Ipswich Town head coach Kieran McKenna has admitted that it wasn’t a “high-quality game” following his side’s 1-0 defeat to Norwich City this afternoon.
The Tractor Boys have been on an exceptional run of form in recent weeks, picking up nine wins from their previous ten outings in the Championship before the East-Anglian Derby in the early kick-off this weekend, rocketing them to the top of the table.
Heading to the home of their local rivals ahead of today’s clash, Ipswich Town had failed to win a derby game against the Canaries since April 2009 and hadn’t beaten Norwich at Carrow Road in over 18 years. This time, though, it was different, as McKenna’s men went into the game as the favourites.
Nevertheless, the wait for a victory over their East Anglian rivals has continued. A Marcelino Nunez free-kick a few minutes before half-time was the only goal of the game as David Wagner’s side sealed all three points amid their own push for promotion.
NORWICH MAKE THE BREAKTHROUGH! 😱 pic.twitter.com/PQCfVosQ15
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) April 6, 2024
Ipswich dominated the ball throughout the match, boasting 63% possession but failed to convert any of their 10 shots on goal, leaving the team’s position at the summit of the Championship under threat.
Speaking to club media after the game, head coach McKenna claimed that the two teams lacked serious quality and that his players failed to find their intensity following a third match in just eight days.
“We didn’t hit our best level for sure but I don’t think it was a very high-quality game to be honest, with neither team creating too many chances,” the Northern Irishman said.
“This was our third big game in a week but I didn’t think we found our intensity or our bravery on the ball for the first 20 minutes, but I thought we were in control until a spell of set plays. Â
“Some of them were soft – I thought the one given against Axel and the one which led to the goal were soft – and there was a spell of set plays we needed to defend. Aside from that, I didn’t think there was a lot in the game.”Â
Writer’s View
Ipswich Town have played a lot of football recently, as have all the teams in the Championship. However, McKenna’s men had some incredibly difficult fixtures, especially Monday’s clash at Portman Road against Southampton which ended in dramatic fashion.
While his side will be disappointed with the defeat at the home of their bitter rivals, they still have very winnable matches coming up. Winning all five remaining games would see them complete an unprecedented promotion to the Premier League.
Deputy Head of Writing
