Town boss Kieran McKenna was frustrated as the his side were beaten 1-0 at Portman Road by Lincoln, their first league home defeat of the season, but felt they did more good things than bad in a second half in which eight or nine times out of 10 he felt they would have scored more than once.

Ben House’s goal in the 24th minute saw the Imps, who are managed by former Blues full-back and coach Mark Kennedy, to their first win at Portman Road since September 1954 with the Blues failing to take as many chances as they created in some months under previous managers.

“I think probably two different reflections really,” McKenna said when asked his thoughts on the game. “After their goal, end of the first half, but in particular in the second, I thought we did a lot of good things.

“In terms of how we chased the lead, I think we went about it quite well, I thought we built pressure on their goal, created chances in all different ways, sustained pressure, locked it in well, didn’t give away many counter-attacks and I think if we play the second half 10 times over, I think we would score more than one goal maybe eight or nine times.

“Frustration there, of course, in the second half. We missed chances that we shouldn’t miss, that we don’t want to miss, but that’s football and that can happen.

“The other bit of the game, the start to the game and the first 23 minutes or whatever it was up until their goal, was probably the period that we can look back on a little bit and control what we can control.

“We didn’t start the game how we wanted to start it, we didn’t manage to create the same atmosphere or pressure or intensity in the game that we’ve managed to do in our home games this season in general.

“And if you don’t do that, of course, then the minutes tick by and the opposition are just waiting for that one set play. And if you don’t defend your set play well enough and you give them a cheap goal, then it makes it a difficult challenge, much, much, much more difficult again.

“I think the main bit that we can improve on is the start to the game and how we went about it. Not in terms of our will to do well, but in terms of where we place that intent and improve on that and make sure that when we face these type of games that we’re really clear on what we want the start of the game to look like.

“But the second half was, of course, frustrating and disappointing, but we have to move on from that. It was one of those unlucky days in some ways. The ball didn’t fall our way and we missed chances when we had them and, again, we did more good things than not in the second half.”

Regarding Lincoln’s goal, he added: “It’s another strange one in some ways because he spoons a header 20 yards up in the air. We didn’t mark well enough, we didn’t pin the runners into the six-yard box well enough, so it allows them to get the first contact.

“An unusual goal, we need to do better when it goes so high up in the air, be more alert, get inside the frame of the goal better as a team.

“A few little details to improve. There was a lucky element to the goal as well and that made the game much more difficult than it was already going to be.”

While it was frustrating that Town managed only five efforts on target out of their 33 shots, McKenna says he would be more concerned if his side weren’t creating opportunities.

“Nobody plans to miss a chance,” he continued. “We didn’t have that many on target but ewe got to really good positions.

“I think if you’re not having shots on target because your shots are all from 35 yards, you’re concerned about what you’re doing to break down the low block.

“But we got to really good positions and had some really good chances that on another day I would back us to score.

“We’ve done that in general this season, we’ve been the highest scorers in the league before today [on 27, only Plymouth have scored more, 28] and scored in every game [in the league] before today, so it’s a frustrating day but I think in general we’ve been more clinical and have been doing well converting our chances. It didn’t happen today, they blocked a lot of shots as well.

“When you give them the 1-0 lead, then they’ve got that extra incentive and have every right to have so many of their team in the penalty box diving in front of shots and you’re going to have a lot of blocks.

“Frustrating, but in general we did more good things than not in terms of how we chased the lead and if we went about it the same way, lots of times over we would get more reward than we did today.”

After the defeat to the Pilgrims, McKenna stressed the importance of getting back to winning ways quickly with Derby County visiting Portman Road for a live Sky game on Friday evening.

“Another big game, lots of big games and challenges ahead, so lots to look forward to,” the Blues boss added.

“It’s early in the season, the team’s improving in a lot of different ways and learning and we need to get ready now for Friday night for another really challenging game and a tough block of three games now with Derby and then Port Vale and Charlton away.

“We need to dust ourselves down after today, swallow the disappointment, learn from the bits that we can do better, especially the start of the game and make sure we’re ready for next week.”

Lincoln boss Mark Kennedy, making his first return to Portman Road since leaving his role as U21s manager in 2016 for a position as U15s coach of Manchester City, said: “We were talking beforehand about their incredible home record and I said they had to lose at some point.

“We knew Ipswich were going to have the lion’s share of the possession but we defended brilliantly when we had to.

“The players showed great belief and they’re an incredible group. I just wish they believed it more.

“We have the youngest squad in the league but there were some awesome performances out there.”

Photo: TWTD

Vancouver_Blue added 18:29 - Oct 15 Bad day at the office, but let's take our revenge on Derby
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martin587 added 18:31 - Oct 15 Some you win and some you loose but this one got away.Still a lot to play for so not worth dwelling on.Good assessment as usual from the Boss.All eyes on Tuesday night.
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ipswichboi added 18:34 - Oct 15 Score 1 and we score 3 or 4. Absolute domination second half. Move on.
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chopra777 added 18:40 - Oct 15 We have to learn to score early in a game to create momentum. That is what Plymouth and Sheff W did today. No excuses today not enough shots on target.
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Bazza8564 added 18:50 - Oct 15 All credit to Lincoln, they did a good tactical job first half to suppress us, got a daft goal out of nothing and then it was 2 banks of five. Sides will do that to us, there's no doubt they were out on their feet last half an hour but it just wasnt our day today. Edwards is doing well enough to start for me at the moment. No point dwelling on it, put Derby to the sword Friday and then two winnable games at PV and Exeter, we bounced back with 3 wins on the bounce after losing at Plymouth we simply have to go again.

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SickParrot added 19:12 - Oct 15 We lost a game that we deserved to win but credit to Lincoln for their resolute defending. To help us to win similar games in future I would like to see Keogh in the middle of the back three organising the defending of set pieces and the signing of a natural finisher in January.
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Nomore4 added 19:15 - Oct 15 Maybe I crave success to much…..but to lose at home to Lincoln is a disaster. A Shef Wed or Plymouth I could take, as they are good sides in this odd league. We had our moments, but Lincoln was a boring team, can't think of a poorer team to play at PR over recent seasons. There was no threat from them over 90 mins. We seem to be missing Aluko more than ever….and we currently have to many important players off form, Chaplin and Burns, and to many players who just won't step up Janoi and Jackson and Fred. Camara who I believe is total quality, and hopefully the game changer we desperately need.

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Drifter3012 added 19:23 - Oct 15 Kieran we need another striker. There is an obvious gap that needs filling.Langstaff from Notts County will be worth a punt in January. He knows where the goal is. That was the issue today. Creating chances in the 2nd half 10/10. Finishing 2/10. The likes of Davis, Harness, Edwards & even Jackson today managed to get balls into the box but we lack someone who has the natural instinct to convert those chances. Against teams like Lincoln who play so well defensively that is what makes the difference. Trusting that Kieran gets it sorted.

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jas0999 added 19:37 - Oct 15 Another striker is an absolute must, as is winning on Friday. We don't have a natural finisher. That's a huge concern.
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churchmans added 19:51 - Oct 15 Positive & negative PUSITIVE We are second 4pts behind Plymouth in an automatic promotion place NEGATIVE We have no striker! (Please I don't want to read about the 'work horse krap'
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herfie added 19:51 - Oct 15 Naturally disappointing and frustrating. KMcK again summed up the game astutely; recognising the lessons we need to take on board, and those areas in which we need to improve when faced with a resolute and robust opposition. Reality suggests there will be similar challenges to overcome as the season progresses. One area that requires attention is our habit of conceding dodgy free kicks, then failing to defend incoming balls into our box. Similarly, our own corners and free kicks need to carry far greater threats. Critical points are lost/won which, come season's end, could impact our final position.

3

billlm added 19:51 - Oct 15 Simple don't score first we struggle, today's arrogant tippy tappy cost us, seco
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billlm added 19:53 - Oct 15 Second time this season we've let in a slack goal at the far post that's cost us, basics need adhering to and fast,
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ArnieM added 19:53 - Oct 15 …… oh, and stop gifting opponents soft goals!!!! No team has taken us to cleaners , yet we end up dropping points through crap defending . Maybe as scream we should be made to watch how the Lincoln players defended ? Their goal against us today was criminal.
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Gforce added 21:58 - Oct 15 Just one of those games I'm afraid.We could play Lincoln 10 times and we would probably win 8 or 9 of them,just wasn't to be today.Cheer up folks still 90 plus points to play for. At least the scum also lost 😀
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Churchman added 22:06 - Oct 15 We've had too many games we should have won and haven't already. Two defeats in the last five games. Panic and points dropped to SW. Barnsley battered, but points dropped. Leading at Plymouth, deservedly lost, Bolton and today, eight points deservedly dropped. You cannot win every game but if you want to get out of this division you have to be better than we currently are. When we are good, we're better than anyone, when we are not we are to quote MM milky. Soft. Easy. Top teams don't give away soft goals unless they're a few up and cruising it. Nor do they lose at home to mid table teams or scrabble for a win away at Morecambe. Work to be done at the back and up front for us to take the next step. KM is still learning and patience is required. We are going the right way, but it's an important period. The meat of the season.

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Beattiesballbag added 22:56 - Oct 15 Woeful last week first half, same again this week, spent first twenty minutes passing in circles on the right between 5 players going nowhere,.......& not a single effort on goal. Lucky we haven't lost more games with the tactic of relying on finishing stronger...27,000 at home we should be coming out of the blocks with some urgency not pinning our hopes on a strong finish.

6

Lightningboy added 00:42 - Oct 16 A decent central striker is a must - Ladapo,TJJ,Jackson - just nowhere near good enough,even at this level.
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SpiritOfJohn added 07:37 - Oct 16 Another interesting interview with our astute young manager and it is noticeable that he is not publicly critical of the players. However, before the game he called for no let up in intensity and the team did not deliver in the first half, so I hope he gave them a rocket behind closed doors. We should not be relying on supersubs every week against a tiring defence. We created enough chances to win the game in the second half but most missed the target by some distance. Lincoln scored a 'flukey' goal but they nearly repeated the 'fluke' in the second half from another corner, and their few corners were all more threatening than our many. Edwards and Jackson looked very lively when they came on but we need someone on the end of those crosses for a tap in!

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Baino added 09:34 - Oct 16 Plymouth, Sheff Weds, Pompey will all suffer spells and defeats like this over a 46 game season. So no panic button needed pressed. Have to make it clear though that's not to say it's not frustrating losing at home to Lincoln or scraping a win against Morecombe or the dropping of points at Sheff Weds after being 2 up with so little of the game remaining or, of course, Plymouth result. I feel we're a top four team in this league. Before anyone shoots me down, I believe we're more than capable of top 2 come May and fingers crossed that's where we are. Please, please let's hope that's where we are. We are, without any doubt, more than capable. But we have to find a way of beating, what seems like, 10-0-0 formations, as half of this league will be hoping to do a Lincoln on us because of who we are and how we play. There's an incredibly long way to go as yet. So far, it's so very clear to see we are already a huge improvement on previous seasons. Chalk and cheese. There are still some things we need to improve on that worry me a wee bit, which supporters of other teams will also think about their sides, but generally speaking we are a vast improvement on previous seasons. We just have to keep that going and we'll be there or there abouts by May. That takes me back to my "we're a top four side". The only reason I say that, and not HMS piss the league is this. We finished 9th and 12th twice in the last three seasons. Top four would be a huge improvement. Huge. Now, as I said we're capable of top 2, I want and demand top 2 but let's not be deflated if by May it doesn't happen. We have good foundations at the club now for the future. I feel because of the recent seasons frustrations we can tend to forget that bigger picture of solid foundations being built. That said, should it not happen this season, I'd expect a Champion winning side next season. But it won't come to that, we'll do the job this season.

2

AndrewRatcliffITFC added 10:22 - Oct 16 We've started the last two matches like we are trying to ease into the game and give every one an early touch etc . It's a nonsence they've had all week training and pre-match warm-up to refine their touch and get comfortable on the ball. It's McKenna's job to make sure they start at 100% like they did in the second half. I'm sure we'll see a ferocious start against Derby. To give McKenna some credit he has generally addressed issues with our play but we won't make automatic if players are timid at the start of games.

5

Saxonblue74 added 11:25 - Oct 16 Nomore4, to lose a game in October cannot be classed as "disaster"! And as for "too many players off form"? JD has been class, an off day yesterday but didn't cost us. Chaplin???? He's just won lge 1 player of the month two months in a row!
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Orraman added 11:32 - Oct 16 I'm quite sure that Friday's game will be much more open as Derby are not a “park the bus” type of team. However it is essential that we start with more intensity in future as the only way to stop such tactics is to score first and force the opposition to open up. Statistics show that apart from Prem Lge, a top two position in May can be achieved with up to 8 defeats. Our points to games ratio so far predicts a top two finish. Start more intensely and tighten up defensively and all will be well

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DaGremloid added 12:06 - Oct 16 Churchman - best summing up I've seen this weekend. The fans who think today was just a 'blip' or 'just one of those days' are deluded. As you perfectly pointed out, we've had several blips so far this season and they genuinely worry me going forward. We're not putting teams away that we should and we're allowing teams into games that we shouldn't. That same team should play again on Tuesday and make up for an inept performance yesterday. All is not lost but there definitely are concerns for me. I want us to finish top 2 and not have to go through the lottery of the play-offs but if we're not careful that's where we'll end up.

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Nomore4 added 14:20 - Oct 16 Saxon. JD been class? What been class in 7 of 14 games. Inconsistent not class. Chaplin has been non existent last 2 games. Won't win October that's for sure.
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