McKenna's 'platform' makes 'total sense'

Another point on the board for Ipswich Town, along with a very welcome clean sheet (with huge thanks to our enigmatic keeper Aro Muric!) - while our survival rivals each shipped two or more goals. The consensus amongst the Town fanbase was that Saturday’s point was a positive. There was some trepidation from a few though that Kieran McKenna’s side hadn’t imposed themselves on Brighton enough.

Liam Delap and Omari Hutchinson galloping away on the break were the two stand-out attacking moments for the visitors. For this to be the case is a reminder of the level the Blues now find themselves to be at, but perhaps suggests that something more important is being worked on behind the scenes.

McKenna’s first order of business when he joined the club in December 2021 was to fix a dysfunctional Ipswich defence. His predecessor’s talented but attack-first squad had shipped the most goals of any team in the top half of League One. After a few weeks under the new boss, Town would go on to keep 16 clean sheets in their remaining 22 games.

The trip to Man City, and the barmy four minutes where Town’s backline disintegrated and conceded three times, would have alarmed McKenna. Making us tough to beat as a platform for more expansive play makes total sense. For sides like Ipswich at Premier League level, “every point is a prisoner” (to quote a previous Town boss). Drawing matches when you’re second best is nothing to grumble at.

The ‘real quiz’ for our season though is what we do when the balance of power to the opposition is more even. Our first real opportunity to observe this is on Saturday when battle recommences with fellow promoted side Southampton!

Find more from Richard Woodward at the Blue Monday Podcast