Football pundit and panto villain Chris Sutton has delivered his verdict on Ipswich Town's promotion to the Premier League - and it might surprise you.
Norwich City legend Sutton has made something of a habit of sticking the boot in and picking against the Blues in recent years, often getting it wrong.
But, writing in his column in our sister paper the Eastern Daily Press today, Sutton removed his yellow-tinted glasses to laud Town.
He wrote: "As much as we in Norfolk don't really like them, we should give praise to Ipswich Town for their promotion to the Premier League.
"Kieran McKenna has done a marvellous job. To compete with those teams with parachute payments and who dropped out of the Premier League with quality players and deep pockets is an incredible story.
"The thing I like about it, and it's a bit like what Paul Lambert achieved at Norwich, is that the players who have predominantly played for them this season did so regularly in League One as well.
"He made the odd tweak with decent loan signings in Omari Hutchinson and Kieffer Moore, but they've done it with players like Sam Morsy, Conor Chaplin, Leif Davis, Cameron Burgess, and Luke Woolfenden who got them out of League One.
"That is a testament to the quality of McKenna's coaching. Their biggest challenge will be keeping hold of him because he will be sought after, and rightly so."
Sutton insisted that, despite the rivalry between the clubs, what the Blues have achieved merits respect - even from those of a yellow feathered persuasion.
"They are Norwich's neighbours, but you can still show respect and admiration for the job that they have done," he insisted.
"Nobody saw them bouncing up again, just as nobody saw Norwich doing it back in the day.
"It's a very special job McKenna has done.
"The way Ipswich have played, how expansive and are well-coached they are is remarkable.
"We all know Norwich have had the Indian sign over them for a long time now, but that aside, it's a phenomenal thing that they've done, and they deserve praise for what they've achieved - even if it's begrudgingly."
Norwich City, of course, have enjoyed plenty of promotions to the Premier League in the 22 years that Town have been away - but haven't managed to survive long there.
Turning his thoughts as to how Town - a side no-one tipped to get promotion this season - might fare in the top tier next term, Sutton said the Blues' approach will be key.
He explained: "The fans will enjoy it and be excited to go into the Premier League but, as neighbours, we know all too well that the last two top-flight seasons for Norwich have been thoroughly miserable. It's so hard to get it right up there.
"It's possible—look at Brentford and Bournemouth—but it will take money and good recruitment.
"Will Ipswich drastically change their squad? Their approach to it will be fascinating. The Premier League can be brutal, as Norwich know all too well.
"Credit to them for getting there. It is a remarkable achievement to get out of League One and into the Premier League within a season."
The Canaries are still in with a shout of reaching the Premier League again themselves.
They finished sixth in the Championship, and will face Leeds United and ex-boss Daniel Farke in the play-off semi-finals.
The first leg is at Carrow Road at 12noon on Sunday.
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