Ipswich Town are on the cusp of promotion to the Premier League following a 22-year absence. Stuart Watson gives his thoughts ahead of a momentous day. 

East Anglian Daily Times: Ipswich Town fans celebrate Tuesday night's huge 2-1 win at Coventry City.Ipswich Town fans celebrate Tuesday night's huge 2-1 win at Coventry City. (Image: Pagepix Ltd)

The joyous scenes that followed Tuesday night's nerve-shredding 2-1 victory at Coventry City were understandable.

For the first time since that dramatic Easter Monday win against Southampton, Ipswich Town had tasted victory again. By their standards, it had been a while.

A side who recently came within a kick of the FA Cup Final had been beaten on their own patch. A major hurdle had been overcome.

One point would have been okay. All three points felt monumental. 

East Anglian Daily Times: George Hirst, Conor Chaplin and Leif Davis have all played key roles in Ipswich Town getting to within a point of the Premier League.George Hirst, Conor Chaplin and Leif Davis have all played key roles in Ipswich Town getting to within a point of the Premier League. (Image: PA)

The reason why is that there's a vast difference between 'must win' and 'must not lose' going into today's finale.

Kieran McKenna's men have been defeated in just six Championship games all season. The only team to have left Suffolk with all three points over the last 18 months is Leeds. The league record at Portman Road over that time reads: P38 W27 D10 L1.

Huddersfield, meanwhile, are effectively relegated due to a far inferior goal difference than 21st place Plymouth. Their away league record this season reads: W3 D10 L9.

All of the above is why the bookmakers make the Terriers 12/1 rank outsiders to spoil the promotion party.

East Anglian Daily Times: Ipswich Town have lost just one of their last 38 home league games.Ipswich Town have lost just one of their last 38 home league games. (Image: PA)

This is football though. It doesn't always follow the script. McKenna knows that. He has often referenced that it's ultimately a game of randomness. All it takes is one unfortunate bounce of the ball or a decision from the officials to change the mood in the ground and the flow of a game.

Freak results can happen. Indeed, they've happened under this manager. 

April 2022: Ipswich Town 0 Cambridge United 1. October 2022: Ipswich Town 0 Lincoln City 1. Both those games were decided by scruffy set-piece goals.

The biggest example of all, of course, is the home defeat to Maidstone United in the FA Cup third round back in January. Town had 38 shots, hit the woodwork three times but somehow lost 2-1.

East Anglian Daily Times: Loan players like Omari Hutchinson (centre) and Jeremy Sarmiento (right) have really bought into what it means to be an Ipswich Town player.Loan players like Omari Hutchinson (centre) and Jeremy Sarmiento (right) have really bought into what it means to be an Ipswich Town player. (Image: Pagepix)

Huddersfield proved awkward opposition in reverse fixture. It needed a late Brandon Williams goal to salvage a 1-1 draw. That was in wet/windy conditions though and the Yorkshire club were playing under new boss Darren Moore for the first time. 

Today, the Terriers won't be as motivated. Or will they? Manager André Breitenreiter has said this week that he doesn't think enough of his players care about the club. Might that light a fire under a few? If one or two kids are thrown into the team, they could play with freedom. Remember how Ipswich beat Leeds 3-2 at home on the final day of the 2018/19 season when already relegated?

I know there's been a lot of talk about how Huddersfield won't want to do their Yorkshire rivals Leeds any favours, but that's fans' talk. I can't see that coming into the thinking of a bunch of professional footballers. 
East Anglian Daily Times: Harry Clarke, along with Luke Woolfenden and Cameron Humphreys, are Ipswich-born players in the squad.Harry Clarke, along with Luke Woolfenden and Cameron Humphreys, are Ipswich-born players in the squad. (Image: Steve Waller)

What I do think will be in the sub consciousness of some, however, is not getting injured before a potential summer move. And those that know they are staying, meanwhile, will be contemplating a likely 40/50% relegation pay cut clause in their contracts. 

I don't know about you, but these are the thoughts that have rattled through my mind over the last 72 hours or so.

Ultimately, however, I've been becalmed by a deep-rooted trust in this band of Blues brothers.

This process driven unit has collective promotion pressure experience to draw upon. They've fully bought into ice-cool McKenna's 'one game at a time' mantra and always been able to block out the external noise.

Focused, fit and unified, the players have bought into the owners' call to 'run towards adversity' and the manager's urge to 'attack every game'.

Yes, it's not over until the fat lady sings. Yes, there is still a big job to do. But I have utter faith in this very special group getting a very special achievement over the line.

Sing loud, sing proud and enjoy it if you can. This is a moment to cherish.