Ipswich Town’s patchy away form could stop promotion, says Don Goodman.

EFL expert Don Goodman has questioned Ipswich Town’s ability to achieve automatic promotion back to the Premier League.

With Championship leaders Coventry City seemingly unstoppable, the Blues are attempting to close the gap on second-place Middlesbrough while staying clear of Millwall, Hull, Southampton, and Wrexham.

Kieran McKenna’s side trail Boro by two points, but have a game in hand on everyone else. Following this weekend’s international break, their rigorous schedule includes eight games in 27 days, five of which are away – Birmingham (H), Norwich (H), Portsmouth (A), Middlesbrough (H), Charlton (A), West Brom (A), Southampton (A), and QPR (H).

“I think we can all agree that Ipswich Town has the greatest squad in the Championship. I cannot have anyone tell me otherwise. “They have the most players in each position of a certain quality,” Goodman told Grosvenor Casinos.

They have the best roster, but they haven’t been the best team. They have not delivered consistent performances week after week.

“Middlesbrough has dominated all but two of their previous 22 games. I cannot say the same about Ipswich.

“They also appear to be significantly different when playing at home versus playing away. Their first-half performance against Stoke City was disastrous. I agree with Kieran McKenna that the penalty judgement at the end was surprising, but that is not the point.

Did they deserve to win the game overall? Based on the first and second halves, I do not believe they did.

“What I’m saying is that Ipswich has won 12 of its 20 home games and lost only once. They have seven wins out of 18 away games (five draws and six losses). This is not what the best teams do.

Last season, teams such as Leeds United (W11 D9 L3), Burnley (W14 D7 L2), and Sheffield United (W13 D4 L6) had superior away records.

Ipswich’s upcoming away games are against Southampton and Norwich City. Southampton are currently one of the best teams in the league, and Norwich are in a similar position.

“Playing Charlton Athletic away is never easy, and there are games against West Brom and Portsmouth, both of whom are near the bottom. Ipswich has five away games remaining.

Could you see them winning all five? Not a chance in reality.”I believe their performance against Middlesbrough (at home), Southampton, and Norwich will determine whether they win automatic promotion or go to the play-offs.

The ball is in their court. They have the quality and the skill, but they have occasionally underperformed.”Playing Charlton Athletic away is never easy, and there are visits to West Brom and Portsmouth, both of whom are around the bottom.

Ipswich has five away games left. Can you envision them winning all five? Not a chance in reality.“I think how they perform against Middlesbrough (at home), Southampton and Norwich will determine whether they secure automatic promotion or end up in the play-offs. The ball is in their court. They have the quality and they have the ability, but at times they have underwhelmed.”