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Ipswich Town are back in the Premier League at the first attempt and, this time, their aim is to establish themselves rather than fall away.

The Tractor Boys were the most-fouled team in the Championship last season, winning 596 fouls, with winger Jack Clarke accounting for 64 of them.

In comparison with their promotion in 2024, Ipswich return to the Premier League stronger in certain respects, but weaker in others.

On paper, the Tractor Boys ought to be better equipped for this level. Their squad looks stronger, and the revenue they have already banked gives them greater spending power. Even so, when it comes to cohesion and synergy, Ipswich appear less certain than before.

Town have come up after operating from a lower performance base in the Championship than they did two years ago, and there are fewer well-established partnerships across the pitch. Most significantly, they no longer have one of the most exciting young British managers in the game in Kieran McKenna.

The 40-year-old is stepping away from football for a break so he can spend time with his family, and he departs with a legacy that places him only a step below Sir Alf Ramsey and Sir Bobby Robson among Ipswich's greatest managers.

Gary O'Neil arrives after a respectable short-term spell at Strasbourg, having previously guided both Bournemouth and Wolves to Premier League survival.

A large part of Ipswich's rise has been credited to McKenna's influence, while the club's improved structure has received rather less attention. The question now is whether that structure is robust enough for this promising period to continue beyond the tenure of an outstanding manager.

Will 2026-27 prove to be the continuation of an existing era rather than the beginning of a new one? We are about to find out.

As a player, Gary O'Neil won promotion with rivals Norwich in 2015, following Marcelino Nunez in making the switch between the two clubs. He has shown plenty of promise in management so far, but he will hope Portman Road becomes the first place where he can build something lasting and meaningful.

Dara O'Shea was ever-present and crucial to Ipswich's consistency in 2025-26. An intelligent defender, he developed into more of a leader and, now 27, will be desperate to add Premier League survival to his CV after suffering relegation with three different clubs. Perhaps the fourth attempt will be the one, Dara.

CHAMPIONSHIP: 2nd

FA CUP: Fourth Round

LEAGUE CUP: First Round

Jack Clarke scored 16 goals in all competitions for Ipswich last season, but the question is whether that output can be carried into the Premier League.

Systems matter more than individuals. Ipswich possessed some exceptionally gifted footballers, yet as a collective they did not perform quite as smoothly as the side built during their League One days.

Take Sindre Walle Egeli, for example. Although he outscored Erling Haaland at youth level in Norway, he has not yet truly made his mark since Ipswich signed him at 19 for a Championship-record fee.

Because Jaden Philogene and Jack Clarke both demand creative freedom on the left, the player on the right has to provide positional discipline and hard work. Kasey McAteer and Wes Burns suit that role better than Egeli.

The individualistic style of Philogene or Clarke also meant the No.10 had to drop back into midfield, and Marcelino Nunez performs that responsibility brilliantly.

As a result, Town's large group of second strikers were unable to fully display their own strengths. O'Neil now has to decide who gets licence to express themselves, and who supplies the balance.

If they stay up, get Ed Sheeran singing The A Team in the dressing room.

If they go down, get Ed Sheeran singing Bad Habits in the dressing room.

Last season was slow to get going, brought a few highs and lows along the way, but ended up being fantastic.

This season will be different because Town should now be better prepared for survival, with improved infrastructure, additions to the recruitment department and a squad that is more suited to this level.

Our key player will be Azor Matusiwa, our midfield linchpin.

The active player I'd love to have back is Tyrone Mings, to add experience to the squad.

The best thing about matchdays at our ground is the fanzone on the practice pitch behind the West Stand – a brilliant spot for supporters to get in the mood before kick-off.

The one change I'd make at our club would be a new Cobbold Stand, because the current structure is more than 50 years old. That is the next major project.

The ground I'm least looking forward to visiting is St James' Park. Newcastle is a long way from Ipswich and we have not won there since 1984.

The fans' opinion of the gaffer is underwhelmed. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was the supporters' preferred choice. Following McKenna is close to impossible, but O'Neil needs a strong start to calm those concerns.

We'll finish... who knows? We would happily take 17th.

AUGUST

22 Sunderland (H)

29 Manchester United (A)

SEPTEMBER

5 Liverpool (H)

12 Crystal Palace (A)

19 Everton (A)

OCTOBER

10 Fulham (H)

17 Manchester City (A)

24 Nottingham Forest (H)

31 Hull City (A)

NOVEMBER

7 Bournemouth (H)

21 Tottenham (A)

28 Aston Villa (H)

DECEMBER

2 Coventry (A)

5 Leeds (A)

12 Newcastle (H)

19 Brighton (A)

26 Brentford (H)

30 Chelsea (H)

JANUARY

2 Arsenal (A)

6 Coventry (H)

16 Bournemouth (A)

23 Hull City (H)

30 Aston Villa (A)

FEBRUARY

6 Tottenham (H)

10 Arsenal (H)

20 Chelsea (A)

27 Brighton (H)

MARCH

3 Brentford (A)

13 Liverpool (A)

20 Crystal Palace (H)

APRIL

10 Sunderland (A)

17 Manchester United (H)

24 Newcastle (A)

MAY

1 Leeds (H)

8 Fulham (A)

15 Manchester City (H)

23 Nottingham Forest (A)

30 Everton (H)

Ipswich Town to win the Premier League title odds: 500/1

FourFourTwo verdict: Ipswich Town to finish 19th.

O'Neil could turn out to be an upgrade, but the shift from McKenna's calm consistency to his more outspoken media style and streakier teams is a significant one. The major question is whether Town's very solid Championship defence can make the step up.

This feature was written in June as part of FourFourTwo magazine's legendary Season Preview issue.