How McKenna's positive approach has paid off for Ipswich

Ipswich Town’s unexpected promotion to the Premier League was nothing short of extraordinary.

After making minimal changes to a squad that had just been promoted from League 1, it was also a coaching triumph for Kieran McKenna and his backroom team.

Leaving no stone unturned in their match preparations and readily finding marginal gains, as a collective they did a remarkably impressive job of retaining the players’ form and focus.

Losing only six matches - four less than anyone else - Ipswich accrued 96 points en route to a runners-up finish which was symbolised by boldness, teamwork and resilience.

And McKenna, still just 38 and in his first managerial post, was a calming presence throughout, staying true to his coaching principles from beginning to end.

Brave and buccaneering

During two glorious back-to-back promotion campaigns, positive attacking intent has been at the heart of McKenna’s tactical approach.

Flooding the box with players, scoring goals galore - including 92 last season - their swashbuckling style helped the Tractor Boys outscore opponents on a regular basis.

Scoring at least twice in 65 per cent of their Championship matches, they also racked up three or more goals on 15 occasions.

Ipswich goals 2023/24

Rarely sitting back, McKenna created a culture where progressive play and attacking intensity were the norm.

Top-flight football will be significantly more demanding, of course.

So, over the coming months it will be fascinating to see how the Ipswich head coach adapts his outlook to cope with the difficult challenges that lie ahead at Premier League level.

Will he attack with just as much bravery, or will mindsets have to be recalibrated as they adjust to a step up in standard?

Counter-pressing will be key

One of Ipswich’s core strengths in 2023/24 was winning the ball back inside opposition territory.

Rather than aggressively closing down in advanced areas, McKenna’s men tend to do their best work on the counter-press, or from a mid-block base.

A lack of pace at the back means they can't hold a high line too often, so their ball-winning tends to come by ferociously hunting in packs as soon as possession is squandered, or by utilising the defensive qualities of a double-pivot midfield.

In a sign of how important that aspect of their play was, combative central midfielder and captain Sam Morsy was voted the club’s Player of the Season.

His own game sums up their approach as a side. The Egyptian won the second-highest number of tackles in the Championship, but was also ranked seventh for the most progressive forward passes.

Ipswich's turnover numbers in the Championship were superb, and this should hold them in good stead as they step up to Premier League level.

When possession is hard to come by, and their creative players don't get on the ball enough, McKenna will place a strong emphasis on fashioning opportunities through transitions they manufacture.

Most Championship turnovers 23/24

A familiar but fluid formation

McKenna’s first choice system last season was 4-2-3-1, a formation also favoured by most Premier League coaches.

He likes to use a busy, tenacious No 10 playmaker ahead of twin-sitting midfielders, with both wide players regularly inverting to support a lone forward.

The profile McKenna wants from that striker is a physical presence, good hold-up play, and somebody who is willing to run the channels.

Like many top-flight managers, the Northern Irishman will also set up in a slightly lop-sided manner.

This means his initial shape easily transitions into a back three when they have the ball.

McKenna's most attacking full-back is Leif Davis, creator of 18 goals last season from the left side, with a more defensive-minded right-back tucking across whenever Davis flies forward.

Ipswich often use a right-footed player on the left wing that naturally drifts inside, so the shape morphs into a 3-2-4-1 when they get onto the front foot.

Davis created more chances than anyone else in the second-tier last season, and while he may be asked to restrict some of his forward runs at Premier League level, his ambition down the left wing will be a major weapon for Ipswich.

Creativity stats Championship 23/24

Room for improvement

The Tractor Boys must show more defensive solidity in 2024/25 after conceding two or more goals in 39 per cent of their Championship matches.

Bringing in defenders with top-flight experience will help, but from a tactical perspective, McKenna may also look at adjusting the positional structure of the team so that his back four is less exposed.

His framework is not gung-ho, but their attacking instincts do sometimes leave Ipswich susceptible to fast breakaways.

Set-play prowess

Ipswich excel at set-pieces, and this could be a vital source of goals in the Premier League.

The deliveries by Davis from both sides are excellent; and that was a decisive factor in 19 set-play goals being scored in 2023/24. 

At the other end, their blend of zonal and man-markers was also supremely well organised.

Rarely losing concentration or failing to do their individual tasks properly, Ipswich let in a mere nine goals from dead balls (ranking second) and proved to be a tough nut to crack.

If those high standards are maintained, they will be worth several extra points on their long-awaited Premier League return.

Clever use of substitutes

McKenna’s growing reputation as one of English football’s brightest young coaches, was reinforced by smart in-game management.

Habitually timing his changes to perfection, he reenergised his team on numerous occasions by making telling second half changes.

Double or triple substitutions became the norm, usually switching players in his front four - and those "finishers" regularly delivered game-changing contributions.

An enormous 23 goals were scored by McKenna’s substitutes.

Championship subs' goal threat 23/24

His trust in every member of the squad helped foster a strong team mentality, but one challenge moving forwards will be showing as much faith in his bench players at Premier League level.

Fighting back from behind - their forte last season - will be far more difficult.

Ipswich won seven, drew seven and lost just four of the matches in which they went 1-0 behind last campaign.

Pushing on until the end every time they played, Ipswich scored an incredible 26 goals from 76 minutes onwards, the most in the division.

Moving forwards

McKenna has had a transformational effect at Portman Road, guiding the club from League 1 to the Premier League playing a brand of brave, adventurous football which the supporters connect with.

He is an unflappable and studious head coach, who stays calm inside his technical area.

McKenna likes to take training sessions himself, but also uses his assistants to specialise in unit coaching with Martyn Pert (defence), Charlie Turnbull (midfield) and Lee Grant (forward) playing important roles behind the scenes.

The key to success next season will be his adaptability.

How will McKenna tweak his tactical make-up to ensure they are competitive against the Premier League’s elite?

If he gets those modifications correct, his stock will rise even higher.

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