matchday. The jump up to the second tier normally catches some teams out, but the wins and points just keep on coming.
Two Defeats In 2023
In this calendar year, Ipswich Town have only lost two games in all competitions, a 2-1 away defeat to Oxford United on January 21st, and a 4-3 thriller against Leeds United on August 26th this season, a game in which they were 3-1 down after just 20 minutes.
On Saturday, they made light work of another promotion candidate, Preston North End, with a 4-2 win. This was their ninth victory from eleven games and keeps the Tractor Boys just two points off the Foxes at the top, but now eight points clear of third-place Preston.
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Manager Kieran McKenna told TownTV after the match. “It was a great result to finish off the block of games, with some great goals and some great entertainment. There were some bits I didn’t love but we found a way. We scored some great goals and didn’t give up too many chances, so I thought we ended up worthy winners.”
The block of games the boss referred to was five in a two-week span that included a Carabao Cup win over Wolverhampton Wanderers. Ipswich Town racked up 15 goals while conceding 8 in the meantime.
“It looked a tired performance in some ways at the end of a big week, with a massive effort from the players,” McKenna continued.
“There were bits that weren’t perfect and I didn’t think we came out very well at the start of the second half, not with the right energy, but we kept going and the subs brought fresh energy and helped us kill it off.
“But we have to take all of the positives and the players deserve a lot of credit for their performances over this block of games.”
Writer’s View
Ipswich now have a short break before away trips to Rotherham United and Bristol City. The time off will be needed but can sometimes break the momentum.
With not many predicting such high hopes, the start to the season will have taken some by surprise.
It is how the Blues adapt to being hunted in another race for promotion as the season wears on that will test McKenna’s men the most. However, early signs are very promising, and as long as the goals keep flying, in they should be well-equipped to last the distance.
