Bristol City moment shows why Ipswich Town can beat Leeds United in automatic promotion battle: View | OneFootball

Ipswich Town came from behind to beat Bristol City 3-2 on Tuesday night, as they remained second in the Championship table.

It’s been a brilliant year for the Tractor Boys, who have been transformed since Kieran McKenna’s appointment back in 2021.

Ipswich Town’s promotion chances

He guided the side to promotion from League One in his first full season, and they are looking to repeat the feat 12 months on.

Even though it’s currently in Ipswich’s hands with ten games to go, it’s going to be very difficult for them to keep the pace, as they’re competing with Leicester City, Leeds United and Southampton, three clubs who were in the Premier League last season.

That means they’re well ahead of the Suffolk outfit in terms of revenue and squad valuation, whilst many would agree those respective clubs have some standout individuals in the league.

However, Ipswich will fancy their chances, and the spirit among McKenna’s group means nothing can be discounted.

That was evident against the Robins, as they twice came from behind to equalise, and still managed to find a winner despite missing a late penalty.

Ipswich Town’s squad depth could be key

Another factor that could be huge for Ipswich during the run-in is their squad depth.

They may not have the big-money players that their rivals do, but McKenna has built a squad that is deep, and those who are called from the bench can contribute - as they proved in the week.

With the hosts trailing 1-0, McKenna made four substitutions just after the hour mark, as Jack Taylor, Jeremy Sarmiento, Wes Burns and Ali Al-Hamadi were introduced, and it changed the game.

Within minutes, Al-Hamadi had scored, and it would be Burns that won the penalty which the ex-Wimbledon striker missed.

Yet, Ipswich would still get the points, as Sarmiento played in Leif Davis to grab the winner.

Only a Taylor contribution was missing in terms of potentially being involved in a goal, and even the midfielder went close, as he hammered a great shot against the post in stoppage time.

Of course, it’s McKenna who deserves credit for this. It was his intelligent management that turned the game, as he knew exactly when to make the subs in order to change Ipswich’s fortunes.

In an era of five subs, it’s never been more important to have good squad depth, and a head coach who excels with in-game management.

Right now, Ipswich have both, as they proved against Bristol City, and the way they changed the game is a reminder for all who start on the bench just how big a role they could play when it really matters.

Even though they’re technically in the driving seat, many observers will expect Leeds to overtake Ipswich for a place in the top two with Leicester.

It remains to be seen how it will play out, but with McKenna’s subs inspiring them to a sixth consecutive win in the week, it was a reminder that they have the depth to last the distance.