New Blues manager Kieran McKenna says he has very strong ideas and very strong principles about how he wants football to be played but wants to be versatile when it comes to formation.

“I’ve got a really clear idea in my head, I’m not going to talk formations and in too much detail about it because we’re playing Gillingham on Boxing Day and I don’t want to give too much away at this early stage,” McKenna said at this lunchtime’s press conference.

“I’ve got a clear idea on how I want the game to be played, I want us to be positive, I want us to dominate games, I want us to play in the opposition’s half. I want us to attack in a clearly structured but well-balanced and aggressive way to create chances and score goals.

“Without the ball I want to be aggressive and win the ball back as high up the pitch as we can, so I don’t think that’s going to change too much across the leagues.

“Obviously I know it’s winter time, the pitches may be aren’t perfect across the league and things like that at this moment.

“I’d like to think that I’m adaptable enough to know that we’ll adapt where appropriate to the league and to the players.

“But I’ve got a clear idea on how I want the team to play. We won’t get there overnight but I’ll be looking to implement some principles on certain things for our style of play right from the off and I’m sure with more time to work with the players, with more time with the club to bring in players who fit the profile that I want, that we’ll be able to put a team and put a style of play on the pitch that Ipswich fans will really get behind.”

Asked about his preferred system, he said: “I’ve got very strong ideas on my principles of play and very strong ideas on how I want the team to play.

“In terms of formation, for me, especially at this stage of the season, it’s about being versatile to the strengths of the players and to what they’re comfortable with and what is going to suit the playing squad.

“I’m a big believer that style and principles are more important than formation. I think within any formation that can look differently whether you’re in possession or out of possession, whether it’s first phase or third phase of the game.

“I don’t speak to players a lot about 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 or 3-5-2, I think it’s about players understanding their roles and responsibilities on the pitch, understanding what spaces we want to attack and what spaces we need to defend.

“And the principles and the style that we work to are the overriding things. Within that, the formation can be adapted according primarily to our players and what suits the playing squad that we have but also according to the opposition and how we want to hurt them and attack them in any given game.”

Photo: Matchday Images

SickParrot added 16:10 - Dec 20 Good news, he's happy to adapt formation to suit the players, unlike his predecessor.
25

Unhinged_dynamo added 16:14 - Dec 20 A manager actually speaking common sense, didn't think I'd see those days again
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Bert added 16:14 - Dec 20 Thank the lord ! Totally agree. Principles of play and style will lead to the right formation for each game. We have been turned over this season because the opposition knew exactly how we had been set up. The Messiah has arrived !!!
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bedsitfc added 16:16 - Dec 20 Sooooo refreshing
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masetheace added 16:19 - Dec 20 Still think he looks like Phil Neville - hope its not him in disguise
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Nesspointrunner added 16:24 - Dec 20 Alf and Bobby looked at what players they had and sorted things around their strengths. If he does half as well ....
6

The_Messiah added 16:24 - Dec 20 @ Bert.... I've been here for years mate, just not been asked for my input from the top! ;-)
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markchips added 16:29 - Dec 20 Good start to not expect average players to adapt to new methods immediately. Work with what they understand. Sounds like two up top then ?
5

chrismakin added 16:40 - Dec 20 The last 2 managers wanted to play on the front foot etc, but found league 1 to be more difficult than they thought and didn't have a plan B. If you're front foot, attacking football doesn't work... what else you got in the locker?
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Stato added 16:46 - Dec 20 Sounds like a high press which Bonne and Chaplin apart we have rarely seen before last Saturday. I can't think of anybody who could have just about every single fan behind the appointment. Kieran we wish you well and I think it's safe to say you have the rest of the season as a free hit. If you can get us into the play offs you will buy yourself so much more time with the vast majority. It's important to have big goals so let's chase promotion this season

6

Karlosfandangal added 17:05 - Dec 20 If you have watched the boys of 81, you will remember what Sir Bobby said that he had a system to suit the players. Sounds like we have a manager with same sort of ideas, I know I am 10 years or so ahead of myself but it would be nice to have a Sir Bobby or Sir Alf in the making
5

spanishblue added 18:04 - Dec 20 Surely cannot be worse than the last several years dinosaur football, now the best squad in league 1 next 2 months will be interesting
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delias_cheesy_flaps added 18:22 - Dec 20 I like the cut of his jib already!
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dirtydingusmagee added 19:55 - Dec 20 feel this man is going to be a winner, hope its with Town .
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Eddie1985 added 07:32 - Dec 21 Hopefully he can get a tune out of these players they just cant be as bad as its seemed at times. Positive that he is tactically flexible which was a major failure for cook
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DoctorPolski added 09:53 - Dec 21 This is EXACTLY what I have wanted to hear from an Ipswich Town manager for many, many years...
7

Barty added 11:29 - Dec 21 All sounds very promising and I am looking forward to the second half of the season with some renewed optimism.
3

ArnieM added 12:03 - Dec 21 Just how bloody exciting is all this ?! It's been a long time since we've had a manager that actually knows what he really wants and knows how to get it, But I also like his realism….” It's not going to happen overnight”…… so please can we all have patience this time. COYBs
4

planetblue_2011 added 12:46 - Dec 21 Wow he's very clued up and about time we have a manager who is!! Getting pretty good vibes right now COYB
2

itsonlyme added 12:48 - Dec 21 Excellent! Phil Neville (part 2 look alike) but with brains! I think the messiah has arrived at Portman Road at last. You have our utmost backing! Great to see the fans backing our team and owners. More power to you all. Oh and Happy Christmas to all town supporters.
4

OldFart71 added 13:55 - Dec 21 I think there are a few who need to decide what sort of Manager they want at PR. Not that they have a choice. But they seem to have the idea that a manager must be of a set type. They think he has to be made in a factory and come out of a mould. McKenna came across to me like someone who knows what he wants from the team. He made no promises that because we get crowds of 20,000 that we will do any better than one which get's 5,000 or that because we have a team that costs more than many others we will be any better. As we all know some people come into this World with next to nothing and end up millionaires, some come into this World millionaires and go out with nothing. Only the hard work and organisation by coaches, staff and the Manager along with the players will make ITFC a success. backed by the fantastic support. I believe he will be a success and do what many have failed at in making Town great again. Good luck and a huge welcome Kieran.

4

DerryfromBury added 13:57 - Dec 21 The most inspiring intro I heard in years from a new manager, very calm collected, focused and polite. It sounds as though in the short time he's been at PR he has already identified areas for change/improvement. Twice during the Q&A session he mentioned the "right environment" so we can only assume he's spotted things at Rushmere which he's not happy with. Be interested to see apart from Pert and Gilmartin who else will make up his back room team. Its up to us now to get behind him and his staff and the players and make a push for top 6. Yes I know its a tough ask, but mathematically its still possible.

1

ringwoodblue added 14:14 - Dec 21 If you haven't helped recruit the players then it makes sense to play a system that suits the best players you have at your disposal. Such a refreshing change from the last two stubborn mules that we've had as manager
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brassy added 14:47 - Dec 21 well the post evans era begins with some ambition at last good luck young man coybs
2

Reusers_Tash added 14:54 - Dec 21 Sounds knowledgable and calmly confident. Old Cookie reminded me of Coach Klein from the start of The Waterboy - frozen on the bench and looking for somewhere to hide……
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