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Ipswich Town have the right ingredients in place to escape the Championship – but Neil Lennon wants to follow the same recipe this January transfer window.
In David McGoldrick and Daryl Murphy the Tractor Boys have the division’s most potent strike force, led by a man with unparalleled success in the second tier, Mick McCarthy.
Lennon is searching for similar firepower next month, and knows he will need it if he stands any chance of pushing towards the top six.
Ipswich’s low budget approach has been compared to that of Burnley, who were last season’s surprise package.
“To get out of this Championship you need goalscorers,” he told The Bolton News. “Burnley had it last season with Danny Ings and Sam Vokes and Ipswich certainly have it this season with McGoldrick and Murphy.
“Allied to that, they are very strong down the middle of the park.
“We are on a decent run, it’s not brilliant by any means but we’re happy with the way things are going. It will be a good test for us to see how far we have come.”
It remains to be seen what cash Lennon will be given to spend in the window, or whether he looks to pursue former Celtic charges Kris Commons, Gary Hooper or Anthony Stokes – with whom he has been strongly linked this last few weeks.
But the manager is unwilling to destabilise what has been an encouraging upturn of form by discussing potential deals, particularly as the players he inherited have improved so dramatically.
“Everyone is aware we need to strengthen in certain departments but we are happy with the way the players have responded to what has been asked of them so far,” he said.
“Our home form has been excellent since we came in so that will give us an advantage we might need against Ipswich.
“But we’re confident going into the game without being over-confident.”
Wanderers have won their last four games at the Macron Stadium but come against an Ipswich side bang in form.
McCarthy’s men have lost just once in 16 games and climbed steadily into second place behind leaders Derby County.
Lennon is familiar with Ipswich’s front two, who have shared 19 goals between them so far this term.
“McGoldrick is a very, very good player. I saw him play for Ireland a few weeks ago and he was excellent,” said the Wanderers boss.
“I know Daryl Murphy well from my time at Celtic. It didn’t really work out for him there but he seems to be really happy under Mick and he gets the best out of him.
“They play the way Mick wants them to and they have been very successful.”
Lennon also had words of praise for the job done by McCarthy at Portman Road in the last two-and-a-half years.
“Personally I think they have got the best manager in the Championship.
“Mick has been there, done that a couple of times with Sunderland and Wolves.
“He not only qualified for a World Cup with Ireland but also took them to the last 16.
“He has built Ipswich up again. It has taken a bit of time but he seems to be in a good place with the team right now.
“This will be the toughest test we’ve had since coming into the club.”
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In David McGoldrick and Daryl Murphy the Tractor Boys have the division’s most potent strike force, led by a man with unparalleled success in the second tier, Mick McCarthy.
Lennon is searching for similar firepower next month, and knows he will need it if he stands any chance of pushing towards the top six.
Ipswich’s low budget approach has been compared to that of Burnley, who were last season’s surprise package.
“To get out of this Championship you need goalscorers,” he told The Bolton News. “Burnley had it last season with Danny Ings and Sam Vokes and Ipswich certainly have it this season with McGoldrick and Murphy.
“Allied to that, they are very strong down the middle of the park.
“We are on a decent run, it’s not brilliant by any means but we’re happy with the way things are going. It will be a good test for us to see how far we have come.”
It remains to be seen what cash Lennon will be given to spend in the window, or whether he looks to pursue former Celtic charges Kris Commons, Gary Hooper or Anthony Stokes – with whom he has been strongly linked this last few weeks.
But the manager is unwilling to destabilise what has been an encouraging upturn of form by discussing potential deals, particularly as the players he inherited have improved so dramatically.
“Everyone is aware we need to strengthen in certain departments but we are happy with the way the players have responded to what has been asked of them so far,” he said.
“Our home form has been excellent since we came in so that will give us an advantage we might need against Ipswich.
“But we’re confident going into the game without being over-confident.”
Wanderers have won their last four games at the Macron Stadium but come against an Ipswich side bang in form.
McCarthy’s men have lost just once in 16 games and climbed steadily into second place behind leaders Derby County.
Lennon is familiar with Ipswich’s front two, who have shared 19 goals between them so far this term.
“McGoldrick is a very, very good player. I saw him play for Ireland a few weeks ago and he was excellent,” said the Wanderers boss.
“I know Daryl Murphy well from my time at Celtic. It didn’t really work out for him there but he seems to be really happy under Mick and he gets the best out of him.
“They play the way Mick wants them to and they have been very successful.”
Lennon also had words of praise for the job done by McCarthy at Portman Road in the last two-and-a-half years.
“Personally I think they have got the best manager in the Championship.
“Mick has been there, done that a couple of times with Sunderland and Wolves.
“He not only qualified for a World Cup with Ireland but also took them to the last 16.
“He has built Ipswich up again. It has taken a bit of time but he seems to be in a good place with the team right now.
“This will be the toughest test we’ve had since coming into the club.”
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