Ipswich Manager Kieran McKenna Reflects on Narrow Defeat and Penalty Decision

Following Ipswich’s narrow defeat, manager Kieran McKenna shared his post-match thoughts with the BBC Match of the Day, stating, “I think it was a pretty even game. It wasn’t the most high-quality game of the season. First-half was really even. It really felt like a first-goal game. We would have been in a great position, but it was them that got it.” McKenna expressed his team’s disappointment, adding, “We are disappointed. It’s a poor penalty to give away from our perspective.” He further noted, “We had plenty of moments in the first-half. We had chances and we had a lot of pressure. The first goal felt important and, on another day, we would have got it. Fine margins.” Regarding the penalty incident, McKenna commented, “I can understand why it was given. He lunged in from behind and you are giving the referee a decision to make. I’ve not seen it close up, but I can see why it was given in real time.” Concluding his remarks, the Ipswich boss stated, “I don’t think we can say we hit our best level to win the game, but I think we deserved something. We have got steps to make if we are going to consistently win.”