Could the two new signings in the January transfer window prove to be the catalyst for Ipswich Town’s promotion charge back to the Premier League.
It looked to be the case and with reasons for high optimism from yesterday’s (Saturday, February 7) 2-1 victory at Derby County.
Over 3,000 Super Blues fans made the journey to Pride Park in the East Midlands and came away delighted with the three points.
It’s the nature of the Championship that other games in the division went in the Town’s favour with Coventry drawing 0-0 at home to the 10 men of Oxford United and Hull City going down 3-2 to Bristol City.
It meant Ipswich put themselves firmly back in the running for an automatic promotion spot after losing at Sheffield United and drawing at home to Preston North End in the previous two games.
Ipswich now sit in third place, five points away from Coventry, four off Middlesbrough who have a tough away fixture at Sheffield United tomorrow, and with a mix of teams vying for the play off places that go right down as far as Southampton in 14th spot.
Anis Mehmeti has hit the ground running since arriving in a £3.5m deal from Bristol City, and had a hand in both of Town’s goals.
Firstly his corner early in the game was headed into his own net by former Ipswich midfielder Lewis Travis, who was later sent off, and Mehmeti was also instrumental in Leif Davis’ winner in the 77th minute.
Playing in the No.10 role while Marcelino Nunez is sidelined, his work ethic, dribbling and ability to execute a through ball have really caught the eye.
The 24-year-old’s debut off the bench at Sheffield was followed up with a man of the match performance against Preston and he was again the outright player of the encounter yesterday.
And the other January signing, Sunderland loanee Dan Neil, produced a highly encouraging debut off the bench.
Both are likely to play an important role in the final 16 games of the season and Town have made two very good January acquisitions.
A special mention too for Kasey McAteer who has had a lot of criticism levelled at him by fans.
It was his incisive cross wide right following a wonderful pass from Mehmeti which resulted in Davis heading home the winner.
Hopefully there’s more to come from the 23-year-old Republic of Ireland wide man who was signed from Leicester City for an undisclosed fee, thought to be about £12m.
Town manager Kieran McKenna said he “enjoyed” the game and had special praise for McAteer.
Speaking to BBC Radio Suffolk following the final whistle he said: “I really enjoyed that one, maybe more than many games this year, and we’ve had some really good wins.
“We played some really good football – the first goal was a bit lucky but we should have been two or three up.
“We gave away a poor penalty when I didn’t think they looked like scoring but [we] had to show a response and it was a brilliant response.”
On McAteer he said: “He has been taking big strides in training. He has been doing really well, taking steps forward.
“We think there is a lot more to come from him, and, of course, when you get an assist like that for a winning goal, that is a big boost for him that I think has been coming. Really happy with his impact, and the other subs as well.”
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