Dan Neil's Ipswich Town impact assessed following emotional Sunderland exit
The Academy of Light graduate ended his time as a Sunderland player when he joined Ipswich Town on loan in January.
Dan Neil’s time as a Sunderland player effectively came to an end when he joined Championship promotion contenders Ipswich Town on loan during the January transfer window.
The midfielder gradually made his way through the Academy of Light ranks before establishing himself as a key member of the Black Cats squad that secured promotion into the Championship before landing a memorable promotion back into the Premier League last season.
However, the arrival of several eye-catching summer additions saw the likes of Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki and Habib Diarra meant Neil was limited to just three substitute appearances during the first half of the season and his only start came in a Carabao Cup second round defeat against Huddersfield Town.
With Neil’s contract approaching its final six months, talk of a move away from Wearside increased and a number of Championship clubs were linked with a move for his services. Ipswich won the race for his signature as he agreed to spend the remainder of the season at Portman Road and the midfielder also confirmed that his time with his boyhood club had come to a close in an emotional interview. So what could lie ahead for the midfielder?
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How has Dan Neil fared at Ipswich Town?
Neil was named as a substitute for Ipswich’s home clash with Preston just days after moving to Portman Road but remained on the bench for the entirety of a 1-1 draw. A debut came seven days later when he appeared for the last quarter of an hour of a 2-1 win at Derby County and the former Black Cats captain made his first start in a 1-0 FA Cup fourth round defeat against Wrexham in mid-February. In total, Neil has now made three starts in all competitions and has come off the bench in three other games as Kieran McKenna’s side push for a return to the Premier League.
What has Kieran McKenna said about Dan Neil?
Speaking late last month, the Tractor Boys boss said: “He has, of course, started, so we believe he is ready to come in and start games. With the cup game, that’s two starts he has had now so that’s really useful. There is an adjustment when you go to a new club and I think he has made the tactical adjustment fantastically well. He has shown his intelligence and experience as a footballer.
“I think, compared to most teams and most clubs, there is a physical adjustment to how we want to play and train, especially in the role he played the other night. But again, I thought he adapted to that really well the other night. Now, is he ready to do that for 90 minutes twice a week? I think that will probably be a bit too much or too soon - and too much of a risk. But he has recovered well this week and showed good things the other night and I am sure he will have a role to play.”
What did Dan Neil say about joining Ipswich Town?
Speaking in January, the Academy of Light graduate said: "I've been at Sunderland for a very long time and it was an unbelievable chapter in my life and career but I'm ready for the next chapter now. After a lot of thought, it was clear Ipswich would be the perfect fit for that. The way the manager wants to play football and the way I like to play is the same, basically."
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