Blues boss Kieran McKenna was delighted to see his side paired with Championship leaders Burnley in yesterday afternoon’s FA Cup fourth round draw having been hugely impressed with the Clarets since Vincent Kompany took over as boss.

Town will host the Lancastrians, who are five points clear at the top of their table, at some point over the weekend of January 28th with the Blues’ home League One match against Accrington Stanley set to be rescheduled as a result.

“I think it’s a really good draw,” McKenna told the club website. “I know that there are some fans who would maybe want one of the Premier League sides, but Burnley are going to be a fantastic marker for us.

“They’re a team at the very top end of the Championship playing outstanding football this season since Vincent took over.

“They’re a team we’ve watched quite a lot and have enjoyed watching because they’re going about their football in a really positive manner.

“That’s got them to where they are in the league and I’m sure is going to have them back in the Premier League next season.

“Again, they’re a great marker for us and the journey we want to go on in the next few years in terms of the level of their play and we’re really excited to go up against them.

“To have it at home is a bonus and I’m sure the fans will be out in numbers to see what I think will be a really good football match.”

Following yesterday’s 4-1 defeat of Rotherham at Portman Road, Town became the first team to win by three goals or more in the first three rounds of the FA Cup proper since Wigan Athletic in 1985/86 and the first without any of their ties going to a replay since Swansea City in 1970/71.

Photo: Matchday Images

RobsonWark added 17:33 - Jan 9 Totally agree with Kieran. Let's see how good we are against the top team in the Championship. If we can beat them then we will have nothing to fear next season.
13

SpiritOfJohn added 17:35 - Jan 9 Great stats in the final paragraph! This should be an attractive fixture, hope that the stadium will be fully open for this one and we get something approaching a full house with the prices kept down as per previous rounds.
13

IpswichT62OldBoy added 17:39 - Jan 9 Exactly that.
4

Saxonblue74 added 17:48 - Jan 9 If Jackson can replicate his form from the Rotherham game we should fear nobody.
0

Bazza8564 added 18:27 - Jan 9 Not a tie I would have picked but we are at home at least and we use it as a test of our progress. Totally agree with SpiritOfJohn re the stadium, its the only way i'll have access to my own seats again and Id love to see the club fill it rather than cash in
4

Suffolkboy added 18:37 - Jan 9 Simply can't imagine MA and K M would want anything other than a really full stadium ; it's a super draw and grabs the imagination in so many ways ! Could be especially interesting with our additional strike force to add to the versatility ! COYB
2

Eeyore added 18:46 - Jan 9 Should be good. I find the stat about the replays hard to believe. Almost as hard to believe as seeing us in the 4th round!!! With the promising signings, perhaps the sleeping giant is finally stirring. Plymouth also have 4 decent signings. Let battle commence!
3

Chrisd added 06:22 - Jan 10 Following on from the Rotherham tie, this will be a very good indicator of where we are at under KM. Burnley are playing some great football under VK and look a completely different side to the Burnley under Sean Dyche. Should be a good game and played in the right manner too.
1

Razor added 10:49 - Jan 10 And on a housekeeping note as its a nice tie lets hope season ticket holders will be given some time to claim their own seats.
1

Blogs 298 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls