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

hyperbrit added 00:49 - Sep 28 ...it would be helpful to remember where we were last season after this many games.There is work to do for sure and we must get used to the idea that sometimes we will be playing against 12 men too ,but there has been substantial progress which I'm sure will continue.
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Nomore4 added 08:03 - Sep 28 I've come to the conclusion that Blues1 is female….constant moaning and “I'm right your wrong” attitude in every comment.
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Nomore4 added 08:11 - Sep 28 Man City have a bigger budget and better squad than most in their league…..would their supporters be happy for 3rd 4th or 5th place finishes??? Blues1 obviously thinks they would.
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tractorboybig added 08:29 - Sep 28 well he is unlikely to say anything else. proof of the pudding is in its eating
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BlueBlood90 added 10:37 - Sep 28 There's still a weakness within us that cost us so many times last season. We're mentally weak when the going gets tough. Every time we concede a goal we become a deer in headlights. That needs to change immediately if we're to be successful this season.
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runningout added 13:12 - Sep 28 we forget this is our coaches first proper job and he's not been here that long
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ringwoodblue added 13:31 - Sep 28 I'm afraid if we can't secure promotion with this manager and squad of players this season, we may go backwards rather than forwards as McKenna may be tempted elsewhere and we may lose our best players like Walton, Morsy and Woolfie as they don't want to play in Lg1 for yet another season
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churchmans added 15:02 - Sep 28 I'm not 100 sure on morsy! Good player don't get me wrong but against the so called bigger clubs he looks average! Especially if he gets cardererd early! Or it could just be a blip
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ArnieM added 15:06 - Sep 28 I think the difference between automatic promotion and play offs this season is a more prolific striker and a stronger CB pairing . The rest is up to the plate as far as I can see.
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ArnieM added 16:58 - Sep 28 Nomote4: are you're clearly a sexist tw@!
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Nomore4 added 18:11 - Sep 28 ArnieM, and you can't write a sentence. Are you thick?
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churchmans added 18:23 - Sep 28 Nomore4 I read your comment and it made me chuckle! I read ArnieM comment and it made roll my eyes
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blues1 added 18:37 - Sep 28 Churchman. Get a grip man. Who said my expectations arent high? They are. But I'm also not a fantasist like you clearly are, if you really believe we should be p***ing the league and smashing everyone. Clearly you know sod all about the realities of football. But go on, give me 1 reason to back that belief? Other than we are itfc? Which is no reason whatsoever.
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blues1 added 18:43 - Sep 28 Nomore. Sorry, where in my post am I moaning? My main complaint in most of my posts is actually about thrclikes of you, who do nothing other than moan. And no, im not a woman. And get ur facts right. Comparing us to man city( regarding budget and fans expectations), is laughable anyway, but we dont have the biggest budget this season. The commentator other game on Sunday stated we actually have the 3rd biggest budget this season. So are the team with the biggest budget, smashing everyone? Clearly not.

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Bert added 19:47 - Sep 28 Agree with everything Suffolkboy has said. As fans we must learn to ride with the highs and lows by keeping a grip on our own emotions. For now I am more than content to let the manager and CEO manage for they are both doing exactly what others before them had failed to do. The renaissance has started.
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churchmans added 22:54 - Sep 28 Blues1 It is not a fantasy! We should be p**ing the leauge And I tell you why! I have experienced it twice with the club with two different managers LYALL & BURLEY none had the backing and investment that the club currently has with the American owners and they where in a higher leauge back then And yes because we are ITFC so what? We can see glimpses of this already(decent football and manager)and we can see glimpses of the shortcomings especially against the so called top teams! We ain't won one yet! So forgive me for not being a little concerned! I would rather be like this than accept excuses like yours! Mckenna ain't God status yet! The owners will be constantly looking at the situation! We need to win Saturday! If we don't then you'd better get used to more groans from me and thousands like me! I am desperate to get out of this leauge and I don't care for surrenders talk and low expectations lime some supporters on here

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