“Kick up the backside” - Carlton Palmer makes promotion claim involving Leicester City and Ipswich Town | OneFootball

Former England international Carlton Palmer has praised Leicester City and Ipswich Town for the way they’ve bounced back from poor results this season, as he insists that’s what promotion-winning sides do.

Leicester and Ipswich flying high in the Championship

The battle for promotion is usually fierce from the Championship, but Leicester and Ipswich have set a ridiculous pace in the first 21 games this season, with the second-placed Tractor Boys sitting ten points above Leeds, who lead the chasing pack.

If they maintain the current points per game, we are talking about two sides who could surpass Reading’s points record at this rate, which shows just how good they have been.

Of course, there’s a lot of football to be played over the coming months, and it remains to be seen whether the likes of Leeds and Southampton can close the gap.

Stockport’s dip shows things can change quickly

Part of the beauty of the Football League is the unpredictability that comes with each game, but it’s not something we have seen too much of in the Championship.

However, a recent stutter from Stockport has seen County’s lead at the top of League Two cut to just six points, and they will know that they can be dragged back into the fight if they don’t pick up results over the busy festive period.

And, speaking to FLW, ex-England international Palmer looked at the issues facing the sides who are running clear in the promotion race, as he claimed you need to use any negative results to inspire a turnaround - as Leicester and Ipswich have done so far.

“Stockport are having a wobble, one defeat and two draws in their last three games. I don’t think any club at the top of any league can afford to get complacent, just as winning becomes a habit, so does losing. Leicester and Ipswich have experienced indifferent results, but it’s about consistency over the course of the season that will get you over the line.

“Sometimes, that surprise result can give you that kick up the backside that’s required to go on another run.”

Leicester and Ipswich have bounced back in style

Even with their outstanding points return at this stage, there have been a few bumps in the road along the way for the Foxes, as they suffered back-to-back defeats to Leeds and Middlesbrough, whilst they drew at Sheffield Wednesday, all within a four-game period.

Yet, they didn’t falter or lose belief in Enzo Maresca, and three wins on the bounce suggests they are firmly back on track ahead of the trip to Birmingham City on Monday night.

Meanwhile, Ipswich had a similar run last month, where they picked up five points from four games, which culminated in a defeat to West Brom, but Kieran McKenna’s side stuck to their guns as well.

They now boast a four-game winning streak going into the East Anglian derby against Norwich City at Portman Road on Saturday.