Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna has sent a classy message in an interview with The East Anglian Times to this year’s League One champions Plymouth Argyle, as they beat his side to the title on the final day.
Both sides confirmed their promotion to the Championship last weekend but looked to do battle for the title on the final day with just one point separating them.
Plymouth fell behind in the first half at Port Vale but came from behind to snatch a 3-1 victory. Meanwhile, Ipswich were unable to overcome a resilient Fleetwood side, as they laboured to a 2-2 draw, despite both team’s best efforts.
Neck and neck.
Both teams have been battling it out for the title as they both completed a remarkable season as can be seen by their points total as this season came to an end.
The title charge came in recent weeks from both teams, however, as both sides managed to overcome the deficit between them and Sheffield Wednesday, whose run of six games without a win saw what many thought to be the league title going to Hillsborough slip out of their hands.
Both sides leapfrogged the Owls, whose fate now lies within the playoffs after a poor run of form when it mattered the most.
Ipswich almost break history.
Ipswich almost broke history this season with their performances, their end of run form was absolutely phenomenal and they were an absolute joy to watch.
Avoiding defeat on the final day to Fleetwood meant that McKenna’s men finished with their run of 19 games unbeaten intact.
McKenna had said in the build-up that the team were focused on finishing strong, despite their promotion to the Championship wrapped up in their penultimate game.
If they had managed to win on the final day, they would have been the first team in EFL history to score 100 goals and break the 100 points mark at the same time. That record would have seen the side join a very exclusive club in English football, with the only other team managing this feat in the top four divisions being Manchester City in 2017/18 in the Premier League.
A draw meant they fell short of the mark, with Town finishing on 99 points, but they were able to break the 100 goals mark.
Glory for Plymouth.
Meanwhile, Plymouth have been up there most of this season, trading between first and second multiple times with Sheffield Wednesday, whereas Ipswich flew through the rest of the pack in the playoff places before condemning Sheffield Wednesday to the playoffs themselves.
It was a nervy finish for Plymouth, who knew they had to win to ensure the title came to them, a draw would have still seen them finish one point behind Ipswich if they would win and if they were to lose and Ipswich draw, the Tractor Boys superior goal difference would have seen them take the title that way.
The nerves were not settled easily either, as they went 1-0 down at Port Vale in the first half. They responded in the first half though, as Adam Randall and Joe Edwards both found the back of the net in the space of five minutes to take a 2-1 lead into half-time. And shortly after the hour mark Finn Isaac Azaz found the back of the net himself to surely secure three points and the title for Argyle.
What’s been said?
Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna did not have much disappointment to express following the game, as he praised his team for an incredible achievement this season. And it certainly has been incredible with the side showing absolute dominance in some games, their run of almost two months without conceding a goal was certainly impressive, that run came to an end when they visited Cheltenham Town.
McKenna was humble in defeat as he sent a message to Plymouth boss Steven Schumacher and his team congratulating them on their title victory.
“Congratulations to Plymouth – that’s an incredible achievement,”
“Full credit to them. They’ve broken the 100-point barrier. Massive credit to Steven (Schumacher), his staff, players and the football club.
“It’s been a great season for them and we look forward to meeting them next year.”
Writers View.
It is certainly a nice sight to see a manager humble even in defeat and I’m sure Schumacher and his team appreciate the message from a team who have given them a fantastic race to get to the title.
McKenna and his team may have fell short of the title, but they can still be proud of this season, they have smashed records on their way and secured promotion, so they have still achieved their goal.
There is no time to be disappointed in the fact they fell short of their double century, now is the time for preparations to begin and hopefully these two sides will be providing us with another entertaining battle in the Championship next season.
