Kieran McKenna pinpoints issue in Preston defeat that will stop Ipswich being ‘successful’ – ‘That’s clear’

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Kieran McKenna was left feeling ‘really annoyed’ by Ipswich Town’s defeat to Preston North End on Saturday afternoon.

Ipswich suffered a 1-0 defeat at Deepdale, with Milutin Osmajic’s 11th minute penalty the difference between the two sides. As a result, the Suffolk side have won just one of their last 22 competitive fixtures.

The Tractor Boys are yet to win a fixture since their 2-1 victory over Bournemouth in April. They were relegated from the Premier League later that month and are currently struggling to shift the relegation hangover, as well as dealing with the departure of stars, including Omari Hutchinson who left for Nottingham Forest.

Ex-Manchester United coach McKenna listed a number of issues he and his Ipswich squad need to correct in order to be ‘successful’ this season, but the Northern Irishman highlighted one in particular after the defeat in Lancashire.

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Ipswich Town need to ‘face up’ to stop ‘soft goals’ to do well in the Championship

After his side’s defeat to Preston, McKenna placed emphasis on his side conceding ‘soft goals’ in the way they did at Deepdale being something Town’s players ‘need to face up to’.

He said: “Really annoyed about the result. We wanted to give ourselves and the supporters a better day today. We need to do better, that’s my overriding feeling. Every one of us, me first, we need to do better.

“In terms of the game, I think we started quite brightly and conceded a goal that you can’t concede if you want to be a successful Championship team. A really soft goal, we don’t defend the goal kick well enough and we don’t defend the first real ball into our box.

“If we don’t defend and aren’t stronger in those situations, we won’t be successful this year, that’s clear. As a group, we need to really face up to that.”

McKenna had no issues with the decision to give Preston – who made it two wins in as many games on Saturday – a penalty after Milutin Osmajic was fouled by Jacob Greaves.

He also credited his side for creating more chances after conceding and felt as though they should have got one in the net. However, he still thinks they can do more in front of goal.

Ipswich, who have been tipped to get promoted again this season, will be keener than ever to shake off the pressure and beat fellow slow starters Derby County at home next Saturday.

Kieran McKenna hoping new signing Kasey McAteer can have ‘big’ impact

Ipswich announced the signing of Kasey McAteer from fellow relegated side Leicester City on Friday in their bid to replace Hutchinson.

The versatile 23-year-old endured two defeats at Deepdale in a week after falling to a 2-1 loss with Leicester before coming off the bench for his Tractor Boys debut on Saturday.

While he couldn’t help his side rescue at least a point this weekend, McKenna says he’s sure McAteer will have a big part to play in Ipswich’s season.

“I think he’s a good profile for us as a club in terms that he’s young, 23, a really good age,” the 39-year-old said. “He’s had some really good experiences at the top end of the Championship and the Premier League.

“A lot of growth still in him, I think. He was physically a late developer, so he’s already got good strength for his speed and power but I think he’s going to get stronger and more powerful, and he’s already capable of delivering really good outputs from a physical point of view.”

He added: “We’re looking forward to working with him and hopefully he’ll have a big part to play this year and in the years ahead.”

McAteer provides Ipswich with depth on the right while Wes Burn is still injured and Chieo Ogbene is getting back to full speed.