In an interview on Saturday morning, Mick McCarthy said that his Ipswich squad had cost just £110,000 to assemble.

East Anglian neighbours, Norwich, have a budget that is many times that of the Portman Road outfit, but had to bring in a new manager, Alex Neil from Hamilton Academicals in January, to fulfil their potential.

Following Neil Adams’ resignation, Norwich turned to the young Scot, who went on to guide his team to a haul of 49 points from 22 games.

Mick McCarthy has had to do his shopping in the bargain basement. Following Aaron Cresswell’s £4million switch to West Ham in the summer, McCarthy replaced him with Tyrone Mings, a £10,000 buy from Chippenham Town.

Cresswell himself arrived at Portman Road from Tranmere.

Saturday’s play-off first-leg game finished all square at Ipswich, and though the Canaries will start as firm favourites to reach Wembley, it is far from a foregone conclusion.

Consistency and sound tactics go a long way to negating financial inequality.