Burnley 0 Ipswich 3

It had to happen like this. After a whole season being almost invincible at home and ineffective away from home, Town lose the opening home game of the season and follow it up with a convincing away victory. Jim quite evidently learnt from his opening day mistakes. But is this a watershed moment?

Its a long time since Ipswich have won so convincingly away from home. In fact, its very very rare over the last few years for us to score more than two goals away from home. Yet the manner of victory suggested that perhaps the new-look team may well be able to learn from the mistakes of old.

"New look team" was indeed the phrase, with no fewer than seven changes from the ineffective performance at home to Preston. All areas of the pitch were remodelled and inevitably it was felt most in defence. The influence of a specialised left back in Ben Thatcher would, in itself, have made all the difference to the side on his own. But the experience of new Club Captain Richard Naylor next to Gareth McAuley appears to be something of a bonus- Naylors performances against both Burnley and Leyton Orient suggest that he may have a significantly bigger role to play this season than perhaps anybody would have imagined.

With early pressure from Burnley, the importance of Richard Wrights return in goal began to prove its worth. As a steadying influence in the face of pressure from the opposition, Wrights value was demonstrated with a series of saves which kept Town in the game whilst they found their rhythm. It is something which is going to be a vital factor over the course of the season, in a way which the team havent really been able to rely upon since Kelvin Davies left the club.

In Midfield, Jims search for a left midfielder has been eased somewhat by seemingly remembering the player who performed with such maturity in the role earlier on this year. Liam Trotters natural calmness and composure seem to have allowed him to comfortably fit into the role in a way that his more experienced peers have not managed. More games will breed more confidence and perhaps allow him to continue the development which was cruelly stunted by his unjust sending-off against Portsmouth in January.

The return of Tommy Miller on Tuesday continued the form demonstrated as a substitute against Preston, which was again taken into the game with Burnley. As an attacking force, Miller seems to complement the abilities of Shumulikoski and generally seems to give the team a much more balanced look.

Jon Walters return at the right of midfield speaks volumes. No Championship team can cope comfortably with the loss of their Player of the year and Ipswich are no different. With increased fitness and match experience, his impact on the team will only become more and more significant.

Kevin Lisbie turned in another bright performance. Whilst the goal he claimed will surely be chalked off as an own goal, his presence up front continued to threaten goals. He appears to be a player with real confidence and, in a forward, thats a valued commodity. Alan Lee linked well with him and perhaps appreciates a strike partner who will share the workload in running the channels. Lees own future is still a matter of some debate, with bids supposedly imminent for his signature, but he continues to prove people wrong with solid performances. It remains that unless Ipswich manage to attract a striker to the club of real quality, then Lee has an important role to play at the club this season.

So, is this a watermark in Jim Magiltons long campaign to produce solid away form? Its difficult to judge. Burnley look to be a fairly ordinary team, whilst their confidence is evidently fragile. With a few more poor results, that confidence may drain further and they could find themselves as one of the relegation contenders. So, its difficult to read too much into a result against them, although the comfortable manner of the result and the performance is certainly something to have real optimism about. Continuing that form into the game at Watford, last years nemesis, will give a better indication of where we are.

So, for now, attention focusses back to the game with Wolves next weekend. Now that weve got off to such a good start away from home, lets hope we dont have to wait too long for a home win.