The 2015/16 season was one of so close but yet so far for Ipswich Town, who were extremely close to a play-off placed finish.

After finishing just one place outside of those sought after play-off positions, in 7th, it must have been tough to take for Ipswich fans who would have backed the club to reach the play-offs.

It was Mick McCarthy's third full season as manager of the Championship side and, despite late disappointment, the club would probably have been fairly content with the season's finish - with just 5 points between them and the final play-off place, occupied by Sheffield Wednesday.

From that, the Tractor Boys will want to build on that seventh placed finish in a bid to push for the play-off positions in the 2016/17 season.

It is no doubt that their most impressive part of the team last season was their defensive stability, The back four proved a defiant force and many sides failed in an attempt to put multiple goals past them.

They conceded just 24 goals at their home, Portman Road, in 23 league matches. Just as impressively, McCarthy's side let in a number of just 51 goals in a total of 46 league games.

And, for a league with such great competition, Ipswich will almost certainly be looking to replicate their defiant defensive displays of last season.

That in mind, Mick McCarthy must keep hold of certain key players who could prove vital to their 2016/17 season.

HERE are the FOUR players that could be crucial to Ipswich Town's 2016/17 season......

 

Bartosz Bialkowski

Bartosz Bialkowskid

Starting off with one of the most impressive parts of the side last season, the Polish keeper, Bialkowski.

The beginning of the 2015/16 season saw the 28 year-old sidelined for the majority of the matches, following his move from Notts County in the summer of last year.

However, with a call up to the side coming in February, Bialkowski certainly took his chance and began to shine in goal for the Tractor Boys. He kept 8 clean sheets in his 20 appearances of last season, becoming a vital part to Ipswich's defensive prowess.

As a result, he could become a key player in the 2016/17 season and build solid foundations for the attackers to move forward on the attack.

Luke Chambers

Luke Chambersda

 As club captain, Chambers is a key player for Ipswich Town and will definitely look to be next season as well.

The 2015/16 season saw him accumulate a total of 45 for the club and the faith Mick McCarthy seems to have put in Chambers really seems to be proving successful.

He also contributed higher up the pitch, scoring 3 goals and assisting a further 6 for the Tractor Boys who, probably by their own admittance, struggled for goals last season.

Therefore, Chambers will be a key player for Ipswich next season. Not only is he club captain, but he also provides the back four with stability and even a sense of attacking strength.

Teddy Bishop

Teddy BishopTeddy Bishop

The 19-year-old midfielder had an unfortunate 2015/16 campaign with a hamstring injury ruling him out for the most part of the season.

The injury limited the youngster to just 4 appearances at the back end of last season where he managed to score once in the league.

Nevertheless, 2016/17 could see Bishop grow into a key player at Portman Road with both age and ability two great advantages he has. Furthermore, he has the versatility to play in the middle of the midfield as well as on the right side.

Brett Pitman 

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The 28 year-old striker was one of very few shining lights in Ipswich Town's attacking line last season as goals rarely flowed fluently.

He managed to net a total of 10 goals for the Tractor Boys - making himself the team's top goalscorer. He also managed to assist a further 4 goals, showing just how much of a value he was to the side.

Without Pitman, Ipswich would have struggled even more.

Therefore, he should be expected to have another key contribution to the Ipswich side when the 2016/17 Championship campaign kicks off.