Sir Bobby would be so proud that we’re back! Mail Sport readers’ greatest ever Ipswich player JOHN WARK gives his verdict on the Tractor Boys’ first game since their Premier League return
- Ipswich Town played their first game back in the Premier League on Saturday
- They lost 2-0 to Liverpool but showed positive signs throughout the match
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I woke up at 5am and couldn’t sleep with the excitement that Ipswich were back in the Premier League after 22 years. It was like that for the rest of the day. Despite the result, no one at Portman Road could be disappointed with how the boys performed against one of the best teams in England.
It felt emotional when we got promoted against Huddersfield in May and it was exactly the same on Saturday. The atmosphere was incredible. I was working in the Sir Bobby Robson Suite with some business guests and all I could think was, ‘We’re back in the big time, Boss. You’d be so proud and happy.’
I played for Liverpool during my career, but this time my loyalty was with the Blues. I’m sure they would understand that.
Ipswich did so well in the first half, Kieran McKenna must have been very pleased with it. And after the break you saw the level that these top teams in the Premier League can reach.
Liverpool stepped it up a notch when Trent Alexander-Arnold started playing passes around for fun and that was a good lesson for our lads. But there is no reason to be pessimistic: Ipswich have equipped themselves well and we have a chance to stay in this competition if we play like we did in the first 45 minutes.
Kieran McKenna led Ipswich in their first Premier League match in 22 years against Liverpool on Saturday
The Tractor Boys played a good game, but suffered a 2-0 defeat against the Reds
Former manager Bobby Robson would have been proud to see the club back in the top division
John Wark, the Mail Sport readers’ best ever Ipswich player, gave his verdict on the opening day
New signing, centre-back Jacob Greaves, was voted Ipswich’s man of the match, so I was able to meet him in the sponsors’ lounge afterwards. He seemed a lovely man and my message to him was simple: ‘You’ve played brilliantly, keep up the good work.’
No one thought the Premier League would be easy. Liverpool proved it. But Ipswich came away with a lot of credit and we can all be optimistic about the future.