Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna says that the "processes and mindsets" inside the dressing room are still the same as when they were flying high in the Championship.
"Internally it's not that different - [but] externally there is certainly a different context around the team. At the bottom end of the table, the narrative can change even quicker than at the top of the table."
Ipswich played Liverpool in their opening Premier League game of this season - what was the final score and who found the net?
Answer will be revealed at 17:00 GMT
Image source, Getty ImagesDara O'Shea says maintaining the same mindset will put Ipswich in "good stead" as they approach the end of the 2024-25 season.
Town were knocked out of the FA Cup on penalties on Monday at Nottingham Forest and remain in deep trouble in the Premier League. However, the defender told BBC Radio Suffolk that spirits remain high at Portman Road.
"For me, this is quite strange because I'm in the same position as I have been before [battling relegation] but I don't feel like I'm in that position as such," O'Shea said. "I think the whole club and the belief around the group isn't really one of that we are in a relegation battle and that things are piling up on top of us.
"That's important for us to keep that same mindset throughout because there's going to be pressure put on us if we don't get points on the board. The easiest way to keep the pressure off is to get points on the board.
"It's not a nice place to be in. I've been there twice before and I'm trying to use all of the experience I've had in those situations and add them to the group. Lots of the other lads too have been in similar scenarios. It's tough - and things have to change.
"As long as we go into each week with the same mindset and mentality that we are pushing towards a positive result and keeping doing things right, I think that's important for us and it will put us in good stead."
Listen to full commentary of Crystal Palace v Ipswich Town on BBC Radio Suffolk from 15:00 GMT on Saturday
Image source, Getty ImagesAs Thomas Tuchel approaches his first England squad, I'm wondering who may make an appearance from the slightly less obvious candidates.
Liam Delap has shone in an Ipswich team that are potentially going to go back down and could be a real option for Tuchel.
In terms of his goals and his presence, he has an ugly, old-school type of approach to his game. I don't think any of the other English strikers have that.
He has that style of being willing to have a fight with a defender even as a lone striker and I don't think the others have that in their locker.
In terms of what he does with the ball in front of goal, he's a really calm finisher. He's somebody that given time is definitely an option for Tuchel and he could look at him in this squad as a back-up to Harry Kane, who cannot play forever.
To get those goals and have the season he has had in a very average Ipswich team in the Premier League, it has not been easy.
In terms of finishing in the box, he is similar to Kane but I don't think Kane has the physical side in the same way. Delap is better at that than him but he is not able to drop into pockets and find forward passes as well as Kane can.
Delap has some similar attributes to Kane but also offers something different and is definitely in with a shout for featuring in the upcoming international break.
Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nat Hayward
Holly Bacon
BBC Sport journalist
Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Crystal Palace (kick-off 15:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
McKenna said Sammie Szmodics will have ankle surgery and will be out for "an extended period of time" and that if they see him this season it will be "in the last couple of fixtures".
He added that Axel Tuanzebe will miss this weekend with a "small muscle injury" and that he also needs an operation on his thumb. Cameron Burgess "is still being assessed" and one or two who weren't in the squad on Monday may be able to re-join for Saturday's game but also one or two from that squad won't be available.
Julio Enciso and Omari Hutchinson aren't too far away, Kalvin Phillips has trained and Conor Chaplin is still working his way back to fitness.
McKenna concluded on injuries: "It's certainly a bit of a tricky period for us at the moment. We're trying to make the right decisions and get a competitive squad available for Saturday."
Speaking about Ipswich's league standing and form McKenna said: "The boys have taken some positives from the game [against Forest], now we know there are 11 games left and everyone is determined to look forward to those games."
The boss was asked if his side can flip moments of adversity into something beneficial and said: "If you keep approaching them in the right way, finding the right response in your daily work, whether it goes well or against you. If you stay consistent in your behaviour, in our processes, driving the culture here, I think that builds a trust between the group."
On whether the balance between points and performance change at this stage of the season: "The feel does change a little bit. Of course the later you get towards the end of the season because there's less games ahead, the results feel more important but the best way we believe to get the points is to focus on performances and to try and perform as well as you can with whatever the game plan is in that particular game."
On Crystal Palace: "There's no game in the Premier League that is going to be anything less than competitive. If we can do a lot of things well then we'll make the games competitive and Crystal Palace are a very strong side, they have certainly improved as the season has gone on."
Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news
Steve Mellen
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesIn recent weeks, we asked you for something fans were not talking about enough at Ipswich but should be. You told us there was a reliance on Liam Delap and that more goal sources were needed so we put that to one of our Ipswich experts. Here's what Steve Mellen had to say:
Few stats illustrate the 'feast or famine' experience of fans of clubs promoted to the Premier League than Ipswich's 'goals for' tally.
Last season we scored 92 to secure promotion, 101 the year before in League One. So far this season – 26.
Kieran McKenna tends to play a lone striker, and for almost every game this season it has been Liam Delap, a man described by Danny Murphy as the natural successor to Harry Kane for England – not bad for a player who scored eight for Hull last season, and whose £20m transfer to us was written off by some as an expensive mistake.
But as much as it has been a delight to watch Delap, without him we don't have much of a goal threat. On paper.
His goals earned us home draws with Fulham and Villa. He scored the crucial second at Spurs and got us a point at Villa Park. He opened the scoring in the 2-0 win over Chelsea and scored in the 2-2 draw at Craven Cottage. Examine the games we've taken points from this season and you'll usually find Delap's influence.
Are we relying too much on one man? Maybe, but injuries have played as much a part.
Currently out: Sammie Szmodics, Conor Chaplin, Omari Hutchinson, Wes Burns and Chiedozie Ogbene (the last two out for the season). Julio Enciso looked to be a real handful but got crocked at Villa Park.
George Hirst has had his spells on the sidelines, as has Nathan Broadhead. Put simply, Delap has been the focal point of our attack as he's not only loving life in the Prem, but has managed to stay fit.
Even if we manage to defy the odds and stay up, chances are we'll need a plan without Delap as several big clubs are circling.
But for this season, it's as much about getting other players back on the pitch as it is keeping him fit.
Steve Mellen is the former editor of ITFC magazine Meet Me At Sir Alf, and also represented fanzine Those Were The Days
Image source, Getty ImagesFormer Ipswich striker Alex Mathie says Kieran McKenna's side "did themselves proud" against Nottingham Forest and put in an equally impressive attacking and defensive display.
A shootout defeat left Ipswich with no cup competitions left to contest, meaning all focus can be on the final 11 games of the season and Premier League survival.
"We played well and they created the most chances I've seen for a long time," Mathie told BBC Radio Suffolk. "They also defended well so they did themselves proud.
"The players, staff and fans have given it everything, but it was to be Forest's night.
"The players can take a lot from the game. This season they have been in every game but it's a case of not taking their chances before the teams with top quality put theirs away. That is what has killed us because we can't get back into games.
"There are still loads of points to play for, so I'm still not ruling us out [of staying up]. The job is obviously very difficult but because of the way we are playing, I can't rule us out."
Hear more from Mathie and all the post-match reaction on BBC Sounds
Seb Brown
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesIpswich Town's unwanted membership in a select group of four sides who have never played at the 'new' Wembley Stadium will continue for at least another 12 months.
Along with Accrington Stanley, Blackburn Rovers and Colchester United, Ipswich are the only Premier League and Football League clubs to never feature at the new stadium since it opened in 2007.
Monday's defeat on penalties at Nottingham Forest was the story of the season so far - spirited at times, rarely being outplayed by stronger opponents but lacking quality at key moments. The performance will give Town fans both concerns and optimism.
The concerns will be the ever-growing injury list the squad now faces. A double enforced substitution at half-time now takes the injured player list to 10. Very few Premier League squads could cope with this level of player absence, let alone one which was in League One two years ago and has had to spend over £120m to try to catch up.
Season-ending injuries to Wes Burns and Chieo Ogbene, along with several months out for George Hirst and Axel Tuanzebe, have severely disrupted Kieran McKenna's ability to field a familiar starting XI each week in the hope of building some on-pitch relationships.
The overriding positive element from Monday was the defensive display. Restricting Forest to four shots on target across 120 minutes is a testament to their defensive solidity, with academy graduate Luke Woolfenden in particular a real standout.
The attributes on show were a stark contrast to recent defeats by Tottenham and Manchester United.
With only two games now left in March, Ipswich will hope to get some players back, especially in the attacking third to provide some creativity, goals and offensive threat.
If they can combine this with the defensive display at the City Ground, then they will have half a chance in their Premier League run-in.
Find more from Seb Brown at the Blue Monday Podcast, external
We asked for your views on the FA Cup fifth-round tie between Nottingham Forest and Ipswich.
Here are some of your comments:
Nottingham Forest fans:
Rob: It is all about progressing to the next round, doesn't matter how you get there! Ryan Yates epitomised everything about Forest - grit and determination. Suspect he may have impressed a watching England manager...
Nathan: Ipswich made it hard for us and were tough to break down, but we did well to get the equaliser and thought we looked most likely as the game went on. Solid all round and the result is all that matters. Wary of Brighton's reaction after the 7-0.
Adam: I'm glad that we're through to the quarter-finals but we sure made it harder than it needed to be. We were the better team throughout the game but just could not finish our chances. It was a decent game of football but just frustrating as a Forest fan to watch.
Fosi: We have not played well for six matches now, defence not quite as solid and attack lacks penetration. Think we need better quality back up players, and slightly bigger squad to cope with all the games. Overall good fighting display.
Ipswich fans:
Robert: Scrappy game, but what I don't understand is why clubs (not just Ipswich but Forest and Manchester United) field weakened teams from the start. Surely the prospect of taking your loyal fans to Wembley in a final is worth playing the best XI?
James: Small margins again. We took a good side in Forest to 120 minutes. It is a shame to lose but the bigger focus was always the league. Full effort and attention now needed for a crucial part of the season.
Matt: We defended well but offered little attacking threat. Lots of passing backwards demonstrated a lack of confidence. Improved in extra time but we were always going to lose when it came to penalties - it was just a question who would miss. Need to win matches to stay up now - which I cannot see happening.
Image source, Getty ImagesIpswich Town manager Kieran McKenna, speaking to BBC Sport: "It's a really disappointing way to lose the game, but it can happen in a penalty shootout. One team is going to be on the wrong end.
"They left everything out on the pitch. We came into the game with challenges and got a lot more challenges on the pitch. The way the team competed and fought their way through the game was really good. We can take a lot of positives from the game.
"It's a cup competition so I don't draw all the comparisons to the league, but against a very good team we can be proud of the performance. We knew we had to manage aspects of the game as they are the fastest team in the league, so we knew we couldn't make it 100mph because it would suit them too much."
On whether he will need to lift the group: "I don't think mentally I will, to be honest. The players will come in with renewed confidence with the way they competed, renewed belief in the squad and the way we are working. They will have good feelings from the performance. The biggest challenge is how we recover physically for Saturday."
Did you know?
George Hirst's past five goals for Ipswich have come away from home, with two of his three strikes this season coming in the FA Cup.
Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?
What did you make of the display, Nottingham Forest fans?
Ipswich fans - tell us your thoughts here
Come back to this page on Tuesday to find a selection of your replies
Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna made 11 changes when his side beat Coventry in round four and I suspect he will do something similar here.
You might have heard about 'Sutton's Super Computer', which were the calculations I did for the Monday Night Club this week, where I worked out the results of all the remaining Premier League fixtures.
According to my secret formula, which is obviously extremely scientific, the Tractor Boys only have an outside chance of staying up. Along with Leicester, they were in my 'no-hopers' category.
Maybe Ipswich can surprise me and go on an FA Cup run, but you have to fancy Nottingham Forest here.
Defeat would just leave a grim fight against relegation for McKenna's side, so I feel for my daughter's teacher, Mr Fields, who regular readers will know follows the Tractor Boys, but not so much for my 5 Live colleague Ali Bruce-Ball, who is a phony Ipswich supporter - when I asked him, he could not remember the last time he went to watch them as a fan.
One thing I really can't stand are people like Bruce who attach themselves to a club which has a bit of success, claiming some tenuous link from the past.
My boyhood team, Forest, may make changes too because they are still in a good position for a Champions League spot, but I am backing Chris Wood to come off the bench and get us a winner.
Sutton's prediction: 2-1 after extra time
Listen to live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live.
Image source, Getty ImagesThis is the fourth FA Cup tie between Nottingham Forest and Ipswich. The Tractor Boys progressed via a replay in 1980-81, while Forest have won the past two meetings 3-0 (January 1989 and January 1997).
Ipswich have been eliminated from their past 13 FA Cup ties against Premier League opponents, since beating Blackburn Rovers in the third round in 1995-96.
The draw for the FA Cup quarter-finals has been made. Here are the four ties in the order they were drawn.
Games will be played over the final weekend of March.
Fulham v Crystal Palace
Preston v Aston Villa
Bournemouth v Manchester City
Brighton v Nottingham Forest/Ipswich
Image source, Getty ImagesThe road to Wembley continues this weekend, as teams battle it out to book their spot in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
There is still lots of Premier League interest in the competition, with 11 top-flight teams all dreaming of a trip to Wembley. Aston Villa are already in the hat for the last eight after victory over Cardiff City on Friday.
The draw will take place on BBC One after Sunday's tie between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford, which kicks off at 16:30 GMT and features Danny Murphy, Micah Richards and Wayne Rooney in the studio with host Gary Lineker.
If you're wondering how to follow the remaining fifth-round ties, find all the information you need here.
Nat Hayward
BBC Sport journalist
Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna has been speaking to the media before Monday's FA Cup fifth-round game at Nottingham Forest (19:30 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
McKenna confirmed Omari Hutchinson suffered a knee injury in Wednesday's defeat at Manchester United: "It's not very, very serious but he will definitely miss the next game and possibly more. Very disappointing."
Kalvin Phillips is "progressing well" but McKenna is "not sure when he will be back", saying the midfielder is a "day-by-day case".
On his team selection, McKenna added: "We try and keep two players for each position physically, technically and tactically ready. Part of that is utilising the squad in cup competitions. That is what we have done to this point and the players have done really well. We haven't made any decisions for Monday yet but there's a chance for some of those who have done well in the first two rounds get an opportunity again."
One player who could return is goalkeeper Arijanet Muric: "It's a possibility. He's carrying a bit of an issue in his shoulder but he's managing. I'll have to get some sort of judgments on that and see where he is from a medical point of view but it's certainly a possibility he will play."
On recovering from defeat against 10 men at Old Trafford: "We had conversations this morning. Players had yesterday off after a late return on Wednesday night. We've been through all of it and looked at the areas that were most important and the players are looking forward to Monday now."
McKenna could lead an Ipswich team into the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time in more than 30 years: "We're looking forward to the game. A couple of earlier rounds have been a nice break from the league action. It's a nice change of focus and narrative and a nice progression for the group. It's a real challenge but a really good cup tie in a historic ground against a good Premier League side. A welcome distraction to be honest."
Follow all of Friday's FA Cup news conferences and the rest of the day's football news
Listen to live commentary of Nottingham Forest v Ipswich on Monday from 19:30 on BBC Radio 5 Live
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked for your views on Manchester United's Premier League match against Ipswich.
Here are some of your comments:
Man Utd fans
Peter: Not the start you'd hope for but after a little while Manchester United took control and played the best football for a long while. The sending off changed the game and it was all about heart and the will to fight which they showed in abundance.
Paul: After I've made various comments about team performances and lack of effort, it's nice to get a win with a fighting performance when down to 10 men. But can I please make a request to Ruben Amorim to please, please drop Andre Onana he's just not of a standard for the Premier League.
Mike: Slightly better than previous games but against Ipswich, it should have been much better. Can't understand why Rasmus Hojlund wasn't taken off instead of Alejandro Garnacho.
Ipswich fans
Lindsey: We're just not quick enough or good enough in the last phase. I don't understand why Ipswich weren't trying to ping more balls into the box. Such good play on the counter then we just stop.
Oli: The stage was set and what a great opportunity that 2nd half could have been for Ipswich. However, their inability to defend a set-piece and being too slow to create anything in attack meant it was another missed opportunity (of which there are very few remaining).
Rich: Played some good football but we were more dangerous in the first half. With the extra man, there wasn't enough creativity to make chances. There seemed to be a lack of ideas in the second half. Good attempt to change things bringing on George Hirst to play alongside Delap but it was perhaps a bit too late.
Image source, Getty ImagesIpswich Town manager Kieran McKenna, speaking to TNT Sports: "We're really annoyed with how it ended up. We didn't defend the set plays well enough in the first half and then the one at the start of the second half is really poor. We knew the threat was on setpieces and the third goal is unacceptable from our point of view and from then on we were chasing.
"We need to stand up and be counted better. We have defended set pieces well all season, but we were unable to deal with them tonight. We were not strong enough from a maturity point of view and they handled it better than us when they were down to 10 men.
"We had some good spells in the first half, we started the game really well and we can have a high level, we've had spells like that in nearly all the games.
"Tonight it is on us, we have to own it. It's not a night where we're feeling many positives, we let one get away from us. We need to learn from tonight, we played against a group of players that showed their maturity and quality."
