Town boss Kieran McKenna says full focus can now finally turn to Sunday’s East Anglian derby against Norwich City at Portman Road.

The Blues boss has been quick to dismiss suggestions of having one eye on the match as the build-up for the first meeting of the season intensified over recent weeks with other fixtures still to play.

But following the 1-1 draw against Bristol City at Ashton Gate, McKenna says the players have now begun to speak about this weekend’s much-anticipated meeting with the Canaries.

“They certainly will be,” he said. “There’s not been any mentions of it before tonight but it was mentioned in the dressing room afterwards by the lads.

“We can get the journey over and I think we’ll all wake up and look forward to a really good game on Sunday, a really big game and one to really be excited for.”

This year features even more added spice in light of midfielder Marcelino Núñez’s controversial switch to the Blues from Norwich during the summer transfer window.

The Chilean international, who joined for an initial £7.5 million, started for the first time during the draw with Bristol City, and McKenna was asked whether it will be a difficult decision for him to play against his former club on Sunday.

“Not just for Núñez, we have that a lot of weeks, to be honest, because we’ve signed quite a few players from different Championship clubs,” he said.

“Sam Szmodics coming to his old club tonight, Sam Szmodics was at his old club at Blackburn. George Hirst scored last game against Portsmouth.

“When we got to Hull we’re going to have some players, when we go to West Brom, we’re going to have half a team!

“It’s not just that. Of course, you weigh it up. I don’t think anyone can have extra motivation for a derby, but any time any player’s going back to their old club, you weigh up the fact that it’s a special game for them and the fact that maybe there’s an extra half a percent that you can squeeze out of a player.

“But also the fact that you have to analyse the game and the opponent and pick what you think are the best strengths and the best partnerships for that game.

“We won’t treat this one any differently on Sunday, it’ll be about taking all things into consideration and picking what we think is the best team and the best bench.”

It has been 16 years since Town last beat their arch-rivals, a statistic that is not lost on anybody associated with either side heading into this weekend’s Portman Road meeting.

McKenna added: “We haven’t spoken about it yet, we certainly will over the next few days. I think all the players already do, but certainly the new players, they know the significance of it for the supporters.

“The club’s done some brilliant things over the last few years, but we’d like to get that derby win for the supporters and we’re going to give everything we can to get that on Sunday.”

Photo: TWTD

ArmaghBlue added 23:54 - Sep 30 The focus should be getting a decent set piece coach in ASAP!!!
25

The_Romford_Blue added 23:56 - Sep 30 Deliver us the win Kieran. We as a fanbase deserve it. The streak must end.
10

MickMillsTash added 23:59 - Sep 30 This week has all been about Sunday 7 points out of 9 this week is Very good if we beat Norwich 4 or 5 points is an utter disaster. Big players- Big Matches, Big Moments- lets help them stand up and deliver
6

slade1 added 06:55 - Oct 1 ArmaghBlue .... I couldn't agree more. I sit near the dug outs and every time we or the opposition have a set piece, up he gets off his comfy chair, stands in the technical area and shouting, bawling,pointing and whistling at the players as to where to stand, where to mark someone etc etc. Half the time the players just ignore him. As soon as the set piece has taken place, he sits down again.

5

Dissboyitfc added 07:50 - Oct 1 You can guarantee they will come to defend, theres never been a better time than to learn how to deal with the low block!
4

Lukeybluey added 07:51 - Oct 1 We used to be half decent at set pieces when Gilmartin was also the set piece coach as well as the goalie coach... But since we've brought in set piece coach last season, we seem to be ineffective in both boxes..
4

Carberry added 08:41 - Oct 1 Half a team from West Brom - I wonder why?
0

JewellintheTown added 09:52 - Oct 1 The set pieces are there, its the sharpness and accuracy of the players taking and receiving them that's currently the issue. They will come.
1

Lightningboy added 10:05 - Oct 1 The "focus" should be on the game in front of you,not the game in 5 days time. Sorry Kieran but you're starting to look lost...you need to get back to basics.
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Gforce added 12:21 - Oct 1 Norwich will definitely park the bus on Sunday and try to hit us on the counter or score from a set piece. Really hope they don't score first,as they will be up to every trick in the book,including multiple time wasting,just as they did at Coventry recently.
15

ringwoodblue added 12:56 - Oct 1 This has got to be one of the weakest Norwich sides in many years so hopefully a good time to play them. However their home form has been appalling so might be better if the fixture was at Carrot Rd.
2

ArnieM added 13:15 - Oct 1 We are going to seriously UP our game Sunday mostly due to the tactics scum will deploy and the simple fact we appear incapable of playing against any team that defends deep and hits on the counter attack. The simple reason is because we are SO SLOW! You need to adapt McKenna !
8

TimmyH added 13:18 - Oct 1 100% have to start our strongest 11 which involves Cajuste in midfield, Philogene on the left, Clarke on the right, Szmodics as the No.10 and Hirst up top - only question for me is the RB position and if Young should come in? personally I don't think McK will do this... About time we brought our A game to this fixture.
12

Gforce added 14:38 - Oct 1 @TimmyH....I couldn't agree more. @Ringwoodblue......They may well be at their weakest for a while, but they are still unbeaten away.However by law of averages, hopefully their 1st away defeat is coming very soon !
2

Dissboyitfc added 14:40 - Oct 1 Agree with most of that Timmyh but Jack Clarke on the right? Not for me, he hasn’t been or looked right in that position, so it’s Maceteer or Egeli for me in that position. But otherwise agree!
3

ArnieM added 14:51 - Oct 1 Id stick Johnson on the right infront of Furlong
1

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 14:57 - Oct 1 Dissboy/ArnieM: I'd give Egeli a start and leave him on for at least 65 minutes. I reckon he just needs to get bedded in and he'll be great. But as he's Scandinavian, maybe I'm a bit biased.
14

Tedray added 14:58 - Oct 1 The players and the manager have got to earn their money nothing half hearted will be acceptable. Forget the recent Norwich form do not be niaive they will enjoy this and come at us.We have to work harder than they do then our extra skilset will shine through.We have the superior players to win so come on ,no excuses. Make my day - been a long time comin............
3

muccletonjoe added 15:38 - Oct 1 Both teams defensively can look very shakey , I think it might well come down to which one holds up better
2

ArnieM added 16:05 - Oct 1 Oh, well, then! Lol
0

Hegansheros added 17:41 - Oct 1 Sammy smoz on the right of a front three of philogene, hirst, smoz. Nunes or Johnson in a midfield 3. Same back four except kipre replace greaves. Oh I forgot. Our manager likes to be predictable and will probably play with 8 outfield players plus akpom and mcateer.
-2

Bert added 18:19 - Oct 1 Palmer has to release the ball quicker than he does to speed the game up. We are at our best when we have intensity and motion. Sargeant needs to be shackled. Norwich lack confidence so let’s hit them early.
3

armchaircritic59 added 18:43 - Oct 1 ArnieM, yep, all the best managers adapt, and not just in general, but in game too when it's obviously necessary. We all know the saying about doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Applies to football too!
4

BlueRuin69 added 20:03 - Oct 1 One loss all season, looking good at home, stop moaning people and keep the faith COYB
4

Bert added 22:28 - Oct 1 The way results are going in this league suggests that there is not a team with momentum. Quality should tell in the coming weeks as teams find their real level. Not the best of starts for us but the squad we have should be picking up wins as the players work to each others strengths. Defend corners, pass the ball quickly and learn how to attack teams who park the bus and we should be fine.

1

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