In his most famous hit, Born in the USA, Bruce Springsteen talks about being like “a dog that’s been beaten too much.” That’s what the Ipswich fans were like when Kieran McKenna arrived.

A bowl of tasty treats was held out to us, but we had been through too much suffering to be lured out from under the table. It would take some time before we could regain our trust.

But McKenna didn’t just talk a lot, he also delivered. And the results were a real feast for the eyes. No passing for the sake of possession, but aggressive pressing and precise moves that led to goals. So many goals.

Under Paul Lambert, there were times when it felt like the only way we would score was if the wind took over and blew the ball into the net. Under McKenna, wins began by four, five and six goals.

The crowds came back, the kids no longer needed bribing, we escaped the clutches of League One and then waited to see what our new leaders could do in the Championship.

The goal was consolidation with signs of progress. But we have achieved much more.

Despite having to compete against clubs with parachute money in their pockets, we remained competitive in the Championship, even after a series of draws over Christmas and New Year which saw us caught and then overtaken by the chasing pack.

Commentators speculated that we would be relegated. Leeds and Southampton fans hoped we would be relegated – but that didn’t happen.

Although the final sprint for the top two places ended with victories over Coventry and Huddersfield, it was most evident in the chaotic celebrations after Jeremy Sarmiento’s late winner in the 3-2 classic against Southampton on Easter Monday, which resulted in ankle injuries.

As people hugged each other or stared wide-eyed at the man next to them, the devastating defeats at Accrington and Northampton began to fade from memory.

Part four on Thursday at 4:00 p.m.