What do you think of the Premier League experience so far? I know it’s a bit early, and it will take some getting used to, but so far I’m feeling positive about it.
It’s certainly different. After more than 20 years of basically being ignored - or at best being mentioned as a mere footnote - suddenly we’re back in the national spotlight. TV, radio, the papers - we get coverage in all of the mainstream media. Most of it is ok, but some is annoyingly patronising. They don’t quite say “Little Ipswich, bless them” but they can come close!
Our players have a much higher profile. When was the last time three Town players featured in the same international team? Probably back to the days of Mills, Mariner and Butcher? That’s what happened on Saturday night, when Sammie Szmodics, Chiedozie Ogbene, and Dara O’Shea all played for Ireland against England, and all did well, from what I could see. In fact, Ogbene was named Ireland’s player of the match.
The next step, hopefully, will be to see a Town player pull on the England shirt in a full international, something we haven’t seen in many a year.
My favourite for that honour is Omari Hutchinson, although his first under-21 call-up ended early when he was sent back to Ipswich for medical assessment. Let’s hope upon hope that it’s nothing serious. We can’t be without our budding superstar.
As far as our prospects are concerned, I swing between positive and worried. The Fulham game gave me great hope. I know logic doesn’t always apply in football, but I reckon Fulham will finish mid-table and we more than matched them.
But then, being a natural worrier, I make the mistake of looking ahead at our fixtures and trying to work out how many points we’re going to get. That’s when I start getting concerned. I know, I know - it’s a mugs’ game and I should live for the moment, take each game as it comes, and all that.
Reassuringly, we are not alone. We spent the weekend with old friends in the midlands. He’s a Leicester fan, and she supports Wolves. Currently, we are all members of the Single Point Club for 2024-25! They are just as nervous as I am, even though Wolves have been in the top flight for several seasons and are, in theory at least, established. Well, as established as any club outside the “Big Six” can be.
Just like us, they spend time trying to identify three teams worse than their team, to provide some comfort. Like me, they always include Everton in that list, and then correct themselves when they remember it’s against the law for Everton to go down!
Of course, our calculations had to be rebooted when it was announced that Leicester had escaped a points deduction due to a loophole. So they’re back on a level playing field with us. Shame...
This season, surely all Town fans would accept 17th place. Based on very early evidence, I think we can do better than that. It would be a great achievement.
But then, being me, I start overthinking it. I don’t want our Premier League existence to be a grim struggle for survival season after season. That really wouldn’t be much fun.
I look at Brighton to offer hope. They are, historically, a smaller club than us but have made so many good decisions. Sensible but ambitious leadership has seen them qualify for Europe after finishing sixth.
If we could follow a similar path, that would be fantastic. Brighton have shown it’s possible as have, to an extent, clubs like Bournemouth and Brentford.
We travel to Brighton next Saturday. It will be really interesting to see how we measure up against a team who are a few seasons ahead of us in terms of development. A point would be very good.
On balance, I’m feeling positive, because our club is in such very good hands, both on and off the pitch. There will inevitably be some tough days, but I believe the future could be as bright as our Ed Sheeran-inspired pink shirts.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here