Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna was candid in his assessment of his team’s performance following their 2-1 defeat to Middlesbrough, acknowledging that the hosts deserved the win.
Despite Darragh O’Shea’s late consolation goal, Boro managed to hold on for the victory after goals from Cedric Kipre (own goal) and Morgan Whittaker had given them the lead.
McKenna admitted that his side made too many mistakes and did not manage the difficult phases of the game effectively. He highlighted key moments, such as missing a penalty and conceding just before halftime, as turning points that swung the momentum in Middlesbrough’s favor.
The Ipswich boss acknowledged that their away form has been a concern, with the team yet to lead in an away game this season. He emphasized the need to address the trend of falling behind early and giving the home team an advantage.
While McKenna praised his players’ efforts and noted the impact of their substitutions, he stressed the importance of being more clinical and resilient in crucial phases of the game. He expressed disappointment at their inability to create enough opportunities in the closing stages and stressed the need to improve their performance when playing away from home.
Overall, McKenna’s honest and reflective assessment of Ipswich Town’s performance highlighted the areas that need addressing to improve their results and performances in the future.
