Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has downplayed his side's chances of winning the Championship title, stating that the gap between teams is "very small" and that consistency is key.
Despite being in third place with two points behind Middlesbrough and a game in hand, McKenna remains coy about Ipswich's position. When asked if he believes it's a promotion race, he replies, "Honestly, I wouldn't even call it a promotion race yet." Instead, he focuses on his team's own progress, saying that consistency is crucial to success.
McKenna attributes the improvement at Portman Road to the new group of players who have taken time to integrate. He notes that players like Cedric Kipres and Azor Matusiwa have grown significantly since joining the club, while second-season players like Jack Clarke and Jaden Philogene are showing their talent.
However, McKenna emphasizes that hard work, teamwork, mentality, and cohesion on and off the pitch are what truly matter in the Championship. He believes that Ipswich have one of the strongest squads in the league, but acknowledges that any gap in talent doesn't automatically count for much.
The manager also reveals that Ipswich will continue to look to improve their squad in January, with a view to adding quality players or strengthening the existing roster. McKenna stresses that the goal is to be as strong and balanced as possible by the end of January.
Ipswich's current position in the Championship table means they are not the favourites this time around, having eight points less than they did at the same stage last season. However, McKenna believes it is down to the new group taking time to integrate, with players growing significantly since joining the club.
Despite being in third place with two points behind Middlesbrough and a game in hand, McKenna remains coy about Ipswich's position. When asked if he believes it's a promotion race, he replies, "Honestly, I wouldn't even call it a promotion race yet." Instead, he focuses on his team's own progress, saying that consistency is crucial to success.
McKenna attributes the improvement at Portman Road to the new group of players who have taken time to integrate. He notes that players like Cedric Kipres and Azor Matusiwa have grown significantly since joining the club, while second-season players like Jack Clarke and Jaden Philogene are showing their talent.
However, McKenna emphasizes that hard work, teamwork, mentality, and cohesion on and off the pitch are what truly matter in the Championship. He believes that Ipswich have one of the strongest squads in the league, but acknowledges that any gap in talent doesn't automatically count for much.
The manager also reveals that Ipswich will continue to look to improve their squad in January, with a view to adding quality players or strengthening the existing roster. McKenna stresses that the goal is to be as strong and balanced as possible by the end of January.
Ipswich's current position in the Championship table means they are not the favourites this time around, having eight points less than they did at the same stage last season. However, McKenna believes it is down to the new group taking time to integrate, with players growing significantly since joining the club.
? like, "it's not a promotion race... yet" lol what even is that? and omg cedric kipres and azor matusiwa are low-key legends now 
i mean, who wouldn't want to watch them smash it on the pitch? but seriously, consistency is key, yeah, yeah, got it 
. and january transfer window... yawn 
let's get those quality players in already! 
. Consistency is key, yada yada, we've heard that before 
. I mean, yeah the new players are looking good, Kipres and Matusiwa are showing some serious skill 
️, but what about the rest of the squad? You're not gonna magically get 5 more points out of them 
. And don't even get me started on the squad imbalance 
... McKenna's got a point though, hard work and cohesion are key 
, but can Ipswich actually put it all together for the next few games? 
. Still, it's hard to deny the gap that exists between Ipswich and some of their top-four rivals 
. I'd love to see how they fare over the next few months, especially if they can strengthen the squad in January 
having that gap in talent might not be as big of a deal if everyone's on the same page and working together. and honestly, who doesn't love an underdog story? 
Ipswich fans are gonna have to stay patient and keep believing in their team... but I'm rooting for them all the way! 
. As for adding quality players or strengthening their roster in January, I'd say they're playing a smart game, kinda like when you finally figure out how to use your slow cooker and it's a total game-changer... except instead of chili, it's football