Town boss Kieran McKenna says he knows the areas of the squad which he wants to strengthen in the summer.

McKenna was speaking at this evening’s Fans’ Forum in the Sir Bobby Robson Suite where he, CEO Mark Ashton and director of performance Andy Rolls answered questions from supporters for an hour and a half.

Quizzed on his summer plans, McKenna said: “For sure we have to improve the squad. We feel like we’re in a pretty good place in terms of the squad.

“Part of my initial impression when I arrived in December was that the squad would need to be trimmed a little bit and possibly lose a little bit of depth but add a little bit more quality and specific qualities where we needed it.

“That was the main focus in January, but now going into the summer window, it’s about improving the quality we have in the squad and taking it to another level.

“I have very much a clear profile of the type of players that I would like. I’ve spoken about that from the first interview.

“We need a balanced squad of different types and different ages but primarily I want the team to be built around a young, hungry, technical and athletic group of players, who have a real passion to play for this football club.

“That will be the base, that will be the dynamic and the nature of the team going forward.

“But, of course, as you’re building a squad, you also need that mix of a couple of experienced players who set a good example and have been through the different levels of football and can lead some of the younger players.

“We are very much quite a way down the process of having the profile of players that we like and the profile of players that we want not just to recruit from the outside but develop within the club.

“We have the positions in particular that we’re particularly going to target in the summer and we’re in the process at the moment of working through some of those targets and making sure that we can hopefully get some good business done in the summer and get it done as early as possible in general so we can have a good full pre-season with the majority of the group, which is something I’m looking forward to.

“Obviously coming in in the middle of the season is a challenge in different ways in terms of being able to fully put your imprint on things and I’m looking forward to having a full off-season programme and a full pre-season programme and some non-competitive matches where we can work with what will hopefully be an improving group in the summer.”

On those pre-season plans Rolls added: “I would say this pre-season has been quite difficult. We obviously don’t know when the season’s ending, we want the season to go as long as possible.

“That’s been quite tricky, so we’ve got several options in progress at the minute. We’re desperate to go to Austria, I know the manager knows that area for pre-season, the mountains give great energy for pre-season.

“So we looked extensively at that, however, we thought the way the world is at the minute, Ukraine, Covid, the decision was made probably by us three that we were going to stay in Britain this year.

“We’ve got a few different options and it depends on when we finish. The games programme is coming together, we will be having a week away somewhere.

“We’re definitely staying in Britain, when and where and who, we’re still working on. It’s very flexible at this moment.”

Photo: ITFC

Vancouver_Blue added 20:35 - Mar 29 From a purely selfish point of view, I was hoping for a tour to the States and a game v Phoenix Rising
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Saxonblue74 added 20:42 - Mar 29 Watched the forum on YouTube and I have to say that next season really is something to look forward to, whichever lge it may be in. Much excitement on and off the pitch!
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ImAbeliever added 20:59 - Mar 29 At this rate there will be more ST applications than seats.
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Suffolkboy added 22:57 - Mar 29 K M could not be more clear in his communication,nor in his lines of thought and approach ! His years of solidly enthusiastic application to learning all he can about coaching, managing and managing men are amply illustrated here at ITFC . We've got ourselves a real gem of a human being who is full of purpose and honesty and integrity ; such folk are few and far between ( perhaps especially in Football ) ! COYB

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Sharkey added 23:55 - Mar 29 “You need a couple of older players to set a good example”. Sounds like he wouldn't have been so quick to bin Skuse. ( happy birthday )
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Cakeman added 07:39 - Mar 30 Kieran is in an ideal position to develop his squad. By now he will know the strengths and weakness' of what he currently has. It's all about opinions but for my view I think to build on what he has indicated we could do with an experienced/older striker. Someone of the Billy Sharp mould. If we had him now I'm pretty sure our goals for column would read healthier than it does now. We already have experience in midfield with our Captain Sam Morsy. I would think Kieran will look to strengthen our left side too with perhaps another wing back. Aside from that I think we are fairly well covered across the park.

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PortmanTerrorist added 07:54 - Mar 30 Success is yet to be determined despite a great start but KM has shown what he is all about already. Most importantly he is happy in his role and to not be so hands on (without losing his say) in all aspects of the Club i.e. fit within the infrastructure Ashton has been building. Someone asked if KM was going to stick around and the truth is unless we get promotions as quickly as his stock rises then no, if our performances drop off he will likely be gone too, but the new structure for the Club means that whilst I believe and hope he will be here for a sustained period, whenever it happens we should be able to slot the next man in without much upheaval to the Club....sustainability I believe it is called. Exciting times ahead even with a uk based pre-season ahead !

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Ipswichbusiness added 08:35 - Mar 30 On the subject of signings it will be interesting to see what happens with Bakinson and Thompson. I suspect that management will want to make their loan deals permanent as they fit the profile (depending on whether their clubs are prepared to sell for realistic fees). A striker is definitely needed.
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micky_1560 added 10:08 - Mar 30 We can all speculate what players will stay and what will go. It's all a matter of opinion and the only person who knows that answer is KM. I suggest we wait with much interest as he builds for the first time, his own truly built side. Interesting that they are going to set up their own 'Town TV' and ditch the awful iFollow.
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BeattiesBackPocket added 11:19 - Mar 30 Kieran McKenna speak so well and has along with the owners given not only the club an identity but also the brand and style we play football. Something I haven't seen since the successful years under Burley. How refreshing.
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IpswichT62OldBoy added 13:01 - Mar 30 It is exciting too feel excited, I had forgotten.
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SussexTractor added 14:29 - Mar 30 I wonder if he will put in an offer for Bonne and whether QPR will accept it? He was a revelation at the beginning of the season but has somewhat lost his golden goal rush.
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