Town boss Kieran McKenna says the Blues will learn from this afternoon’s disappointing 4-0 defeat at Leeds United and move on really quickly to Boxing Day’s similarly big game against leaders Leicester City at Portman Road.

The Whites, who are third, cut second-placed Town’s advantage over them to seven points via this afternoon’s comprehensive victory.

McKenna felt conceding the opening goal in only the eighth minute, score by home skipper Pascal Struijk, made what was always going to be a tough afternoon even more difficult.

“It was a disappointing game and it didn’t go how we wanted it to go,” McKenna admitted. “Of course, the first goal is a really important moment. We’re really disappointed in there with how we defended the corner.

“Having said that, I thought there was a crystal clear foul [on Conor Chaplin] in the build-up to the corner, which was unmissable really, which was so clear, it was so close to the referee. So that was disappointing.

“But we own our bit of it as well. We didn’t defend the corner well enough and that turns what was going to be a very difficult game anyway into a very, very difficult game.

“Leeds were clinical with their moments in the first half. I didn’t think there was a huge disparity between the teams in the first half, to be honest. I know the feel of the game is very different according to the scoreline, but I didn’t think there was a huge disparity in the first half.

“But they took their moments well and we didn’t defend our moments well enough, and when they score from our long throw just before half-time to make it 3-0, you know it’s going to be a really difficult second half ahead.

“Of course, the feel of the second half was very different, Leeds were completely dominant and we had to suffer a little bit in the second half.

“But the players stuck together, the subs came on and gave us energy. It certainly wasn’t an enjoyable experience but over the course of a long season, you’re going to have days that don’t go your way. Today was one of them and we’ll have to, and we will, learn from it and move on really, really quickly.”

Quizzed on whether he had any complaints about the penalty, awarded for a foul by ex-Leeds man Leif Davis on Crysencio Summerville, McKenna said: “I haven’t seen the penalty back. The manner of the goals in the first half was really disappointing because I didn’t think we were in trouble in the game, to be honest, in terms of the flow.

“I thought some of our pressure when they had the ball was really good. We forced turnovers, we forced mistakes and I thought we were comfortable, but we didn’t defend moments well enough.

“The second goal, we were in a really, really good pressing situation, we actually pressed well deep in their right-back zone, but we allowed them to come out of that situation and didn’t defend the big spaces well, although they’re obviously good in those situations.

“And then the third goal just before half-time, we were trying to build a little bit of pressure around their goal and we don’t lock it down well enough and they break out full pitch.

“The manner of the goals was disappointing. There were collective things in there, individual things in there that we’ll learn from.

“And that’s all we can do now. The game’s gone, it didn’t go our way, but we think we’ve shown as a group that we’re very good being consistent, taking the lessons when it doesn’t go our way, being stable when it does go our way and trying to prepare as well as we can for the next game.”

The loss was the first time the Blues have lost by more than two goals since McKenna took charge just over two years ago having only lost three times - twice in the league - by a margin of two.

“Of course, the players are very disappointed and disappointed for the supporters as well as they travelled in great numbers in support of us, as they always do away from home,” McKenna continued.

“But there certainly won’t be any overreaction. We know how hard we’re competing but we know the difficulty of the level, we know the difficulty of the opponent, we know we’re playing against a team who are incredibly strong, even for this level, and who are at their absolute best whenever they’re a goal ahead and can transition because that’s what they do better than anyone in the league.

“It’s not an experience that we’ve enjoyed. I’ve certainly been through it in my career before, the players have been through it, you’re going to have days tat don’t go your way.

“It’s an incredible testament to the group that it’s the first time in two years we’ve lost any game by any sort of margin.

“It’s a testament to the group where we are after 23 games in terms of points and today’s a disappointing day but we always knew were going to have them.

“We’ve lost three games after 23. We’ve lost twice to Leeds with their strength and we’ve lost away to West Brom.

“We know we’re going to lose some games along the way. We never just accept it, we’ll always reflect, look to improve, take the bits that we can improve.

“But for us, it won’t be about revving everyone up for a big reaction [when leaders Leicester visit Portman Road on Boxing Day].

“It wasn’t like that after West Brom. We lost to West Brom with some similarities. We conceded an early set piece against a really strong side and had a difficult afternoon, and today even more so.

“After that game, there was no grand reaction, we just learnt from it, we took the disappointment, we stuck together and put in some really good performances after that.

“That’s what we’ll look to do again. We know we’ve got another strong team in the history of the division to play on Tuesday night, but again it’s just another game. There are 46 of them.

“We play Leicester on Tuesday night, but three days later we play QPR, two days after that we play Stoke and they’re all worth the same points and they all require maximum effort.

“And we know if we do that and we stick to our principles that we can perform well and that we can win games. We won’t win them all but we’ve shown that we can perform and we can win plenty.”

Photo: Matchday Images

carlo88 added 16:43 - Dec 23 Some very interesting comments on the main Leeds forum, comparing KM favourably with Bielsa. Like Bielsa saying the system works fine against most sides in a division but can come unstuck badly when facing much better opposition, a bit like Leeds in the Premier League under him.
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Fat_Boy_Tim added 16:43 - Dec 23 Painful today but KMc's words are a bit of a salve. No bitterness, saltiness, call it what you will, just straight and honest and humble. We are halfway through the season, we have over 50 points and (before the season) we would all have taken 40 at this stage if it was offered.
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SickParrot added 16:54 - Dec 23 For the very first time, I can't agree with KM's assessment of the game. We were not comfortable for any part of the game, were never in control and Chaplin wasn't fouled before the first goal. I hope that behind closed doors he will be much more critical of that performance because not one Ipswich outfield player had a good game. Hopefully we can bounce back like we did after the defeat at West Brom but that will be difficult as Leicester have the best defence in the division and I expect them to win the league.

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churchmans added 17:12 - Dec 23 I really would like to know who marked down sick parrots comment! What did parrot say that was wrong? No opinions parrot was correct in everything! We got pumped hard today and could of been 6nil easy! Just got accept that leeds done us in every department that summerville is untouchable We move on and hopefully a win at home to Leicester!
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MickMillsTash added 17:15 - Dec 23 Against teams with that level of pace and mobility we come unstuck. We never competed vs West Brom and were never in the game today, we looked slow, wanted too long on the ball, the passing was made to look sloppy, but this is what we will face from teams at the top level of the league. Obviously we were hoping to have more of the ball than we did but the choice of Clarke Over Williams surprised me given the challenge that Sommerville posed. Big big week ahead,

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Powrigan added 17:16 - Dec 23 Embarrassing. Don’t make a habit of pathetic performances like that!!
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Blue_In_Boston added 17:32 - Dec 23 Sad to say but Leeds had too much for us all over the pitch. There pace and decision making made the most of every opportunity. Maybe we see the difference between Premier League quality and where we are at today? Not knocking us, it's a great season but today has been an eye opener.
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CookAshtonJohnson added 17:33 - Dec 23 Great point made, carlo88. Out of the 22 teams we've played in the Championship so far, we've only been outplayed by Leeds and West Brom(managed by Bielsa's assistant at Leeds), and yes the result wasn't great, especially with Leicester on BD, but were fans seriously thinking we were going to turn up at Elland Road, a place where we've won 3 times in the last 20 years and smash them? Admittedly we weren't at the stables, let alone the races, but if someone had said to you at the start of the season that we'd be 7 points clear of 3rd and only lost 3 games, you would have laughed. Keep calm and carry on, ITFC.

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ArnieM added 17:37 - Dec 23 I hope by “learning from this defeat”means we won’t be so naive against Leicester and play open expansive football against quality sides that are quicker and stronger snd able to hit us on the break. Boxing Day will be interesting to see if we’ve “ learned”…. I really hope we do.
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muccletonjoe added 17:47 - Dec 23 Needs to learn from it or he will have to get used to these post match interviews.
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Nomore4 added 18:18 - Dec 23 KMcK and his staff have improved every play they’ve worked with…..apart from Harry Clarke.
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Terrystowel added 18:23 - Dec 23 Some people need a bit of perspective, remember where we've come from and our budget. I was watching in 1960/61/62 when only very few teams knew how to play against our unique style. There are a lot of similarities. COYB.
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OliveR16 added 18:43 - Dec 23 When an opposition manager (in this case Farke) says his team, 'controlled all aspects of the game' you know you have been woeful, whatever fans write on forums or your manager says in interviews. Following one point out of six, today Leeds had a very easy day and shame on us.
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IvorFeeling added 19:32 - Dec 23 Listen to McKenna and we are so lucky to have him. Yes, we were second best today but look at the table and our record since he has arrived. Burnley got stuffed 5-2 last season and still won in a canter - I am not saying we will do the same but getting humbled doesn’t mean you are suddenly sh*& No one on here would have said 52 points after 23 games, also everyone would have been happy to make the playoffs which we are pretty much guaranteed to do deal so deal with it. Yes it sucks but get over it and get behind the team

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baxterbasics added 19:47 - Dec 23 I think McKenna knows the performance was worse than he is admitting here, he just doesn't see the sense in doing the team down publicly. He'll say what needs to be said privately with the players.
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muhrensleftfoot added 20:00 - Dec 23 One of those days, hope we don’t have too many more. Leeds excelled, probably their best performance of the season. For us probably the worst. Hopefully it doesn’t knock our confidence too much and we are back to the Ipswich we have come to expect on Boxing Day. In perspective what a great half season. Same again for the 2nd half and we’re guaranteed Premier League

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Karlosfandangal added 20:10 - Dec 23 What happened to Davis today………has been Towns best performers over the last 2 years…. Head up son just one of those day
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virginblue added 21:12 - Dec 23 What does today prove? My takeaway from the above is that we have some idiots as fans. It’s one game and 3 points, we move on. That’s it.
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TimmyH added 21:32 - Dec 23 Should have learnt from the Coventry game last week, they sat a lot deeper and frustrated Leeds not allowing them any width down the wings...we were far too expansive and got caught on the break numerous times. Not sure we learnt too much from the previous Leeds game at PR.
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ChrisFelix added 22:09 - Dec 23 Time to bring back the golden glove winner from league 1 last season
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oldtimer3 added 22:26 - Dec 23 Just one of those days. Can't win them all. Still in a great position. Only 3 lost matches from 22 games. Well done lads.
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Gforce added 23:49 - Dec 23 Who knows, we might meet Leeds again in the play-offs,revenge would be sweet.
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bobble added 00:37 - Dec 24 bet leeds would give away that win to be 7pts clear of us...
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Radlett_blue added 09:11 - Dec 24 While McKenna has huge credit in the bank, I think his tactics were a bit naive as Leeds looked like scoring whenever they were on the break, rather similar to what happened at PR. Unsurprising with the quality they have up front. Will be interesting how he sets up Town against Leicester, who also have largely a PL squad.
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Ipswichbusiness added 10:17 - Dec 24 I have great respect for KMc and Mark Ashton who have achieved so much over the last two years. It is amazing to be in this position with half the season gone. Unfortunately, it shows that we are not (yet) Premiership quality. If (as I hope) we are promoted then I fear that our stay will be nasty, brutish and short. The likes of Haaland, Salah and Rashford must be salivating at the prospect of going up against our defence. We need Premiership quality, particularly at the back. I know that it won’t be either easy or cheap.

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