McKenna on Chaplin, 'not looking back' and Forest
- Published
Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Nottingham Forest (kick-off 15:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
There are no new injury concerns "so it's been a better week from that perspective".
Conor Chaplin "isn't training with the group yet as he's had to take a slightly different course of treatment", but McKenna is hopeful to have the forward back after the international break.
He said there "won't be too much of an ease off" over the break but that is "more from a mental point of view so we stay sharp and tuned in" for the final block of games.
On a recent upturn in performances: "We're disappointed that we've not picked up more points. I believe the team has improved and so have they as individuals, despite results not reflecting that. We are getting to a point where we are consistently competing well, but it is about picking up points. It is not about looking back at what we've done well - it is about pushing to make the next step."
In response to whether he looks back and wishes Ipswich had done anything differently: "It's not the stage of the season where it's time to reflect as we are still very much in it and we are fighting. I am 100% certain that when we look back it won't be through any lack of trying or effort, so hopefully that will bring success in the end. We will be stronger as a football club either way."
He wants Ipswich to be on the right side of the small margins: "If we don't score a goal, then it's about making sure we don't concede a goal."
On opponents Nottingham Forest, who they lost to in an FA Cup penalty shootout less than two weeks ago: "We've had two games against them and both were pretty close. There will probably be areas of the game that will be the same, but I'm sure both teams will make tweaks or adjustments as well. It's a new game and we will do everything we can to come out on top."
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Full commentary of Ipswich Town v Nottingham Forest on BBC Radio 5 Live from 15:00 GMT on Saturday
