A Premier League start that could have been kinder

[BBC] [Getty Images] Well, at first glance, Sunderland at home compared with a Liverpool side two years ago that went on to become Premier League champions is a kinder proposition for Ipswich Town on the opening day of the season. However, to say the Black Cats impressed on their return to the top flight last year is an understatement. They will be playing in Europe next season - and three points for Town, or even one point, is far from a given. Ipswich then travel to Manchester United before Liverpool visit in early September. So, as far as the opening few weeks of a campaign on paper go, this could have been kinder. That being said, this is the top table of English football, so what did we expect? See Ipswich's opening fixtures The club feels it belongs at this level, and there is no doubting the Blues are more prepared for the Premier League this time around in many areas. Impressive enhancements to the training ground will be completed this summer, and the club is in far better shape commercially. There is also less work to do at Portman Road in terms of getting the stadium ready to host some of the biggest names in football, along with more high-profile guests from the media and corporate world. However, with two months to go until matchday one, there are obvious concerns. A new manager is yet to be appointed following Kieran McKenna's recent decision to step down, and the new boss has some of the biggest shoes in English football to fill. McKenna's influence and legacy was massive among the players, the staff and the supporters. His successor will need to get those in the building already on side and oversee a successful first transfer window. We may not be talking the wholesale change of summer 2024, but there are certainly key areas where Ipswich have to strengthen, with a goalscorer capable of finding the net on a regular basis in the Premier League a big priority.