There’s a reason why Ipswich Town are the bookies’ favourites for Championship promotion in 2025/26. Stuart Watson takes a some of the player accolades behind that...

THE GOLDEN GLOVE WINNER 

Alex Palmer kept an impressive 18 Championship clean sheets for West Brom over the 2023/24 season, sharing the league’s Golden Glove award with Leeds United’s Illan Meslier as a result. 

“The way the gaffer sets us up has been key, but there have been times where I’ve had to stay sharp and focused to make those crucial saves - whether that’s been in the last minute against Norwich, the penalty against Millwall or in the latter stages against QPR,” he said. 

Palmer registered 11 more second tier shutouts in the first half of last season before making his £2m January deadline day Suffolk switch. He finished third in the 24/25 Championship save percentage charts (74%) behind only Burnley’s James Trafford (85%) and Sheffield United’s Michael Cooper (77%).

Ben Johnson helped West ham win the Europa Conference League in 2022/23.Ben Johnson helped West ham win the Europa Conference League in 2022/23. (Image: PA)

THE EUROPEAN TROPHY WINNER

Ben Johnson, who could well fill the void of the departed Axel Tuanzebe at right-back, is dropping down to the second-tier for the first time in his career. 

The 25-year-old has close to 100 Premier League appearances to his name (as has fellow defender Dara O’Shea). He’s also got a European medal, having helped West Ham win the Europa Conference League in 2022/23. 

“I was gutted not to play in the semi-finals or final,” he said. “But I contributed in the early stages in some crucial games which got us there. I really did feel part of the team.” 

He was part of the England U21s squad that won the 2023 European Championships too. 

Jacob Greaves, pictured challenging Liverpool's Luis Diaz on the opening day of last season, was named in the 2023/24 Championship Team of the Year following his performances for Hull.Jacob Greaves, pictured challenging Liverpool's Luis Diaz on the opening day of last season, was named in the 2023/24 Championship Team of the Year following his performances for Hull. (Image: PA)

THE TOTY DEFENDER 

Ipswich signed Jacob Greaves off the back of him being named in the 2023/24 Championship Team of the Year. 

The centre-back had played an instrumental role in Hull City’s play-off push under Liam Rosenior, starting 43 league games, helping keep 10 clean sheets, registering two goals, four assists and winning three penalties. 

He was also named in the WhoScored stats-based Championship Team of the Year, having won the second most aerial duels in the league (183) behind Millwall’s Jake Cooper (203). 

Dara O'Shea put his body on the line for Ipswich in the Premier League.Dara O'Shea put his body on the line for Ipswich in the Premier League. (Image: PA) THE BIG BLOCKER 

Dara O’Shea, like Johnson, is close to having a century of Premier League appearances under his belt. And there’s a reason Ipswich had to see off top flight interest in his signature this summer. 

The Republic of Ireland international, who recently signed a new five-year deal, ranked second in the league for blocks last season (50) behind Brentford’s Nathan Collins (57). 

The 26-year-old was also third when it came to clearances (218), ninth for duels won (190) and 14th for minutes played (not bad considering he signed late in the summer window). 

Leif Davis contributed 18 assists in the 23/24 Championship season and continued to create big chances in the Premier League.Leif Davis contributed 18 assists in the 23/24 Championship season and continued to create big chances in the Premier League. (Image: PA)

THE ASSIST MACHINE 

Leif Davis registered a remarkable 18 assists, from left-back, during Ipswich’s 2023/24 Championship promotion campaign. It was a new high in term of goals created by a defender in the second tier and led to talk about a potential England call-up. 

Davis admits he lost some confidence facing elite Premier League wingers last season, but it’s gone under the radar that he was still able to create 12 big chances in a struggling side - that's more than the likes of Wolves’ Rayan Ait Nouri (now at Man City) and Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez (now at Liverpool). Indeed, his 'expected assists' stat of 4.75 was bettered only by a certain Trent Alexander-Arnold (7.37) when it comes to defenders.

Sam Morsy has won six promotions in his career, including two with Ipswich.Sam Morsy has won six promotions in his career, including two with Ipswich. (Image: PA)

THE SERIAL PROMOTION WINNER 

Captain Sam Morsy has six promotions on his CV – one at Port Vale (L2), one at Chesterfield (L1), two at Wigan (both L1) and two at Ipswich (L1 and Championship).  

That speaks for itself. He’s a dialled in professional with an eye-of-the-tiger competitive spirit. In 2023/24, he was second in the Championship for successful tackles. His experience of dealing with pressure and helping team mates block out the noise could be vital. 

Jack Clarke completed 148 successful dribbles the last time he was in the Championship.Jack Clarke completed 148 successful dribbles the last time he was in the Championship. (Image: PA) THE DRIBBLE KING 

Jack Clarke has just been named Sunderland’s Player of the Year when Ipswich came calling with a £15m bid last summer. 

The mesmeric winger contributed 15 goals and four assists for a newly-promoted side that finished 16th. The Black Cats’ drop in form during a six-week period he was injured was telling. 

He ranked top of the successful dribbles chart that campaign with an amazing 148. For context, the Championship leader in that respect last season was Norwich’s Borja Sainz with 99. 

THE PUSKAS AWARD NOMINEE 

Jaden Philogene may not have been able to hit the ground running following his £20m January switch from Aston Villa, but it’s worth remembering what he did in the Championship when on loan at Hull City. 

In February 2024, the skillful winger nutmegged an opponent, chopped back and then produced an outrageous Rabona finish from the tightest of angles. That equaliser against Rotherham was subsequently named seventh in FIFA’s 2024 Puskas Awards. He was fifth in that season's ‘successful dribbles’ list by the way. 

While we’re on the subject of goal gongs, Wes Burns’ breathtaking trivela finish against Coventry was named the EFL Goal of the Season for 2023/24. 

Omari Hutchinson (right) played a key role as England won the European Under-21 Championships this summer.Omari Hutchinson (right) played a key role as England won the European Under-21 Championships this summer. (Image: PA) THE INTERNATIONAL CHAMPION 

Omari Hutchinson has just lifted an international trophy. The skilful attacker played a key role for England at the recent Under-21 European Championships and scored in the final win against Germany. Can Town keep hold of their club record signing? Fingers crossed.

Chiedozie Ogbene was clocked running 36.93 km per hour in the 2023/24 season.Chiedozie Ogbene was clocked running 36.93 km per hour in the 2023/24 season. (Image: PA) THE SUPER SPEEDSTER 

Town fans sadly didn’t get to see much of £8m signing Chiedozie Ogbene last season as an Achilles injury, suffered in October, prematurely ended his campaign. 

The Republic of Ireland international was brought in to add raw pace to that right-wing role. In 2023/24, only Tottenham’s Micky van der Ven clocked a quicker sprint than his 36.93 km per hour in the Premier League. 

“I have two brothers who perform track and field. In the summer, I spent a lot of time with them learning how to sprint,” he said. 

“I’m a big Usain Bolt fan. If I can perfect how I can run, added with my football skills, it does give me that extra 1%.” 

Sammie Szmodics scooped the Championship Golden Boot award in 2024 after bagging 27 goals for Blackburn.Sammie Szmodics scooped the Championship Golden Boot award in 2024 after bagging 27 goals for Blackburn. (Image: PA) THE GOLDEN BOOT WINNER 

Sammie Szmodics took the Championship Golden Boot award for 2023/24 after bagging an incredible 27 league goals for Blackburn. It was a feat made even more impressive given he played as a second striker in a team that finished down in 19th. 

“I’ve been free flowing all season. I think scoring two against Rotherham early on has really helped me kick on and I’ve just had good momentum and kept finding the net,” he said. 

“I think out of all the accolades I’ve had this season, this one ranks as number one. I won the Player of the Month award in November, which was a big thing for me, but I don’t think anything tops the Golden Boot.”