Ipswich Town set to face issue that Luton Town did in the Premier League: View | OneFootball

The last two Championship seasons have seen two sides buck the trend when it comes to reaching the promised land.

Both Luton and Ipswich Town's stories en route to gaining promotion to the Premier League have been nothing short of remarkable, with Rob Edwards and Kieran McKenna also being two of the most promising young coaches in the country at present.

The two clubs were able to maintain a core squad of players when reaching the Championship, and whilst Ipswich's jaunt through the second tier was done at a much greater speed than the Hatters, there are numerous blueprints that the Northern Irishman and his recruitment team may have to follow and improve on, if they are to maintain their status in twelve months time.

Luton Town's efforts in the Premier League

Luton have no doubt been one of the feel-good stories of recent times in the Premier League, purely for their underdog status, which has played a huge factor in their competitive spirit in the top flight.

Edwards has managed to create a fearlessness within a squad that were favourites for relegation as soon as Fankaty Dabo's penalty went sailing over the bar in their Play-Off Final success over Coventry City.

The former Watford boss was then able to add a plethora of high-quality EFL signings such as Chiedozie Ogbene, Thomas Kaminski and Tahith Chong alongside the permanent signing of Marvelous Nakamba on top of the well-documented additions of Ross Barkley and Andros Townsend.

The latter two had showcased their Premier League ability on a multitude of occasions for former clubs, but as well as looking to provide that, they have evidently brought into the team spirit which was forged in the second tier.

Whilst not fully mathematical heading into the last game of the season, Luton are all-but relegated at this stage, but have still created the path for the likes of Ipswich to tread down in the coming years.

Ipswich Town face a similar conundrum in the transfer market

Kieran McKenna's meticulous tactical detail has arguably been Ipswich's biggest strength across this season, with eight of those who started the promotion-clinching game against Huddersfield Town also present in the defining 6-0 win over Exeter City in April 2023.

But, alongside the remarkable front-footed style that the former Manchester United coach has incorporated in Suffolk, there is a similar togetherness that was showcased at Kenilworth Road, and in some ways that could create a slight problem in the transfer market.

Whilst Ipswich have a greater chance of attracting players to the club after ending their 22-year exile from the top division, there is a risk that any star quality that is added into this side could upset the applecart of the team spirit which has been created over the past two seasons.

The likes of Sam Morsy no doubt fall into this category, having finally got his chance to play Premier League football at the age of 32. Many outsiders could question the former Wigan Athletic man's ability in comparison to the calibre of players possessed by other clubs in the top flight, but his leadership is everything and more to how McKenna's side function, so he could still be a mainstay in the starting lineup alongside any new signings, such as Ben Sheaf - linked with a move after yet another successful season with Coventry.

The Tractor Boys' chances of maintaining their Premier League status

At present, the only two sides with confirmed Premier League status in the division next season are Town and Leicester City, and many would make a case that on paper, Enzo Maresca's side is streets ahead of what the Northern Irishman has at his disposal.

Given the changes that may need to take place among the squad, it would be understandable if Ipswich were to get off to a slow start, as well as getting to grips with the fast-paced nature of the Premier League, as all of Luton, Burnley and Sheffield United can testify.

However, it was the Hatters who gave themselves the strongest chance of maintaining their status through their togetherness and underdog spirit. Town will have to emulate and somewhat better those facets to prove doubters wrong.

Either way, they must get the transfer window right to give themselves the best possible chance, with the Sun already claiming the club are set to splash "several million pounds".