Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna outlines Southampton threat ahead of ‘tough’ Premier League clash
Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna has spoken of the threat he expects Southampton to pose when his side travel to St Mary's Stadium on Saturday (3pm).
Both newly-promoted teams head into the fixture eyeing up their first victory of the campaign, as the Blues have picked up back-to-back draws, while the Saints sit pointless after the first four matches.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, McKenna was asked if he views this weekend’s match as a six-pointer.
“I don’t really see it as that and, to be honest, it’s not a phrase we’ve used across the last couple of season,” he said.
“I think you have 38 league games in the Premier League, 46 in the Championship and League One, and you try and be as competitive as you can in each one, and see where you’re at at the end of the season.
“Every game in the Premier League is important to us, every game is vital, every game is a challenge, every game is a great opportunity and this weekend’s no different, and we’re looking forward to it.”
Town boasted a nine-point lead on Southampton in the final Sky Bet Championship standings last term and picked up six points against Russell Martin’s side, which included an enthralling encounter at Portman Road as Jeremy Sarmiento netted a 97th-minute winner to clinch a 3-2 victory.
While they sit waiting to get off the mark this season, McKenna is wary of the quality within Martin’s outfit.
“The games that I’ve seen, of course, in preparation for this one, I think they cause every team problems,” he said.
“They caused Man United a lot of problems for half an hour last week, they caused Newcastle problems in the first game of the season away.
“Even the Brentford game, that Brentford ended up winning with some high re-gains and a set-play, they caused Brentford a lot of problems and they’re going to cause teams problems with the ball all season.
“We’re going to have to stand up to a lot of challenges, we know that. I’m not surprised in terms of the style they went with because I think Russell (Martin) is pretty vocal about that’s what he believes in and that’s what he’s going to stick to.
“We expect a tough game. We know they haven’t won a game yet, but we also know watching the games they’ve given every opponent they’re up against some problems to solve, and we know we’re going to have to do the same on Saturday.”
“You know with a Russell (Martin) Southampton team and squad, you always know the core elements they’re going to be really strong at and what you’re going to have to do.”
