Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna has made a surprising admission as he spoke to the BBC, stating that the club are not looking to make an immediate return to the Premier League.
The club wrapped up promotion to the Championship this past weekend, as they thumped Exeter City 6-0 at Portman Road to remain four points clear of Sheffield Wednesday with one game remaining. There is still the title to play for though, but they would need current leaders Plymouth Argyle to make a final day slip up.
Firing on all cylinders
The club have been in fantastic form on all fronts this season, as they went on a long run of games without losing. Not only that though, they even went almost two months without conceding a goal, a run which came to an end at Whaddon Road on Easter Monday.Â
They quickly bounced back from this setback by firing six past Charlton Athletic at Portman Road. The stadium has been a fortress this season, only falling to defeat once at home, and their form on the road has been just as impressive with just three defeats.
Conor Chaplin has been key to this side this season and his goalscoring form has been phenomenal as he grabbed his 29th of the season against Exeter on the penultimate day.
Championship pending
With promotion secured, many would think it a good time to get some much needed rest for the side. There is still the ultimate prize to play for though, with every possibility the title could be in Ipswich’s hands next season and boss Kieran McKenna certainly knows this as he prepares his players for the final day of the season. Their fate is not entirely in their hands as they sit one point behind Plymouth, so will need some favours.
What’s been said?
With promotion to the second tier secured, many have been discussing a potential return to the Premier League for the Tractor Boys’, but Kieran McKenna has played down those goals, for now.
“The club is very ambitious, I am and I’m sure the players are too”
“We’ve put everything into this season, so we’ve not thought too far ahead.”
Conor Chaplin spoke about those ambitions also, stating that they are still focused on this season as they face Fleetwood Town in their final game.
“We need to keep going, we always want more, this squad and coaching staff, we are never satisfied. We want 100 points and 100 goals and we’ll see where it gets us.”
Writers View
With the style of football they have been playing under McKenna, it is easy to see why many are plotting a return to the Premier League already. But it is important to not get carried away, there is still one more step for the club and some might say it is one more difficult to climb than the previous. This is football though, and anything can happen in this game.
