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McKenna: They're Really Driven About Achieving Something This Year
Thursday, 23rd Jun 2022 20:29

Boss Kieran McKenna has spoken about the Blues’ summer so far which has seen four new additions, a number of players sign new contracts and pre-season training get under way.

Town, the bookies' pre-season favourites for the League One title, have added Freddie Ladapo, Dom Ball, Greg Leigh and loanee Tyreece John-Jules to their squad, while Wes Burns, Luke Woolfenden, Kayden Jackson, Elkan Baggott and Cameron Humphreys are among those already at the club to have penned new deals.

“The club has worked very hard,” McKenna told iFollow Ipswich. “It's been a busy summer for everyone but I'm really pleased.

“Tying some big first-team players up to new deals early in the window was really important.

“Securing the future of some of our young players, who we think highly of and who we think have a big part to play in the years to come, was a positive for them and for us.

“Beyond that, we’ve tried to add some key ingredients to the squad and we’ve managed to do that nice and early, which gives us a strong squad right at the start of pre-season.

“The new boys are fitting in and functioning really well. We’re really happy with what we have in the door at the moment.

“Everyone has come back with a hunger in their eyes as they know it’s a big season for the group. The new players coming in will be a big part of that as well."

Reflecting on the first few days of pre-season training, the squad having returned to Playford Road on Monday, he added: “The players have worked really hard and I think they’ve enjoyed the work as well. It’s been really good and I’ve really enjoyed it.

“Everyone has come back in a good condition and there has been a good atmosphere. There’s a positive energy about the group. I think they are really driven about achieving something this year.

“We’ve got a good base of work in already. We’re getting towards the end of the week now and I think the lads are looking forward to pulling the kit on and getting their first few minutes on Saturday [in the sell-out first friendly at Needham Market].

“It will be a nice game for us and a nice game for Needham Market. We’re seeing it very much as an extension of our training week. We’re looking at two 30-minute halves and for each of the players that have trained with us this week to play 30 minutes.

“That will be an initial taster for them of wearing the new kit and stepping onto a match pitch, but they know that the serious business is yet to come.”

George Edmundson (ankle), Kyle Edwards (quad), Lee Evans (knee) and Kayden Jackson (hamstring) all missed the end of last season but have all been on the grass this week.

“We’ve had Lee and Kyle in full training with the group,” McKenna continued. “They both missed so much time at the end of the season that it’s like having new signings.

“George and Kayden are just at the very end of their reintegration. They’re working very hard on the pitches now and they’ll hopefully be back in with the full group soon.

“Just having those four boys back in and around the group is a big addition and it gives the group an extra feeling of depth and strength. It’s going to be a big, strong and hungry squad going into the start of next season.”


Photo: TWTD



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ipswichboi added 20:44 - Jun 23
Can't wait for the new season to start, a full pre-season and transfer window for KMcK to shape the squad and get the tactics right. Happy with the signings so far, maybe one or to more needed with a couple of exits. I am confident. This is our time. COYB <3
17

AlanG296 added 21:17 - Jun 23
So the players are really driven about achieving "something". What are they driven about achieving? What about you KM? What are you driven about achieving?
-18

Stato added 21:28 - Jun 23
Most of the posters on here are saying how difficult it's gonna be to make the top 6. It embarrassing. At least me, the bookies and the players are expecting something better than that. Thank goodness the owners have more ambition than the fan base
2

Fat_Boy_Tim added 05:24 - Jun 24
AlanG296 - Really? You can't just read between the lines there? Because it's fairly obvious.

On a different note, FIFA have just approved 26 man squads for the World Cup, up from 23 which will nudge up Burns' chances of going. That would have an effect on us in December.
6

Dissboyitfc added 06:32 - Jun 24
There will certainly be pressure on us to achieve this season that's for sure!

can't wait for the new season to start!
5

tractorboybig added 07:14 - Jun 24
well, if the whole set up is not driven to achieve then they should not be here?
4

ringwoodblue added 09:10 - Jun 24
I have absolutely faith in what Kieran and his team are doing. I like his quiet, thoughtful and intelligent approach to things and that he communicates so clearly.

There's no guarantee that we will get promoted this year but this is our best chance since we fell into this league so I'm (quietly) optimistic.
4

AlanG296 added 09:41 - Jun 24
It's not obvious what he means by "something", it's ambiguous. Could mean promotion (I hope he does) could mean reaching the playoffs but not winning them. Many would actually see that as an achievement.
-6

AlanG296 added 09:41 - Jun 24
It's not obvious what he means by "something", it's ambiguous. Could mean promotion (I hope he does) could mean reaching the playoffs but not winning them. Many would actually see that as an achievement.
0

dirtydingusmagee added 09:42 - Jun 24
bloody hell the knockers are already in pre season warm up ,
12

IpswichT62OldBoy added 10:01 - Jun 24
Everything he says and does seems considered and focused, no bluster, just realistic appraisal.
We will be a very competitive side from the off I am sure, if we play to our potential then we have a good chance of automatic, and maybe a bit of a cup run.
More importantly there will be 23,000+ with a buzzing atmosphere.

Remember 12,00 and an atmosphere like the funeral of a somewhat disliked Great Aunt.
6

IpswichT62OldBoy added 10:02 - Jun 24
12,000
0

Europablue added 10:36 - Jun 24
BossMan It will be difficult for us to get into the top 6, but we can also expect automatic promotion. This is a very tough league to get out of and you have to earn every point. We shouldn't be fearing anyone and we should be expecting promotion this season.
3

Europablue added 10:38 - Jun 24
ringwoodblue I felt the hope last season. I was fully behind Cook last season even though he didn't inspire my full confidence. This season, I'm believing rather than hoping!
1

Monkey_Blue added 11:05 - Jun 24
I'm aware Pre season favourites can disappoint. Look at how Sunderland struggled despite bigger budgets and bigger squads.. but I do think we should be up there, but it won't be easy… nothing about league one is easy.
2

Cakeman added 12:09 - Jun 24
IpswichT62OldBoy, you are quite correct and a buzzing atmosphere is much better than the dross of the years a of a little while ago.
I do miss my second half nap from those times though!
2

churchmans added 15:13 - Jun 24
EUROPABLUE We going for the title!! Difficult to get in the top 6! What the hell kind of weak surrenderous talk is that??
We are ipswich and we are fu***g massive! Have a word with yourself
2

Nobbysnuts added 15:34 - Jun 24
Yet another stupid headline/statement...what were they trying to achieve last season then???? KM your starting to bother me with your strange pointless words....oh yeah Bolton are a high quality side ....that's another one.....blah blah blah
-4

andehpandeh added 17:07 - Jun 24
I can't wait for the start of the season now, if anything just to keep the moaners quiet!

KmcK has a great attitude based on what I've heard and what's translated into the pitch so far. Can only get even better with a full season. Bring it on!
1

AlanG296 added 17:14 - Jun 24
Nobody is moaning. Just would like to see the manager to show some real ambition, instead of coming out with bland platitudes. Still the article above is just Phil regurgitating something issued by the Club from when KM was "interviewed" by an in-house flunkey. Programme stuff really. Perhaps I expect too much.
0

chepstowblue added 17:49 - Jun 24
Churchmans....I don't think its 'surrenderous' talk from Europa. More a level headed approach after witnessing 3 seasons of getting nowhere near the play offs. Last season we battled for 11th place with Accrington!! Eventually people who maintain that we're going to p*ss the division start to look more than a bit daft. Im by no means moaning about the manager or players, as I think the current set up is excellent, but more the arrogant Town fans who think that opposing fans are somehow excited about having Ipswich coming to their ground. Morecambe, Cheltenham, Cambridge couldn't give a sh*t about us. We scared them so much last season that we couldn't beat any of them !! In order to attain the aura that some think we have we need to start featuring at the right end of the table and not have another season of being
irrelevant also rans.I fully expect Sheff Wed to win the league with Peterborough joining them. A top 6 place would be satisfactory enough. But are we capable of winning the league....yes, but it's more likely to happen if we don't shout it from the rooftops.
1

Linkboy13 added 19:47 - Jun 24
Im normally a pessimistic person but McKenna has i think spotted the problem that's been at the club for years now, the lack of a physical presence in the team. Three of the four signings have that and although they are not world beaters they are excellent at league one level. Tyreece John Jules i know very little about but he looks quite a strong lad. The teams that came down are normally strong with the exception of Derby who are in a right mess and have only five contracted players and could be in danger of being deducted more points. The squad is without doubt got good technical ability but it's just a question if we can mix it physically.
0

PortmanTerrorist added 20:07 - Jun 24
Something = Promotion. Nothing more and nothing less, and should be well within the ability of the Manager and group to achieve it. Let's back them and enjoy the ride. COYB
1


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