After having a few mins this morning to actually sit down and peruse the forthcoming fixtures list I was inclined to ask myself one question....... 'Is there really any teams this year we should really fear?' ......and I found myself answering.... 'no...not really!' Apart form the obvious fact that I'm probably going loopy by asking and answering questions by myself...what does anyone else think?..... Discuss.......
On paper, it looks like we've been given a favourable start to the season, particularly with four home games (including the cup match). In my opinion, it's too early to start making predictions on where we'll finish, but I hope we can push for the play-offs again this season and go one better. It remains to be seen what we will do with the Mings cash, but I hope it gets invested wisely and in Mick McCarthy, I think we've got the right manager to do that. With regards to teams I fear, it's true there isn't a particularly stand-out side that will be expected to walk the division. Out of the relegated sides, I believe if Hull can keep Bruce and most of their squad, then they'll be up there. Likewise with Sean Dyche's Burnley, who will be eyeing an immediate return. QPR are a bit different in that they will have to overhaul their squad, so I expect more of a transitional season for them, arguably similar to Fulham last season, but they still possess good players for this level. As for the promoted sides, who have a knack of doing well in this division lately, we should write off Bristol City, MK Dons, and Preston at our own peril. I think out of those teams, Bristol seem the better poised to make an impression at the top end of the table. Other than that, we have a habit of struggling against Reading, Middlesbrough, Blackburn, and Birmingham in recent seasons, so I'll be wary when we play them.
The beauty of this league is that you can go into every game with the objective of winning and, in most cases gunning for a promotion spot. I genuinely hope Ipswich can compete for a promotion place next season but I suspect it will be a struggle. I think teams like Burnley, Middlesbrough, Blackburn, Hull and perhaps Derby again will be too strong. Perhaps it may come down to how the transfer cash is invested (or not) especially if Murphy exits too. With respect I felt Ipswich performed well beyond the squads 'apparent' capability last season so it will be interesting to see if Mick can drive the same level of relatively high performance again.
