Ahead of the upcoming home game against Aston Villa in the 6th round of the Premier League, Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna gave an exclusive interview to Sky Sports, delving into the challenges his team is currently facing, the process of his players adapting to the Premier League, and what he is looking forward to in the future.
McKenna began by acknowledging the team's difficulties in adapting to the Premier League level: "Our whole team needs to continue to adapt to this level of competition. The beginning of the season is always a challenge, especially with the massive changes in personnel this summer. Many of the new players are playing in the Premier League for the first time or for a long time, and it will take time for them to get used to the stage. We face these challenges with an open and honest attitude, striving to be competitive in every game and continue to improve and develop our style of play."
Further explaining the team's strategic adjustments in the game, "In the Championship, we were good at playing with big spaces, but the pace and intensity of the Premier League demands that we don't let the game open up easily. Now, we need to focus more on defense, keeping zeroes and defending well when we need to. At the same time, we also need to be brave and aggressive on the offensive end, but know that this level is much more demanding and we can't be perfect in every game."
On the issue of the team's attacking depth, McKenna said that although he was a little sorry for not being able to sign players such as Broa and Nelsen, he was happy with the current squad, "The strength and experience of the team would undoubtedly have been boosted if they had been signed. But I have full confidence in the current players and their ability to play well in the tournament."
He particularly mentioned new recruit Hutchinson: "Hutchinson performed well in the Championship last season, and his joining is an important addition for us. He is familiar with our tactical system and training style, and can quickly integrate into the team. His performance also proves that our reinforcement strategy is correct."
Looking ahead to this Sunday's game against Aston Villa, McKenna said, "We've already faced three of the top four teams from last season, and this is a great opportunity for us to work on our game. It's going to be a tough game, but we're going to give it everything we've got to win. We know the beginning of the season takes an adjustment process and playing against top teams will help us grow faster."
Finally, McKenna emphasized the team's outlook for the future, "We've never talked about promotion or setting point goals. We only focus on ourselves and the development of the team. We believe that if we stay united and work hard, we will be able to do well in the Premier League."
