Ipswich Town column: Where Kieran McKenna’s side needs strengthening before the transfer window closes

This is it then. For the first time in 22 years, Ipswich Town are back in the top flight of English football and it almost feels like all of the heartbreak, despair and misery surrounding our club for the majority of that time away was turned on it's head within two quick seasons. You wait years for a promotion, then two come at once.

The memories of the last two years will last a lifetime and I think as time goes on, we'll only then appreciate just how bonkers the past 48 months were. It's been some ride.

However, that was then and this is now, with Kieran McKenna's team due to face their toughest task yet. They've conquered League One, they've stormed the Championship, but what lies ahead will be their most difficult proposition.

You don't need me to tell you the level of the Premier League. You already know that. And although the heroes of 2000/01 will be hoping today's boys can replicate what they did in finishing fifth in their first year back, sadly, I'm not sure something like that is possible anymore.

The Premier League has become a beast and for me if we are to survive this season, it would be a remarkable feat.

People will look at your Brighton’s, Brentford’s and Bournemouth's and think ‘why can't Ipswich Town emulate their success?’ We're bigger than all three of those clubs and after time, I'd like to think that's the sort of ambitions we’ll have.

But as for now, as for next season, the only objective has to be survival. Then you build, then you progress.

So how are Town shaping up for that very task? How do we give ourselves the best possible chance? Well the obvious answer: recruitment.

The class of 2022/23 and 2023/24 have given us some unforgettable moments. They're all club heroes and although I'd like to see them all given the chance to have a go at the top flight, it's obvious we need some extra quality in the building.

So far we've seen millions spent, records broken and six new faces through the door. Yet, it still feels Town are quite far away from being where they'd like to be.

I really liked our earlier transfer business. Omari (Hutchinson) was done quickly, Ben Johnson too, and the signings of Jacob Greaves and Liam Delap were concluded well, despite the disappointment of losing out on Jaden Philogene. Aro Muric was next and up until recently, Town seemed to be linked with a new player every week!

Since then though, things have become a little slow. Conor Townsend has joined for cover, but as we sit here today, a week before Liverpool visit Portman Road, we do seem light in a number of areas.

Am I worried? Maybe a little. But the track record of CEO Mark Ashton has to suggest that we'll get things right. Not to mention, it doesn't look like anybody's having a particularly great time of things in the window either, and I'd imagine as the month goes on, more deals will come.

For me, Town still need a midfielder, a left-winger, another number 10 and two more strikers at the very least. I’d even say we could do with more than that.

Will we get all we need? I hope so. But I do think we'll be going into Liverpool and Man City not quite being the finished article, which could be troublesome, especially against those two!

The window will be go to the wire and I would not be surprised if we're making deals right up until the last hour.

For now though, let's enjoy the prospect of a new season and our biggest one for over two decades. I really cannot wait to be back at Portman Road and whatever does happen, I know the club will do us all proud, regardless.

Check out next week’s column for some Premier League predictions!