Ipswich Town column: Liam Delap’s performance against Fulham was one of best striker displays I’ve seen from a Blues player

I loved Saturday. I’d actually go as far as saying Saturday was one of the best and most entertaining games I’ve seen in the Kieran McKenna era.

It was only a 1-1 draw, I hear you say, but I thought we were excellent and went toe-to-toe with a very good Fulham side. I’d go as far as saying I’d fancy them to challenge for Europe.

So the fact we were more than able to match them and to be honest, do enough to win the game, gives me real hope for the rest of the season.

Before Saturday came a relatively quiet deadline day. A summer full of business ended with no new arrivals in its final hour.

I was surprised to be fair. I expected us to get that striker done. All in all though, Town have had a remarkable summer, becoming the Premier League’s second highest net spenders (£105.25 million).

Now there’s something I never thought I’d write five years ago.

I did expect another striker - I do think we needed one. That said, cometh the hour, cometh Liam Delap. How good was he on Saturday?!

That was one of the best centre-forward performances I’ve seen from a Town striker. He was electric.

I sit behind the Sir Alf Ramsey goal and the moment his shot crashed in from 25 yards was one I won’t forget for a while. Portman Road exploded.

Liam offers something different to George Hirst and the other forwards. He can do the hold up play, but can also run in-behind. He’s going to be a real threat this season. I can’t wait to see what McKenna does with him.

Now comes time for a break. These were never fun in League One and they definitely aren’t now!

But I’m seeing this as a good thing. McKenna will have time to work with his players and new recruits will have a chance to settle in - apart from those on international duty.

A positive start but still work to be done. But I’m confident that this group will have no problem doing it.