Kieran McKenna, manager of Ipswich Town, has discussed the level of competition at the top of the Championship this season between his team, Leeds United, and Leicester City.
With Southampton’s form deteriorating in recent weeks, it now appears that the last month of the season will be a three-horse battle for those two automatic promotion berths.
In any other season, the points totals of all three would have been enough to secure a spot in the top two. Sheffield United finished second last season with 91 points.
This season, however, there is a distinct probability that one team may finish with 100 points while missing out on the automatics.
Leicester defender Conor Coady stated as early as last month that it would require 100, and each of the three teams’ results during Easter suggest that will be the case.
McKenna makes claims regarding Leeds and Leicester this season.
This is the second season in a straight that Ipswich has competed in a high-level promotion race. Last season, they finished second in League One with just 98 points.
It’s fair to say they’ve confounded expectations by staying on top of such an impressive promotion race that has only recently begun.
The Tractor Boys have been battling with some of the strongest sides in recent years to be demoted, owing primarily to the fact that they had all been Premier League clubs for at least three seasons. In Leicester and Southampton’s cases, much longer.
In an interview with Sky Sports this week, Ipswich manager McKenna discussed the standard of the promotion chase. He believes the top of the league has never been stronger.
He stated, “It’s been two fantastic seasons, and we have to focus on the benefits of being a part of it.
“The teams we’re competing against are the strongest we’ve ever seen at the top of the Championship. It’s a combination of those things, with everyone working hard and pushing each other.”
MacAnthony offers his Championship Promotion Predictions
The passionate nature of the race has prompted people from all over football to share their predictions for how it will conclude.
Darragh MacAnthony, chairman of Peterborough United, was one of them this week, as his club was involved in its own fascinating League One race.
He believes both Leeds and Ipswich will succeed, with Leicester missing out entirely as Southampton win the play-offs.
He predicted that Leeds would win, with Ipswich coming in second. And then I’d like Coventry to crash the play-offs, but I don’t think it will happen, so I’ll go with Southampton.”
