The Tractor Boys are back in business and flying high after a tremendous start to the season as they have registered only 1 loss in their first 13 league games of the season.
This season marks the return of Ipswich to the Championship after being relegated in the 2018/2019 season finishing rock bottom. Their stint in League One was not pleasant either, having finished 10th, 9th and 11th before their automatic promotion last season as runners up. However, since securing their automatic promotion last season, they have been in blistering form, having only lost in a thrilling 4-3 game to Leeds United towards the end of August.
The main cause of all of this has to be their manager, Kieran McKenna. McKenna was brought into the fold at just 35 years old and having not managed a team on a full time basis until then, having previously worked within the Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur managerial set-ups. His first full campaign with the club was their subsequent automatic promotion back into the Championship last season. During this time, his side had scored 101 goals through the league campaign and had only conceded 35 games across their 46 game season. In comparison, the previous season for Ipswich saw them score 67 goals and concede 46 goals; a far cry from their soon to be success.
McKenna utilising everyone in his attacks has been key, especially for their hot start at the start of this season. Their goals and assists are spread out across the team showing a strong sense of cohesion fans have been waiting desperately for. Welsh winger Nathan Broadhead is currently their top goalscorer this season having already gotten 6 goals and 1 assist in the 11 matches that he has played. Another has been forward Conor Chaplin who has set into a fantastic start to the season, having 5 goals and 2 assists in 13 matches so far. However, the fullbacks have shone just as bright so far this season. Left back Leif Davis has 6 assists in 12 matches so far, proving himself to be a key commodity to the attacking prowess of the team. Brandon Williams on the right hand side of defence already has 2 goals to his name in 10 matches.
This gives Ipswich fans hope as their team are attacking with full confidence in their abilities, having already scored 29 goals in just their first 13 games, showing they have not slowed down up front, despite the step up in league and competition.
As well as this, their side is youthful on top of this, helping fans to fantasise about a potential future. Their squad has an average age of 26.5 years old, showing a level of maturity whilst also a potential to reach bigger heights. Time can only tell if this is the start of something extraordinary but back to back promotions to the Premier League are not impossible...
Currently, the Tractor Boys sit 5 points away from the league leading foxes, Leicester City. However, they have a game in hand which could bring them as close as 2 points to the league leaders. Their next league game is away to Birmingham City on Saturday November 4th.