Town are back in the top flight after a season away, having been relegated under Kieran McKenna in 2024/25, when they finished 19th with 22 points from four wins, 10 draws and 24 defeats.

Ipswich are already on nine points from three wins and four defeats this campaign, with Butcher highlighting that the players 'understand the power' of the level now.

"The players can play any system from what I see," he told BBC Radio Suffolk. "There is more steel, grit and power; a lot of resilience and a lot of fight.

Terry Butcher praised Gary O'Neil's tactical flexibility (Image: PA)

"It was very interesting last week to see Gary O'Neil employ a different system [back five against Manchester City] and I think it worked very well.

"Flexibility is so important in football. With McKenna, it was same old, same old.

"There is a great blend and combination all throughout the team. O'Neil has tried different players and he has settled now with a back four.

"We were hit by the power of the Premier League [during the 2024-25 season]. I think they understand the power now, and they have got power themselves.

"[Julio] Enciso's first spell was OK. Now he is brilliant and the match-winner for us."