Town boss Kieran McKenna admitted the 1-0 defeat at Crystal Palace was a ‘sickening result’, feeling the match was a even based on chances.

Ismaila Sarr’s goal eight minutes from the end secured the three points for the Eagles but with the Blues also having had opportunities.

“I think it was a really competitive game,” McKenna reflected. “I think we certainly played our part in that. I think it was at least even in terms of the opportunities that we had.

“Crystal Palace had their opportunities as well and we certainly feel we were good value for a goal today and we were really close on a couple of occasions to getting the first goal.

“And, of course, it’s a sickening result. To come away from home and be as competitive as we were against a strong Crystal Palace side who have been in good form for a good period of time, to do it in a week when we’ve been away and played 120 minutes in the FA Cup on Monday night with a depleted squad, to come and compete as we have today, is another reflection of a lot of good things in the group that they’re showing.

“But we also know that we have to keep working to turn those margins in our favour. I know that’s been the story for a lot of the season, but that’s the only path forward, that’s the reality of it.

“We’ve still got a group that’s learning and growing and developing. Julio Enciso was starting his third game, Jaden Philogene’s a few games into his career here, we’ve got a large majority of the group who are very, very early in their Premier League experiences and careers, and they’re learning all the time.

“I think you can see individual growth and development in individuals and in the group and we need to try and accelerate that as much as we can to turn the margins in our favour and try and pick up some wins and some points in the remaining 10 games, starting especially next week.”

The Town players felt there may have been a foul in the build-u to the goal, Palace sub Daichi Kamada catching Kalvin Phillips late as the Blues midfielder’s tackle deflected the ball into the path of Sarr.

“Kalvin thought it was a foul, I haven’t looked at that aspect of it too much,” the Blues manager said.

“It’s a tackle that we win, it ricochets to Sarr and he shows the level. His acceleration over three or four yards from where the ball ricocheted to him to end up six yards out one-v-one with the goalkeeper was incredible acceleration and shows the level of the league and the execution that they had to take the goal.

“We’ll look at that bit of it. I don’t think we’ve defended the situation too badly. I certainly don’t think we’ve defended in the game too badly, considering it was a pretty open game at times.

“But, there’s certainly an element of luck in the goal but, as always, we’ll focus on the bits we can control and trying to get better at those.”

Phillips and Enciso were back in the team for the first time since suffering calf and knee injuries respectively, while Omari Hutchinson came off the bench following his knee problem.

“They were big positives,” McKenna continued. “We know we’ve missed important players all through the season, so we haven’t been able to be as settled as we’d like to be, but to have those two back was a big positive.

“I thought Kalvin put in another really strong performance and he’s certainly working back towards the level and hopefully maybe beyond where he’s been before.

“We feel that Julio’s going to be a big addition for us if we can keep him fit, so it’s been a big blow to lose him, but good to have him back today.

“Good to get Omari on the pitch and as much as we’ve lost Axel [Tuanzebe] for a good period of time, we’ve also had players coming back into the team today, who can help us.

“It means that although it’s March, it’s still Jaden’s third game and he’s probably played with three different right-backs and right 10s in the game, so that’s just the challenge that we’ve had.

“And we’ve got to respond to that challenge in the best way and that’s just work and time, and we know we don’t have time but we need to use and maximise the time as well as we can.”

The Blues had a number of opportunities, Ben Johnson’s header just prior to the Palace goal perhaps the best of them.

“We certainly had chances and we can do better in a couple of situations, for sure,” McKenna admitted. “We had some big overload moments in the second half. We had some big moments around the box.

“But we’re coming up against really, really strong, physically strong, top quality defenders, a really top quality goalkeeper [Dean Henderson], who I know well [from Manchester United], who made some good saves, and Crystal Palace have won the game a fantastic moment from Sarr.

“It’s unlucky from our point of view, but also he showed why he has played a really good level for a good period of time and played in the Premier League for a few seasons because his acceleration is outstanding as is his touch to get in that position, and then he takes it really well.

“Our group we know, if you’re talking about the forwards and the frontline today, you’ve got Jaden, who has just turned 23, Liam 22, just turned, Julio, just 21, Jack Clarke, just turned 24, Omari comes on, 21.

“A lot of talented young players and to have that at Ipswich Town is a real positive thing but it also means they’re not going to be the finished product. If they were the finished product, they wouldn’t be at Ipswich Town.

“We’ve got to keep working and believing in those boys and pushing them to get better and I’m sure they all will.”

McKenna was asked about positives, among them Philogene playing a right-sided role where at times he was a winger and at others a fifth defender.

“There were some good elements to our play,” he said. “We know coming to Crystal Palace is a tough place. Some aspects of their system is similar to ours, so there was always going to be a challenge of how we were going to deal with the threat with [Tyrick] Mitchell pushing forward from that side. Of course, we have similar with Leif [Davis] on that side.

“Jaden’s a versatile player on that side, he’s adapting to playing on the right-hand side, which he has done but not as much. And then in games like today against a wing-back, he’s adapting to the fact that he’s spent a good bit of time deeper where he’s having to defend against Mitchell on the backline.

“But he can also push forward and sometimes press a little bit higher up and also gives us a real winger threat on that side. I think he’s growing into that role.

“That’s a real challenge for us, we have Wes Burns and Chieo Ogbene, who were the two first-choice players for that role coming into the season, both finished for the season through big injuries, so we’ve had to adapt.

“Ben Johnson can do it in a slightly different way, maybe more of a natural full-back. Omari can do it in a very different way, but Jaden we feel has some real good winger qualities, but is also really disciplined and fit to do his defensive work. He’s growing into that role.

“Julio, it’s just a positive having him back. He’s versatile, he can play left 10, he can play right 10, he’s got a really good level of individual quality that we can feel can take us to another level and we’ll use him in a few different roles in behind Liam or behind George Hirst. He’s done both of them for us already, so he’s going to be really useful for us.”

Quizzed on whether he feels it was a chance to make up ground on Wolves missed and whether he planned to watch the Molineux side in action at home to Everton later in the evening when they drew 1-1 to move six points plus goal difference ahead of the Blues, he added: “Hopefully not, I’ll try and avoid it. Honestly, we have to just focus on ourselves. That’s the reality.

“We have 10 games left, we’re going to have to win a good few of those games. We’re going to have to win at a greater rate than we have so far this season and the first thing you need to do is win one, and then you can talk about a run of form or a run of wins or whatever.

“If we don’t manage to do that, then we won’t be successful at the end of the season in terms of trying to stay in the division. If we do manage to do that, then let’s see where that takes us.

“We don’t have a crystal ball to say how other teams will do, how many wins we’ll need to get. We know it’s going to probably be a significant number and all we can use our energy on is controlling and improving the things that give us a chance to get those wins in the next 10 games.”

Photo: TWTD

ImAbeliever added 18:43 - Mar 8 Don’t stop, never give up, hold your heads high, we can beat the drop.
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ImAbeliever added 18:44 - Mar 8 …could be a bit tricky though.
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Suffolkboy added 19:00 - Mar 8 It was always going to be a difficult season .and it’s proved a really troublesome challenge ; with many ‘obstacles’ presenting themselves . We can only continue our belief and support for a Team ,which from the very top down is incredibly dedicated and unified ! COYB
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backwaywhen added 19:32 - Mar 8 We go again , but I think a Wolves win tonight will almost inevitably seal our fate ……come on you Toffees.
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IP9 added 19:47 - Mar 8 Losing to Southampton at home sealed our fate. I said at the time that I didn't think we would recover mentally from that, and it's turning out to be the case. To be fair, losing at home to a team that could end up with the lowest ever Premier League points tally leaves us deserving nothing more than relegation. If we keep most of our front line, however, we could cause carnage in the Championship next season, which is a lot more exciting than another season of this...

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ArnieM added 19:48 - Mar 8 Not nearly as sickening as your refusal to play Hirst as the leader of the line with Broadhead, Delap, Hutch as the three forwards. There us no law other than McKenna's law thst says Hirst and Delap can't be in the team at the same time. And as for bring on the more experienced striker with just 4 mins remaining ...and utter joke frankly. To say I'm frustrated with McKenna now, is an understatement. I'm divk of hearing " trust the pricess". Tell me, will McKenna be trusting his own process next season by remaining at Town? I seriously foubt it. Will our better players remain at Town ," trusting the pricess"? No, of course they won't. It's a throw away phrase by an inexperienced manager, trusting this clubs survival in the PL to an even less experienced striker.

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SickParrot added 19:57 - Mar 8 We had 15 goal attempts and 8 on target today, which is very respectable away from home, but we still couldn't score. We also defended well for most of the game but still lost. Kieran can justifiably claim lots of positives from the performance again but at the end of the day we lost again. In truth, the only thing we've done consistently well all season is to lose games we could've won and it's really hard to stomach. Even allowing for all the injuries we've had, and our rapid rise from League 1 to Premier League, 3 wins all season and none so far in 2025 is just not good enough. Ten games left and we probably need to win five of them. Time for Kieran to prove that he deserves to be one of the highest paid managers in the country.

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Phil1969 added 19:58 - Mar 8 Annie what cxap. I coach you can’t play two 9’s just creates gaps elsewhere. Hutchinson isn’t fully fit Broadhead was awful Monday. The process is development we have invested to go down and rebound can’t you see that. Players have contracts we sell only if we want first season down with para payments. Get behind Mc K and the team.
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muhrensleftfoot added 20:26 - Mar 8 So we’ve had 3 wins in 28 games. Probably need 5 or 6 wins in our last 10 . I’m not generally pessimistic but I really don’t see it happening . I hope with all my heart that I’m wrong
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Leejames99 added 21:01 - Mar 8 Not sure what this thing about Hirst is now, a league 1 striker, he has only scored 17 goals and 11 assists in 72 games for Town which is shocking, injury prone and not a Prem striker, plus sicknote, in saying that a yellow for Delap and he is the only forward we got so be time for him to earn his £840,000 a year. All fine margins waffle again, the fine margin was playing Davis not Townsend and putting the team out of whack, people moaning about Phillogene and J Clarke but they can't play their game when Davis is in team, the whole team are out of whack for 1 player with 2 assists and a goal. Mckenna at fault at the moment, was no need to bring on Broadhead, does nothing. Mckenna now saying its difficult because Burns and Ogbene out what? Burns was awful, not a Prem player, Hutch plays on right but kept playing him in middle when Szmodicks could play there, Godfrey was bought in and has played 45 mins, he was good vs Coventry, Phillogene is a left or right winger, J Clarke left wing, H Clarke a right back, Johnson right back. If Mckenna wanted a speedy right back why didn't he buy one in Jan? This is all to accomdate Davis. O'Shea is fine on right and Phillogene wouldn't need to cover if Townsend plays because they stay in position. Time for Ashton to come out now and reassure fans re Mckenna, if there is a possibility of him going despite new contract and alot more money then surely that included that he stays if relegated as we were favourites to be. I think they all stay, new signings the manager etc and next year Portman Road will see an exciting season winning games but if there is the slightest chance Mckenna could go nd with 30 points to play then replace now.

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Karlosfandangal added 22:01 - Mar 8 Sorry to say and I expect the down arrows But 3 wins all season and now we expect to win 5 of the 10 left to play with Newcastle Arsenal and Notts Forest up next so really 5 from 7. Well done Town for effort but we are down……..can’t see too many of the players leaving at the end of the season so I would expect Town to be up there in the Championship next season. Let’s hope the lesson have been learnt for the return to the Premier League

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victorysquad added 22:31 - Mar 8 We have to largely ignore relegation and continue on with plans for the training ground and to continue developing young talented players. Hopefully McKenna will stay as he will have learned a lot this season about how hard it is to establish a team in the prem and next time he does it he will have more experience to lean on. If he goes we need to stick to the same profile of manager.

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blues1 added 22:58 - Mar 8 Leejames99. No, it's not waffle. It's,fact. Most games have been by fine margins. Today was a primexexample of how,things go when ur at the bottom, withvthe ball rebounding so luckily to thd palace player. What has today's defeat got to do with Davis playing? While I do think Townsend is better defensively,l dont think this loss had anything to do with who was playing on the left.

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blues1 added 23:03 - Mar 8 ArnieM. Clearly didn't see Broadheads performance on Monday night then. He was awful. As for not bringing hirst on until so late? There was no need to was there, as we werent losing the game, and still in with a chance of nicking the win.
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del45 added 23:18 - Mar 8 The results are becoming embarrassing now week in and week out nothing changes, let's get back to the championship and start again.
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armchaircritic59 added 23:50 - Mar 8 Pretty much a rinse and repeat comment from me, absolutely no lack of effort and commitment again, as should be expected, but a general lack of class, guile and nous, again not unexpected from a squad that I believe has been built with at least one eye on the future and not just this season. And of course when you are where we are, you get the bad breaks like today's goal. The ball could have gone anywhere off KP's foot but it falls ideally for Sarr, who to his credit, certainly made the most of it, just that bit sharper to react then JG. Best performers for me: A. Palmer and L. Woolfenden, both 7/10. I think the task is verging on the near impossible now, but there were signs today that we may at least go down assuming it happens, giving it a bit of a go, rather than just be passive. If it happens, next season is going to be extremely important, we simply can't afford not to get back into the Premier League at the first attempt, literally and figuratively speaking. We all know the Championship is a dogfight, take nothing for granted, but the quality we will almost certainly have with some new recruits too, should put us in a very strong position.

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SpiritOfJohn added 07:22 - Mar 9 We have had a lot of setbacks this season with injuries, dodgy refs and penalty shoot-out cup exits. However, our manager and this group of players roll their sleeves up and continue to do their best to represent our club in the best possible way. That is why the vast majority of supporters have stuck with them. There are ten games left in the Premier League, we need to attack every one of them and also try to enjoy them! The brain says we are going down, but the heart says we can still do something special. Stranger things have happened, and I hope Kieran McKenna stays whatever the outcome.

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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 08:46 - Mar 9 "If they were the finished product, they wouldn’t be at Ipswich Town." I find that comment very worrying. Does that mean that our ambition is limited? If Brighton, Brentford and Bournemouth can do it, so can we. Hope we can keep Kieran and a good number of our important players in the Championship next year and build for an even brighter future. COYB!
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Bazza8564 added 09:22 - Mar 9 Steve, no i don't believe it does. I believe it means they would be 45m and out of our price range. we signed what 7-8 players now between 10m and 22m, all of whom are you and with the exception of Delap who will be too valuable to keep, all will be here next season. With the 60-80m or so I believe we might get for Davis and Delap, we buy another 5 and absolutely SMASH it next year. I really believe that was the underlying failsafe this season, long contracts for young players from the very best championship side sides with high potential and so much higher standard than the core Championship quality. With the exception of Brentford, all the mid table sides like Fulham, Bournemouth took a bounce at least once. We are no different. It would have cost us 600m to buy a side that might have stayed up this season with any certainty, FFP and bankrupting the club isn't sustainable. As painful as it is, we might just have to live with the bounce this time around...

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Beattiesballbag added 10:42 - Mar 9 First priority this season should have been to bring in 2 or 3 players with the quality/experience to keep us up, then look to bring on younger players. But as we have put all our eggs in one basket in bringing young players on we have only the process to blame, for people saying we are investing in going down to come straight back up, dream on, promotion from the Championship is not a formality, unless we can find some players who are willing & able to pass to their team mates in a forward direction without stopping to look for options we could end up doing a Luton. I think people are forgetting most of our best football last season was when we had to pass forward with more urgency, because we were behind.

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Bazza8564 added 11:37 - Mar 9 Beattie, sorry if we bring in 2-3 we have the majority from league one. None have proved good enough, we are seeing glimpses from Wolfy , Davis' position has looked poor defensively and Tuanzebe has been almost always injured. Chaplin improved a lot but now we've lost him And if you spend 140m on three players, they demand a relegation release clause and you are back to square one. Ashton knows what he is doing, The standard is so so much higher. When I read initially people looking forward to Morsy and Luongo in midfield i wasnt sure whether to laugh or cry, thankfully people are now seeing that Taylor as a sub for Phillips and Cajuste is the way forward. Broadhead looks clueless at this level. The younger lads will be two seasons better when we get back again, I'm just hoping that we can find a way to keep Cajuste and that City pay Phillips off and we keep him too. Im pretty much resigned to the drop now but im expecting an even stronger squad next season.

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Linkboy13 added 12:45 - Mar 9 Unfortunately Broadheads popularity dosent match his ability at Premier league level does the odd good thing but not very often too lightweight at this level as are Clarke and Philogene. Delap has done wonders with very little support from a midfield that has only created one goal and scored one both Morsy Phillips and Cajuste havn't scored or created anything in the Premier league pathetic.

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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 13:16 - Mar 9 Bazza, thanks for the clarification above. Thinking about it, you're probably right. At least, I hope you are! -:)
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blueboy1981 added 18:29 - Mar 9 We’re Premiership Pants !- it has to be accepted. EXCUSES are Rife - but change nothing, and are futile. Don’t expect anything at all easier in the Championship - it’s going to be TOUGH ! We had the Golden Opportunity to do the easy bit - and that was to STAY in the Premiership. REMEMBER this Post for after August - I’ll be MOST PLEASED to be proved WRONG !!
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Alphawhiskey added 08:03 - Mar 10 Our season was over long ago I'm afraid. And only ourselves to blame! We threw so many games away, Leicester at home, Bournemouth at home, Southampton at home, Man Utd at home, Brentford away, Man Utd away etc. All games we should have easily won. The manager doesn't seem to have a plan B, makes changes too late, and with all due respect is way out of hid depth at the moment. We have recruited poorly with the exception one a couple of players. We may well start planning for life in the Championship. We are six points away from Wolves, That's two wins and two losses to them, plus goal difference. Honestly guys....where can you see one win coming from? let alone two or three? Plus Wolves next game.....Southampton away! If we had of seen games out, taken our chances and not had that calamity keep, we would be safe and sitting around 14th,15th now. No more fine margins BS please.... Its all our own fault all this.

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