Brian Laws expects another acid test of his side's Championship aspirations when the Clarets patrol Portman Road tomorrow.
Burnley were handed a tough task on their return to the Football League when the fixture list pitched them against Nottingham Forest, Ipswich Town, Leicester City and Swansea City in their opening four games.
With the first one successfully negotiated last weekend when Forest were felled 1-0 at Turf Moor, the Clarets now face Roy Keane's Ipswich on the back of their opening day success at Middlesbrough.
And Laws believes the Tractor Boys will provide another telling yardstick in a potentially crucial opening month.
"Ipswich are a side that is always there or thereabouts in the Championship and a strong contender for promotion," said the Burnley boss.
"Last year was just a blip. They had a tough year but when you look at the stats they drew more than anyone else and if they had turn half of those into wins they would have been in the play-offs.
"Roy is a very determined character and a determined manager who wants and demands success and anyone who stands in his way will get trampled on. That's the way he played and that's the way he manages.
"He will want to try and brush us to one side but hopefully we will have something to say about that."
Laws: 'A big month'
Laws added: "I still believe they are going to be a strong contender, which is why I said from the start that our first four games are a real test for us.
"I believe Nottingham Forest will be up there, Ipswich will be up there, Swansea will have another good season and Leicester will have another good season.
"If we can come through that - I'm not saying win every game -but with a positive approach and points tally then it will set the season up for us."
Laws has identified Burnley's opening four opponents as potential challengers at the top end of the table but knows the threat could come from almost anywhere in a wide open field.
Consistency will therefore be key and Laws was encouraged by the building blocks put in place in getting the first points on the board against Forest.
Laws: 'Togetherness'
"Last Saturday epitomised what this league is about. No-one drew. I haven't seen that before and I think this will typify what the league's about," the boss told Clarets Player.
"It will be very unpredictable this year. There are a lot of teams out there capable of putting a run together and potentially promotion contenders.
"I think everyone has got a chance so to get off to a flying start as we did was fantastic for everybody.
"We would like to take that into our next game and if you get a momentum going who knows what can happen?
"One thing's for sure. The players have responded magnificently. They have worked really hard, without playing the best football yet - I'm expecting a lote more - but from the first game the biggest thing that came out if was the togetherness on the pitch."
For an exclusive interview with Brian Laws on Burnley's trip to Ipswich, his part in Roy Keane's debut and all the latest from the Turf Moor camp, watch Clarets Player later today.
