x

Skipper After Good Start - Ipswich Town News

Skipper Gareth McAuley says he is looking for a strong start from Town when the new season gets under way at Coventry City on August 8th. The Northern Irishman comes up against his old club Leicester City when the Blues play their first home game a week later.

McAuley told the club site: "It's important to get up and running early and build some momentum and we've got to look to do that from the first day at Coventry.

"We didn't start well last season and lost our first two home games and that puts you on the back foot, so we've got to start the season well at Coventry and then push on from there with the home games against Leicester and Crystal Palace.

"It's going to be a very competitive league next season with some big clubs in there and that makes it even more important that we start well."

The central defender says he's looking forward to facing his old club on August 15th: "I've kept in touch with some of the lads up there and they are a good club.

"I'm pleased they are back in the Championship. They had a good away record last season and will be full of confidence after winning League One, so it will be a difficult game. Our home form let us down last season and we know we have to put that right."

Coventry boss Chris Coleman says his side would have a tricky opening match whoever they were playing: "It's difficult no matter who you get for the first game because this league is so tight in terms of competition and with it being the first game of the season the boys are going to be finding their feet again.

"It doesn't matter if you have Ipswich at home or Newcastle away, the start to the season is always frantic and I still believe four games in the first ten days of a new season needs to be looked at.”

You can see Town's fixtures in full here.

What to read next:

O'Shea: To Get the Chance to Lead This Club Is Special
New Town captain Dara O’Shea says he is eager to take on the added responsibility of wearing the armband for the Blues ahead of the Championship season kicking off on Friday against Birmingham City.
Town Turn Down Forest Bid For Hutchinson
Town have rebuffed a bid from Nottingham Forest for Omari Hutchinson.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
McKenna: We've Had High Expectation Before and Dealt With It Really Well
Boss Kieran McKenna says the expectation on Town for the season ahead is very different from when they were in the Championship two years ago and sees similarities with the 2022/23 League One promotion season.
McKenna: New Signings Have Settled in Very Well
Blues manager Kieran McKenna says the club’s new signings have settled into the squad well during pre-season.
McKenna: I Can't Be Happier With the Players Who Are Here But There's Still a Lot to Do
Blues boss Kieran McKenna says he can’t be happier with the squad he has worked with throughout pre-season but admits there’s still lots to do to get numbers up to where he wants them before the transfer window closes on September 1st.
Azón 'Won't Sign For Town'
Como’s Spanish striker Ivan Azón is reported to have told his club he will not sign for the Blues on loan and will only leave the Serie A side to join Valencia.
McKenna: Interest in Muric But Nothing to Confirm
Town boss Kieran McKenna has confirmed there is interest in keeper Aro Muric, who has been strongly linked with a move to Turkish Süper Lig side Çaykur Rizespor.
McKenna Tight-Lipped on Akpom and Cajuste
Town boss Kieran McKenna kept his cards close to his chest when quizzed on the Blues’ moves for Chuba Akpom and Jens Cajuste, but admits it’s getting close for anyone to come in and be involved in Friday’s season opener at Birmingham.
McKenna: No Change in Broadhead Situation
Manager Kieran McKenna says there’s been no in change in Nathan Broadhead’s situation with the Wales international the subject of an approach from newly promoted Wrexham last week.