"Inspired..." - Ipswich Town praised after Sunderland, Leeds United transfer miss | OneFootball

Highlights

The January transfer window can so often be a turning point for many sides in the Championship, depending on their ambitions for the remainder of the season.

And it's fair to say that Ipswich Town were one side that utilised the window to good effect, having struggled for form in the latter stages of 2023 and early games of the new calendar year, but now bang in-form again.

Several clubs in the division tried their respective hands in the loan market, which included Kieran McKenna's temporary acquisitions of Jeremy Sarmiento, Lewis Travis, and Kieffer Moore, all of whom offer previous experience at this level with an array of sides.

However, the decision to bring Moore back to Suffolk for the remainder of the season could be one of the most shrewd signings of the season.

Pundit heaps praise on Kieffer Moore's instant impact at Portman Road

As previously mentioned, it looked as though Town's promotion bid had hit the buffers with one win in nine games, which was coupled with a significant injury blow to George Hirst, who accumulated 12 goal contributions prior to a long-term layoff.

Moore is somebody who needs no introduction to the second tier, having scored plenty of goals at this level and won promotion with AFC Bournemouth just two seasons ago.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, EFL pundit Carlton Palmer has praised Moore for his impact since coming into the side, as well as how the move could have major ramifications on the fortunes of fellow divisional rivals.

he began. "After a little bit of a dip, they've moved back into second place by winning their last five games."

"This has coincided with the loan signing of Kieffer Moore, who's come in and had an excellent start to his loan spell with five goals in seven Championship appearances," Palmer continued.

"It's been a fantastic signing. Sunderland and Leeds were keen on him, but I believe that Ipswich agreed to pay the majority of his salary, which was the problem (for Sunderland and Leeds), as he was reportedly on £40-£45,000 per week, which would've been a lot of money for the other clubs," he added.

"As they were interested in him, he'd have been a great signing as he's proven with Ipswich, who are now just three points behind Leicester. Leicester have lost three in a row. I thought they were out of sight, and now Ipswich are bearing down their necks with the ambition of back-to-back promotions.

Palmer concluded: "Kieffer Moore has been an inspired signing. Obviously, he wants to play well to be included in the Wales squad for the Euros."

Kieffer Moore's form since rejoining Ipswich Town

As Palmer alluded to, it's no coincidence that Ipswich have regained their form since adding the big striker's experience to their ranks.

He even proved how beneficial his strengths would be in the run-in during Town's only defeat in his loan spell to date, as he reduced the arrears in a 3-2 defeat at Preston North End, scoring both of the side's goals in the second half, before going on to add another three goals and one assist.

Since his arrival on February 1st, Ipswich have accumulated the joint-highest points tally in the division with 16 out of a possible 21, level with automatic promotion rivals, Leeds United. Town have also been the top scorers in this period, netting 19 goals which is an average of 2.71 goals per game.

Sunderland and Leeds could be made to feel envious

Whilst Leeds have a number of high-quality attacking outlets, it would leave a bitter taste in the mouth if Moore was to fire Ipswich to automatic promotion at their expense, particularly after being leapfrogged due to Saturday afternoon's results.

However, it's Sunderland who will no doubt feel the most frustrated, as their struggles with natural centre-forwards have continued into Mike Dodds' second spell as interim head coach, which has seen them almost fall away entirely from the play-off picture, as well as losing talisman Jack Clarke for a long period of time.

Bristol City.