Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has revisited the club's dramatic promotion run-in, highlighting three victories that proved pivotal in securing their return to the Premier League.
The Tractor Boys secured automatic promotion after a thrilling Championship campaign, finishing second behind Leicester City. McKenna spoke to Town TV, reflecting on the key matches that defined their success.
The first win McKenna pinpointed was the unforgettable 3-2 victory against fellow promotion chasers Southampton at Portman Road. Ipswich took the lead through a thunderbolt strike from Leif Davis, but Southampton responded with goals from Adam Armstrong and Che Adams. However, the Blues refused to be subdued. A late equalizer from Nathan Broadhead set the stage for a dramatic finale, with Luke Woolfenden grabbing the winner in the 97th minute, sparking pandemonium at Portman Road.
"Southampton here was a great game," McKenna recalled. "They played well and caused us problems, but we did the same to them. We showed great resilience and kept going right until the end. That last-minute winner has to be one of the biggest this club has seen in years."
McKenna acknowledged the pressure despite his outward confidence. "I never had doubts about the team's ability to perform," he admitted, "but you always have those moments of worry in football. The Maidstone game in the FA Cup was a reminder – we played well but came unstuck. Those thoughts crept in on the bus journey before the Southampton match."
The second win McKenna highlighted was the tense 1-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers. The match lacked the dramatics of the Southampton encounter, but the importance of the three points was undeniable. James Norwood's first-half penalty proved to be the difference, and Ipswich secured a vital clean sheet.
"Blackburn was a different kind of test," said McKenna. "We knew it would be a tight affair, and it proved to be just that.The lads dug deep defensively and Norwood's penalty was all we needed. It wasn't the most attractive game, but the character and focus we displayed were crucial."
The final win McKenna discussed was the 2-0 victory over Huddersfield Town that sealed promotion. The Blues dominated the match, with goals from Conor Chaplin and Wes Burns securing a comfortable win and sending Portman Road into raptures.
"The Huddersfield game was the culmination of everything we'd been working towards," McKenna explained. "We knew what we needed to do, and the players delivered a fantastic performance. There was a real sense of belief and purpose in their play. That win will live long in the memory of everyone associated with Ipswich Town."
McKenna praised the collective effort that secured promotion. "It wasn't just about those three wins," he emphasized."The supporters were magnificent throughout the season, the players showed incredible composure, and the staff were flawless. Everyone played their part, and that's what makes this achievement so special."
Ipswich Town now prepare for their return to the Premier League after a lengthy absence. The focus for McKenna and his team will be on building a squad capable of competing at the highest level. However, the memories of that dramatic promotion run-in, and those three crucial victories, will undoubtedly serve as a source of inspiration for the challenges that lie ahead.
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