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Historic Relegation for Promoted Sides in Premier League
The recent announcement of the relegation of Southampton, Leicester City, and Ipswich Town has stirred the football community, marking the first instance in Premier League history where all relegated teams were confirmed with four matches remaining. This situation also mirrors the 2005-06 season when all three teams faced the same fate before May.
The aftermath of Ipswich’s latest defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers left manager Kieran McKenna visibly disheartened. With seven matches left in the season, his team is a daunting 12 points adrift of safety. This grim reality is underscored by a troubling statistic: Ipswich has relinquished a league-high 27 points from winning positions this season, with the Wolves recovering from a 1-0 deficit to win 2-1.
Furthermore, Portman Road has not proved to be as formidable as anticipated, with the team securing only seven out of a possible 21 points at home. This performance has positioned them at the bottom of the home points table, with only Southampton having a worse record in that regard.
“There are so many lessons,” McKenna stated, acknowledging the challenges faced throughout the season. “Our experience might differ from other clubs because we have ascended swiftly from League One. This has posed a significant challenge for us.”
Despite the disappointment, McKenna remained optimistic about the positives that would contribute to future growth. “There are several things we have done well that will benefit us in the coming years, although we recognize areas for improvement and lessons to be learned,” he remarked.
Injuries have further complicated Ipswich’s campaign, with their squad depleted by the absence of ten first-team players during the match against Newcastle. Leif Davis’ suspension left the team without a recognized left-back, highlighting their vulnerability.
Disciplinary issues have also plagued Ipswich, with Johnson’s recent red card marking the team’s fifth of the season. In fact, only Arsenal shares a similar level of indiscipline in the top flight this year. McKenna reflected on this aspect: “[Red cards] have been costly. During my two-and-a-half years prior to this season, we had only one red card. To see us reach five this season is indicative of various underlying factors.”
Source
www.bbc.com