Ipswich Town’s recent relegation from the Premier League has not only been a significant blow to the club but has also sparked a debate about their playing style. With four games remaining in the season, the club’s approach has come under scrutiny, particularly from Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson. Merson has been vocal about his views on Ipswich’s tactics, suggesting that their attempt to emulate the playing styles of top clubs like Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool may not be suitable for a newly promoted team.
Paul Merson said: “Because of this new Pep Guardiola way, everybody thinks they’ve got to play it – he plays like that, Arsenal play like that and Liverpool play like that because they’ve got top, top drawer players. If you’re not an established Premier League side, don’t try and play football. Ruffle some feathers, be rough and direct. In League One, they were clearly miles above the opposition and played that way. In the Championship, we saw that confidence translate, which allowed them to play some free-flowing, attractive football. Naturally, at least some of that would have to carry into the Premier League. We’ve mostly seen those same fundamental basics. A 4-2-3-1 with an attacking left-back and a defensive right-back. The striker will try and hold the ball up to bring others into play. That has had to change for one reason or another. For example, injuries have given Kieran McKenna a real selection dilemma. Then there are also times, like the end of December, where confidence is low after a heavy defeat and the easy answer is damage limitation with more defenders on the pitch, like we saw at Arsenal. Merson claims that the best approach is: ‘Get the ball away from your goal and make teams beat you by scoring goals, not through mistake after mistake.'”
Merson’s critique highlights the challenges Ipswich faced in adapting their style to the Premier League. Despite their success in the lower leagues, where they played confident and attractive football, the transition to the top tier proved difficult. Ipswich’s ranking as sixth in the Premier League for errors leading to goals further underscores the struggles they encountered. This statistic is particularly telling, as it suggests that their more direct approach, especially since Alex Palmer’s arrival, may not have been as effective as intended.
While Merson emphasizes the need for a more pragmatic approach focused on survival, Ipswich’s journey this season reflects the broader challenges faced by newly promoted teams. The club’s relegation is attributed not only to tactical missteps but also to the inherent difficulties of integrating new players and adapting to the Premier League’s demands. As Ipswich looks to rebuild, the focus will likely shift towards finding a balance between maintaining their identity and adopting strategies that ensure competitiveness at the highest level.
