Ipswich Town: A Rocky Yet Hopeful Start to the Premier League

Two years ago, few Ipswich Town fans could have imagined their team facing off against Premier League giants and competing at the pinnacle of English soccer. Even fewer would have predicted that the newly-promoted side would hold their own in the top flight, boasting a 0-0 draw against Brighton and a 2-2 draw against Aston Villa. Under the experienced leadership of Kieran McKenna, along with strategic signings, Ipswich sits just outside the relegation zone after seven games—an impressive feat. As they push forward, Ipswich is shaping up to be one of the most exciting teams to watch this season.

Ipswich Town’s journey to the Premier League has been nothing short of remarkable. After suffering in League One for several seasons, the Tractor Boys secured back-to-back promotions under head coach Kieran McKenna to reach the top flight. This achievement, rarely seen, would be even more impressive if Ipswich manages to avoid relegation this season.

Instead of taking a conservative approach like other newly-promoted sides, including Luton Town, Burnley, and Sheffield United, in the past have done, Ipswich has been bold, spending big in their quest for Premier League survival. Their first major signing was winger Omari Hutchinson, who made his loan move from Chelsea permanent for €23.5 million. Hutchinson, essential in last season’s promotion run, adds speed and creativity on the flanks, which is crucial for a team fighting to avoid relegation.

The signings didn’t stop there. Ipswich secured Jacob Greaves, a highly-rated 23-year-old center-back from Hull City, for €21.5 million. Another standout addition is young center-forward Liam Delap, purchased from Manchester City for €18 million. Delap’s two goals against Aston Villa earned Ipswich a valuable point in a match that could have otherwise been a loss. His contributions this season have solidified his status as one of the league’s rising youngsters.

Ipswich’s spending spree continued with nearly €60 million more spent on key players, such as wingers Jack Clarke and Chiedozie Ogbene, center-back Dara O'Shea, and midfielder Sammie Szmodics. Each of these signings is expected to play a crucial role in boosting Ipswich's survival chances.

Despite the excitement around these new arrivals, Ipswich’s start to the Premier League has been challenging. They opened the season against Liverpool and Manchester City, two of the toughest fixtures in the league. Ipswich held their own for over 60 minutes against Liverpool before Diogo Jota broke through. While they lost 4-1 to Manchester City, Ipswich avoided a complete blowout. So far, they have not lost any match by more than three goals, a promising sign that they can compete with the league's top teams.

However, Ipswich faces a significant challenge: they have yet to win a game. While they have managed to avoid heavy defeats, their inability to secure a victory puts them in a dangerous position: 17th in the table and only one point above 18th-placed Crystal Palace. Missed opportunities in matches against Fulham and Southampton—both of which ended as 1-1 draws—have been frustrating. These are fixtures Ipswich must capitalize on if they are to stay up in the Premier League. Adding to their woes, they were eliminated from the EFL Cup by League Two side AFC Wimbledon in a shock “cupset”.

Looking ahead, Ipswich has several crucial fixtures that could define their season. A must-win game against Everton at home looms large, with Everton sitting in 16th and only managing one win all season. Following that, Ipswich will face Brentford away and fellow newly-promoted side Leicester City at home. These matches offer Ipswich a real chance to claim their first victory and build momentum for the difficult weeks to follow, which include back-to-back fixtures against a struggling Manchester United and an inconsistent Tottenham.

Despite the challenges, Ipswich Town is a team on the rise. With key players like Delap, Hutchinson, and Chaplin making an impact, as well as McKenna's astute leadership, there is every reason for Ipswich fans to be excited. If they can start turning their draws into wins, there is no doubt that the Tractor Boys will be a force to be reckoned with this season and beyond.