Boss Kieran McKenna believes that in time, by making the correct decisions and doing the right things, Town will become a better team and a better club.

The Blues have made a good start to the season with Sunday’s 2-1 loss at Plymouth, which saw them drop to second in the table, their first League One defeat of the campaign in their 10th match.

Off the field, season ticket sales are at their highest for more than a decade and there is a feel-good factor around the club which hasn’t been there for some years, certainly not in the previous years in League One.

Asked why be believes that’s the case, McKenna, speaking prior to Sunday’s match, said: “I think it's difficult to say and I wouldn't like to speculate about previous seasons or campaigns.

“It’s well known that there were lots of changes at the start of last season and that it’s always not easy to settle into a season quickly and not easy to get off to a fast start, I think that's well seen and well proven across a lot of teams.

“Beyond that, I think it's not my place to speak too much about what's gone on before. I think what I can say is when I arrived in January or late December, the position in the table wasn't where we would want it to be.

“But I found a really good group of players, a really core group of players who were really hungry to be part of a good Ipswich team, who wanted to do well at the club, who wanted to help move a club in that direction and wanted to improve

“They've been a really good group to work with and we've made good steps in the last nine months but still lots and lots of work to go to get where we want to get to.”

Has it been tough for the players to deal with being at one of League One’s bigger clubs and being there to be shot at? “I think all big clubs find that, of course. When you're not going through a successful period, it can be a challenge to be at a big club.

“But when you're going through a successful period, it's a fantastic place to be and I think Ipswich is no different on that.

“That's the privilege of being at a big club. There's more pressure to perform and to get results and I think everyone in their career, whether it's players or managers, would say they'd rather have that pressure and rather be at a big club that is striving to do things than for that not to be the case.

“I think we know going into this season that we have high expectations of ourselves and the supporters and the fanbase are really hungry for success.

“I think that's something that everyone is embracing at the moment and really focusing on what we can control and making sure that our training is right, our culture is right and our performances are right. And if we do that, we give ourselves a chance to get good results.”

Regarding his side’s development since his appointment in December last year, he reflected: “I think there is a lot of parts of the team that I'm pleased and proud of and there are certainly a lot of elements within us that I like.

“I think we've got a long way to go and I like to think that in time we will improve further and we will develop everything about the football club really.

“I think we've made a really good start and there are positive elements but again, in time, making the right decisions and doing the right things, we'll be a better team and a better club and a force going forward.

“That's not just my work. That's the work of the whole club, from the owners to [CEO] Mark Ashton to myself. We're all happy with the direction, but all know that this is only the early steps and we want to take many more steps forward, and it's all about the work to continue to do that now.”

Photo: Pagepix

JaySwitch added 14:13 - Sep 27 Now is the time
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Barty added 14:17 - Sep 27 To be honest we must get promotion this season - simple as that !
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Churchman added 14:25 - Sep 27 We really need to, but KM is right to get some perspective as to where we are without slagging off previous managers and the owner
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brassy added 14:32 - Sep 27 i think its a much tougher league than fans think coybs
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Suffolkboy added 14:55 - Sep 27 This piece , this content , this projection tells us just what ,where and how the ‘new ‘ Management team are aiming for greater things in the future ! It also reassures , if needed, those who might have any doubts about the man who is Kieron McKenna and how he views the task and targets ahead ! At ITFC we've a completely rejuvenated organisation and Club to whom we can really dedicate our loyalty knowing ,despite the inevitable hiccoughs , their aspirations match our hopes ! COYB

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markchips added 15:08 - Sep 27 This guy is measured in his approach to everything. We struggled on Saturday but McKenna will identify the weaknesses and address them as is needed. For example he threw Davis in at the deep end at Bolton and we were all wondering after that game but he is certainly improving now as demonstrated against Plymouth where he was one of the better performers.
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AlanG296 added 15:21 - Sep 27 McKenna's a very good talker and has made great progress since joining us but ultimately he will be judged on what he achieves on the pitch and if we're not in the Championship next season, sadly he will have failed.
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magnus68 added 15:25 - Sep 27 Look, we play level with the top teams we have met. We are not trashing or winning against the top 6. If this is our level we end up in the playoff lottery. We simply need even better new recruits to get automatic promotion.
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dirtydingusmagee added 16:32 - Sep 27 its too early to start moaning, we have only lost one game, Ok we should have won against the owls, we slipped up again at the weekend, but i wont judge them on those two results, its how we come back from losing that will be an indication of how we are doing . COYB
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muccletonjoe added 16:37 - Sep 27 It's not a case of get promoted this season or give up. That idea is just stupid when the manager hasn't even been here a year yet.
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blues1 added 17:02 - Sep 27 AlanG296. No, he'll only have failed among the unrealistic fans who think this isxa mustcgetcpromoted season, or its all doom and gloom, and who think we should beat everyone in this lge bcse we are itfc. It's about time those fans got it into their heads, as things stand, we are a lge 1 team. We have no less, or no more right to succeed in this lge than any other team. And the fact we have a bigger budget, and a better squad than most, actually makes it harder, as we arexaztarget for many of those teams. Of course we want to get up this season. But to suggest if we don't it's a disaster, is ridiculous.

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NorthLondonBlue2 added 17:04 - Sep 27 Crazy that people are moaning after our flying start! KM has only been in the job, his first managerial job, for 9 months. Sure, it's disappointing to lose our first game of the season but we are going to drop points throughout the year, as all teams do. Keep the faith, back the manager and the team and pinch yourself you're not dreaming come the end of the season!

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Nomore4 added 17:24 - Sep 27 If we don't go up in the top 2…..then to finish in the next 4 spots is a bare minimum requirement…..win or lose the play off it's a minimum this season.
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AlanG296 added 17:33 - Sep 27 Blues1, Isaid failed. You say disaster. Your word not mine. Hope you can tell the difference.
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dunkleberrydog added 18:04 - Sep 27 McKenna appears to me to be a unique manager. And intelligent calm strategist. He has been gifted a marvellous opportunity by Mark Ashton, who is another Quality individual. The football this year reflects the management team. We are drawing where we would have lost and winning where we would have drawn in the past two seasons. Plymouth deserved their win but we also created many chances and could have got a result. I am keeping everything crossed that McKenna has got the same loyalty to Ipswich that Robson and Burley had, because he will certainly become a target, and it won't be long before they're knocking on his door…

8

OliveR16 added 18:47 - Sep 27 Slightly frustrating that this piece dates before last Sunday which would add perspective. There is no doubt that the club is going in the right direction but you can only do that in League 1 for so long before League 1 itself becomes the norm. The last two Saturdays have suggested we are more play-off than promotion material at the moment so League 1 season 5 might be beckoning. The best feature is having owners invested and investing in progress and who share the horror some of us have at being in this League. I wish the players shared it more.

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pragmatic added 20:24 - Sep 27 Yes, this is our 4th season in league one, but the first 2plus seasons we were a ship without a rudder, & to get not only investment in from new owners but invest in serious background staff takes time, Naturally supporters expectations are & should be very high, but look at what mckennas done in less than a year, so plenty of cause for serious optimism, by the way this is Portsmouths sixth season in league 1, not that we want to do same, but shows how difficult this league is, for me Mckennas the man or ITFC

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IpswichT62OldBoy added 20:57 - Sep 27 It takes a while to turn something around, at some points it looks as if nothing is happening but once the inertia is overcome then momentum builds generating forward movement with enough energy to translate into impetus and exit Division 3. Good foundations take a while to build once the ruins of the Jerry built nonsense is removed.
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IpswichT62OldBoy added 20:58 - Sep 27 Sorry, are removed.
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churchmans added 21:00 - Sep 27 Alang296 I think you are correct and that is how the owners will look at it
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churchmans added 21:06 - Sep 27 Blues1 this should be a must win season and we should biss the leauge and yes we should be smashing teams around us! What the hell is the matter with you low expectancy arse??? You and many other fans that you slag off with the 'moaning' tag etc got to remember that the club 'WE' come first not the manager whoever that may be until they earn it! If we look like we ain't going up or pushing later on in the season beleive me the owners will change it! There not here to eff about

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churchmans added 21:08 - Sep 27 With success which we ain't got yet and expectancy you will always get pressure,worries,praise and criticism!! That's what clubs with aspiration do
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herfie added 22:14 - Sep 27 The journey we're now on, both on and off the field, is a marathon, not a sprint. The most difficult part of this is expectation management. Great progress had been achieved since the new owners came on board, but as KmcK knows - and as the last two match's have shown - there's a lot still to be done to get us to where we need to be to get out of this league. The temptation for us supporters is to think that we're riding a wave that will automatically result in promotion; when, as KMck knows it's a far more difficult ask, when blips along the way are inevitable. But it's how quickly the resulting lessons can be learned - both individually and collectively - and how we grow mentally more resilient, that will define where we actually stand among the better teams in this league.

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churchmans added 22:29 - Sep 27 HERFIE agreed I hope its sooner rather than later
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peaky69 added 23:53 - Sep 27 The general consensus from everyone, in and out of the inner sanctum of the club, is certainly to be promoted. But not just to be promoted, to be able to compete in the Championship also. That is why the people at the club currently are the right people IMO. They understand the right people at the club will ensure this club prospers for many seasons to come, not just this one. As for the reality of losses, albeit we wish for none. 26 wins, 12 draws, 8 losses will give you 90 points. Yes, 8 losses. That is a reality and a target that would see automatic promotion in most seasons.

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