Ipswich aiming for repeat success

Burley claimed the Manager-of-the-Year award

BBC Sport Online believes Ipswich have the foundations to consolidate on the success they have achieved in the Premiership.

Ipswich exceeded all expectations by finishing fifth and securing a place in the Uefa Cup on their return to the Premiership.

This time around they will have to prove their success was no one-season wonder.

The task of the 'tractor boys' will be made that bit more difficult with their Premiership rivals having had the chance to analyse them at close quarters and being more aware of the threat Ipswich pose.

  Summer transfers

IN

Andy Marshall (Norwich) Pablo Gonzalez Counago (Celta Vigo)
Tony Miller (Hartlepool)

OUT

Richard Wright (Arsenal)
James Scowcroft (Leicester)

Striker Marcus Stewart will be under pressure to match his goalscoring exploits while the side will have to manage without goalkeeper Richard Wright who has moved to Arsenal.

Striker James Scowcroft has also departed - joining Leicester - while the unproven but promising Spanish forward Pablo Gonzalez Counago has arrived.

Manager George Burley has built Ipswich on the firm foundations of maximum effort and a successful brand of attractive passing football which should stand them in good stead.

And what Ipswich lack in financial clout, they make up for in team spirit and a work ethic that helped them to nine league away wins last term - a tally only matched by Manchester United and Leeds.

How the club handles a league and European assault remains to be seen, but the Premiership is set to be the club's main focus.

Even after challenging for third until the final day of the previous campaign, survival is the first target.

And that should not be too much of a problem.