As a David James's error closed the curtains on Ipswich’s 3-0 triumph over Bristol City, our fans were able to chant 'top of the league' for the first time since March 2005 and talk of promotion was rekindled again.

But with 45 games left to play in a division containing two former England managers and many strong teams sharing Premier League aspirations, Ipswich know they need to find the consistency that has been missing over the past decade where the Suffolk side have continued to languish in the second tier of English football.

After Roy Keane’s underachievement as Ipswich manager finished last January, the newly-appointed Paul Jewell’s first call of action was to ensure the club avoided relegation. He dutifully achieved that with a 13th place spot.

Now he is putting his preparations for his second challenge into practice. Put simply, Marcus Evans wants Jewell to replicate the successful promotions he brought to previous clubs Bradford City and Wigan Athletic. He has approached this task with gusto making several new signings to remould the squad.

The club also has a refreshing change in transfer policy. Under Jim Magilton, the club was saddled with expensive Irishmen and under Keane this trend continued but with a few Sunderland cast-offs thrown in for good measure.

Jewell has targeted players with established reputations in the Championship, namely Michael Chopra, Ivar Ingimarsson and Nathan Ellington. Arsenal’s out of favour striker Jay Emmanuel–Thomas, Tranmere’s promising defender Aaron Cresswell and the loan capture of goalkeeper David Stockdale, recently called up to the England squad, adds more quality to the squad.

The quality is needed. A few familiar faces left Portman Road to ensure it was not all one way traffic into the club. Chief among the departures was the highly-rated youngster Connor Wickham, who joined Steve Bruce’s rapidly changing Sunderland side. Club captain and Northern Ireland international Gareth McAuley moved to West Brom and David Norris switched to Portsmouth.

Fortunately, the new team gelled in time for our season opener at Ashton Gate. Chopra grabbed a brace (with a little help from James) and Lee Martin scored a 20-yard rocket. Hopefully the latter will build on that performance and reverse his somewhat derided reputation at the club, especially after a forgettable loan stint at Charlton.

But it is a tough proposition to expect Jewell to lead the Tractor Boys to promotion in his first full season, especially in a division that looks to be one of the most difficult yet.

Annual cliché aside, the Championship contains many ambitious clubs. The media’s favourite seem to be West Ham United who have a strong squad despite their opening day loss to Cardiff. But Birmingham City and Blackpool will also be hoping for quick returns to the top flight, although a majority of their best players have been, or are set to be, exported to the top flight.

Arguably the most interesting side to watch in this division will be big-spending Leicester City with Sven-Goran Eriksson at the helm. Synonymous with mediocrity at Manchester City and (perhaps unfairly) at England, Sven has an impressive club record. Steve McClaren’s Nottingham Forest will strive to secure promotion outright after two consecutive near misses in play-off semi-final defeats.

There are also regular play-off contenders Reading and Leeds United along with newly promoted Brighton and Southampton, both of those clubs will look to continue their momentum and grab successive promotions like ... oh the club’s name has slipped my mind.

For the Tractor Boys though, promotion is certainly not beyond a club that looks rejuvenated under Jewell. However, we need more defenders and Stockdale’s 24-hour recall clause is a gamble, especially with both Marton Fulop and Brian Murphy seeking pastures new in the Premier League.

I believe we will have a decent attempt at the play-offs, and if we can make it hopefully we can succeed where we often fail. But more importantly, there is a sense of optimism and togetherness at Portman Road. For once, the fans seem united behind the team. That can only be a positive sign.

simoitfc added 19:57 - Aug 8 great blog. agree we need defenders 1 center half and a right back,getting in a new right back could enable jewell to play edwards at right back or right midfield giving us more options.i dont know if the andrews deal will come off but in kennedy i think we have found a holding midfielder with healy as cover for him. i dont think west ham and leicester with all there money will walk to the top if anything it puts pressure on them but our good start means nothing if we lose to hull on sat

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TractorBeezer added 21:27 - Aug 8 Good blog and I expect that Bowyer will contribute significantly as well
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