Mckenna keeping it real in quest for return to top flight
Ipswich will be hungry to put relegation-threatened Stoke to the sword as they continue their quest to end a 21-year wait for a top-flight return.
The Tractor Boys take on the Potters at the bet365 stadium tomorrow having lost just three league matches all season.
Kieran Mckenna (below) and his troops will be hoping to cash in on opponents who have not won at home for two months.
In contrast, Mckenna’s men have lost just once in their last eight league matches as they look to get back into the top flight for the first time since 2002.
“My feet are rooted firmly in reality,” said Mckenna after Friday night’s frustrating 0-0 draw with QPR saw his side drop eight points behind leaders Leicester, who won 2-0 away to Cardiff.
“We’ve done incredible to achieve quite a lot of victories this year, it’s obviously been a really good year.”
The Potters have found a new lease of life under boss Steven Schumacher and are unbeaten in their last five matches.
“The new manager wants to play aggressive and attacking football, which suits us,” revealed Celtic loan midfielder Sead Haksabanovic.
Leicester host strugglers Huddersfield on the back of an impressive nine-game unbeaten run.
The Terriers have won just one of their last seven games and are languishing one place above the drop zone.
Third-place Southampton are flying on a dazzling 17-game unbeaten streak and visit Norwich.
Saints midfielder Will Smallbone is brimming with confidence and said: “Over the Christmas period we’ve taken three wins from three, so long may it continue. We’re getting into our groove.”
Bristol City know victory over Millwall could see them move within a whisker of breaking into the play-off positions.
The Robins have not lost in their last four, but midfielder Joe Williams admitted fatigue and a lack of sharpness played its part in a frustrating goalless draw with Birmingham.
“The games are coming thick and fast, it’s a tough schedule, but the lads are putting everything in,” said Williams. “We’re just buzzing to be back at home (on New Year’s Day).”
Middlesbrough, who have won three of their last four league games, host last season’s play-off finalists Coventry, who themselves are on a decent run having made it six without defeat on Friday.
Fifth-placed West Brom have won their last two and not lost in five as they travel to Swansea.
At the bottom end of the table, basement side Rotherham take on Blackburn looking for their first away win of the season.
Plymouth have lost just one of their last five matches and will be looking to upset Watford at home, with struggling QPR having not won in their last five ahead of their clash with Cardiff who have won just once in their last five outings. Hull Sheffield Wednesday in the day’s Yorkshire derby showdown late kick-off. The Tigers have lost two of their last three, while the Owls gave themselves a much-needed boost with a battling 1-0 away win against Preston last Friday.