Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna insists all the pressure is on Norwich City heading into Sunday’s East Anglian derby at Portman Road (12pm ko).
The Blues have been made odds-on favourites to end a 16-year wait for a victory over their bitter Norfolk rivals.
“I have to say, I don’t think anyone here feels that weight,” said McKenna. “If anyone does, maybe me, and I don’t, so I can’t imagine any of the players are because they haven’t been here long. For the large, large, large majority of the dressing room, it’s their first East Anglian derby, so they’re really looking forward to it.
“Of course, we know the 16 years thing. We’ve spoken about that and how nice it would be to give our supporters that sort of day.
“It’s not like we’ve had 32 games against each other and been in the same division for 16 years. There’s been two in the last six-and-a-half years, since February 2019, so it’s not a record, to be honest, that I feel hangs over us as a club.
“Four years ago we were in our fourth season in a row in League One and they were in their second season out of three in the Premier League. I think the direction of travel over the last few years has been really positive and we want to keep building the club back up to where we believe it can be.
“If we can beat our local rivals on the way it would be a fantastic boost for the supporters and for us in the building. We’re going to try and do that on Sunday.”
He continued: “For me, it’s something just to really look forward to. I don’t see how players who haven’t been at the club could be in any way burdened by that record. I think they’re really excited by the game. They’ve got nothing to lose.
“If anything, the record to lose is on the other side, and for our players, especially the new players, it’s a chance to go and do something that hasn’t been done for a while.”
McKenna continued: “We’ve spoke to the players about the significance of the rivalry to the supporters and the history of the rivalry. One of our staff members who’s been here the longest spoke really well to the group about that and shared some of the history, some of the stories and the importance of it from an Ipswich supporter.”
Asked who that staff member was, the relaxing Blues boss laughed:” I’ll tell you if we win because then I’ll give them credit. If we don’t win, I’ll blame them, so I don’t need all the fans blaming them as well! I’ll tell you if we win.”
Quizzed on whether it had been a tub-thumping speech from said staff member, McKenna said: “I think when you know the staff member who it was, he’s not a tub- thumper! He spoke very well about the geography, the history of the clubs, some of the big moments that the club have had in this fixture and some of the disappointments too. I think everyone left the room with a real positive mindset to try and turn this weekend into one of the real positive memories.”
Supporters group Blue Action have organised another team coach welcome. Thousands lined the streets ahead of the last East Anglian derby at Portman Road, with Ipswich going on to draw the game 2-2.
Some have suggested it might add extra pressure of the players, while others see it as an opportunity to further fire them up.
“I don’t see that first perspective at all,” said McKenna. “That’s the truth.
“I haven’t felt that in our games to get promoted (v Exeter in League One and Huddersfield in the Championship). And I didn’t feel it for the derby here before.
“It hasn’t felt anything other than an absolute privilege for players and staff to feel that support and welcome. It was always a real boost for us. We won two of those games and produced a top performance in the other.
“We heard that the supporters are going to do that again and we really, really appreciate it. I really look forward for the new players experiencing that.
“We know it isn’t going to win us the game and it’s not going to lose Norwich the game. We can’t rely on that to give us any extra motivation.
“But it gives you a great feeling going into the stadium and your excitement for the game just goes up another notch.”
