When the Premier League fixture list was unveiled today, it left many of us in disbelief! Portman Road will host Liverpool on August 18th in a Saturday morning clash broadcast live on TNT. Shortly after, Ipswich faces a daunting away trip to the Etihad Stadium to take on four-time Premier League champions Manchester City. It’s enough to make even the most devoted Town supporters apprehensive!
Upon reflecting on our challenging start to our first Premier League campaign in 22 years, I can see potential benefits in confronting English football giants early on. Ipswich currently lacks players involved in Euro 2024, unlike Liverpool and Manchester City. This might give us an opportunity to catch them off guard. Facing these teams early in the season could be advantageous, as they may not yet be in top form.
Starting at home is a comforting thought, as a packed stadium could provide us with a crucial edge in what promises to be an extraordinary return to the top flight. Every match in this division will be fiercely contested, but our home advantage might just help us secure points early on. Regardless, it’s an incredibly thrilling prospect!
The key to our survival in the Premier League lies with Kieran McKenna and his coaching staff. Their continuity is crucial as they understand the squad’s strengths and weaknesses, and the players trust their methods. While I’m excited about the upcoming season, I can’t deny feeling a mix of anticipation and anxiety. A positive start is ideal, but if results don’t go our way initially, we must perform strongly and stay competitive. We certainly don’t want a repeat of our past struggles, such as the 0-5 defeat to Liverpool that contributed to our relegation in 2001-02.