McKenna- Stay or Go ?

[Bluemike]

The debate has begun in earnest, cast your votes and let's see the general consensus of opinion.

[shabba]

Nice one Mike. I fear it would be a case of careful what you wish for if he went.

[Shed on tour]

Voted for jury is out. However, if we get off to a poor start I would make the change by the end of October beginning of November.

[ITFC2024]

I think the Americans and Ashton will have a lot of patience, however if we’re in a relegation battle patience may wear thin.

[Blue Wilf]

I am a Jury out voter. He has proven championship capability but little else. The key for me is does he want to be here and I am not convinced that he does. If he does not then f*ck him and change me to OUT! He has been great but he is not the 'most amazing manager ever' that many portray him to be. Marko suggests that League 1 again may beckon if we lose him - I don't think for a sexond that would be the case - Ashton and Co will (had better!!) have a plan b - which by the way is more than McKenna has had this season. I think we have been robbed of £5m this year by him - can't blame him for taking it but he had been found very much wanting at this level. I am amazed that the apparent majority cannot see that

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

I hardly need to declare how I voted - suffice to say that presently I am in a group of 1

[hallamblue]

Im an jury out voter , and not actually fussed is he does leave., He rarely if ever changes his approach in games even when its screaming for a change .... Have your philosophy and identity for sure, but be flexible enough to ADAPT when your way clearly isnt working . Im not sure hes got that in his make up . We'll see next season wont we , when teams deploy a low block for 90 mins, and hit us on the break . Something we've never coped with.

[Cabanas Blue]

Name someone who would do a better job and want to manage Ipswich.

[Bluemike]

There will be loads who would want the Job, not sure they'd be any better.

I too voted "Jury out". I will accept nothing less than hitting the ground running, encamped in top six at the very least and pushing for top Two finish, if that's not the case by November/ December then it's goodbye for me. With our squad and resources that shouldn't be beyond our capability

[Charnwood]

I’ve voted for him to stay but accept that we all see things differently. When we lost to Barrow in the FA Cup in December 2021 with Paul Cook in charge I could never see any future for our football club or even see us getting out of League One. To think where we are only 3 years later I don’t think we have too much to be despondent about. Our ownership, management, team squad, stadium and most of our fans are in a much different place to where we were in the pre McKenna days, and I don’t think any other manager could have been more successful.
We are now in a position where we will compete for another promotion next season and by the time we’re next in the Premier League the FFP rules will almost certainly have changed and not penalise the newly promoted clubs as they currently do. I think next time we’re promoted we’ll be there to stay at least whilst we have our current owners in charge.
My preference is definitely to keep McKenna in place for as long as we can, as after our next promotion the whole management team/owners/directors/Ashton/McKenna will have all learnt from their mistakes this season and will know what needs to be done differently. Looking back it could be as simple as recognising when a players not up to it and changing him, eg Muric who cost us so many points, or how better to defend a lead especially late on in s game. I would much prefer sticking as we are rather than trying again with the added risks of a new manager.
For me I wouldn’t make any managerial change until McKenna either chooses to leave, or there’s signs early next season (mid Nov) that that we’re struggling in the Championship, or after next seasons promotion to the Premier League come mid November it’s obvious that he didn’t learn from this seasons mistakes and were on course for another relegation.
Let’s not throw the baby out with the bath water.

[shabba]

Im an jury out voter , and not actually fussed is he does leave., He rarely if ever changes his approach in games even when its screaming for a change .... Have your philosophy and identity for sure, but be flexible enough to ADAPT when your way clearly isnt working . Im not sure hes got that in his make up . We'll see next season wont we , when teams deploy a low block for 90 mins, and hit us on the break . Something we've never coped with.

Eh? That was was 80% of teams did to us in the league 1 promotion season, the horror of Lincoln at home etc.

[shabba]

I’ve voted for him to stay but accept that we all see things differently. When we lost to Barrow in the FA Cup in December 2021 with Paul Cook in charge I could never see any future for our football club or even see us getting out of League One. To think where we are only 3 years later I don’t think we have too much to be despondent about. Our ownership, management, team squad, stadium and most of our fans are in a much different place to where we were in the pre McKenna days, and I don’t think any other manager could have been more successful.
We are now in a position where we will compete for another promotion next season and by the time we’re next in the Premier League the FFP rules will almost certainly have changed and not penalise the newly promoted clubs as they currently do. I think next time we’re promoted we’ll be there to stay at least whilst we have our current owners in charge.
My preference is definitely to keep McKenna in place for as long as we can, as after our next promotion the whole management team/owners/directors/Ashton/McKenna will have all learnt from their mistakes this season and will know what needs to be done differently. Looking back it could be as simple as recognising when a players not up to it and changing him, eg Muric who cost us so many points, or how better to defend a lead especially late on in s game. I would much prefer sticking as we are rather than trying again with the added risks of a new manager.
For me I wouldn’t make any managerial change until McKenna either chooses to leave, or there’s signs early next season (mid Nov) that that we’re struggling in the Championship, or after next seasons promotion to the Premier League come mid November it’s obvious that he didn’t learn from this seasons mistakes and were on course for another relegation.
Let’s not throw the baby out with the bath water.

SPOT

ON

[JamessB]

I voted for him to stay. This season has been incredibly disappointing but we had an outstanding season last year, finishing in the top 2, only a point behind Leicester when we were 2 leagues apart the previous season was a significant achievement.

McKenna is young and relatively inexperienced and no doubt has made some poor decisions but the reality is that we just didn't have enough quality to compete this season, when you look at other teams like Palace who are considered mid-table at best they still have several top class players including 3 England internationals in Eze, Wharton and Guehi, we just don't have this quality.

After what McKenna has achieved for this club after years of dross I think he at least deserves another go - however if we're not mixing it at the top of the table come winter then it's time to look at other options, personally I really hope it doesn't come to that and that the experience of this season can be put to good use and we bounce back stronger and better prepared to make a go of the Prem if we do get back there.

[hallamblue]

Im an jury out voter , and not actually fussed is he does leave., He rarely if ever changes his approach in games even when its screaming for a change .... Have your philosophy and identity for sure, but be flexible enough to ADAPT when your way clearly isnt working . Im not sure hes got that in his make up . We'll see next season wont we , when teams deploy a low block for 90 mins, and hit us on the break . Something we've never coped with.

Eh? That was was 80% of teams did to us in the league 1 promotion season, the horror of Lincoln at home etc.

Yer they did, and we struggled to break them down!

[shabba]

Yes it’ll be hard for sure, I was just meaning KM has experienced that before so it won’t be new and likely it’ll actually suit our primary 4-2-3-1 formation, especially as Davis can get forward etc and not have his defensive aspect exposed.

Must be really hard going from being a dominate team upto the prem and having to totally change tact.

[hallamblue]

I think we need much more guile in our midfield. We have the forwards, but wete not supplying them the ball in areas where they can hurt opponents.

[shabba]

Totally agree, a midfield refresh is needed. Needs to be more athletic and mobile.

[Charnwood]

Totally agree, a midfield refresh is needed. Needs to be more athletic and mobile.

For me one of our biggest problems was McKenna selecting the team around accommodating Morsy in recognition of his contribution to our back to back promotions, whereas in my opinion Sam wasn’t really up to it. If we get promoted again this type of loyalty has to be eradicated as does loyalty to any new signings to the standard required. Eg; Muric in goal.

[arana peligrosa]

I'd provide a general opinion but it wouldn't be anything printable

Voted for McKenna to be allowed until end of year to make a success once again. If not, if we're looking unlikely to even make top six or destined to end mid-league or worse then by all means he can take off and join up with another club set-up.

It's even money we'll be starting 4-2-3-1 just about every damn game next season so long as we got the same coach but the manager did so well last time out in the Championship even that worked and it were an unprecedented success. That seemed a one off, just can't see it being replicated a second time. Fools insisting we'll make automatic promotion again and instant return to top level, for lack of other words, they're wrong.

Thing is it's tough to see who could feasibly do a better job for us next season than McKenna himself so why make the change and risk something that could work again. One last time if the team is evidently struggling by end of year and way off a promotion chance then McKenna can leave. I'll wish him well for all he done for us - at lower level - however you can outstay your welcome on occasion and right there seems such an example. There isn't much else to say on the issue. Only that the defense needs certain improvement, lower league or not next season they're at the moment inadequate. An area of the squad we must attend to.

[ITFC2024]

Él no es el mesías, ¿verdad?

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

So thus far, the overwhelming result of this poll is that KM should be given at least until the new year.

None of us knows what is going to happen of course - but let's consider a situation in which KM has escaped being sacked in the close season and therefore has a transfer window to sort the squad out, but come December we are in a similar position to that which Luton found themselves in this season. What then? Getting rid of KM then would not allow a new manager time to get us into at least the play-offs. Some times acting too late is worse than acting in haste. Just saying.

[Mauswara]

I would like KM to stay.

He's not the weakest link.

[shabba]

So thus far, the overwhelming result of this poll is that KM should be given at least until the new year.

None of us knows what is going to happen of course - but let's consider a situation in which KM has escaped being sacked in the close season and therefore has a transfer window to sort the squad out, but come December we are in a similar position to that which Luton found themselves in this season. What then? Getting rid of KM then would not allow a new manager time to get us into at least the play-offs. Some times acting too late is worse than acting in haste. Just saying.

I think we'd all agree it would be time for change if we are well down the table late in the year. However Coventry sacked their manager in Novemeber last year, in 17th place and made the play off's so its do-able for sure.

[Ricco]

I think if there were the case Rossi, simply ensuring survival and a respectable position would be enough for me, so it wouldn't be a panic. I would want the new manager coming in to steady the ship and then have their own run the next year, not make some rushed pushed for another promotion we're not ready for.

I'd want to see McKenna given another go, we know how effective he can be in the Championship, but I think we would all really want to see him loosen his perspective and expand his tactical options, he's too rigid, and while it's a great trick, one trick ponies do not prevail for long. We need him to prove that he is learning and learning fast, otherwise we will have to look for other options.

[hallamblue]

I've said many times this season, that McKenna has had a free hit this season because the owners, Ashton weren't expecting us to get back to back promotions.

The fact that we have achieved that means it's been a case of, " alright, see what you can do , it'll be good experience but we'll continue our planned development / trajectory of the club" which is why with one home win all season, he hasn't been sacked, and won't be at the end of the season.

[Blue Wilf]

So thus far, the overwhelming result of this poll is that KM should be given at least until the new year.

None of us knows what is going to happen of course - but let's consider a situation in which KM has escaped being sacked in the close season and therefore has a transfer window to sort the squad out, but come December we are in a similar position to that which Luton found themselves in this season. What then? Getting rid of KM then would not allow a new manager time to get us into at least the play-offs. Some times acting too late is worse than acting in haste. Just saying.

I think we'd all agree it would be time for change if we are well down the table late in the year. However Coventry sacked their manager in Novemeber last year, in 17th place and made the play off's so its do-able for sure.

Yes - Keane did the same thing woth Sunderland a few years ago so a late runniw doable. I still think McKenna will go of his own accord (ie someone will pay out his clause) - probably Spurs or Leeds for me. Just my view and I could well be wrong. My overriding concern with McKenna is that I think he is set on continuing his upward progression whether that is with us (over time) or with someone else - sooner rather than later. I know Rossi thinks no-one will pay his get out clause but I think there are so many basket cases out there (Spurs in particular) that will be looking for that young British manager that they will take him, thinking that with 'better players' he will succeed. Time will tell and it will be interesting to see. I don't care if he stays or goes tbh but would rather he went soon if that is his intent.

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

So thus far, the overwhelming result of this poll is that KM should be given at least until the new year.

None of us knows what is going to happen of course - but let's consider a situation in which KM has escaped being sacked in the close season and therefore has a transfer window to sort the squad out, but come December we are in a similar position to that which Luton found themselves in this season. What then? Getting rid of KM then would not allow a new manager time to get us into at least the play-offs. Some times acting too late is worse than acting in haste. Just saying.

I think we'd all agree it would be time for change if we are well down the table late in the year. However Coventry sacked their manager in Novemeber last year, in 17th place and made the play off's so its do-able for sure.

Yes - Keane did the same thing woth Sunderland a few years ago so a late runniw doable. I still think McKenna will go of his own accord (ie someone will pay out his clause) - probably Spurs or Leeds for me. Just my view and I could well be wrong. My overriding concern with McKenna is that I think he is set on continuing his upward progression whether that is with us (over time) or with someone else - sooner rather than later. I know Rossi thinks no-one will pay his get out clause but I think there are so many basket cases out there (Spurs in particular) that will be looking for that young British manager that they will take him, thinking that with 'better players' he will succeed. Time will tell and it will be interesting to see. I don't care if he stays or goes tbh but would rather he went soon if that is his intent.

To be honest, Wilf, I really hope that another club - any club - would make him an offer and pay his release clause. I just don't see that happening.

[hallamblue]

My money is on Spurs, and I think he'd go.

[Blue Wilf]

My money is on Spurs, and I think he'd go.

No question he would go for me and Postecoglu is going to get fired, win a european trophy or not, so lets see.

[hallamblue]

I can't believe the Spurs manager is still in a job. Spurs gave been atrocious....