HIGHLIGHTS
- Takeaway 1: Ipswich Town has made an impressive start to the Championship season, accumulating 12 points out of 15 and exceeding expectations.
- Takeaway 2: The team’s defense has been a concern, having conceded six goals in their last two home games despite their overall strong start.
- Takeaway 3: Key players like Vaclav Hladky, Luke Woolfenden, and Conor Chaplin have made significant contributions to Ipswich’s success so far this season.
Ipswich Town have continued their fine form from the second half of the 2022/23 League One campaign into the initial phases of this season’s Championship.
Before a ball had been kicked , many outsiders fancied Ipswich as potential dark horses for a surprise charge at the play-off places, or at the very least, a comfortable mid-table finish in their first season at second tier level since relegation in 2018/19. Even the most optimistic of Tractor Boys’ fans may not have envisaged Kieran McKenna’s side accumulating 12 points out of a possible 15.
In the midst of their strong start, the Northern Irishman made a total of 6 signings, adding further depth to his squad. So with that in mind, what does Ipswich’s strongest possible XI look like at the close of the transfer window.
Vaclav Hladky
Hladky, who was thrown into the mix after Christian Walton suffered a foot injury, has shown himself to be a suitable replacement, keeping two clean sheets in the team’s first five games of the current season. WhoScored, which has the Czech Republic in their August Team of the Month with an average rating of 7.2, supports this as well.
Perhaps one area of concern for McKenna is that despite winning 3-2 against Cardiff, Town have shipped six goals in their last two home outings.
Harry Clarke
Clarke has started 2 of Ipswich’s league games so far, after Janoi Donacien sustained a groin injury prior to their home defeat to Leeds. However, the 22-year-old local boy provides adequate quality for McKenna, and will look to add to his two goals for the club.
The full-back will also be driven on by his spell at this level at Stoke City last season, which was ultimately cut short.
Luke Woolfenden
Woolfenden, who was a part of Town’s defence last season when it was only broken 35 times, has enjoyed a decent start to this season. The recent academy graduate scored in the 2-0 victory over Stoke, posing a threat at the other end of the pitch. The center-back has an overall WhoScored rating of 7.03 and has won 2.6 aerial duels per 90 minutes on average thus far.
Cameron Burgess
Burgess’ first call-up to the Australian national team is the result of his strong thus far performances.
He and Woolfenden have maintained their excellent record from the previous season, and Burgess has averaged a high number of aerial duels won per 90, at 3.2.
Leif Davis.
Davis has already shown his capabilities at Championship level with Leeds and Bournemouth, and hasn’t had to aclimatise much to the level so far this campaign, as he continues to be a key weapon for Town from left-back.
After accumulating a league-high of 14 assists last season in the third tier, Davis has already added one to his name so far, assisting Nathan Broadhead in the opening day win at Sunderland.
Sam Morsy
With Town’s early-season success, the club captain is a lock to start in the centre of midfield. He has so far displayed both sides of his game.
With a successful pass rate of 82.4% and 2 assists, Morsy has demonstrated both the creative and steely sides of his game. He has also received three additional yellow cards
Taylor, Jack
Whilst the summer signing didn’t start in Ipswich’s comeback win against Cardiff, he gets into this team over Massimo Luongo.
The 15 goal contributions Taylor managed last season is hard to ignore, and he has already got off the mark for his new club, doing so in the EFL Cup win over Bristol Rovers.
However, Luongo does provide stern competition, so it could be a battle between the two for the second holding midfield spot.
Wes Burns
With one assist so far this year and an average of 1.6 shots per game, Burns is still a reliable option for Kieran McKenna on the right wing.
The winger will be looking to add further numbers to his game after contributing to 19 of Ipswich’s 101 strikes last term. His average rating of 7.04 so far this campaign does echo another steady string of performances.
Conor Chaplin
The 26-year-old Chaplin has carried on where he left off after scoring 26 goals last season, and he is a key component of McKenna’s team’s strategy.
Town’s offensive style of play has been on full display so far this season, with 18.6 shots per game on average, which is tied for the most with Watford and Southampton. 5.2 of these per 90 have been attributed to Chaplin, with two of those finding the net.
He has definitely made a strong start on his and the Tractor Boys return to the division.
Nathan Broadhead
Ipswich’s top player thus far this season has been Broadhead, as evidenced by his statistics of 3 goals and 1 assist from an average of 3.6 shots per game.
The Welshman, who joined Town in January after leaving Wigan in the middle of their own Second Division relegation scrap, has had an explosive start to his Town career. He is more than making a point that he is Championship standard.
McKenna now has a selection of four men to potentially lead the line in Town’s next fixture against Sheffield Wednesday, and Freddie Ladapo has definitely staked his claim for a first start of the season after scoring twice off the bench against Cardiff.
Whilst Hirst has led the line and also has a goal to his name so far this season, from Ladapo’s point of view, you’d feel he would grow increasingly frustrated if he wasn’t to be in the starting lineup.
After Town finalised the loan signing of Dane Scarlett, he is facing additional competition.
