Ipswich Town column: Trip to Middlesbrough the perfect time for Kieran McKenna and his players to kickstart positive away run

It’s time for this tractor to be put firmly into gear. Friday nights under the lights are back and this time it's a trip to The Riverside for Ipswich Town.

It’s a tough game against a Middlesbrough side who have surprised so far this season. I wasn't expecting them to be flirting with the automatic places at any stage.

However, Rob Edwards’ men have made a great start and I’m expecting this to be one of the toughest fixtures we’ll have this season.

That said, Boro are now winless in their last three and perhaps that’s a sign that this lightening start is about to fizzle out. From an Ipswich Town point of view, I really hope that is the case.

After europhia in the derby, it's time for Town to start building the points up and climb up the table. And where better to start than with a victory at high-flying Middlesborough? It can only help.

Unlike last season, I think our home form has been fantastic. We’ve been excellent at Portman Road recently and a real joy to watch at times. The thrashing of Sheffield United was followed by victory against Portsmouth and then three points against them lot. We’ve been decent.

Away, it’s been such a struggle. I don’t think we’ve played well in any of the three – technically four – fixtures we’ve played and honestly, I think we have got out of jail in the ones we’ve managed to get points in. That has to change and it has to improve if we want to achieve our goal this season.

Part of our success over the last few years was our ability to go and win tough games away from home. This group is showing signs of clicking, but I do think a win away from home is a hurdle we’re yet to ovecome. We have to do that soon, it’s vital we do.

After Middlesborough, it’s two home fixtures in a row against Charlton and West Brom and after those a run of pretty favourable fixtures. I’m confident that a run is brewing and feel Kieran McKenna is beginning to work up some magic once more.