Kieran McKenna’s reaction to the team’s performance in a match where Ipswich Town lost to AFC Bournemouth despite leading for most of the game, reflecting on missed chances and a disallowed goal:
Kieran McKenna said “I thought there were so many good things in the performance. It’s a really disappointed group because we felt like we deserved to take the lead and felt like we had a second goal that was harshly overruled.”
McKenna lamenting the change in momentum and Bournemouth’s execution of the winning goal:
Kieran McKenna said “There wasn’t a huge threat and we were defending well, but a really poor goal from our point of view changes the momentum. They then have the momentum and the quality to execute really well for the second goal.”
McKenna expressing belief in the team’s potential response and improvement despite the current disappointment:
Kieran McKenna said “As much as it’s a devastated dressing room at the moment I know what the reaction will be. I believe in what the reaction will be. There’s certainly not a feeling of ‘it’s not meant to be’ or anything like that.”
McKenna discussing the need for hard work and recognizing the progress of players who have advanced from lower leagues to the Premier League:
Kieran McKenna said “We feel like we could have had more points than what we have. But it’s not time to feel sorry for ourselves. We need to work. We need to keep trying to push our level. The boys are improving. Look at some individual performances. I’m sorry, but Cameron Burgess, Jack Taylor, Conor Chaplin – to give three examples – are lads who have gone from League Two to starting in the Premier League.”
McKenna emphasizing ownership of mistakes and continued improvement against strong opponents:
Kieran McKenna said “The players know that so much good work is going on, but we need to own what we can own and keep trying to improve in every way we possibly can – to go and get a second goal and open up a margin, and own the mistakes we made late in the game. It’s not (bad) luck. It’s things we can do better. It’s also a very, very, very high level of opponent who are going to chase the game with top quality forward players.”