We have taken 28 points from their first 11 games of the season, with just one loss v Leeds United and a hard-fought draw away at Huddersfield. That’s 9 wins out of a possible 11 in the Championship so far. And now almost 25% of the season expired.
It is a remarkable achievement for a club that was floundering in the third tier of English football for three seasons before manager Kieran Mckenna took the bull by the horns and with the help of CEO Mark Ashton and the Gamechanger Group, the Tractor Boys seem to have the momentum to go all the way to the Premier League!
Sometimes, I have to pinch myself, because our progress is almost dreamlike at times, and the thought of seeing Town back in the Elite League in my lifetime, has suddenly become a very real possibility! Is it too good to be true? On reflection, I think not!
Later this month, we travel to Yorkshire again to face Rotherham United, who are struggling at the wrong end of the table. They have won just once this season – although they did very well at the Saints the last time out, when they claimed a creditable draw. Their manager Matt Taylor has given them all a week off as they prepare for Town but Taylor has been very candid about their prospects this season.
“There are times when we look like we’re not good enough in the Championship – that’s a horrible thing to say as a manager, a horrible admission – but I believe we are good enough to stay up. I’m pleased with how the players moved the ball in the second half.”
Speaking after the Southampton draw he looked ahead to Ipswich and said, “We have to pick up points when we’re in games, which is what we did today. Now we have to back that up with a rest and then a big performance at home to Ipswich.”
Town has a some very winnable games before December, when we will be truly tested with games against Coventry City, Leeds United, Middlesborough, Leeds United and leaders Leicester. McKenna has a staggering win ratio of 62.2 % over 93 matches, and he will be hoping this continues throughout the month of October and beyond.
As you know Frank, I’ve been a Town fan since 1962, when I was 8. Since then I’ve lived away from Suffolk and overseas for 40 years. Whether we win, lose or draw, my reaction to and interest in The Blues is unchanged.
Except for two great seasons at the turn of the century, our club had been in steady decline since Bobby Robson left us.
In the Marcus Evans/Mick McCarthy era, I dreamt of a return to the good old days but without realistic hope of getting back to the Premier League, doing well and staying there.
Our American owners have done a brilliant job in energising the Tractor Boys. As have Mark Ashton and Kieran McKenna. Kieran is the youngest manager in the Football League and is easily our best manager since Bobby Robson.
Before the season began I was quietly confident that we would do well this season, perhaps scraping into the play offs. Never in my wildest dreams though did I think we would pick up 28 points out of the 33 on offer playing the same brand of exciting football as last season in League 1. Our attack looks every bit as potent as last season although defensively, we push our luck at times and are more prone to conceding sloppy goals. But we are doing brilliantly overall and long may it continue!
Being realistic, Leicester City given the quality of their squad and results so far this season are red hot favourites for automatic promotion. If we can avoid too many injuries in the coming months and strengthen our squad further in the January transfer window, we are very well placed to make the play offs at least.
Hello Richard, and apologies for the long delay in replying. I also do a daily You tube video called “Being Frank On Ipswich Town” with my wife. and this means it takes up a lot of time. More so these days because my wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease a few years ago and she is only 53. I have recently retired but now have another full-time job and it is even more taxing that the other one but hey, after almost 20 years of married life you understand about the power of love. I guess that is why so many hits songs have had that very same title.
As for Ipswich, these are amazing times and I agree with you. In my view, Kieran McKenna is the best manager we have had since Sir Bobby, and if he has the desire to stay with us he could take us with him! For the record, any side that has accumulated 27 points or more in 11 matches have gone up automatically so that should keep us optimistic. Thanks for you detailed reply and maybe we will live to see the the day when we are back in the Premier League in our life time after all!
Hey Frank, so very sorry to to hear about your wife’s illness. My mum developed a similar condition when she was in her early 70’s. Bad enough at that age. Worse, when you are 20 years younger! Wishing you both all of the best.