Which teams could be worse than Ipswich?

In the final part of Thursday’s Q&A, BBC Radio Suffolk’s Graeme McLoughlin focuses on the pathway of breaking into the first team and whether Gary O’Neil values it, and which teams could be in trouble this season in the Premier League.

Adrian asked: We didn’t see as many homegrown players play regularly in the first team under Kieran McKenna as perhaps supporters would have liked. Now that we are moving up to the Premier League, what does the new manager think would be the pathway to breaking into the first team now, and will that differ to the most recent one?

Graeme: Well Gary O’Neil made it clear during his first press conference last week that he is massively impressed by the new look training base at the club, along with the academy set-up.

In the ideal world of his and most supporters, Town would have several academy products competing for regular first team football. However, it’s just not the reality of where the club – or most clubs in the Premier League – is at the moment, and in the immediate future, I don’t think we will see a lot of change.

Be prepared for more buying and selling, and more members of the youth teams being loaned out. That being said, I think it’s a real positive that Town’s U21s will compete in he EFL Trophy this season, as this will give youngsters at the club a real taste of senior football.

Hopefully they can enjoy a good run in the competition and give the manager and his staff something to think about, in terms of using one or two in his League Cup and FA Cup squads going forward.

• Get Ipswich score updates on your lock screen next season

Clive asked: For Town to stay up, they need three teams to be worse than them, but who? Spurs have added quality, so, other than the promoted sides who would you tip for relegation?

Graeme: This is a really interesting one this season, given so many clubs will begin the campaign with a new look to them in terms of who’s on the touchline.

At Fulham, Marco Silva worked wonders during his five years in charge, and his replacement has a huge act to follow. Pierre Sage is also taking on a big job at Crystal Palace, given Oliver Glasner brought the Eagles the best moments in their history during his reign at Selhurst Park.

I’m going to play the hangover card and suggest both those teams could well be in the relegation mix this year, along with Nottingham Forest and Leeds.

Daniel Farke has done a fantastic job at Elland Road. He survived calls for his sacking when Ipswich beat his team to promotion two years ago and got Leeds up 12 months later. Last year, there were similar shouts for him to go after a run of six defeats from seven during October and November.

Four points against Chelsea and Liverpool though saved him, and he deservedly kept the team up against the odds. But a slow start to 26-27 will undoubtedly see Farke treading water once again, and it might be one tricky spell too many.

Scroll back down this page for the other two parts of Graeme’s Q&A, which look at subjects including transfers, Mark Ashton backing Gary O’Neil this summer and what Town’s weaknesses are.