Matt Holland backs Ipswich Town for promotion

Matt Holland has tipped his former club Ipswich Town to battle for promotion for the second Championship season in succession.

Last term Mick McCarthy's team were denied a place in the Premier League by East Anglian rivals Norwich City, who won the semi-final playoff encounter between the two sides 4-1 on aggregate.

However, despite that disappointment, Holland has insisted that with McCarthy at the helm, the Tractor Boys can mount another challenge this time around.

"I do think promotion is possible this season. I think the real positive is that the team spirit looked so much better last season," he told the East Anglian Daily Times.

"There appeared to be a real togetherness about the squad and everyone was pulling in the right direction. In terms of Mick, he is a brilliant man manager and won't accept anybody not pulling their weight with him in charge.

"He is a very honest man and the players have responded to that superbly. His biggest strength is his ability to engineer a great atmosphere around the place. Tactically he is very good as well. He identifies his player's strengths and plays to them."

Holland was a member of the Ipswich squad that earned promotion to the top flight back in 2000.