PULL McKENNA
Tractor Boys in field of dreams after super start but boss puts brakes on
DELUSIONS of grandeur are unlikely to trouble Ipswich Town for as long as Kieran McKenna sits in the manager’s seat.
Today is the eight-month anniversary of the Tractor Boys’ last league defeat, a run that stretches to a club-record 22 league games.
And thanks to Conor Chaplin’s goal in a tight affair at QPR, the Championship’s early pace-setters became the first newly-promoted side since Southampton in 2011-12 to win their opening three fixtures in a new division.
That Saints side won back-to-back promotions – but McKenna would baulk at any suggestion the table in mid-August is indicative of anything more than a solid start.
Instead, he is continuously warning his players they must be at their maximum level to even compete in the second tier.
“There’s no deluded heads in our dressing room,” he said. “We know we’re working hard for every game and right now the margins are going our way.
“We know how tough the division is and anyone can beat anyone. But there’s no chance of us getting ahead of ourselves. We know we’ll have to work unbelievably hard.”
Centre-back Cameron Burgess (circle) said he had no idea about the records, which said much for the strength of McKenna’s messaging. “That’s the first time I’ve heard of them,” Burgess said.
“These records are secondary things. If we can win a game of football, then I’m as happy as can be. Records are for when I can’t kick a ball any more, to look back and enjoy it then.”
The defender would much rather focus on a third consecutive clean sheet in all competitions. They lived dangerously at times against a battling QPR and had the goal-frame to thank for denying their hosts’ electric young striker Sinclair Armstrong.
Next up is Leeds at Portman Road, a collision that in pre-season looked like their first big test. But, as Burgess stressed, suggesting the Yorkshire side are a step above because they are newly-relegated is disrespectful.
“It’s harsh on the other teams,” he added. “It’s an exciting game – but it’s just the next game on our journey.”