Dreadful Ipswich Town statistic outlines major concern for McKenna, one huge contrast to 2023/24 has emerged

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Ipswich Town’s difficult start to the 2025/26 Championship season stems from major concern that could lead to serious questions being asked after the Sheffield United clash.

Ipswich Town will host Sheffield United on Friday night as two beleaguered sides go head-to-head after both suffering dire starts to their Championship campaign.

As Sheffield United remain pointless under the stewardship of Ruben Selles, things are not much rosier for Ipswich Town and Kieran McKenna.

Following relegation from the Premier League, Ipswich Town are still yet to claim a Championship win.

There has been plenty of change at Ipswich Town, and McKenna will already be feeling the pressure ahead of the clash with the Blades.

One main area of concern for Ipswich Town has been in front of goal, and that is backed up by one alarming statistic.

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Ipswich Town attacking woes could haunt Kieran McKenna vs Sheffield United

As things stand, Ipswich Town have scored just four goals in as many games in the Championship.

This puts them as the joint-5th lowest goalscorers in the division, which paints a huge contrast to their xG, via FBref, which is the 3rd highest in the Championship.

It paints a stark contrast to Ipswich Town in their promotion-winning 2023/24 campaign, where they finished as the top scorers in the Championship.

Ipswich Town striker George Hirst has notably struggled so far this season. He has the 3rd highest xG in the Championship out of any player, yet has only found the back of the net once, which was in the season opener against Birmingham City.

There will be an expectation that Ipswich can turn their troubles around at home to Sheffield United, who, whilst only managing to find the back of the net once, have also conceded seven.

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Kieran McKenna must get George Hirst firing once again

Much of the trouble in the final third has come down to George Hirst’s lack of assurance as a goalscorer, and that could cause trouble for Ipswich Town.

Kieran McKenna is having to deal with life after losing Liam Delap following his positive 2024/25 Premier League campaign, and while the baton has now been passed on to Hirst, McKenna will be keen to see more from him.

The Tractor Boys’ forward enjoyed a decent 2023/24 Championship campaign, managing seven goals and six assists, despite suffering with injuries in the back-end of the season, and McKenna needs to try and get the Sheffield-born man back to that level.