Town boss Kieran McKenna admitted it had been a frustrating night after the Blues were beaten 1-0 at home by Crystal Palace, seeing too many similarities to Saturday’s loss at Nottingham Forest by the same scoreline.

Jean-Philippe Mateta’s goal just before the hour was enough to give the Eagles the three points and continue Town’s wait for a home win.

“A frustrating night, probably too many similarities to Saturday for our liking, in terms of a really tight first half,” he said.

“Not fantastic in terms of the flow of the game, lots of stoppages, we didn’t manage to create the game we wanted, didn’t manage to create as many opportunities as we wanted, but having said that, neither did the opponent. We were solid, there was very little in the game, very few opportunities at either end.

“Second half, we came out much better, we were in the ascendency, we felt like we could really push on in the game, we got ourselves in a pretty good position and some momentum and then we conceded a really poor goal and in a tight game like today, that ends up decisive.

“We tried at the end to break them down, they were defending and counter-attacking well and we weren’t able to find the solution to break them down.”

Regarding what he had said at half-time, McKenna continued: “They’re a really solid team. If you look across the physical strength and the individual quality of their back five, they’re really hard to break down.

“We couldn’t quite get superiority in any individual duel, we got into some good areas but we weren’t able to produce the quality we needed to create a clear chance and both teams probably cancelled each other out a little bit in terms of the system, and we weren’t really able to impose ourselves on them.

“We knew at half-time we just needed to get more intensity in the game one way or another, so we needed to be more aggressive, needed to be more positive, we needed to play forward quicker, even if it wasn’t perfect, but just to create some atmosphere in the game and in the stadium and put more pressure in their final third.

“And we did that at start of the second half, to be fair, and started to get in some more good positions.

“The first half was controlled and solid, but without creating clear-cut chances because they’re not an easy team to create clear chances against. Newcastle have a top, top forward line and I think they didn’t have a shot against them on Saturday. With the back five they’ve got in place now, they’re going to be hard to break down.

“But even taking away clear chances, we didn’t create as much pressure, as much intensity, as much atmosphere in the game in the first half as we wanted.

“And then when the goal went in, the whole dynamic of it changed and you have possession and territory but a solid team who defend well and counter-attack, and with individual quality and the physicality that they have, they’re always in a much better position.”

Asked whether struggling against the more physical sides is becoming a recurring issue, McKenna said: “I think it’s a little bit different when I say physicality today to maybe Everton, who are probably more dominant on set plays.

“But if you look across [Tyrick] Mitchell, [Daniel] Munoz, especially [Marc] Guehi, [Maxence] Lacroix and [Trevoh] Chalobah, that’s a physically really, really dominant one-v-one backline.

“So when they match you up as they did and when they go man-to-man against us, like they did when their side centre-backs jump out and mark as tightly as they did and they’ve got that physicality in the team, it’s not easy to create chances against them. I think lots of teams will find that difficult.

“I think today was different than most of our home games. In most of our home games we’ve managed to create intensity, atmosphere, chances, pressure, play more like the game that we wanted to in the majority of our home games, but we certainly didn’t today.

“I don’t think that’s necessarily a trend, I think you have to give Palace some credit for it, but at the same time they didn’t create much or have many good passages themselves.

“I think up until the goal, we were actually the team growing into the game and starting to put some moves together, but we’re up against a lot of Premier League quality, experience and physicality, and it’s a big challenge.”

Quizzed on skipper Sam Morsy again not wearing the Rainbow Laces armband, McKenna said: “I think in line with what the club statement said, we want to be an inclusive club, the club are working really hard on that. Within the club and within the playing group there’s a lot of good work being done and we want to continue that work.

“But at the same time, the club has respected Samy’s individual decision based on his religious beliefs and I think that’s a fair assessment.”

TWTD

itfcskayman added 23:01 - Dec 3 Of course there is still a long long way to go with 24 games and anything can still happen BUT we have to start learning our lessons very very quickly or we could be out of sight very quickly.
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ITFCSG added 23:15 - Dec 3 So if both the Forest and Palace games were scrappy, stop start etc. why do we always come out in the losing end? Ffs Palace aren't prime Barca, they were right down the bottom with us! No away wins until today! If they were so good, how did Brentford, Fulham, Forest, Everton etc. beat them so far? Yet we only managed 0.49 xG today - lowest average xG in the league this season so far!

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RegencyBlue added 23:22 - Dec 3 Tonight is the first time I’ve thought we are going down! I didn’t think Palace were all that but they had more than enough to deal with us and it’s obvious the squad isn’t good enough. We will look to strengthen in the January window but it will be hard to get quality players in whilst we are in the position we are in. Hate to say it but I don’t see us getting out of this.

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Mark added 23:29 - Dec 3 Palace brought on a £30m striker from the bench and we brought on a £1m striker. Many of our team tonight cost around £1m each, and I think it is just the sheer quality and athleticism of the Premier League that we are struggling with. It is not just us, most promoted sides go back down. We have been out of the Premier League 22 years and were in League One two years ago. We have done remarkably well, and I think our future is bright even if we go down, with the owners' investment in our infrastructure. I suspect next season in the Championship would be more enjoyable than this season, and in two years' time we will be stronger.

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Ipswich_Sniffer added 23:39 - Dec 3 Everything above is correct. Two teams with limitations cancelling each other out. The one consistent issue for me is Omari in the No. 10 position. I dont think we can haave him there as he is clearly more effective on the right. I also dont think we have the answer for the 10 position within our squad. This we should prioritise in the Jan window. We also need Hirst as a link forward when Delap is not effective.

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Ipswich_Sniffer added 23:39 - Dec 3 Everything above is correct. Two teams with limitations cancelling each other out. The one consistent issue for me is Omari in the No. 10 position. I dont think we can haave him there as he is clearly more effective on the right. I also dont think we have the answer for the 10 position within our squad. This we should prioritise in the Jan window. We also need Hirst as a link forward when Delap is not effective.

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cooper4england added 00:20 - Dec 4 mark so true. so proud of our football club. 3rd division to premier league is incredible. however we're not ready for it. no harm in that. so we go down, so we lose Kieran. owners will see us good. however here is the controversy. love morsy and respect his faith but he has to be stripped of the captaincy. we can not berate countries like Saudi and other African or middle east nations and have a role model who is clearly homophobic. its the 21st century and we need leaders who demonstrate inclusion, equality and diversity. its not about just being good player. anything else is just lip service to being community club.

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algarvefan added 00:47 - Dec 4 cooper4 england, you cannot choose to reject the rainbow laces armband and be assumed to be homophobic. I'm quite sure Sam Morsy is not homophobic but as a clearly committed Muslim he would be a hypocrite for wearing it as he is following his faith closely. He's not commented on it and I don't think he will or should. I really don't like the taking away of a persons right to choose, he's been an exemplary captain and should continue in his role. This is a press generated 'storm in a teacup' lets not turn it into an issue. The football club will rightly continue to support diversity in all it's forms, lets not turn this into a Poppy Police issue.

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cooper4england added 01:23 - Dec 4 don't agree Algarve. if he was a squad member it isn't such an issue but he is our club captain. like i said if we criticise nations like Saudi, Russia then we have to walk the walk. not good enough from our captain. kids look up to him.
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armchaircritic59 added 02:01 - Dec 4 I've commented on the SM armband issue elsewhere here a day or so ago, in more detail, as I'm part of the LGTBQ+ community. I don't know what his own personal opinions are, but as a tolerant, respectful member of society myself (I hope!), I respect his decision to do what he has, even if I find it a pity. He's not in an easy position, damned if he does, damned if he doesn't. I think it's time to live and let live, no doubt if someone/something far greater than anyone here exists, that entity will pass the final judgement!

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bobble added 03:02 - Dec 4 You dont have to choose a homophobic religion to follow, there are many that are not homophobic, so clearly choosing one that is, reflects your own values... Agree, the captain of our club should support diversity and choices....
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Bazza8564 added 03:04 - Dec 4 Let's not get wrapped up in Sam's decision on armbands, hes a magnificent servant and a really nice fella. His faith is important to him, and as much as tolerance and diversity is important towards our LGTBQ+ friends, don't we owe Sam the same degree of understanding as a faithful Muslim? Let's not forget he plays and trains whilst observing ramadan, makes no fuss nor demands on anybody else and whilst he follows his religion, he should be respected not tarred as homophobic. And turning to the football, well it wasn't great, we've arrived in this league and are learning some harsh lessons about the standard and we are learning it the hard way. Ive said before, we are aiming towards 35 points this season not 90, so we have to dust ourselves down and go again, strengthen in January and see where we are. Those who championed giving the league one lads a crack at this league are now probably thinking they should have kept quiet, because this is the reality AFTER spending £100m. But it is done now, we win Sunday and then at Wolves this will be consigned to memory like Madestone was.

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howsey51 added 03:08 - Dec 4 I think the most disappointing thing was the response to going behind, especially under the lights midweek. I have become conditioned over the years to not get that stomach drop when going a goal behind because we normally react so well and the never say die attitude has been a big part of our success. But the lack of this on the night was so disappointing and the subs didn’t really work out.

4

Suffolkboy added 03:17 - Dec 4 Disappointing as it is, KM presents a cutting and clear analysis of the game ,and of our performance .As usual in his critique weaknesses are covered ,alongside any strengths,but he succeeds in never allocating ‘blame’ ! Our support should be — and probably is - unconditional ; each of us in work and play has the occasional ‘off day’ for whatever reason ; ITFC can surely be no different and given the background are inevitably still growing and learning . KM will be only too aware of any individual limitations ; either in current performance or future potential but has been dealt a few cruel blows with injuries in the most demanding of leagues ! Onwards with purpose and integrity ! COYB

7

londontractorboy57 added 07:30 - Dec 4 Bobble you don't choose a religion.
2

BotesdaleBlue added 08:04 - Dec 4 Mark - Totally spot on with your assessment.
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bignics added 08:10 - Dec 4 McKenna here is a thought… how about if Palace have come to do a job knowing our set up and each team is cancelling each other out change things! We were the home team needing a win so go two up top! I don’t know what you were watching but I didn’t see the intensity etc after half time and the possession only came from mire sideways and backwards passing and why oh why would you bring on Alhamadi and leave Szmodics who can play number nine and here is a thing can score goals on the bench?

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Karlosfandangal added 09:27 - Dec 4 Well in today you have to put a label on everything you can’t just be you and get on with your life. As for the football we needed to beat Forest and Place as Bournemouth Arsenal and Chelsea we will get nothing from. That leave Town needing 9 win in 24 to stay up, a win every other game. Championship next season then
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Lightningboy added 09:57 - Dec 4 I think KM is overthinking things...just play your best starting line-up and let them go out there and play attacking football..all this playing around in our own 18 yard box is creating problems in getting the ball up the pitch..I sometimes wonder whether modern day coaches are more obsessed with possession stats than the actual scoreline. We look far better with a front 4 of Chaplin,Szmodics,Hutchinson & Delap...Clarke has done absolute zero this season as sadly has Burns (not his fault,he's just not premier league quality). Last night was flat,the crowd needed lifting & that only really happened a couple of times when the ball was crossed into the box...if we're going to continue this obsession with knocking the ball backwards & sideways it's only going to frustrate the supporters and the front men..does my head in when there's an obvious chance to cross/shoot and the player decides to turn back and kick it 20 yards backwards...the object of the game is to put the ball in that white net thing....(more than the other team).

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OliveR16 added 10:19 - Dec 4 Lightningboy - This. What surprised me last night was the lack of ambition, such a contrast to the risk-taking that has got us two seasons of glory. In a nutshell, it was like watching a poor version of Southampton. Good grief.
3

del45 added 10:23 - Dec 4 Well said lighting boy so very poor performance all round not looking good now.
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hyperbrit added 13:15 - Dec 4 in the game I saw Town were played off the park.Hutch spent most of the match in midfield and Delap was on his own and double teamed too. Burns actually penetrated but there was no one there to cross to except Delap, The second man was sitting on the bench.Of the subs Al Hamadi looked good the rest except Chappers are Championship only. Parachute payments await. Fire away guys!!

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hyperbrit added 13:17 - Dec 4 oh and we were out coached too!!
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poet added 16:44 - Dec 4 I’ve been trying to put last nights game into perspective. About a month or so ago, I watched Spurs play Palace at Spurs ground. Palace did to Spurs what they did to us last night. Palace may not be a technically gifted side, but they do work very hard to stifle the opposition. I’d describe them as not very pleasing to the eye, squad of spoilers. Every time a Spurs player received the ball, a Palace player was on him very quickly. Consequently, Spurs, like us last night, ran out of ideas, they looked clueless in trying to get round Palace, and finally succumbed to Palace’s work rate, and lost the game. It was the worst performance I’ve seen a Spurs team display, it really was woeful, and that’s a very well established PL side. Summing up…. Palace may not do much for entertaining football, but their work rate can ware teams down.

2

Gforce added 19:07 - Dec 4 @Poet......Nicely summed up,it's given me a little bit of fresh hope !
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