Kieran McKenna believes Ipswich Town’s away point at Hull City will be “really big” in The Tractor Boys’ effort to finish ahead of Leeds United in second.
Few would have foreseen Leeds United’s 4-0 defeat to QPR on Friday night. A team with a poor home record faces Leeds, who had the third-best away record in the Championship heading into the game.
The pressure was on Leeds at Loftus Road, but Daniel Farke’s team was expected to return home with three points. Of course, it never happened with Leeds battered.
Leeds missed an opportunity to go four points ahead of Ipswich before travelling to Hull on Saturday evening. Ipswich had the opportunity to jump Leeds into second place while maintaining a game advantage.
McKenna’s men, however, lost out. That’s because Ipswich and Hull battled to a 3-3 draw, with Liam Rosenior’s side scoring a third late on to level. Leeds stay in second place, but only on goal difference.
Ipswich face FA Cup semi-finalists Coventry City on Tuesday night, and if they avoid defeat, they would move ahead of Leeds into second position heading into the final weekend. McKenna talked following his team’s draw.
He mentioned how the point at Hull may be crucial, as they reach 90 points for 2023-24 just one season after being promoted. McKenna told TWTD that he is confident despite not winning the match.
Kieran McKenna reacts to Ipswich’s draw after Leeds’ defeat:
“We’ll always take the positives.” That brings us to 90 points, and we understand the significance. I’m not sure whether anyone has ever scored 90 points in two consecutive seasons in two separate divisions; it’s a fantastic accomplishment.
“We know what we need after the last two games. Hopefully, tonight will prove to be a pivotal moment. We scored two excellent goals from outside the box. We’ll take the positives and move forward to Tuesday night.”
All eyes will be on Tuesday night when Ipswich go to Coventry, who had 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 is unlikely for Leeds
Even if Coventry draws with Ipswich, Leeds’ chances of automatic promotion are almost certainly over. You might even argue that if Ipswich loses on Tuesday night, it will still be in their hands over the weekend.
Mostly because Leeds face Southampton at Elland Road, an extremely challenging game. However, Ipswich will host Huddersfield, who are almost certainly relegated. Three from safety, behind on goal differential.
Leeds needs Coventry to do them a favor and defeat Ipswich for the eighth time in the Championship. Anything else, and Leeds and Farke’s chances of finishing in the top two are likely to be over.
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