McKenna would be mad to go the Chelsea. He's fully supported here, both by the fans and the owners. Doing well in the league and making as much money as he probably would at that basket case of a club, without the drama and threat of being sacked after 6 months.
Oxford up next....
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Happy New Year everyone. A lovely hungover trip to a cold Portman Road for me. But it was good to see out another win.
I thought we were impressive and - barring a ten minute spell in the first half - dominated the game, as to be expected really. Solid defence, although I thought O’Shea looked a little shaky at times. Davis had one of his better performances of the season, constantly up and down that wing and contributing to the attack. The midfield duo was solid, although Cajuste’s end product and decision-making messed up some strong, direct runs to the Oxford box.
Attack wise, it still feels like we’re on the cusp on being a really potent team who can thrash the opposition. Having said that, it does feel our attacking patterns are becoming more refined. We’ve looked a lot more joined up and organised as a team over the past couple of games.
Philogene played a blinder for his goal and was a constant menace. He’s significantly improved from his complacent, under-par performances in the Premier League where we looked like we got robbed of £20 million odd. He’s been so good this season. Akpom took his goal well and I think he should be the first choice centre forward, unless we bring someone in this month. He’s a much more composed finisher compared to Azon and Hirst. He can hold the ball up well too. Nunez at number 10 had another great performance, he’s solved that problem position. I thought Egeli looked off it and fluffed a few decent chances in the first half. Obviously with his price tag, age, and reputation - we’re hoping he’ll come good. But I do wonder if Burns will be the more reliable starter, when he’s properly match fit.
A tight turnaround for the Portsmouth match in a few days, but it helps us having back-to-back games against poor sides in the bottom three. I think McKenna’s learned by now that making several changes doesn’t help, but I’d expect to see a bit of rotation to bring in fresher players. Plenty of competition for places and it’s encouraging to see players in good form.
Hopefully 2026 will be a good year where we can celebrate another promotion and make a better attempt at looking competitive in the Premier League.
I thought we were impressive and - barring a ten minute spell in the first half - dominated the game, as to be expected really. Solid defence, although I thought O’Shea looked a little shaky at times. Davis had one of his better performances of the season, constantly up and down that wing and contributing to the attack. The midfield duo was solid, although Cajuste’s end product and decision-making messed up some strong, direct runs to the Oxford box.
Attack wise, it still feels like we’re on the cusp on being a really potent team who can thrash the opposition. Having said that, it does feel our attacking patterns are becoming more refined. We’ve looked a lot more joined up and organised as a team over the past couple of games.
Philogene played a blinder for his goal and was a constant menace. He’s significantly improved from his complacent, under-par performances in the Premier League where we looked like we got robbed of £20 million odd. He’s been so good this season. Akpom took his goal well and I think he should be the first choice centre forward, unless we bring someone in this month. He’s a much more composed finisher compared to Azon and Hirst. He can hold the ball up well too. Nunez at number 10 had another great performance, he’s solved that problem position. I thought Egeli looked off it and fluffed a few decent chances in the first half. Obviously with his price tag, age, and reputation - we’re hoping he’ll come good. But I do wonder if Burns will be the more reliable starter, when he’s properly match fit.
A tight turnaround for the Portsmouth match in a few days, but it helps us having back-to-back games against poor sides in the bottom three. I think McKenna’s learned by now that making several changes doesn’t help, but I’d expect to see a bit of rotation to bring in fresher players. Plenty of competition for places and it’s encouraging to see players in good form.
Hopefully 2026 will be a good year where we can celebrate another promotion and make a better attempt at looking competitive in the Premier League.
I thought going forwards especially in the first half we looked really encouraging. For me Nunez was outstanding, and we had some really good passing moves. And Matusiwa superb again think we really need a consistent play maker alongside him (I mean in the transfer window). Cajuste has some really good spells but for a player in the double pivot needs to have more of an impact on the game over the 90mins and Jack Taylor needs to have more consistent games at a high level.
If I'm being critical I think defensively that team isn't good enough as a team. To easy to break on as we simply have only about 4 players who have a defensive instinct. It's really not getting the best of of Davis. I thought Lankshear really seems to worry O'Shea, the only player who has made him look nervy.
I also think today the subs didn't really help our cause, any control and fluidity we had in the attacking half of the pitch went when the subs came on. Also interesting who he brought on and in those positions perhaps says alot about his confidence in certain players who didnt make it on the pitch
If I'm being critical I think defensively that team isn't good enough as a team. To easy to break on as we simply have only about 4 players who have a defensive instinct. It's really not getting the best of of Davis. I thought Lankshear really seems to worry O'Shea, the only player who has made him look nervy.
I also think today the subs didn't really help our cause, any control and fluidity we had in the attacking half of the pitch went when the subs came on. Also interesting who he brought on and in those positions perhaps says alot about his confidence in certain players who didnt make it on the pitch
Agreed. The Chelsea owners haven’t come out well from today’s repeated media briefings. They sound insecure and like they’re throwing their toys out the pram. Considering McKenna reportedly turned them down the summer after our promotion, he’s probably been blacklisted by the Chelsea hierarchy.
Decent performance - could have done with the 3rd to settle the nerves but a win is a win, especially with the other results going our way. I thought Akpon was better today - not only his goal but he also stayed on his feet a lot more (unlike the Oxford number 3 who let out a scream when Akpon went near him at the north stand end but never touched him). Thought Leif didn’t have his best game today, summed up at the end when for some reason, he went charging forward to try and win the ball and got completely rinsed by their right winger. On to Portsmouth - having the strength in depth has certainly helped over the last month
I’ll take that today. Was always going to be a different type of game to Coventry, so result was the main thing. Second place and some reinforcements to come, a good way to start the year.
I don't think this move up into the automatic spots can be underestimated for what it's going to do for the Ipswich camp. The steady climb up the table into the top two will reinforce the belief in the squad and McKenna's methods.
Sure, there's been plenty of consistent rotation, and plenty of players that feel they should be starting more, but we're at a point now where we have about 18 players who have all been playing regularly. This will surely stand us in good stead for the rest of the season, having so many bodies match fit and in the rhythm. It shows the squad that what Kieran has been doing all season works. He is always insistent that it is a squad game and that everyone is important, and sitting at 2nd now proves that to them all.
We'll see more comradery and togetherness as the weeks pass by, leading to another promotion.... hopefully!
Sure, there's been plenty of consistent rotation, and plenty of players that feel they should be starting more, but we're at a point now where we have about 18 players who have all been playing regularly. This will surely stand us in good stead for the rest of the season, having so many bodies match fit and in the rhythm. It shows the squad that what Kieran has been doing all season works. He is always insistent that it is a squad game and that everyone is important, and sitting at 2nd now proves that to them all.
We'll see more comradery and togetherness as the weeks pass by, leading to another promotion.... hopefully!
I understand the sentiment San Diego in terms of rotation but if you look at McKenna's most successful period of his managerial reign here (Feb 2023 - May 2024) I'd say it also coincided with the period of time he rotated the team the least.
Agree we're not getting the best out of Davis this season. He's never been the best defensively and always got caught up the pitch, however we now don't really have the players with natural instincts to cover for him which both Burgess and in particular Luongo were very good at doing.
It also feels that in particular Davis is being mainly used as a decoy for Philogene to cut inside and shoot.
I wasn't trying to compare the promotion winning team to this one. The point I was making was that with this fairly newly assembled squad, which you could argue has more 'high profile' (ie: more expensive) players in that may have come from teams where they were starting every game, the culture shock of being on the bench more often will be softened by seeing that we have steadily climbed the table. As McKenna has said himself, this group needs experiences made together to get that closeness and brotherhood we've seen in the past. Sitting in 2nd is exactly what was needed to really start seeing the bonds in the team grow and the belief that promotion is a real possibility with how McKenna has been managing the minutes between players.
Nunez has become one of my favourite players. What a terrific game he had. And he is always smiling, bringing his character on the pitch. He has an impressive work rate. We knew he was quality on the ball, darting here & there, setting up flowing attacks. Above all he works for the team. And he shares his joy with others.
As for his set piece kicks and corners, we hold our breath!
As for his set piece kicks and corners, we hold our breath!
Agree, he has settled into the team nicely now. Shame he hasn't laid the ball off to Sindre when he's got into some excellent positions though.
My only two criticisms are I wish Walton would stop fannying around at the back, and Davis got caught out by the shear speed of their rare counter attacks.
We're sitting 2nd, not sure there's really that much to be critical about 
Team/individual performances, rotation, whatever, it just doesn't matter, the table tells it's own story.
Team/individual performances, rotation, whatever, it just doesn't matter, the table tells it's own story.
Got the job done and all the more pleasing as other results went our way.As Jens said sometimes you have to be happy with a scrappy win.After the start we had how many of us would have been pleased to start the New Year in second spot?
COYB!!!
COYB!!!
I thought it was one of our better performances this season to be honest. We played well from an attacking sense for the majority of the game and when things looked a bit edgy we saw the game out
The past 2 performances have been far more like the Ipswich of 2 seasons ago