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There is no doubt that lessons were learned by McKenna during Ipswich’s season in the Premier League, only his third full campaign as a head coach.
One charge which could perhaps have been levelled at him was that he showed too much loyalty to players who had served him well previously.
The starting 11 for the 2024-25 season opener against Liverpool at Portman Road, which they lost 2-0, contained six
McKenna has no fresh injury problems in his squad as they prepare to face a mid-table QPR side beaten in their past three matches.
“I watched their game against Derby last week, they had nearly 70 per cent possession against a team in the play-offs – they’ve got a very good manager, a very professional manager, I’m sure they’ll have trained and prepared this week,” McKenn
“They’ll be motivated to
West Brom’s punishment late on Friday transformed the complexion of game at The Hawthorns, with the hosts’ status in the second tier back under threat.
And their approach reflected the renewed importance of the fixture, with the Baggies dominating the first-half chances.
A swerving shot from Ousmane Diakite and Dike’s quick thinking, as he pounced on a moment of defensive hesitancy, saw Ipswich goalkeeper Walton tested twice in quick succession.
McKenna’s men were the firm bookies’ favourites to win the title on the eve of the season in August.
Town were odds-on to go up, with Southampton the second-favourites, and the other relegated Premier League side, Leicester City, third in the betting… though the less said about that the better.
For the record, champions Coventry were sixth-favourites for promotion, behind Birmingham City and Sheffield United, and just ahead of Middlesbrough.
Southampton boss Tonda Eckert says the vital game against promotion rivals Ipswich is a “big test of maturity” for his side following their FA Cup semi-final defeat against Manchester City.
The Saints led 1-0 at Wembley before late goals from Jeremy Doku and Nico Gonzalez took City through to the final.
The focus now shifts to Tuesday, when a win against second-placed Ipswich would mean Southampton would go into the
Ipswich had the worst away record of any side in the top 10 before kick-off but will be delighted with their first comeback win on the road this season.
It moves them back above Millwall, who slip to third place, with both sides level on points but the Tractor Boys boasting a far superior goal difference.
Perhaps more importantly, Ipswich still have a game in hand, which puts them in
Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna believes his side deserved a penalty in the final moments of a turbulent 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough, which sees the Tractor Boys back up to second in the Championship.
“Bit surprised about how many questions I’ve had about [the penalty],” McKenna told BBC Radio Suffolk.
“To me, the ball’s going across the face of goal and [Adilson] Malanda pulls George Hirst back as he’s running
In the wake of Sunday’s frustrating late draw at Ipswich, we asked whether Boro fans thought their hopes of automatic promotion were over, and even if a play-off spot might be in doubt with three games remaining.
Here are some of your responses:
Barry: It was over after the Portsmouth game. It wasn’t lost or finalised after Ipswich, I’d say the Charlton loss (on 11 March) was the turning
Just three points separate Ipswich from Middlesbrough in fifth place, and Clarke said it was up to everybody to rise to the challenge, no matter their level of experience.
“I don’t think you can just rely on people who’ve been there and seen it and done it. Whether you’ve played one game or 100 games, everybody’s opinion is valued, and we’re all going to be called upon at different times,”
Ipswich started the game well and had a great chance to open the scoring when Kasey McAteer was slipped in down the right and found George Hirst in the box, but his shot ended up being blocked behind for a corner.
The Blues had a brilliant effort well saved just before the half-hour mark when Millenic Ali let fly from 25 yards with a thunderous right-footed effort that had to