Exciting Ipswich Town reaction given to Sammie Szmodics question - McKenna tweak "plays to his strengths" | OneFootball

Ipswich Town's FLW Fan Pundit voiced clear confidence in the striker for the upcoming season

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Ipswich Town's 2024 summer signing of Sammie Szmodics, for a reported £9m from Blackburn Rovers, was one of the biggest moves ahead of their Premier League return.

The Republic of Ireland international arrived fresh from his remarkable 33-goal 23/24 season - whilst also scoring in his one and only second-tier game of 24/25, which ended up being his last for Rovers.

Now, with the Tractor Boys preparing for life back in the Championship following relegation, perhaps questions remain about whether the attacker can rediscover the form that made him one of England's most prolific scorers.

Szmodics set for strong Championship return at Ipswich Town

When asked about Szmodics' potential to hit his Blackburn heights again, Ipswich Town's FLW Fan Pundit, Adam Wilkin, voiced clear confidence in the player's ability to perform at a high level once more.

"I think there’s no reason to think that Sammie Szmodics won’t do well this season," Wilkin told FLW. "When he was fit, he was one of our better performers in the Premier League, scoring four goals there, as well as a couple in the cup."

Despite Ipswich's struggles that ultimately led to relegation, the 29-year-old managed to find the net four times in 19 Premier League appearances - with an expected goals ratio (xG) of 0.34 per 90 minutes.

At Ewood Park, he thrived as the main attacking focal point, playing across the front line and scoring an incredible 27 Championship goals and six FA Cup strikes the season before linking up in Suffolk.

McKenna is using Szmodics in his preferred position

One of the most encouraging signs for Szmodics' future prospects lies in where Kieran McKenna decides to play him.

"McKenna looks to be using him in the central 10 position rather than the left 10 position in pre-season, something that he’ll enjoy as well and plays into his strengths," Wilkin mentioned.

At Rovers, Szmodics operated with considerable freedom across the attacking third, often drifting into central areas where his eye for goal proved most effective.

McKenna's 4-2-3-1 formation, which he deployed consistently throughout Town's Championship-winning campaign, naturally accommodates that role - and it's also the same formation John Eustace used at Rovers during 22/23.

"I think he was the main man at Blackburn and played all across that front line which allowed him to hit the insane 30 goals. I don’t think he’ll be close to that - given the attacking talent we have - I think the goals will be shared around a bit more," Wilkin explained.

During Ipswich's title-winning season, Ipswich showed their collective strength in attack by scoring 92 goals - with 19 different players finding the net.

Perhaps the biggest caveat to Szmodics' prospective success relates to his fitness record, something Wilkin mentioned will be crucial to his impact this season.

"But I have no reason to think he won’t hit high double figures in goals and assists given the way that we’re set up, the way we’re likely to be one of the strongest teams in the league, but yeah, all that depends on him having a bit more luck with his fitness," he concluded.

Already in Suffolk, Szmodics has experienced injury setbacks, including an ankle problem that required surgery and kept him sidelined for an extended period.

However, with McKenna's more controlled possession-based approach expected, it should really place less physical strain on Szmodics while still providing him with opportunities to influence games like everyone knows he can.