Kieran McKenna is hopeful that Ipswich Town’s point away at Hull City could be “really big” for The Tractor Boys in their bid to finish above Leeds United in second place.
Not many will have predicted Leeds United‘s 4-0 loss to QPR on Friday night. A side with a dismal home record taking on Leeds who before the match, had the third-best away record in the Championship table.
The pressure of course was on Leeds at Loftus Road but there was still an expectancy that Daniel Farke‘s side would take three points back to Elland Road. Of course, that never materialised with Leeds battered.
It saw Leeds miss the opportunity to go four points clear of Ipswich before they went to Hull on Saturday evening. Ipswich had the chance to leapfrog Leeds into second and still boast a game in hand over Leeds.
But McKenna‘s men missed out. That is because Ipswich and Hull played out a 3-3 thriller, Liam Rosenior’s side scoring a third late on to equalise. It sees Leeds remain second place, but only on goal difference.
Ipswich play against FA Cup semi-finalists Coventry City on Tuesday night and if they avoid defeat, they will go above Leeds into second place ahead of the final weekend. McKenna spoke after his side’s draw.
He spoke of how the point at Hull could prove to be really important, as they reach 90 points for 2023-24 just a season after being promoted. McKenna told TWTD he is confident despite failing to win the match.
Kieran McKenna reacts as Ipswich draw after Leeds defeat
“We’ll always take the positives. That puts us to 90 points, we know the significance. I’m not sure anyone’s ever done that, 90 points two seasons in a row in two different divisions, it’s an incredible achievement.
“We know what we need from the last two games. Hopefully tonight will prove to be a really big point. We scored two great goals from outside the box. We’ll take the positives and move on to Tuesday night.”
All eyes turn to Tuesday night as Ipswich go to Coventry, who come into the game having drawn 0-0 with Blackburn at Ewood Park, after former Leeds defender Liam Kitching was sent off in the second half.
The race for second as it stands, it looks unlikely for Leeds
Even if Coventry hold Ipswich to a draw it surely ends Leeds’ chances of automatic promotion. You could even argue that if Ipswich lost on Tuesday night, then it will still be in Ipswich’s hands come the weekend.
Mostly because Leeds play against Southampton at Elland Road, a really tough game. But, Ipswich play host to Huddersfield who of course, are all but relegated. Three from safety, behind on goal difference.
Leeds need Coventry to do The Whites a favour and inflict just a seventh Championship loss on Ipswich. Anything else and you imagine that’s it for Leeds and Farke in their bid to finish in the top two places.