Ipswich Town under-21s finished their 2024/25 season earlier this month. Ross Halls looks back at the young Blues' campaign....
WINNING START FOLLOWED BY MIXED RESULTS
John McGreal's side got off to an impressive start with a 6-1 home win over Birmingham City on the opening day, before playing out a 3-3 draw with Burnley.
They suffered their first defeat of the season in their next game as they lost 1-0 at home to Sheffield United, who went on to win the Professional Development League National title.
The following months saw them secure four victories out of 12 and end 2024 with a 1-1 draw at home with Colchester United.
DIFFCULT SPELL AND UNBEATEN RUN
The young Blues began 2025 with a superb 5-1 home win over Cardiff City, but then went winless in four games, including heavy two home defeats as they were beaten 5-1 by Charlton Athletic and 5-2 against Brentford.
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They bounced back though as they went eight games unbeaten, five wins and three draws that saw them them climb up the table.
However, that run was ended with a 7-0 defeat at Bournemouth, before finishing the campaign with a 3-1 win at Sheffield Wednesday and losing 2-1 at home to Fleetwood Town on the final day.
OVERALL FINISH AND CUP EXPLOITS
Town finished fifth in the 11-team Professional Development League 2 South table, the same position as they managed last season.
The young Blues won 12 of their 31 league games, drawing eight and losing the other 11. They scored a total of 63 league goals, but conceded 65, leaving them with a minus two goal difference.
In the Premier League Cup, they finished second in their group. They knocked out Everton and reached the last 16 stage, but lost 2-1 at Chelsea to exit the competition.
STAND-OUT PERFORMERS
Plenty of players have impressed throughout this campaign with the side being disjointed at times, with regulars being loaned out to gain senior appearance.
A key member of the team has been forward Tom Taylor, who netted 15 goals in all competitions for the young Blues. He was named on Kieran McKenna's first-team bench this season.
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Another forward player, Tudor Mendel, has impressive since signing from Anderlecht last summer, netting seven goals in all competitions.
And fellow frontman Rio Morgan has been another bright spark in this side, bagging himself nine goals.
WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS
The academy has produced a string of top players through the years, but are they fully focused on bringing through more talent, with only Luke Woolfenden being a homegrown player for Town in the Premier League this campaign.
Town have been astutely recruiting young players from other top flight clubs, adding England U18 left-back Somto Boniface from Chelsea and attacker Joshua Pitts from Southampton.
The club are also hoping to move to Category One status, which will bring improved facilities, staffing and games programme.
All in all, the future looks bright!
