Town boss Kieran McKenna admitted it was a “devastated dressing room” following the Blues’ last-gasp 2-1 defeat to AFC Bournemouth at Portman Road and felt his side’s disallowed first-half goal, which would have given them a 2-0 lead, was harshly ruled out.

The Cherries netted on 87 and five minutes into injury time to grab all three points, the Blues having taken the lead in the 21st minute through Conor Chaplin’s first Premier League goal.

“It’s a devastated dressing room today,” McKenna said. “I thought there were so many good things in the game, so many good things in the performance, the commitment levels were outstanding. Some of our play was really, really good. Right up to the point of their first goal, really.

“And it’s a disappointed group because we felt like we deserved to take the lead, felt like we had a second goal which was harshly overruled, to be honest. Felt like we had chances in the second half.

“It was always going to be a difficult second half, especially with the quality of the subs that they were bringing on, but we felt like we defended well, we had chances to get the second goal and on 86 minutes, I think we were in as much control of the game as you can be at 1-0 against a team of that level. There wasn’t a huge threat, we were defending well.

“And a really poor first goal from our point of view changes the momentum of it and then they have the momentum and the quality to execute really well for the second goal.

“It’s an extremely disappointed group, I don’t think we got what on an individual level or as a squad we deserved from the game.

“But that’s football and as much as it’s a devastated dressing room at the moment, I know what the reaction will be. I believe in what the reaction will be and I believe we will be back fighting next week.”

Asked whether, in the wake of previous late victory-denying wins against Brentford and Leicester, it sometimes feels like it’s not meant to be for Town this season, McKenna said: “Certainly not a feeling of it not being meant to be or anything like that. We feel like we could have had more points certainly than we have. Even just by rights of being competitive in almost every game, then you think that you give yourself a great chance to come out on top of the margins.

“But it’s not time to feel sorry for ourselves, we need to work, we need to keep trying to push our level.

“The boys are improving. You look at the individual performances, Cameron Burgess, Jack Taylor, Conor Chaplin, to give three examples of lads who have come from League Two. Jack Taylor at Barnet to his first start in the Premier League today.

“Look at the level of performances, the work that’s going on, the players know there’s so much good work going on.

“But we need to own what we can own, keep trying to improve the squad in every way that you can possibly do that, to go get a second goal to turn it to that level of performance that you can go and get a second goal and open up a margin, even if we felt like we possibly did.

“And we need to own the mistakes that we made late in the game. It’s not luck, there are things we can do better and it’s also a very, very high level of opponent, who, if you’re winning the game, are going to chase the game with top level quality forward players coming onto the pitch, and the margin for making a mistake is a really, really small, and that was the case today.”

McKenna was asked about his options from the bench, the Blues boss not having made subs as early as perhaps he might have done last season in a similar game in the Championship.

“It was hard to make subs early today because the players were doing so well,” he responded. “I think everyone who has watched us a lot knows that very often we make subs early as the team works so hard and puts so much into the game that often by 60 or 70 minutes, there’s not much left to give.

“But I thought we were controlling the second half really, really well, so until the point exhaustion really hit with a few, there was no real need to make the changes.

“Jack Taylor starts the season as probably our fifth-choice midfielder and you look how he stepped in today in that game and performed how he did. It tells me that the group’s working really well, the players are improving, are adjusting, are adapting, not just to the level of the games but also to our training level with more players in the building. So we feel that we have strength there.

“Now, do we have a bench on paper, on the balance sheet like any other team in the Premier League? No, we don’t. Do we have a starting team on paper, on the balance sheet like any other team in the Premier League? No, we don’t.

“But do I believe in how the players work? Do I believe in their readiness to come in and give the team absolutely everything that they can? I do and that’s why they’re all here and competing.

“Of course, we’re going to try and improve the squad as we go along over the next window and the windows after that, but I’m not going to hide behind that, I believe the work that each member of this group is doing day-by-day and think we’re seeing that players are stepping up at different moments.”

Regarding Liam Delap, who appeared to suffer an ankle knock shortly before he was subbed and had toiled for much of the second half, McKenna said: “I don’t think it was anything in particular. It was his third game in the Premier League from Forest to this one. He was tired in that second half and so was Omari [Hutchinson], there’s no two ways about it.

“The demands on those two players are higher than we would have wanted at this stage, it was never probably the plan that they would start every game, Omari playing 90 minutes in different positions pretty much every week.

“So we need to add and help those boys, but like the rest of the group, they’re doing everything they can to help the team, so I’m proud of them.”

McKenna was full of praise for Cameron Burgess, who returned to the XI for Jacob Greaves after missing out on Tuesday.

“Fantastic,” the Blues boss enthused. “I thought he was excellent in defence, how he defended the box, how he led but also some of his composure on the ball was really good as well, which is a good step for him.

“Like some of the other players who I mentioned and so many players in the group, he’s improving and he’s stepping up to the level and really pleased with him today.”

It was put to McKenna that if the Australian international continues to show similar form, his team will keep more clean sheets over the course of the campaign.

“Let’s hope so,” he said. “He was excellent, I have to say. A credit to him. I think the players deserve a lot of credit, to be honest. I don’t say it all the time, so I don’t think there’s any harm. I think he deserves a lot of credit.

“Look at Cameron’s journey, where he’s come from. I think we had six of our starting 10 outfielders today who have played in League Two or lower, another four or five on the bench, similar journeys and to be competing how they are, they don’t want any pats on the back for it now, because they’re all in the process of trying to improve and establish themselves at this level.

“But, as much as we’re really disappointed with the result, and that’s the most important thing to us today, I’d like to think not just the players and their families but I’d like to think the supporters can take a lot of pride in how so many of them are acquitting themselves.”

Regarding Justin Kluivert’s off-the-ball challenge on skipper Sam Morsy as the game kicked off, which both referee Michael Salisbury and presumably VAR saw nothing in, McKenna said: “I’ve not seen it back, to be honest, so I couldn’t speak much on it, I was eyes on the ball.”

After the game, Town issued a statement regarding a medical emergency in the directors’ box. Asked if he could add anything to that statement, McKenna said: “The club will give a statement when it comes. I wasn’t aware of it during the match, I’ve been filled in since.”

Quizzed on how he will look to maintain a positive mood among his squad after the manner of today’s result following on from the defeats at Nottingham Forest and to Crystal Palace on Tuesday, McKenna said: “It’s a disappointing week for us. We know that with the last few games that we’ve had.

“But at the same time, I think the players know and feel, especially in today’s game, even on Tuesday or Saturday, I don’t think we’re too far away against really good sides.

“But over the course of the three games we’ve had in the last eight days, is the margin to us taking three points, five points, six points, seven points in those three games, is that a huge jump? I don’t think it is.

“It is a jump, we’re not unlucky every single game, we’ve had unlucky moments, but there’s a jump that we need to make.

“But within that, I don’t want to lose and I don’t think the dressing room are losing how many good things we’re doing to compete so relentlessly week in, week out, to be in games, to be imposing ourselves at certain times and sticking together in difficult times in games.

“I think we’re doing a lot of things well, so I don’t think the players will drop confidence in our direction from a performance like today.

“Of course, belief in the results is hard when you concede a late goal like today, but I think they really believe in the way that we’re working, they believe that we’re improving.

“Can’t guarantee what that will give us at the end of the season but I think they all really believe in the path that we’re on.”

TWTD

tobymeadz91 added 19:24 - Dec 8 Great effort from the lads today, I think we can all see that, few items lost us the game in the end: Muric mistake (from the angle I could see) Ben Johnson outplayed all game The squad is tired with no real back up Burgess had the game of his life!! For anyone that moans, we spent £120m ish so it isn’t like we haven’t tried, but desperately need Jan. The gap is too big IMO, I think by the end of the season we will have spent close to £200m and just scrape through which is madness!! In McKenna and Ashton we trust!!

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tobymeadz91 added 19:24 - Dec 8 Great effort from the lads today, I think we can all see that, few items lost us the game in the end: Muric mistake (from the angle I could see) Ben Johnson outplayed all game The squad is tired with no real back up Burgess had the game of his life!! For anyone that moans, we spent £120m ish so it isn’t like we haven’t tried, but desperately need Jan. The gap is too big IMO, I think by the end of the season we will have spent close to £200m and just scrape through which is madness!! In McKenna and Ashton we trust!!

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ipswichdave added 19:31 - Dec 8 So you noticed that Delap and Hutchison were tired but did nothing,, Morsy was having a stinker, did nothing. Changes should have happened sooner!!!
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EssexTractor added 19:31 - Dec 8 Kieron is a very loyal man He was disappointed , the players were disappointed and yes the fans were disappointed. He has never made public his concerns about his players performances..the only adverse idea we as supporters have is in his team selections We have been severely his by Axels long tern defensive absence. Seven months ago we ( the fans) wanted a statue made of Kieron and “ knighthoods” for the players as illustrated eg by the scenes in Christchurch Park. Now there are knives out by some … In viewing the Premier League from afar as we have been for so long , have we as supporters truly identified the real distinction financially , physicality, pace , squad strength, stamina from Championship to Premier League. We were carried away over two fantastic seasons . Kieron can’t do everything , he has his staff to delegate to ..all the ins and outs we are not aware of , but who recommends player purchases, is it finally his decision or the money men. 15 games into this season with 12 players having been recruited at the start it is fair to argue that so few have made our team , our squad better. Delap has of course , but he still needs to be coached and to be better supported on the pitch But of the others , O Shea in bits and pieces has, Greaves suggested he might but now he won’t , can’t replace Burgess, Johnson is no better than Clarke H and Clarke J very sadly looks sort of place , and Smodzics tries but is a Championship Player and why did we not try more to extend Hdkakys contract than spend £10 million on Muric or realise that Walton deserves an poortunity. We all want our players to fit in and do well and we are patient , very patient indeed to criticise . But now even if we are on “ our journey “ , we don’t want that ride to be on a downward escalator. Sensible folk would not wish to be associated with Kieran’s removal , but sensible folk would hope that he can see that to “ survive” in this League beyond next May ,it will need his ruthless team selection from now and the January window that will test him like no other time in his short management career. It’s a tougher league than any of us imagined , that was proven today when as we tired Boutenemouths athleticism and staying power over the 90 plus minutes shone through. We really need those attributes .

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gippeswyk added 19:35 - Dec 8 Some of you negative doom merchants need a reality check. At 87 mins Town were winning, and were robbed of a 2 goal cushion. The players worked their socks off and were knackered at the end. Bournemouth had quality subs to help them nick it at the death. That's no reason for some of the so called Town fans to throw a tantrum and get their knives out. Most of you seem to think you know better than our manager. Go back to your armchairs and support the team up the road.

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Woodbridgian added 19:37 - Dec 8 So we can’t agree a new contract with Hladký so he’s goes to Burnley on a free. We then pay £8m for Muric when every Burnley fan will tell you he was so error prone he was replaced by Trafford in the second half of last season. WHY ?
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Nottsblue66 added 19:58 - Dec 8 Hatman2 The January transfer window will not make a blind bit of difference. We have championship players apart from Hutchinson and delap playing in the premier League and that don't work
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billlm added 20:03 - Dec 8 Could see we were fragile, could easily have seen that out, Haven't seen it back on muric didn't look good maybe he had to come out, He'd done that 3-4 times not needed trust your defence, Deflated easily should win that, Same excuses every game, I actually like a lot of the championship let's get it on,
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bobble added 20:54 - Dec 8 What a bunch of cry babies on here, we are getting better and will start winning games, whether we win enough to stay up we will know in a few months...but we are not easybeats getting hammered every week....
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Londonblue58 added 21:47 - Dec 8 McKenna has done great things for this Club and I will forever be eternally grateful for the last two seasons he has given us. Thank you Kieran. However, in the summer he made sure this Club paid a kings ransom to keep him. £5m a year it is widely reported. So it is now about what he’s going to do rather than what he’s done. If we stay in that emotional hinterland we are kidding ourselves. And the reality is that he has done very poorly. 1. His player recruitment strategy has been bizarre. Resembled Paul Hurst but at a different level. Sign Championship players and try to stay up with them? Yes Delap looks good. Yes Szmodics tries hard. But Greaves, J Clarke…..how are they an upgrade on what we had before. And then O’Shea, Johnson and Phillips? ….what have they added that we didn’t already have. And as for Muric - probably one of the worst signings we have ever made. Burnley fans couldn’t believe we signed him - error after error, indecisive, wreckless. Yet McKenna keeps picking him. And that’s where we will fail. McKenna stubbornness on this goalkeeper will have us relegated and contribute to a huge tarnishing of his own reputation. It’s totally bemusing. When we got relegated from the Prem last time two things stood out strongly. The signing of a disastrous goalkeeper in Sereni and the closeness of Sheepshanks with Burley that meant they both were on the same mutual admiration path to failure. A CEO or Chairman should be there to spot when things need changing but I fear the Ashton/Mckenna friendship and closeness could see a repeat of 2002. We are good enough to stay up but only if we stop repeating basic errors. The biggest one being the repeated picking of Muric. He needs to be dropped and sold. Has anyone noticed that he doesn’t even join the player huddle before the match? No one in this current team is better than Hladky, Walton, Woolfy, Luongo, Broadhead, Harness and Edmunson. They had heart and were part of true team spirit. Any surprise that Chaplin, Taylor and Burgess were our best players today?

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ITFCSG added 22:20 - Dec 8 Excellent observation Londonblue. Besides Delap, Szmodics and Cajuste (loan) I don't see how any of our summer signings have improved the quality of the squad so far. Why spend £20 million plus for kamikaze Muric and J Clarke when Hladky and Harness wouldn't do much worse and most probably better? Broadhead looked sharper and did more than J Clarke so why insist playing the latter? Are there some clauses in these new arrivals' contracts guaranteeing them x number of games this season? Forest were poor and Palace trash but they just patiently waited for us to cock up, lo and behold we obliged by giving away a pen and playing an unfit Greaves instead of Burgess who was simply shoved aside by Matete to score. Today we looked better for the first half but once again were the masters of our own defeat thanks to you-know-who.

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armchaircritic59 added 00:33 - Dec 9 It's nice to think that if/when KM does eventually depart, we can easily find a ready made replacement from amongst the posters in here. I think you'll find it isn't quite as easy as you think it is guys. I normally get almost all up arrows from any post I make here, I expect this one will redress the issue somewhat!
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Help added 07:17 - Dec 9 Okay Kieran I have to place a lot of the blame on that defeat on you. Your subs were to late. You admit that Delap was shot after 60 mins, but waited until we let the opposition score. This is not the first time this has happened. So your decision making is questionable, subs are getting on to late to help in a game. They need to get up to speed in a game. Bournemouth made those subs earlier and guess what they were up to speed when ours were cold. I honestly believe some of those players you have brought into the club do not respect you and you have the same problem you had at Man U. A lack of respect from some players with too much attitude. A team with some not buying into the ethos. The wrong attitude which is affecting the team performance and causing fractions, which you can see on the pitch. Watch players at half time some noticeable discussions going on. Things need to change and if is not the players because of injuries, then the system needs to be more flexible to adapt to the situation in match.

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NorthLondonBlue2 added 09:34 - Dec 9 Devastating result but, hand on heart, I’m so proud of my team. Back-to-back promotions made this season a huge ask and we’ve got a squad playing out of their skin against established Premier League teams. It’s going to come good, keep the faith and trust the process.
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MickMillsTash added 11:21 - Dec 9 Apart from their 3 big misses in the first half the key moments were our disallowed goal and Muric's decision to run out, we were being out played in the 2nd half but they were not creating lots. I am not sure what McKenna could have done looking at that bench- It needed change in centre mid but KP is not fit and Cajuste barely warned up- Not fit. Luongo could surely give us 20 so that's a question, Maybe we could have dropped Chaplin deeper or put Broadhead in as extra body in the middle Burns 'tackle' against Leicester still haunts everyone and JackClarke is lightweight, Al Hamadi - well you get 5 minutes of energy and then he is blowing. Johnson was not playing badly and I'm not sure Harry Clarke would have stopped the run for their 1st. so not many options too change the game I know that it is not our policy but maybe an extra centre back on the bench would not have been a disaster - putting Grieves in-between O'shea and Burgess could have stopped both goals and if losing sticking Greives up front and launching diagonals for second balls in injury time has worked for other teams.

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blueboy1981 added 11:38 - Dec 9 The Owners are probably wondering what they got themselves in to, to be honest ! They won’t be happy with the season thus far for sure - one WIN in Fifteen is an atrocious failing at any level of the game, make no mistake !
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blueboy1981 added 11:41 - Dec 9 It’s wrong and unfair to keep blaming Muric - how about the person who keeps playing him ??
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blueboy1981 added 12:11 - Dec 9 How long now have we been missing a Plan B ? - there’s permutations within what’s available on the field at certain stage of a game i.e. MickMillsTash suggestion !!
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blueboy1981 added 12:17 - Dec 9 Cue a Thousand ‘down markers’ with this, but - McKenna and certain players have been ‘found wanting’ at Premiership level, with almost half the season GONE !!
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TimmyH added 12:57 - Dec 9 gippeswyk - give it a rest telling moaners to go and support that lot up the road! you state we were robbed of a second goal? you're referring to Burgess disallowed effort which I gather was for a hand/arm ball and Bournemouth have quality coming off the bench, really? in Billings, Unal and Hill... Over the whole game a draw would have been about fair just cheesing the timing of it, the ironic thing is how we're conceding losing games late and our subs add nothing compared to the polar opposite last season.

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BerksBlue15 added 14:00 - Dec 9 Those seriously bemoaning McKenna and our transfer policy - I think to say we're not better now on paper than at the end of last season is a bit harsh. Delap >>>> Kayden Jackson Muric = Hladky (don't forget he was error prone a fair few times last year...) Cajuste >> Humphreys B Johnson > Donacien Phillips >> Dom Ball Szmodics > Harness (1 goal and 1 assist in 14 for Derby while out on loan...) O'Shea/Greaves both >> Edmundson (who couldn't get in the team last year anyway) Yes, without Hirst, Tuanzebe, Ogbene and others our squad is thin and light on PL experience, but unless we want to spend £30m+ on individual players we weren't going to get established PL quality coming to Ipswich, as harsh as that sounds. We also couldn't chuck £30m-£40m on one player, knowing we had about 10-15 players to buy across the pitch. It's tough but we maybe didn't realise just how big the step up to this league was. Got to keep the faith otherwise we might as well pack up and go home now.

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churchmans added 14:11 - Dec 9 I have read most of the comments except the few long essay style newspaper articles on here (should be limited to 150 words) We knew it was going to be tough and we can see it is! As fans all we can do is keep turning up believing and make some noise in the stadium! It is up to mckenna and the players he selects to make that almighty leap and stay in the prem in our first attempt

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hyperbrit added 16:46 - Dec 9 face it McK is out of his depth and Gamechanger is watching
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hyperbrit added 16:50 - Dec 9 I personally hate the Premiership.It's just like the bloody gov't hopelessly corrupt and for the same reasons.
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Linkboy13 added 17:14 - Dec 9 Does anyone seriously believe even with Sep Guardiola in charge things would be any different. Im afraid we have some of the most fickle fans in the country when it comes to turning against the manager. Next season they will have some one else to moan about remember for years we were in the doldrums before McKenna came along. But they probably weren't supporting the club then glory hunters.

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