‘Vast majority worship him’ – Kieran McKenna has backing at Ipswich

It is not only the fans who have been stunned by the club’s progress, but the players too.

Left-back Leif Davis joined Ipswich from Leeds in 2022 and has been integral in Town’s success.

“It’s hard to take in considering where we were two years ago,” he said. “When I came, they said, ‘We’d love to be established in the Championship in four years’.

“That seemed realistic, but getting to the Premier League within two years, it’s been a dream and amazing to involved with. But we’re not satisfied just being here. We want to do well.”

Ipswich’s starting 11 on Saturday included six players who were with the club in League One. But this was the first time the team had looked out of their depth, a harsh reality check a week after they had gained their second away win, a 2-1 success at Wolves.

“This was one of the most disappointing days of the season,” said lifelong Ipswich fan Phil Ham, editor of independent supporters’ website TWTD., external

“It’s always going to be tough against a team like Newcastle with their line-up. You come into home games hoping, and most times we’ve been competitive, but every time Newcastle broke they looked like they were going to score.

“People are realistic about the size of the challenge, having come up two divisions in two years, and there was an expectation there would be days like this. But there’s no clamour for a change and people realise we’ve come a long way in a short time.”