Kieran McKenna discusses the run-in and promotion pressure

Kieran McKenna believes his Ipswich Town players is not worried as they approach the promotion playoffs.

The Blues have lost their previous three games, losing to arch-rivals Norwich City and drawing at home to Watford and Middlesbrough.

Their performances improved dramatically during the two games at Portman Road, and they may have done enough to win despite a few late scares. Nonetheless, we’ve seen all three automatic promotion favourites fail in recent days, which some attribute to pressure.

McKenna does not feel that is the case for his players, citing their performance against Michael Carrick’s men on Saturday afternoon.

“I can only speak for myself, but I can also speak for what I saw in the performance,” he stated following the game. “I don’t see a team playing with stress, nor do I see a team playing with worry.

“The guys appear to be enjoying the game, playing football, being a part of this team, and performing well in that environment.

“To be honest, I do not perceive any tension in the group. I understand we haven’t picked up as many points in the last few games, but if we had Watford and Middlesbrough in such close succession at any other stage in the season, they’d be two hard-fought, competitive games that could go either way.

“We could have easily won either game; I thought our performances were likely strong enough to win both. At the same time, we might have lost one.

“I honestly believe the group is enjoying it. They are enjoying the games and the pleasure of being at the top of the division.

“The great thing now is that we’ve got a little bit of a pause, and then we can really look forward to the last three games.”