“We are going to need to bring the crowd to the game”- Kieran McKenna on Coventry clash

Ipswich Town: Kieran McKenna on Coventry City clash

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has called upon his players to win over the crowd and create a ‘real Portman Road atmosphere’ in tomorrow afternoon’s clash with Championship table-toppers Coventry City at Portman Road.

The Blues lost 2-1 at Oxford United last Friday night and then produced a flat display in Tuesday night’s fortunate 1-1 draw at Blackburn Rovers.

Asked if he’d seen a response from his players in training, McKenna replied: “I have, 100 per cent. In all of my time here, there’s not been many days where I had that feeling about training (feeling flat), but ahead of Tuesday was one.

“Players are human. When you have a disappointing setback, like we had in terms of the result on Friday night, it can knock you a little bit. It’s important just to remind everyone that these are going to come over the course of the season and it’s about the response.

“The only way is to push on to the next game. We spoke after the game on Tuesday. The energy around the building has been really good in the last two days. Players have really been pushing and getting around each other. I’m looking forward to seeing how that comes out in the game.”

Following three away games in eight days – at Hull, Oxford and Blackburn – the Blues now have back-to-back home games against two of the division’s high-fliers. Stoke City come to Suffolk next Wednesday.

“I think my neck’s had probably a few different hotel pillows at this point, so a few nights at home has been appreciated!” laughed McKenna. “It’s good to come back to two home games and especially the type of games that they are.

“We know it’s going to be a big challenge and we’re going to be tested. We back ourselves in every situation against every opponent, but it’s not going to be easy. So we’re going to need to be together. We’re going to need to bring the crowd to the game and create a real proper Portman Road atmosphere to give ourselves the best chance.”

Coventry are 10 points clear at the top of the table, Frank Lampard’s men having already racked up 50 league goals.

“I think their squad build has been outstanding over four years. Since they sold (Viktor) Gyokeres and (Gustavo) Hamer they’ve reinvested well,” said McKenna. “They’ve pushed on this year and have all the ingredients of a really, really strong Championship team.”

Asked if he felt this sort of match would suit his team more than facing an opponent who come to Suffolk to sit dee and defend, McKenna replied: “We are in the top two for most metrics in this league – possession, shots etc. And if you ask every team in every league in the world in that category, ‘Would you rather a team come and try and have a competitive, more open game with you or face a team who are more interested in stopping you?’ I think every team in that situation would say the former. But then you have to go and show it.

“Sheffield United, Norwich and Portsmouth are probably the teams that have came to Portman Road and played a little bit more. And those are the games we’ve scored plenty of goals in and come out on top. The teams that haven’t, we’ve had some frustrating ones and not managed to score as many goals as we would like.

“You have to be good at both over the course of the season. That’s something we’re still working really, really hard at.”