The Championship campaign looks set for an exciting conclusion at both ends of the table, but eyes will be firmly fixed at the summit with Leicester City and Leeds United both planning for an immediate return to the top flight.
The Tractor Boys welcome Middlesbrough to Portman Road on Saturday afternoon, knowing three points will keep them ahead of Daniel Farke’s side and keep them within striking distance of the Foxes.
What has been most impressive about Ipswich’s season has been the ability to keep pace with the three relegated clubs, who have a significant financial gain given the parachute payments recieved from the Premier League, with smart recruitment key to their success.
Ipswich Town among the most effective buyers in the Championship
Following their promotion from League One, McKenna set about improving his squad, which had just amassed 98 points and scored 101 goals in the third tier.
The Tractor Boys’ most notable summer additions came in the form of Jack Taylor and George Hirst, who arrived from Peterborough United and Leicester respectively, with McKenna’s links to former club, Manchester United, also proving useful as Brandon Williams joined on loan.
Further additions were made in January as Ali Al-Hamadi arrived from AFC Wimbledon on a permanent deal, while loans were completed for Kieffer Moore, Lewis Travis and Jeremy Sarmiento.
Those signings, coupled with the players there and McKenna’s management have earned them 88 points and 26 wins at this stage of the season, and according to statistics provided by Transfermarkt, are placed in the top five teams, in cost per win when looking at their squad.
Cardiff City and Queens Park Rangers top the rankings with an average of £156,000 spent on players within their squads that have resulted in victories, closely followed by Sheffield Wednesday and Plymouth Argyle, while Rotherham United and Preston North End sit just below the Tractor Boys’ impressive record.
