Manager Kieran McKenna has been reflecting on the Blues dropping 27 points from winning positions over the course of the Premier League season, more than any other side.

Twelve of those points were dropped in home games and a further 15 on their travels, while Town would be 15th in a table based on first halves alone on 37 points.

“It's both a stat that you can take, not pride in because we're not in a situation to take pride in it, but I think it's a reflection of a lot of good work.

“The fact that the way we've started games, our first-half performances, our first-half results very often have been at a really high level. In terms of a half-time league table I know where we're at on that and we're in a position that we'd be delighted with. I think that reflects a lot of good work.

“The fact that we haven't been able to win as many games as we would have liked and a lot of times in the games that we've had the lead and we haven't been able to hold on to the lead, is one area where the gap shows up the most.

“Every challenge you have is multifaceted, but a lot of them come down to the financial gap in the Premier League, to the jump that we've had and if other teams have a bench full of international calibre players, that certainly makes it a challenge. 

“If the physicality needed from us to compete in the game, to get a lead, to be in a good position in the game is of the level that it is, then you're going to likely be more tired than teams and players who aren't working as hard as you in that part of the game, or have played at the level for a lot longer.

“And then, the fact that you've got a team that haven't played together pretty much every week is a team that is still growing and learning into each other.

“If you make a jump like we did, then there's a necessity, in my opinion, in order to be successful, you're going to have to make a lot of changes to the squad, which means that you don't have the familiarity of Arsenal last week and you've got [Martin] Odegaard, Ben White, [Bukayo] Saka, who are four or five seasons down the right wing together, playing against a left wing that's probably never played together or won't have played together more than a handful of times.

“So there's the experience of playing together and then, of course, there's the experience of the Premier League, which is the challenge of playing at the level and all those things. But I think that is more tied to a lot of other challenges that you have.

“As I've said, there's no quick or easy answer to any problem that you'll have as a team in our position or we already would have found it. The fact that we've been ahead very, very often and competed in so many games is a big, big positive or a reflection of a lot of positive work.

“The fact that we haven't held on to enough of those results is, of course, a big disappointment and in certain areas I'm sure we could do better as a club. I think there's certain areas of that are just the inevitability of the challenge that we faced.”

Photo: TWTD

flykickingbybgunn added 17:34 - Apr 24 I dont believe we have had a lot of luck this season. Not with refs decisions or injuries. I hope that evens our next time.
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Suffolkboy added 18:10 - Apr 24 Bang on !
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Leejames99 added 18:44 - Apr 24 He can literally say anything, no excuse for left hand side, 2 things tgat have to be done is sell Davis and Burns and build midfield, Davis is good in Championship but we can't have left wingers and him we need a left back who stays left back.
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chorltonskylineblue added 19:12 - Apr 24 Intrigued by KMc's comment I looked it up. On 1st half scores we'd be 15th in the table, 6 points clear of West Ham in 18th spot. On 2nd half scores, we'd be bottom, 9 points adrift. Suggests our fitness, in game management and general Premier League nous is lacking. Not that surprising given the club's trajectory in the last 3 seasons.
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TimmyH added 21:39 - Apr 24 chorlton...agree with your post, I mentioned similar to this but quite succinctly the other week how we're always on the back foot more and more as the game goes on unless we're already 3 or 4 down by early 2nd half - I think your post is not at all surprising.
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tetchris added 23:06 - Apr 24 We would still be in the premier league next season if we had managed to bag all those points which is why being relegated is so disappointing as we proved at certain times we were competitive we just couldn’t defend a lead or score another goal to kill the opposition off. I do think not signing another experienced striker was a mistake
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bobble added 23:10 - Apr 24 Defence defence defence
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Carberry added 09:41 - Apr 25 Sometimes I wonder how McKenna is able to come out with this stuff with a straight face. Able to find a big positive in being ahead in games when we have lost the most points from winning positions, that is delusional. And of course, a team that hasn't played together every week, which is of his own making, in the most part, by constant 'tactical' changes. And he gets away with it every week because most people on here thinks the sun shines.....

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blueboy1981 added 10:55 - Apr 25 …… that counted for, and achieved much didn’t it ? - RELEGATION !!
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blueboy1981 added 11:09 - Apr 25 …… Carberry you’re right - McKenna’s spiel is as monotone as his tactics and thus results this season - same week, after week, after week, expecting a different outcome. People will reflect next season on such a Huge Opportunity missed in not ‘staying up’ ….. all in all it was an abysmal attempt, and season, with unwanted Club Records set - for every wrong reason. Back to the GRIND and MOANING of visiting teams shutting up shop for a point - people have such short memories - when it suits !!

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1987TractorBoy added 11:52 - Apr 25 Blueboy is never ceases to amaze me how much of a negative, miserable pr*ck you are. I reckon you could win the lottery and moan about it
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Carberry added 11:57 - Apr 25 Sadly, Tractorboy, we won the lottery and then lost it all.
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Leejames99 added 11:59 - Apr 25 @carberry 100% agree, the overlap were slating him on new episode, this is my point too, he is so woke and arrogant and fans literally believe everything he said. I can't think of any manager anywhere,who looks at away games as a great day out and experience for his lads, he says things like they are easy to motivate because they playing Chelsea and Arsenal, I'd love to see him in dressing room, I bet it's all candles and dolphin music. What manager accepts losing 27 points as a 'learning curve', he has so many sacked into his process, journey, not gelled, fine margins, gulf, money, no doubt about its nonsense. Some fans on here would not be botheted if we do drip back to league 1 and dont go back to the Prem for another 22 years as long as Mckenna comes running out with Burnsy Chappers, Broady, Woolfy, Leify, Hirsty, and Walts. Have you never wondered at half time why our team run off, all other teams walk, i think it must be because Mckenna has warm muffins, lattes and a comfort blankets for them while he sits on a rug and discusses their journey and karma, victory in defeat and the process of life. They certainly aren't standing with half an orange in one hand and a brandy in the other while they are getting teared to bits and told if they don't win they be in for training next day. They needed a passionate manager not a bubble bath and a well done badge after a game. Be gone by Christmas if not before if he sticks with the sy team

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Leejames99 added 12:03 - Apr 25 We won the lottery but it was a false claim, its a analogy the lottery bit like Mckenna started with all the bells and whistles and star names every Sat and soon became stale and boring and only played by people clinging on to false hope and can't change their numbers or routine.
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Dissboyitfc added 14:06 - Apr 25 Lee James what level did you reach in football? Serious question!
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Dissboyitfc added 14:13 - Apr 25 KM is going to get slated by a small section of posters on here, win promotion and it will be brushed aside as a non achievement or fail to get promoted and he is rubbish manager. Dammed if he does and dammed if he doesn’t! Some people will never be happy!
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Leejames99 added 15:54 - Apr 25 @dissboy do you mean playing? Didn't get to a level of playing what's point? Kmk had success but no 2 ways about it has been atrocious this season and showed he is not good enough for prem, its for men managers not young lads with new woke strategies. Hippy journey nonsense and applauding faliure. I guess he was at school when there was no winners or losers only taking part and trying is awarded nonsense.

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Saxonblue74 added 06:13 - Apr 26 I can't take any more! My ignore list has doubled to 2.LeeJames99 has now joined Blueboy1981.
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Leejames99 added 09:50 - Apr 26 Who cares @saxonblue
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