Ipswich Town returned to winning ways by beating Fulham 2-1 on Saturday, and in doing so, once again proved they belong in the Premier League.
The Tractor Boys have now won three of their opening six matches, needing just one more victory to match their total for the 2024/25 campaign, when they were relegated straight back to the Championship.
Ipswich are still conceding goals at a rate of two per game. That will need reducing drastically if they’re to sustain their positive start. However, Gary O’Neil has found a method to unlock Ipswich’s attacking potential in a way that Kieran McKenna was simply unable to do two years ago.
Even when they go behind, Ipswich always stay in the game. Here, we look at how they’re doing it.
Never say die
Ipswich’s hallmark this season has been their refusal to lie down in games, in stark contrast to their 2024/25 efforts.
Six of their nine points so far have come from losing positions, putting them level with Arsenal and Crystal Palace at the top of this particular metric. Most recently, late strikes from Abdoul Ouattara and Dara O’Shea overturned Ryan Sessegnon‘s opener against Fulham at the weekend, adding to the 3-2 comeback win at Palace in mid-September.
Speaking of late goals, they’ve been a theme. Ipswich have scored in the 90th minute or later in six of their eight competitive games so far this season, including four of their six Premier League games — O’Shea’s 92nd-minute winner on Saturday being just the latest in a long list of last-gasp strikes.
In fact, six of their 14 goals across all competitions were scored at the 90+ mark, while a further four have come after the hour mark, meaning just four of their goals were netted before 60 minutes.
Ipswich’s ability to keep going late in games and find something at the death makes them dangerous, earning them vital points early in the season.
The Blues’ habit of striking late is further reflected by the fact that three of their nine Premier League goals this season have been scored by substitutes. No side has managed more, while their 20% conversion rate from the bench is the fourth-highest in the English top flight.
Counter-attacking
It may come as a surprise, but Ipswich haven’t been overly taxed defensively this season, despite their high rate of goals conceded.
The Tractor Boys are 14th in the Premier League for tackles (88), ninth for clearances (156) and ninth again for possessions won in the defensive third (111). O’Neil’s side are keeping the opposition out through shape and proactivity, ranking seventh for possessions won in the attacking third (24) and high turnovers (27).
Combine that with the fact that Ipswich’s 45.2% average possession share is the fifth-lowest in the division and their route forward becomes clear: counter-attacks.
Ipswich are fifth in the Premier League for shots from fast breaks (8) and sixth for total fast breaks (9), and while these situations have only yielded one goal so far, they have served to unsettle the opposition and force dangerous situations from corners.
Most of Ipswich’s counter-attacking has run through Julio Enciso and Abdul Fatawu. The duo rank fourth (26) and fifth (22), respectively, for take-ons attempted, with Fatawu third for completion (12) and Enciso ninth (10).
Ipswich join Tottenham, Chelsea and Man City as the only sides with more than one player in the top 10 for take-ons attempted, using pacey forwards to devastating effect and ensuring no side can leave the back door open.
Where do Ipswich need to improve?
While there are numerous positives, Ipswich do need to stop giving up so many high-quality chances.
O’Neil’s side are one of just four in the Premier League still without a clean sheet, while only Bournemouth, Newcastle and Chelsea have conceded more goals (all 13).
Ipswich have conceded the fifth-most shots inside the box (61) and the third-most from outside the box (39), showing how they become more passive defensively once the opposition moves into their final third.
Their defensive woes have been particularly apparent away from home.
At Portman Road, Ipswich have conceded just four goals in three games, taking six points along the way, with Liverpool the only side to leave with a result. On the road, however, Ipswich have leaked eight goals, with only Bournemouth (9) conceding more.
Ipswich’s only away win of the season so far was the aforementioned 3-2 at Selhurst Park. That’s particularly worrying when two of their next three games are on the road, first at a Man City side with a perfect record and then a Hull outfit yet to lose on their own turf.
Nevertheless, it’s clear that Ipswich are far better equipped for the Premier League than they were two years ago, making the most of their strengths and finding ways to hang in games to the very end.