Town boss Kieran McKenna insisted he still believes the Blues can pick up the points required to secure Premier League survival, despite today’s 4-1 defeat to his former club Tottenham Hotspur and Wolves’ 1-0 victory at AFC Bournemouth leaving them five points plus goal difference from safety with only 12 games left to play.

McKenna’s side performed well in the first half with striker Liam Delap having had a number of early chances before Brennan Johnson, son of former Blues frontman David, gave the visitors a two-goal lead.

Omari Hutchinson’s third goal of the season nine minutes before the break gave Town hope, but Spurs netted twice in the second half through Djed Spence and Dejan Kulusevski to seal a third Premier League win on the bounce and consign Town, who are without a win in their last seven, to their ninth defeat at Portman Road this season.

“We’re, of course, really frustrated by the result,” McKenna said. “I think there were lots of good things in the performance, no doubt that we started really, really well, should have been ahead. I think we were the better team in the first half.

“A couple of home games in a row that we should go in with a lead on the balance of play and on the chances, and we go in with a deficit. So we’re frustrated by that.

“There’s no doubt that their execution whenever they got their big moments around our penalty box was better than our execution whenever we got our big moments around their penalty box. That was the difference between the two teams.

“I think there were so many good things about the performance, there’s so much growth on the pitch, there’s a lot of growth still to come, but it’s a stage of the season where we’d like to have points on the board and it’s a game where we certainly could have had some and it could have been different, but it’s gone against us and we don’t get anything for that.”

He added: “Of course, it’s frustrating, it’s a frustrating game, but it is what it is. We can’t feel sorry for ourselves, we have to work to improve. I think we have improved in many aspects, I know we’ve had a difficult loss, so it doesn’t feel like that, but I know that we have. I believe very, very strongly in how we are working day-to-day. But it’s also it’s clear that margins have gone against us too often.

“Certainly I don’t think we’ve had anything resembling luck in many different aspects this year, but also our execution compared to the opposition execution hasn’t been at the level quite often and small margins have gone against us in games and in moments in games that have taken matches away from us.

“It’s frustrating. It’s not a stage of the season where we want to talk about growth or performances or pride in the performance because we want the points on the board. But at the same time we can’t lose patience with the good things that are going on.

“I know that they are there and there’s evidence of it on the pitch and I see evidence of it day-to-day. So we’ve got to keep working to improve and see where it takes us.”

The first two Tottenham goals came from skipper Son Heung-min breaking into the left of the area. Did McKenna feel that his side might have opted to foul the South Korean before he crossed the 18-yard line?

“No, they weren’t situations for me where there should be fouls,” he said. “They were two situations that we should do better in, no doubt about that, both in defending the individual actions and then the covering of those actions.

“Again, you talk about margins going our way, our right-back [Axel Tuanzebe] was missing today for two yellows for committing one foul in the first half of a game [at Aston Villa] that meant we played 50 plus extra-time last week with 10 men and then we have to make another change to our backline today, which in our position, of course, makes it more difficult.

“That was a challenge coming into the game and we didn’t defend those situations well enough in the first half.”

Despite the result, McKenna and his team were given a warm reception by their fans at the whistle and the Blues boss was asked how he is taking the situation with Town having won only once at home this season.

“I’m fine, the support is really appreciated,” he continued. “We don’t take it for granted, not every club gets it, but I also know that the club knows and the support knows the journey that the team’s been on. Can get bored of saying it, but that’s the reality.

“We know playing Tottenham at home is a big step. Five years ago, we were in the middle of League One and they were in the Champions League final. It’s been a really quick rise to this point, which makes it a challenge.

“But I also think the supporters are clever enough here and honest enough and balanced enough to see a lot of good things on the pitch today. There’s a lot of things to take pride in in terms of how we’re going about it, in terms of many of the performances at individual level, some of the young players on the pitch, the growth that we’re seeing and as a team that we’re doing so many good things.

“There are a lot of different ways that we can lose to Tottenham Hotspur as Ipswich, a lot of different systems, styles of play, everything that would still have the same outcome, but I think the supporters are taking pride in some of the things they’re seeing. Of course, they’re frustrated, like we’re frustrated.

“We can’t work any harder, so we’ve just got to keep working as hard as we can and work as smart as we can to get better, and the support that we have behind us is fantastic and it’s always appreciated and we’ve got to keep earning that support as well.”

In the build-up to Tottenham’s fourth goal Jacob Greaves clashed heads with former Blues loanee Dane Scarlett on halfway and was on the ground as the visitors broke forward. McKenna was asked whether he felt the game ought to have been stopped by referee Tim Robinson.

“I think it’s usually stopped for a head injury,” he reflected. “I think when a player gets a whack on the head right in front of the fourth official, it’s usually stopped. But it’s not on the list of my biggest concerns today, to be honest.”

Town’s defeat was compounded by Wolves, the team directly above them in 17th winning 1-0 away against a Cherries team, which was reduced to 10 men in the 31st minute when centre-half Illya Zabarnyi was red-carded.

That leaves the 18th-placed Blues five points behind the Molineux club but effectively six due to goal difference with 12 matches remaining.

McKenna was asked whether he still believed his team can dig themselves out of the relegation zone.

“No doubt and we will while it’s possible,” he said. “It is what it is. They’ve picked up a good result today against 10 men with an early red card with a VAR. These are really, really small margins in football and they haven’t gone our way this year.

“Of course, everyone probably thinks that but I don’t think anyone could say that we’ve had any sort of fortune or margins go our way too often.

“It is what it is, we know we’ve got a big challenge to stay in the division. We know we’re going to have to pick up points at a greater rate in our last 12 games. I believe that we can pick our points up at a greater rate, for sure.

“I feel that there’s improvement in the team, we’re still in a period, and I know it’s frustrating to say it again, but it’s just the reality of the situation and how it’s been, that we’ve still got a couple of players making home debuts today [keeper Alex Palmer and Jaden Philogene, who was making his first home start], and that’s been almost the case right through the season. We’ve not been able to settle on relationships and partnerships on the pitch too often.

“But we’ve got to hope for better margins and luck on some of those things in the run-in and keep doing the good work and push for improvement and turning margins our way.

“I believe that we can pick up a good amount of points in the last 12 games. Of course, when you’re in this position now, it’s not in our hands, so if other teams win all their games, we can’t control that.

“We can only do what we do and that starts with Wednesday night [at another of his old clubs Manchester United]. A big challenge, we’ve got to pick ourselves up after today, go there and that’s a game to really try and take on.”

TWTD

victorysquad added 19:03 - Feb 22 Another packed away end on Wednesday night, you know you are can rely on us, we trust the players, lets go for 3 pts up there, we know how to win away.
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Northstandveteran added 19:04 - Feb 22 We'll let you off if you win the F.A cup Kieran.
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ITFCSG added 19:05 - Feb 22 Starting to sound like a broken recorder
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Bluewhiteboy added 19:08 - Feb 22 Come on kieran don't let yourself down. We've had some luck go for us and some against. We're not Liverpool of the south always the victims. Fancied us today, play like the first half v manu and we will get a result
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Leejames99 added 19:15 - Feb 22 Well he could of kept those relationships going if he hadn't tinkered so much, the fine margin was Davus back in for Townsend which rocked the whole boat, no doubt about that. I'm afraid Wolves have got the momentum to home games that are winnable and then away to Southampton who might do us a favour but we need points and goals.
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Leejames99 added 19:16 - Feb 22 Well he could of kept those relationships going if he hadn't tinkered so much, the fine margin was Davus back in for Townsend which rocked the whole boat, no doubt about that. I'm afraid Wolves have got the momentum to home games that are winnable and then away to Southampton who might do us a favour but we need points and goals.
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Suffolkboy added 19:16 - Feb 22 Never ever give up : always believe ,always do your best even if sometimes it proves not enough! ITFC will go on whatever ,and most will still love the Club and all it stands for ! Hope springs eternal ,but we shall follow to the end ! COYB
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cartman1972 added 19:19 - Feb 22 We aren't improving that's a fact . We are lightweight where it matters and Godfrey was atrocious today ...stop chopping and changing . We only sustain momentum for small pockets of matches then we concede soft goals . We've spent a fortune on frankly decent championship players . I love this club but we'll write off this season.
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itfc2024 added 19:48 - Feb 22 i want a pint of what mckenna is drinking cos if he thinks we are staying in this division then he's deluded cos we have no chance simple as for 1 the players ain't up to this level which is shame worked so hard getting to the premier league to buy players at championship level and expect to stay up when the likes of wolves Everton ect are buying players from overseas who are way better than what we have and for less money point 2 a settled team would help why do he have to make so many changes every game no other team make that many players he talks about making partnership but how when he keep changing the team we just have to look at it we ain't good enough at this level and buying players who haven't improved the squad is just a waste of money but hey ho least we have a better team for the championship to beat norwich

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grinch added 19:57 - Feb 22 Poor today against a bang average spurs team...MK coming up short in this league 3 teams in bottom 3 will be relegated we are nog good enough and MK putting out teams that are lacking ckarkd and philogengene in samd team is poor and greaves doesnt warrant start ahead of burgess boss is lacking at moment
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bluebullet29l added 19:59 - Feb 22 Deluded
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NthQldITFC added 20:07 - Feb 22 McKenna, as ever spot on with his pragmatic assessment. There were some really good things today (a few bad agreed) and no luck going our way at all. We're making fantastic progress in the context of a three year period of growth. Note to self: Don't read the comments.
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billlm added 20:12 - Feb 22 2 seasons time they can try and stop us won't happen, sky the PL AND THOSE OFFICIALS, it's BS, TODAYS OFFICIALS, couldn't see siht if it was In front of them disgusting how much they get paid for being corrupt,
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December1963 added 20:19 - Feb 22 What do some of you expect him to say “I’m throwing in the towel” with 36 points still to play for? Whatever happens between now and the end of the season it’s been a hell of a ride since he became manager. I’ll still be in my season ticket seat next season will you?
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BobbyPetta11 added 20:20 - Feb 22 Honestly guys, we’re not that bad. Unfortunately it’s the premier that is to good. We will be back within 2 seasons.
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EssexTractor added 20:57 - Feb 22 There maybe an expectation among some supporters that relegation is a certainty , but the manager Isnt going to say that aloud , irrespective of what his heart and head hold. He deservedly y earned well respected praises not just from ITFC fans but throughout the land for the last two seasons successes. ,,who would have wanted him to leave last Summer..barely anyone . But this season has been awkward at least. He is experienced enough to know that the Premier League is a monstrous big fish. We the supporters know it . He knows it. We all so wanted this to be something of a replica to the big time as it was in 2000, but football has changed so so much in that time. Spurs were there to be taken said many, but today not because they were truly 4-1 better then us but because they are experienced and have physicality , speed on the break and a truly super player in Son. He after 15 minutes realising that our excellent start might create extra pressure on his team demonstrated his talent against our nervous bemused right back. …sympathy for him in a way. He was spared further torture by his yellow card and McKennas sensible substitution. We had no one who created such danger as did Son in those minutes setting were up goals one and two. We came way from the ground disappointed , in a way downhearted but I saw very little lack of effort ,there was plenty of that but our penetration our defence splitting passes were absent from our approach play. Have we come here too soon ? There is so much money in the bank for McKennas past efforts. If he went what then ? The relegation word is almost likely to signal a race for Liam Delaps signature.He has had a wonderful introduction to Premier League Football and suggested in the first 15 minutes today of more success. Sadly that didn’t happen and after the break , when it looked like we may have a chance thanks to Omaris strike, he almost disappeared from view. He is still learning , he needs to be coaxed not to run out of steam and enthusiasm. We all have our views on the newcomers to the squad from last summer and this January as I am sure does Kieran , Mark Ashton and the ownership.Lessons learned this season? . If we go down this squad may prove so much better than Luton of last year but it is unlikely to be a squad able to do better if promoted again without an injection of more accomplished seasoned newcomers. We may not love the Premier League as we did the Championship , we may not love VAR , we certainly don’t love the better more professional referees but truth is we would really love to be as good in the Premier League as Brighton and Bournemouth and Fulham …teams who historically would have loved to be an Ipswich Town. Will Kieran and Liam be here for those moments ahead ?

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FrankMarshall added 21:09 - Feb 22 Feel we are fighting for that 3rd from bottom place now. Never know, could end up being significant as we have no idea yet whether or not there will be points deductions to other teams.
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blueasfook added 21:12 - Feb 22 We hear the same old from him every week. "We're improving...", "we can stay up..." blah blah. We're not improving. We take 1 step forward then 2 steps back. And we're not staying up. Wolves are pulling away from us now and I can't see us catching them.
4

Taricco_Fan added 21:21 - Feb 22 He's at the 'acceptance' stage now.
3

dirtydingusmagee added 21:34 - Feb 22 I always said it would be hard to stay up and im afraid as much as i hate saying it i think today was just another nail in the coffin .We are not a bad side but we are not good enough.Throughout the season we have shown that we can be good for short priods then spend the rest of the time under pressure.We have never been abe to put other teams under any sustained pressure and have repeatedly come up 10 pence short.I am not one for posting my team like some keyboard managers and i dont criticise K M but today i was surprised and disappointed that Townsend didnt get the nod..We cant rely on luck because this season we are just not getting any.I,ll get crucified on here for saying it but i think its back to Championship next season and having another shot at it i just hope if it is the case we come back up with a stronger squad one that is able to go the extra mile andcompete .

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SickParrot added 22:27 - Feb 22 Kieran has to stay positive of course and he may see improvement on the training ground but very little evidence of any on the pitch. Only two points in 2025! I don't blame Kieran for that though. The problem is that we don't have enough quality and know how in the squad to stay in the Premier League. That's the consequence of our back to back promotions, how difficult it is for promoted clubs to sign established Premier League players and our preference to bring in young talent that we believe we can develop into top players. Hopefully that policy will be beneficial in the long term and enable us to establish ourselves in the Premier League and attract other young players that have already proven their Premier League quality. At the moment though we are deservedly in the bottom three and I can't see us catching Wolves, who have more quality players than us. Having signed a long term contract I expect Kieran to be our manager still next season and am hopeful that we will be back in the Premier League in August 2026, but better equipped to stay up.

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churchmans added 23:02 - Feb 22 @essextractor @dirtywhatever I saw you waffle comments and the phucking size of em i didnt even attempt to read them! Could you have another go and tell us all in maybe 3 sentences such as! We are down it has been good and bad and we know how brutal the premiership is!! COYB we will come back up next season!! Come on lads
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steve_holmes27 added 23:42 - Feb 22 It is staggering that Leif is still playing in the position he is. As MOTD just highlighted yet again, but us fans have known since he joined, defending is not what he's good at. So give the kid a break and play him in midfield if you are picking him. Play a defender behind him and we might look a bit more solid. A bit like we did v Villa.....without Davis at left back!

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JCTractorboy added 00:29 - Feb 23 Our foundations are set. Look at the owners long term plan. Who could honestly have believed our club would look like this 3 years ago. We exceeded expectations and this first season would always be a horrendous balancing act squad wise. We may now be staring relegation in the eyes (never say never though) but we are now also so well set up as a club from top to bottom that if we do go down we should consider ourselves genuine favourites to go back up (and of course I know champ is not as easy as that), and imo if we do go back up the foundations of the club would be so much better suited to staying in the prem. Appreciate relegation would bring change but I trust our owners and Ashton to be fully prepared for this. We are now back on the map…this is chapter 1, chapter 2 is on the horizon. Ps. Let’s win the fa cup and do a Wigan haha

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Linkboy13 added 06:54 - Feb 23 I think there comes a time when a player has been to long at a club and becomes underappreciated and gets lambasted every week by people who the nearest they have come to playing football is a game of subbuteo. Leif Davis like almost everyone in our squad has struggled at Premier league level but never gives less than one hundred percent and is probably one of our few attacking outlets but is expected to do defensive duties as well. At right back we had a player who looked as though he couldn't care less bearing in mind he's an England international but the excuse for his inept performance was the poor lad wasn't been given enough help when all he had to do was defend i said to my mate after 15minutes he needs to be taken off and he said the same thing. Any player that gives his all on the pitch will always get at least 6 out of ten in my book Godfrey im afraid gets only a 4 and that's being generous poor boy needs someone to hold his hand sorry but i can't stand big time Charlie's who don't give their all for the club.

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